The Last Rule

Chapter 3 - Two

"I hope na lumaki kang kasing galing ng Papa mo sa basketball or mas magaling pa. Ninong Da and his team is waiting for you to join. Again, happy birthday Triztan and to you Kuya Kriz!"

Today is the birthday of Kuya Kriz and the 7th birthday of his son, Triztan. Invited ako as one of the Seven Gifts ni Triztan and I just got him a school bag. Si Papa naman ay kasama sa Seven Bills, and my brothers gave him shoes and a ball.

"Walang mag-iinom at may training mamaya," paalala ni Papa sa mga players. We are seated at the biggest table in the middle, kasama ng mga friends ko.

"Pogi ni Wes," bulong ni Ate Jas sa kapatid niyang si Jeirlyn na kaibigan ko. Napalakas pa nga yata ang pagkakabulong niya dahil narinig namin. I looked at the players' table but it seemed like they did not hear. Ka-batch kasi nila si Kuya Wes at elementary pa lang may gusto na talaga si Ate Jas sa kanya. Fuentes number 99.

"Tumigil ka nga Ate!" Sigaw ni Jeirlyn. Normal na sa kanilang magkapatid ang magtalo because Jeirlyn is always masungit sa ate niya.

"Mas pogi yung mga Kuya ni Sola," sabi ni Teby at napa-irap ako. Lahat ng tao ay ganito ang sinasabi but since they are my brothers, I always feel like I have to disagree.

"Sakin si Kuya Calli," sabi ni Raela at umirap pa siya.

"Sayo lang sis! Gusto ko sa bad boy. Astro is mine."

After the program, kumain na kami. May sayawan pa pagkatapos which is normal in our barangay. Pero habang nagpapatuloy pa ang party, I already felt my energy draining. My social battery was dying. Aside from that, it was hot and I was already sleepy. Unfortunately, our house was still far from the venue.

"Gusto ko nang mauna," I told Mama who was with her friends as usual.

"Masakit nanaman ba yang ulo mo? Go tell your Papa," she said. Mama already knew this happens to me all the time. She always gives Papa the final decision, so I walked over to his circle.

"Pa, I want to go home na."

"Oh, the princess wants to go home na daw." Papa was with his friends this time, not with the players.

"Go tell your brothers to drive you home." Of course, ayaw pa nilang umuwi because they were obviously enjoying, but I really needed to go home. They could drive me and come back naman after.

"Kuyaaa!" I called, already desperate. They were with the players, laughing and messing around in their usual noisy circle. Even from afar, halatang nagbabardagulan sila.

"Kuyaaa!" I repeated, louder this time. All the players turned to me and even mocked the way I called.

"What?" my brothers asked in unison.

"I'm going home," I said in my tired tone, standing there with everyone's attention on me.

"Ok bye," Kuya Calli answered and even waved a little.

"Ingat," dagdag pa ni Kuya Astro.

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms in annoyance. Wasn't it obvious what I meant?

"What?" Kuya Calli asked again, this time with an amused smile. He knew what I meant but he was clearly teasing me.

"Pamasahe yata, Kuya," dagdag pa ni Astro, which made Calli pretend to get money from his wallet.

I was not in the mood for their jokes so I just stormed out of the reception. I could still hear their laughs as I left.

"Hallah kayo!"

"Nag-a-attitude nanaman."

I could still hear their comments because I only stayed near them, leaning against a random car that I did not even know whose it was.