Heart Strings

Chapter 06

"How long has it been since we were all together? I still remember how noisy this dining room used to be when you guys were younger." Pagre-reminiscing ni Papa.

Tahimik kaming apat na anak habang pinapanood ang masayang mukha ni Papa. It's 5 pm and here we are at the dining room sitting across from each other, waiting for our miryenda to be served. Nasa kusina si Mama kaya mas lalong tahimik dito. "How's California Logan? You've been gone for almost 6 months, how's the movie going?" Pagtatanong ni Papa.

Napatingin kaming lahat kay Kuya, waiting for his answer. "Ayos naman po Pa, medyo mahirap kasi na ho-home sick din po."

Ayun lang? Hindi man lang siya magkukuwento? Grabe, Kuya Logan. He's been gone for six months, and that's all he has to say?

Hindi man lang siya magkukuwento tungkol sa mga nangyari sa kanya? Like natae ba siya? Maganda ba sa pinag-stayan nila? Graduate ng communications, pero he's lacking with communication!

"By the way, I talked with Direk Cath, ni-reject mo daw yung bago niyang offer? Sayang naman, her works are very good. You should at least audition for them."  Papa took a sip of his coffee waiting for Kuya's reply.

"I want to rest. It's a series, Pa, and I'm not really into long commitments right now. Besides, I'm still adjusting to being back." Papa nodded his head as he understood Kuya Logan.

"Ikaw naman." The dining room fell silent again, everyone's attention shifting to Kuya Luke as Papa pointed at him, the tension hanging in the air. "How's the work? Narinig ko kay Carla na the Madrigal's lend one million pesos last week, any updates?" Nilagay ni Kuya ang kamay niya sa lamesa and clasped it.

"Well, Mister Kiko already paid me twenty thousand this morning and the rest are still going just fine." Wala akong maintindihan sa usapan nila. Like, wala! Puro business ang usapan kahit sa miryenda! Parang masyadong seryoso ang lahat. Minsan, na papaisip ako, kaya ba ako naiiba dahil hindi ako involved sa mga ganitong bagay? But, honestly, I'd rather not. Business? No thanks.

Tuloy pa rin sila sa pag uusap tungkol sa lending keme, habang si Kuya Lanz ay abala sa pag ta-type sa tablet at si Kuya Logan ay nag cellphone na lamang.

"Lanz, what is my schedule for tomorrow?" Napatigil ang lahat sa mga ginagawa nila at tumingin kay Kuya Lanz. "You..." He paused while looking at the tablet. "You are actually free. Bakit po, Pa? May lakad po ba kayo na need I-schedule?" Kuya asked.

"Let's all go to EK tomorrow." Masayang bigkas ni Papa. Ano daw? EK? Kalagitnaan ng pasukan, EK talaga? Well, since semester break namin, pwedeng-pwede ako! "Pero may meeting ako bukas Pa." Pagsingit ni Kuya Luke.

"I'm free!" I raised my hand enthusiastically.

"Jet lag." Maigsing sagot ni Kuya Logan.

"I can't say I'm busy or free since Papa schedule is also my schedule." Kuya Lanz said in matter-of-factly.

"I'm free tomorrow." Pumasok si Mama sa eksena habang bitbit ang tray ng pagkain. Tumayo ako para kunin sa kanya ang tray kaso naunahan pa ako ni Kuya Luke. "Alam ko naman na wala akong kapangyarihan para mag-day off muna kayo bukas, pero sana man lang makapag-bonding muna tayo bago umalis ang Papa niyo pa puntang Bali."

"Aalis ka Pa?" Tanong ni Kuya Lanz. Sekretarya siya ni Papa, pero di alam ang mga lakad at plano ni Papa? What kind of secretary are you, Kuya? "Yes, I didn't bother to tell you kasi, you will be the one handling the bank." Kuminang ang mga mata ni Kuya Lanz sa narinig neto.