XVIII
HUMINA na 'yong ulan. Wala na rin daw 'yong aksidente ro'n sa U-turn, pina-check ni Tita Kreila kay Kreiho.
Sinusuot ko na 'yong sapatos ko habang nag-uusap sila Kriho at Tita sa sala. Krisha's beside me, watching me do it while her hands on her chin.
"Ate Ganda, 'di ako marunong mag-tie ng shoelace." She pouted.
Ini-ribbon ko na 'yong sintas bago tumingin sakaniya. "Your kuyas didn't teach you?"
"They did po." She crossed her arms. "Pero kapag sila nagtuturo, impatient po sila. Kapag hindi ko po kaagad nage-gets, ayaw na nila."
"Do you want me to teach you?" Nakangiting alok ko.
Sunod-sunod naman siyang tumango. "Gusto po! Now na po ba?!"
Sumulyap ako kay Kriho kung tapos na sila mag-usap, hindi pa naman.
I laughed and nodded. "Sure."
"Kuhanin ko lang po shoes ko!" Nagmamadali siyang tumayo at tumakbo paakyat sa kwarto niya. Sinaway pa siya ni Kriho kasi baka madulas daw.
Tumayo ako nang makitang papunta rito si Tita.
"Here, hija." May inabot siyang sweater. "Even if the rain has stopped, it's still cold outside. Especially now, it's past seven."
"Thank you, Tita." I smiled and wore it in front of her, which made her smile.
"It looks good on you. You can have it! I bought it last week because I found it cute, kaso nagustuhan din ni Krisha kaya 'di ko masuot. Mag-aaway lang kami kasi gusto niyang suotin kahit maluwag daw." Natatawang sabi niya.
I was about to protest when Kriho flicked his fingers near my face. "Let's go. Baka umulan nanaman, para 'di ka na abutan. Pretty sure it's traffic. Text your Dad, too."
"This boy really knows how to ruin the fun." Tita made a face at her son and Kriho just stared at her coldly.
"Ate Ganda! Ate Ganda! Ito na po!" Our heads turned to Krisha who's running down the stairs. Kriho was about to scold her but I pinched him on the side. Tita Kreila glanced at that action and I saw a ghost of smile on her lips.
"What?" Malditong tanong nitong isa.
Inilingan ko lang siya at pinanlakihan ng mata. He groaned, stopping himself from scolding his little sister.
"Teach me na po!" Krisha chirped while looking up to me, holding a pair of yellow small shoes.
Tita squatted down in front of her. "She can't na, baby. Ate needs to go home because it's getting late."
"Po?" Her expression saddened. "Okay po." I felt a tiny sharp of pain in my chest when I saw how disappointed she is.
I looked at Kriho, not knowing the reason myself. Maybe asking for his help?
God, kids are too irresistible.
"Joshan. You're going home." Kriho stated with finality in his voice, like he knew what's running in my mind.
I slightly pouted but couldn't say any protest. I squatted down in front of Krisha who has the same expression as me. "I will teach you na lang next time, Rishy." I promised to cheer her up.
Her expression lightenend up. "Talaga po?!" Napapalakpak siya. "Promise po 'yan, ha!"
"Tumigil na, Krisha. She needs to go home." Singit ni Kriho.
