Tayo Na Naman

Baliw ba ko?

10 DAYS AGO
July 4, 2008

It's Friday. I'm super excited to practice with the band tonight. Ano kaya lulutuin ng Mama ni Hansel for dinner? Sana yung ginisang munggo na may pata at chicharon ulit. I never liked munggo before pero when I tasted Mrs. Baptiste's munggo last week, grabe dami ko nakain.

I look forward to Friday nights. Our band gets to practice sa mansion nila Hansel at tuwing Biernes lang ako nakakain ng lutong ulam. Sa bahay puro delatang tuna at corned beef.

After school, Hansel insisted to drive me home so I can get home faster. I fed Coco and Kimchee, my two shihtzus, took a quick shower, and asked my lola not to let Papa get into the house no matter what.

"Lola Halmoni, wag na wag nyo bubuksan ang pinto ha. Wag na wag nyong papapasukin sa bahay si Papa. Baka magiiyak na naman si Mama."

Hansel is playing with Coco and Kimchee in the kitchen when Mama walked in. I already informed Hansel about Mama's depression so he wasn't that surprised to see
Mama looking like a walking dead. Namamaga na naman ang mata ni Mama sa kaiiyak. Minsan gusto ko nang sambunutan si Mama para magising sa katangahan nya. Ilang beses na sya niloko ni Papa, paulit ulit nya pa rin pinapatawad.

"Betinna, anong pinagsasabi mo sa lola mo?"

"Ma, parang awa mo na. Hiwalayan mo na si Papa. Di ka ba nagsasawa sa kaiiyak?"

"Pwede ba, umalis na kayo. Di ba may practice banda nyo?"

"Yes po tita. We have to finish composing our song tonight. Drive ko na lang po pauwi si Betinna before twelve po," Hansel said.

Mama gave me a suspicious look.

"Yes, Ma. Kailangan namin matapos yung song tonight. Kakantahin namin yun sa wedding ng tita ni George this Sunday," I said.

George is our keyboardist. His aunt was looking for a wedding band. It just so happened that George was practicing our song on the piano when his aunt heard the melody. His aunt saw the lyrics and loved it. She loved it so much, she offered to pay our band 10,000 pesos to sing at the wedding reception. This is the first time that we are getting paid to sing. My bandmates and I are so excited to get paid.
We all need the money; except for Hansel.

I kissed Mama, Lola Halmoni, Coco and Kimchee goodbye as Hansel carried my laundry to his Camaro. I am only allowed to practice with the band on weekends because I bring my laundry to Hansel's house. Mula nung twelve years old ako, pinaglalaba na ako ni Mama. That was one chore I have; to wash my own clothes. Besides, we stopped hiring maids since I was twelve. Hansel got two maids and a super high-tech washing machine and drier. Am I not the luckiest girl or what?

Kumpleto na ang banda nang dumating kami kina Hansel. Nasa garden lahat eating on the billiard table at the gazebo next to the Olympic-size swimming pool. The billiard table is convertible to a pingpong table and dining table. Cool di ba?

Mrs. Baptiste cooked munggo with pata again. So yum! After dinner, we had mangoes, watermelon and fresh guyabano juice. Are we not the luckiest band or what?

"Hey guys! Pakibilis kumain. Kailangan na natin ma finalize yung chorus and bridge ng Full Moon," Hansel said.

Ang tagal na naming sinusulat tong Full Moon na to. Actually I wrote the lyrics. Hansel and I were working on the melody.

The drums, guitars, keyboard, microphones and speakers have been set up at Hansel's huge living room. When I say huge, as in HUGE talaga. Yung living room nila Hansel mas malaki pa sa buong bahay namin.

Hansel starts strumming. I look at him briefly before closing my eyes. I slowly nodded and waited for the cue. I step closer to the microphone. I inhale and then sing.