ETB #1: Lost in Blank Stares

Chapter 08

Chapter 08

“He doesn’t bring Ysable here anymore?” I asked Lara when I went home to La Union on Saturday.

"Napagsabihan kasi siya ng lola at mommy mo nung bumisita dito," she said, stirring the juice she had prepared for me and Thalia. The ice clinked softly against the glass as she poured the bright orange liquid into our cups.

I nodded thoughtfully, grateful that he had listened.

I hope they didn’t fight, though. Lagi pa naman silang nagkakasagutan ni Mommy kapag napagsasabihan siya, and it always escalates into a tense exchange of words. Sometimes naman, he just keeps quiet and lets their words enter his right ear and exit through the left. It’s like he’s trying to avoid the confrontation.

Magkaiba naman kami. Lagi akong nakikinig sa mga payo ng parents ko, and Thalia and I are the sweetest compared to our brother. Maldita minsan ang babae kong kapatid, but she's so sweet towards someone who is nice to her.

“Thalia, the juice is ready!” I called out to my sister, my voice echoing through the house as I carefully balanced the tray filled with juice and snacks for us.

Nakita ko siyang bumaba dala ang mga pang-tali niya ng buhok. I told her I had discovered a new design for her hair, which was why she had looked so excited while running towards me.

Nilagay ko ang tray sa table na nasa harap ng sofa.

“Ate Lara, get the mirror nga. I want to see my face while Kuya does my hair,” utos niya sa kanyang babysitter habang nakatalikod nang umupo sa akin. She also started to eat the sandwich.

Lara quickly fetched the mirror and handed it to Thalia, who held it up to see her reflection as I worked on her hair.

“Ate, watch Kuya so you can do it too! I always have ponytails, eh. My hair clips are sayang if not magagamit!”

I smiled at Lara na tumango-tango nalang sa kaartehan ng kapatid ko. She always liked to design her hair, ang dami ring mga accessories sa buhok na palaging sinasabi kay mom or dad na bilhan siya.

That's why I also started researching how to style hair properly. For me, it was a cute bonding between us.

In-on ni Lara ang TV para manuod kami ng cartoons, as always requested by the mahal na prinsesa.

"Kuya, may crush ka?" Thalia suddenly asked.

Napatigil ako sa ginagawa ko sa buhok niya. Stefano’s smiling face flashed in my mind. Mabilis kong iniling ang ulo ko.

Bakit ba nagtatanong ang batang ito, kung kailan ayokong isipin ang lalaking ‘yon!

Akala ko ba shallow crush lang, Caspian? Why does it bother you so much?

“Why do you ask?” I replied.

“Naku, may crush siguro ang batang yan,” si Lara ang sumagot habang tumatawa.

Mabilis namang umiling si Thalia.

“Thalia, ah, kindergarten ka pa lang, magtigil ka,” I warned her.

Baka maunahan pa ako ng batang 'to!

“No nga, Kuya, I don’t have a crush kaya! Ate Lara, your fake news,” she said, sticking out her tongue playfully.

“Weh, sino yung nagbigay ng flowers sa’yo?”

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Kindergarten pa lang, nabibigyan na agad siya ng flowers!

“Ew, I don’t like that boy. He’s so ew, no, Ate! And the flowers were lanta,” Thalia said, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

Gusto ko nga hilahin ang buhok niya dahil kabata-bata pa niya para gumaganyan na. Nilingon ko si Lara para tanungin kung sino ang nagbigay ng bulaklak.