*kringgg*
I found myself dumbfounded, staring blankly at the ceiling as the alarm clock continued to ring, yet I lacked the motivation to rise and switch it off. Lost in my thoughts, my gaze lingered on the ceiling until the sun began to creep into the room. The chirping of birds and the distant crowing of chickens signaled the arrival of morning, yet I remained ensconced in bed, succumbing to the embrace of sleepiness, despite being aware of my impending classes.
The reluctance to attend school pervaded my thoughts, not out of sheer boredom, but a lingering sense of fatigue weighed upon me.
I was in a deep thought when mom suddenly called us downstairs.
"Mga anak! Bumaba na kayo diyan! Nakahanda na ang alamusal niyo!"
Taking a deep breath, I attempted to process the myriad of thoughts weighing heavily on my mind, like a complex puzzle that proved challenging to solve.
Getting up from my tiny bed, I stretched my arms and began tidying up the mess, aiming to bring back order to my surroundings.
"Ate. . " The sound of someone calling my name drew my attention towards the door.
"Alex. . " I responded with a smile before completing the task of neatening my bed and making my way over to where my younger brother.
"Hey, baby, good morning," I greeted him, and he promptly wrapped his slender arm around my waist.
Zhowen Alexiz Alvarez, my seven-year-old brother, was a source of admiration among our relatives due to his remarkable intelligence at such a tender age. I, too, held deep admiration for him, often wishing I possessed his youthful brilliance. Matalino siya, masipag at tila matured na kung mag isip ito. Ganado rin siya sa pag-aaral kahit nasa grade 2 palang ito. Matataas ang mga marka na nakukuha rin niya sa kanyang pagsusulit.
"Morning. Mom said let's go downstairs, ate." My younger brother remarked casually. I picked him up before shutting the door to my room.
Hawak niya ang isang lapis at manipis na libro. Mukhang nag-aaral siya kanina at naabala lang ng tawagin kami ni nanay sa baba para kumain. Nakasimangot ang kanyang mukha dahil naabala siya sa pag-aaral. Ako nga na mismong ate bagot na ngang pumasok sa school tapos nalulula pang mag-aral. Siya na grade 2 palang ay tudo na sa pag aaral.
"Agang aga nakabusangot ka?" I asked as we descended the creaky wooden stairs, the aging wood showing signs of wear and tear. Masikip at sira sira narin ang mga kahoy nito. Tinitiis lang namin dahil wala pa naman kaming masyadong pera upang pambili ng bago at ipagawa ito.
"Nothing. I'm just annoyed," He responded, engrossed in his book as he jotted down notes and underlined passages. Playfully, I pinched his cheek, prompting him to face me with a furrowed brow and meeting eyebrows.
"You're such a handful. . " Nangingiting saad ko habang buhat buhat ko siya sa bisig ko. Mabait si alex, he is not easily upset by small things that other kids quickly take offense to, also alex is different from other children. He grew up with maturity because when we were still young, we were under the care of our grandparents. They acted as our parents when Mom and Dad were at work.
Ayaw ni alex sa laruan dahil mas nanaisin pa niyang magbasa kaysa mag laro ng laruan o sa labas kasama ang mga ibang bata. Pitong taon palang siya pero kung mag isip ay nasa tamang edad na. Iyon nga lang kung mataas ang pasensya nya sa ibang bagay na minamalaki na ng ibang mga bata ay yun din naman ang kinababa ng pasensya nya tungo sa pagbabasa. Kung iistorbuhin mo lang siya sa pag aaral marahil ay iba ito kung magtampo sayo. Ilang araw mo pang suyuhin kumain. Hindi ka papansinin hanggang umabot sa isang linggo bago ka payaging kausapin.
