In Every Hues

Chapter 7

Try

"Maurer Oliviero..."

I shook my hand as a greeting when Maurer offered his. Ngumiti ako ng malaki sa kaniya, nakikita ang lalaking bersyon ni Maureen sa kaniya.

Swerte ko yata ngayong gabi at napagtiisan kong makasama si Mommy sa iisang lugar. Ayaw ko pa naman sanang sumama pero hindi ko naman ako papayag na hayaan ang kapatid ko sa kaniya.

I don't think I would still be able to give her my trust again. I doubt that I could even give her the benefit of the doubt. They ruined the image of being a parent should be before my eyes.

"They will be the opposing team tomorrow," ngiti ni Maurer nang maupo kami.

Awe clearly dawned in their eyes. Nagkatinginan sina Mommy at ang dalawa niyang amigas sa tuwa. Halos marinig ko na ang internal screams ng nanay ko.

"Good luck for tomorrow's game!" saad ni tita Maylene. "You two should bond when you're available. Magkakasundo kayo panigurado!"

Maurer chuckled. "That's what I thought, too..."

Hilaw ang ngisi ko habang tumango-tango.

Mayabang 'to sa court. Samantalang ako, isa lang ang niyayabangan ko, minsan gusto pa akong suntukin.

Hindi ko 'to makakasundo. Humble ako, baka mapikon lang ako kung sakali. Mabilis pa namang dumadapo ang kamao ko sa mga lamok.

"Consistent dean's lister ang anak ko." My mother looks so proud, while I scoffed in disbelief. "Ever since he was in elementary school, he's an achiever already."

Maurer shot his brows up and gazed at me. There was some glint in his eyes which I didn't mind. Mas natuon ang atensyon ko sa usapan ng mga matatanda.

"Of course! Mana sa 'yo!" Tita Annabelle complimented. "Two years na lang din at ga-graduate na siya."

"Can I see his pictures during his elementary school days with you?" Tita Maylene requested.

My mother lost her smile. Pagak akong tumawa habang inaasikaso ang pagkain ng kapatid kong inaantok na. I know she's bored already.

"I don't have a copy with me right now..." She reasoned out.

You didn't have a copy because you weren't here. I was alone during the graduation ceremony. I got no one to walk with at the stage that time!

I wanted to shout it out. Nahihirapan akong pigilan ang naiisip ko dahil sa isiping ang tagal na noon.

Pero hindi ko magawa kasi bata pa lang ako, wala mang kamuwang-muwang ay nangailangan din ako ng kalinga ng isang magulang. Dahil mas kailangan ko iyon ng mga panahong iyon.

"You really should send it to our group chat. Maraming nagtatanong sa 'kin kung kamusta ka na dahil hindi ka masyadong nagsi-seen ng mga message!"

"Dapat maging active ka sa social media. Hayaan mo na iyong si Yves, paniguradong may sarili nang pamilya iyon."

Vanna stopped eating her meal as she looked at me. Tinaasan ko siyang kilay kaya mabilis niyang kinain ang sushi. I watched her face contorted with disgust.

She hates eating sushi. Namali ata ako ng lagay.

"Stop sticking your nose in these kinds of topics," bulong ko at pinisil ang kaniyang ilong.

She giggled and nodded her head. I heard Maurer chuckled in front of us. I lifted my gaze and caught him staring at the interaction between me and my sister.

"She reminds me of Maureen," he commented.

Naging alerto tuloy ako sa susunod niyang sasabihin. I maintained my composure, acting like I wasn't interested.