Flowing Through Pages

Chapter 31

Chapter 31.

Call

"Ayos lang ba talaga 'yan sayo?" Ate asked as she eyed my outfit.

Nanghiram ako ng susuotin para sa pupuntahan namin dahil hindi na ako makauwi pa para lang mag palit ng damit. Ate offered me a dress, but I declined. Dresses just make me uncomfortable---I only wear them when absolutely necessary. So, I borrowed Kuya's white long-sleeve shirt and his pants, which looked oversized and baggy on me. But that's fine; it's more my style anyway.

"Hm," I nodded.

"Okay, ikaw ang bahala. . ."

Ate's wearing a sleek black long-sleeve dress that fits her perfectly.

"Tara na?" si Kuya na kakapasok lang ng bahay. He's dressed in simple pants and a shirt---way too casual for someone who used to be all about fashion. You'd never guess he was once obsessed with it.

"Si Ignatius ba? Kinumusta mo ba siya?" tanong ni Ate.

Ignatius?

Narinig ko rin ang pangalang 'yon mula sa tindera. Somehow, it sounds familiar to me.

Tumango si Kuya. "Oo, sobra nga daw nag-e-enjoy sa Lola. Hindi ko alam kung kailan siya babalik."

Ate chuckled. "Gano'n ba. Hayaan mo na muna siya doon. Matagal na niyang gustong magbakasyon kasi ang dami niyang kalaro."

"I know," Kuya sighed, then both of them turned their gaze towards me, as if suddenly realizing I was there and completely clueless about who they were talking about.

"Ah! Si Ignatius, our son. Remember?" Ate said with a faint smile.

My eyes widened in realization. So, it's their son, huh? No wonder his name sounded familiar. The last time I saw him, he was just a baby.

"From five years ago?" I asked.

"Yeah," Kuya nodded, his expression dimming slightly, probably recalling everything that happened back then.

I knew what he was thinking about. I understood how hard it was. Five years ago, they went through one of their toughest challenges. I still wonder how they managed to overcome it. If it were me, I might've just given up.

They're both. . . strong.

The silence hung in the air for a moment before Kuya clapped his hands, breaking it. "Ano?! Let's go?" he said, offering his arm to Ate.

Ate chuckled and looped her arm around his. Tumaas ang kilay ko no'ng nilapit niya din sa akin ang kabilang braso niya. I gave him a confused look. What?

"Hold on to your brother's arm, Kal," he said, a smirk spreading across his face.

I let out a breath and did what he said. Marahan siyang natawa sa reaksyon ko bago kami nag simulang na mag lakad.

"Your style hasn't changed. You still like oversized clothes."

I scowled at his remark. "And yours did. You look lame."

Nangunot ang noo ko nang parehas silang humalakhak sa aking sinabi. I stared at them in disbelief. This couple, really. I was starting to question if coming along with them was such a good idea.

"And you still have that sharp tongue," Kuya teased.

Nainis ako kaya kinurot ko ang braso niya. He yelped and started complaining to Ate Amaris, who just laughed at his antics. He looked like a kid throwing a tantrum. He's really different now---he's not as serious or dull as he used to be.