what if we happened

7. Middle Child Pain

Chapter 7: Middle Child Pain

Seren

Seren:
Hi, Elias.

Just got home. Hehe. Ginabi na dahil medyo napasarap ang kuwentuhan namin.

How about you?

Nasa bahay ka na rin ba?

Elias told me to message him so I did.

When I get home, I'm setting my backpack down on a sofa. I glanced around, only two lampshades were lit in the living room. Halatang si Mama at 'yong kababatang kapatid ko lang ang tao rito ngayon, ngunit si Dilim agad ang una kong hinanap upang kumustahin at pakainin na rin. Moments later, awtonatik akong napangiti nang makita ko siya—she bounded into the room, tail held high in recognition, meowing enthusiastically as she rubbed against my legs, para bang buong maghapon niya ako hinihintay.

Napaka-sweet!

"Hi, Dilim!" I cooed, kneeling down to stroke her fur. "Gutom ka na ba?" I asked her. "Let's prepare your food. Tara." I scratched behind her ears before heading to the kitchen.

"Here's your food. Eat well," I said after placing her bowl on the floor. Nang magsimula na siyang kumain, tumabi lang ako at pinanood siya. Sabi ko kina Mama na tuwing gabi ay ako ang magpapakain sa kaniya kaya kahit hindi pa ako nagpapalit ng uniform, siya ang inuna ko. "You survived your day one here in our home. How was your day, Dilim? Naalagaan ka ba nina Mama nang mabuti? Were you good? Kasi ako, guess what! Marami akong kuwento sa iyo mamaya. You won't believe what happened earlier. Masayang-masaya ako ngayon, Dilim. Nagkita ulit kami ng daddy mo. Kinumusta ka niya sa akin 'tapos, mukhang magiging chatmate pa kami. Basta! I can't wait to tell you all about it," masayang-masayang pakikipag-usap ko sa kaniya, as if understanding every of my words.

Dito sa tahimik na kusina, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. It was just me and my cat. Normally, kapag umuuwi ako ng bahay, diretso kuwarto ako pero ngayon, napapagaan ni Dilim ang pakiramdam ko sa bahay na 'to. She lift my spirits. I couldn't help but feel grateful. In her own quiet way, my cat brought light into our home.

Nakaramdaman ako ng yabag, my mom appeared in the doorway with a smile. Napansin niya ako agad. "Oh, you're already here. Inabot ka na ng dilim."

"I just met with my friends po."

Nakatayong pinanood niya rin si Dilim kumain. "Alam mo bang sobrang bait ni Dilim kanina? We left her alone here at home and she just stayed in one place," she said fondly.

I looked up at her. "Totoo po ba? Hindi siya kumulit? No mess?"

Lumaki ang ngiti niya. "None at all. Hindi rin siya dumudumi kahit saan, nagulat nga kami noong naturuan niya 'yong sarili niya pumunta roon sa box na nilagyan namin ng buhangin kung saan siya dudumi at iihi. She did a good job there. Hindi tayo mahihirapan na i-train siya ng iba pa."

A smile spread across my face upon hearing it and shifted my gaze to Dilim. Masaya ako na nagugustuhan nilang alagaan ang pusa ko. "You're such a good girl, Dilim. I'll give your reward later."

Hindi pa rin umaalis si Mama sa tabi namin. Habang pinapanood ko si Dilim, relishing the news of her good behavior, my mother asked me with a casual yet pointed question. Kaya pala ayaw niya pa kaming iwan. Mali yatang dito ko pa sa kusina pinakain si Dilim; I regretted I should have done it in my room. "S'ya nga pala, Seren. How's your college application form? Nakapag-fill out ka na ba sa Aurora University?"

Pinanatili ko ang tingin kay Dilim but slowly let my smile fade. Here we go again. Nakaramdam ako ng lungkot na may halong inis. Minsan na kasi namin pinagtalunan ni Mama kung saan ako mag-eenroll. With that, I know where this conversation is going to take us. "I submitted my application form to Elysium University. Nursing," I finally admitted. I think this is the right time for it, since I'm graduating. Sabay-sabay kaming nag-asikaso roon ng mga kaibigan ko dahil doon din nila balak pumasok sa college. "Nakapag-exam na po ako, at na-interview na rin. I was just waiting for the result."