Been Through (SCS #3)

32.

I know it's been a long time since I last updated. Sorry, abala lang talaga sa school and kahit holiday, may practices and schoolworks kami pero, sinusubukan ko ulit magsulat. Mahirap pero, sinusubuko kaya asahan niyong unti-unti o mabagal ang update dito hanggang sa masanay ulit ako.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

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The morning rays kissed my face when I opened my eyes. I stretched my arms and yawned before roaming my eyes around. Tumayo ako at inayos ang kama ko bago ko tinali ang buhok ko.

I stood up and went outside, only to hear several voices that seems familliar. I could hear my father's and mother's voices. May isa pang boses akong naririnig at sapat 'yon para mapahinto ako.

"Mukhang gustong-gusto ka ni Kiel," my mother's soft voice reached my ear. Nag-ipon ako ng lakas ng loob para humakbang at sumilip. Gayon na lang ang pagtibok ng puso ko nang makita sila sa sala. My four-year-old brother's sitting on his lap. My parents are sitting beside each other across the two of them.

"Kuya!" Kiel said enthusiastically. He smiled and looked down at him before humming in question.

"Laro toys, Kuya?"

I smiled at my brother's adorable speaking voice. I feel like a proud mother hearing Kiel speak clearly despite his young age. Minsan nabubulol pa siya pero, mas madalas ang pagsasalita niya nang klaro.

"Okay, buddy. Anong lalaruin natin?" he asked in a soft voice. Nanatiling tahimik ang mga magulang ko at pinapanood sila. Kiel got off his lap to get his toys when he saw me.

"Ate! Hi!" he greeted sweetly and ran to me. Doon ako napansin ng mga magulang ko at pati siya ay napatingin sa direksyon ko.

"Good morning," bati ko kay Kiel at naupo para halikan siya sa pisngi. Hindi ko na mabuhat dahil mabigat na kaya naupo na lang ako. "Nag-almusal ka na?" tanong ko sa kapatid.

"Opo," he answered politely.

"Anong kinain mo, baby?" Tumayo ako at humawak sa kamay niya. We started walking towards them.

"Kanin and sabaw!" he answered. Naupo ako sa sofa na halos katabi niya at nang magtama ang tingin namin ay nakita ko ang pagngiti niya kaya hindi ko maiwasang hindi ngumiti pabalik.

"Naubos ni Kiel 'yong isang mangkok ng kanin na may sabaw, Yara. Siya na rin mag-isa ang kumain," my father spoke proudly, caressing Kiel's hair. "Galing-galing ng baby namin," he praised.

Napangiti ako habang pinapanood sila nang kausapin ako ni Mama. "May almusal pa roon, 'nak. Kumain ka na at papasok pa kayo."

Walang imik akong tumango at tumayo pero bago pa man ako makahakbang, narinig kong nagsalita siya.

"Uhm... Yara," he called so, I looked back. He scratched his head, shying at something but he calmed himself and looked at me. "Can I eat... with you?"

Kumalabog ang dibdib ko at nag-init ang pisngi sa simpleng tanong niya. Ramdam kong pinapanood kami ng mga magulang ko kaya wala na rin akong nagawa kung hindi ang sumagot.

"Hindi ka pa kumakain?" tanong ko. Janus Rigor bit his lower lip and shook his head.

"Hindi pa..." he answered. "Hinihintay kitang magising," mahina pero klarong sagot niya. I took a glance on my parents and saw them talking to each other but with a smile on their faces.