WINSTON AND RINGO (Montana Series 3 | BXB)

07: Gladiolus

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The shrill ring of my phone made me awake, pulling me from my peaceful sleep. As I rubbed my eyes, I reached for my phone underneath the pillow. Si Mom ang tumatawag kaya naman mabilis ko itong sinagot.

"Hello, Mom," I mumbled as I brought my phone to my ears.

"Kagigising mo lang ba?" tanong niya.

"Yes, Mom," I answered, and then my eyes fell to Ringo, who was still asleep on his bed.

"I forgot to tell you something," she said. "I booked a yacht for us there. Just ask the front desk about it. I think the schedule will be tonight."

"You want me to stay there tonight?" I asked.

"Yes," she answered. "Hindi ba't sabi mo ay may nakilala kang kaibigan dyan? Yayain mo siya doon. Sayang naman kung hindi magagamit. I already paid for it."

"Okay, Mom," I said. "Let me see. I'll update you later."

Before we ended our conversation, Mom gave me more reminders. I never did something to disappoint our family, that's why it's quite annoying to hear her talking to me as if Austin and I had similar traits. Matapos kong makipag-tawagan ay nagising na rin si Ringo.

"Good morning," he said, stretching his arms with a groan.

"Good morning," I responded. "Kamusta ang tulog mo?"

"Maayos naman," nakangiti nitong sabi at tumayo mula sa kanyang kama. "I'll prepare some breakfast. May gusto ka bang kainin?"

"Nothing in particular," I said while shaking my head. "Anything can do."

"Okay! Tatawagin na lang kita pag kakain na," sabi niya at nakangiting lumabas ng kanyang kwarto.

Confusion clouded me when he left, making the room shattered into silence. Naalala ko ang mukha ni Ringo nang siya'y magising mula sa kanyang panaginip. He dreamed about something bad last night, but when he woke up, he looked fine, as if nothing happened.

I stood and fixed the blanket and pillow I used. When I returned it to the cabinet, I saw a picture frame slid beside it. Kinuha ko ito at nasilayan ko ang isang family picture. The picture seemed taken many years ago, because Ringo looked younger, probably eight years old.

Apart from him, I also had a glimpse of Tito Marcial and Maynard's face. They're also with two women with them in the photo, probably an older sister and Ringo's Mom. After a moment, the door swung opened and it revealed Maynard's face.

"Gising ka na pala," sambit niya. Napatingin siya sa aking hawak kaya naman nilapitan niya ako.

"Sorry," I said, and I was about to return the picture frame, but he stopped me.

"Hindi, ayos lang," saad nito. "Hindi ko alam na nandyan pa pala 'yan."

Out of curiosity, I managed to ask, "Is this your Mom?"

Tumango naman siya. "Oo, at 'yang isang babae ay pangalawang kapatid namin."

"Nasaan siya ngayon?" tanong ko.

"Bakit? Type mo?" nakangisi nitong sabi. "Wala na siya dito. Wala rin siya sa bahay namin sa Montana. Hindi namin alam kung nasaan siya ngayon dahil nilayasan niya kami."

"Nilayasan? What happened?" I voiced.

"Sabihin na lang natin na makasarili siyang kapatid," matipid nitong sagot.

I noticed Maynard expressed a different mood when he spoke about his sister, so I decided not to ask more about her. Ilang saglit pa ay bumukas muli ang pintuan.