Hello, Yellow Fellow

Chapter 31

Hello, Yellow Fellow
Chapter 31: Home

"Kelan ka pa kumakain ng maraming gulay?" Takang tanong ni Kuya habang tinitignan 'yong plate ko. I stared at it too, at tama nga siya— puro gulay nga 'yong nasa pinggan ko.

Out of habit, nalagyan ko ng ganito karaming gulay. Bwisit na Maki 'yon. Unconsciously nadadala ko na 'yong mga bagay na hindi ko naman dapat dalhin dito sa bahay.

"Trying to be healthy, you know," pabiro kong sabi, sabay kindat sa kanya.

Ngumisi si Kuya, but it wasn't the kind of smile you'd want to see. Alam kong may ibig sabihin yon. Nang makahulugan siyang tumawa, I knew I was in for it.

"Stop it," inis kong sabi, glaring at him habang sinisipat ko rin si Mommy na abala sa pagsasalin ng isa pang ulam.

"Nay Flora, paabot nga no'ng isa pa," sabi ni Mommy kay Nanay Flora, ang kasambahay namin.

I miss seeing mom in the kitchen like this. She's always so busy, kaya nakakatuwa when she cooks for us again.

"How's your studying, baby?" Tanong ni Mommy habang nilalagay niya yong bagong ulam sa lamesa.

"Doing good, my. Running for dean's list na naman 'yong anak mo!" I boasted, sticking my tongue out like a proud kid.

"As expected from you," she complimented. "You're really doing well with your studies, anak."

Kuya chuckled. "Ganyan ata 'pag may lovelife."

"I said, stop it!"

"Mga anak, nasa kainan tayo," saway ni Mommy, obviously not wanting us to start a fight.

"Sorry, si Kuya kasi, Mom," I pouted, giving him a side glare.

"Tigil na 'yan, Blublu, okay?" Saway ni Mommy kay Kuya. Napangiti ako at binelatan siya. Serves him right!

"I heard you're working in the same company as your Kuya? Is my allowance not enough for you?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Mommy, her voice soft but filled with concern.

"Of course not, my! More than enough nga! I'm working there for experience and portfolio lang talaga," I explained, giving her a reassuring smile.

"Are you sure?" her brows knitted with worry. "I want you to focus on your studies muna sana."

"I'm all good, my. Plus, 'yong work ko doon is part of my passion, so wala namang problema."

"Fine," she sighed, though her worry lingered in her eyes. "Just don't take on too much pressure, okay?"

"Yes, my. Don't worry about me, I'm doing good." I squeezed her hand to assure her. I know she's worried because she's seen me at my worst.

"Speaking of that..." biglang pag-iiba ng usapan ni Kuya. He really knows where to meddle para mabawasan ang pag-aalala ni Mommy.

"Have you seen the upcoming project?"

"Not yet, Kuya," I answered while starting to eat. "Wala pa namang nasesend sa akin."

"I see, baka 'di pa nila nadidistribute sa inyo."

"Wait, kasama ka ba doon?"

"Mag-aassist lang."

"What about it? Alam mo na ba anong concept?"

"I just heard from my manager. Duo concept daw," he said, muffling his voice as he ate. "By partner 'yong photoshoot."

Duo concept? I wonder who Maki's partner will be. Hindi ko maiwasang mag-isip ng konti.

"I see..."

Nagtuloy lang kami sa kwentuhan habang kumakain. After a while, nagkanya-kanya na kami ng punta sa kwarto. Nasa second floor ang mga bedrooms namin. Our house isn't that big, but it's cozy enough for us. Rarely din kami nakakauwi ng ganito, kaya it feels extra special whenever we're together as a family.