2013
"Are you ready, kids?"
"Aye, aye, Captain!"
Xaviera was kicking her little feet in the air while singing to the music from the TV. She was wearing a turquoise shirt paired with cream cotton pants. A bright yellow bow held back her short hair that laid bare the carefree and joyful presence of her face as her attention was focused on the old Sony TV in front of her. The scent of baby powder that had been applied to her torso and cheeks surrounded the room. The TV stood proud in the corner of the living room with its combined plastic and metal casing, worn and weathered, hinted at years of faithful service. With eyes screaming innocence and ignorance of the world, she contentedly watched the show she had been waiting for every weekday afternoon.
"I can't hear you!"
"Aye, aye, Captain!" She continued to sing.
"Oh!!! Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?"
"Spongebob Squarepants!"
Her little brother, Yuris, entered the room and ran to her. He struggled to climb onto the couch, but she chose to ignore him. Hinampas siya nito sa binti na ikinakunot ng noo niya. Eventually, tumulong din naman siya at hinila ito paakyat. Umupo ito sa tabi niya at nakinood sa kaniya. At first, he was just quiet and sitting still until the television suddenly turned off.
"Anong nangyari?!" Xaviera immediately stood up and looked for the remote, which was now in her brother's hand.
"Adventure Time!" The boy yapped with a wide smile, exposing his decayed teeth.
"Ano? Ayoko non!"
She tried to snatch the remote back, but he quickly avoided her hand and turned the TV on again to change the channel.
"Yuris, isa!" She tried threatening him by screaming and stomping her foot on the floor, but it had no effect. He just made a face at her.
"Panget naman ng Spongebob mo!"
"Mas panget ka at 'yang mga bulok mong ngipin! Hindi ka nga naliligo! Tingnan mo 'yang mga kuko mo sa paa, ang iitim!" Napipikon na niyang sagot.
"Bahala ka, bleh!" Sinubo bigla ni Yuris ang remote bago binigyan siya ng mapang-asar na tingin.
Ayaw niyang magpatalo kaya kahit ang remote ay nakapasok sa bibig nito at natutuluan ng laway ay kinuha niya pa rin. Napatakip ng bibig si Yuris dahil aksidenteng nadali ang ngipin niyang malapit nang mabunot dahil sa pagkakalakas ng hila ni Xaviera.
"Sayang 'yung oras! Tatlong episodes lang 'yon ngayong araw! Epal ka talaga!"
"Ang sakit!" Binaba ni Yuris ang kamay para mailuwa sa palad niya ang kung anong dumidisturbo na bagay sa loob ng bibig niya.
Xaviera's face contorted in disgust when she witnessed her brother's blood-stained tooth fall into his hand. "Yuck! Nakakadiri ka!" Lumapit siya at agresibong hinila ang damit ng kapatid para ipangpunas sa laway na nasa remote.
"Nadugo! Isusumbong kita kay Mama!" He exclaimed when he saw his own blood on his hand. His face twisted as he was about to bawl loudly and throw tantrums.
"Edi isumbong mo! Isusumbong ko naman na sinubo mo 'yung remote!" Tinutok ni Xaviera ang remote sa TV para ilipat ang channel, pero mabilis na nakatakbo si Yuris para harangan 'yung control pannel sa TV gamit ang mga kamay.
"Yuris. Tabe!" Humakbang siya palapit sa kapatid at marahas na hinila ang damit nito para patabihin.
"Kanina ka pa nanonood!" But both of them didn't want to forfeit. Her hands moved to his head and began gripping his hair while he was punching her torso.
