When We Were Young

14th Star

"Ate Gabi, I want to see the pictures again."

Sam barged into my room and sat on my bed.

"Sam, diba mom told you to knock first before entering a room." I reminded her.

"Gusto ko lang naman makita yung mga pictures ng places na pinuntahan mo eh." She did her paawa voice.

"Fine." I conceded. "Pero dun na lang sa laptop natin tignan. Na-transfer ko naman na yung photos kahapon."

"Yes! Let's go." She hurriedly stood up.

"To where?"

"Sa baba. Kinuha ni kuya Batman yung laptop mo kanina while you were in the shower. He might still be using it now, but I can make him go away." Sam grinned.

"Hay naku... Kayo talaga. Buti na lang love ko kayo." I held Sam's hand as we went down to the living room.

When we got to the living room, wala si Batman. Si Wolverine lang and si Daddy ang nandoon. We headed to the kitchen dahil siguradong nakabantay na naman si Batman kay mommy habang nagluluto.

And I was right. Batman was sitting on a stool by the kitchen counter. Nakabukas ang laptop pero si Mommy ang pinapanood nya. May sinasabi sya tungkol sa mga ilaw sa bahay namin.

"Batman, ha. Hindi ka na naman nagpaalam." I said as I took the laptop.

Umupo din kami ni Sam sa mga stool. Binuksan ko yung folder sa desktop na may title na "Adventure".

"Sorry na, ate Gabi. May pinakita lang ako kay Mommy na light show." Batman explained.

"Yes. And it was really good." Mommy agreed with Batman.

"Next time, please ask permission first, okay?" I said.

"Yes, ate." Batman nodded. "Titignan ba ulit ni Sam yung mga pictures?"

"Yeah." I answered.

"Hindi na nagsawa ah."

"Eh ang ganda kaya." Sam retorted.

"Ayan." I clicked on the photo of the Enchanted River to view it in full screen. "Go knock your mermaid self out."

Sam's face lit up at the sight of the river. Palagi nya tinitignan yung picture na yun pero hindi sya nagsasawa. Hindi nagbabago yung ganoong reaksyon nya.

Tumayo ako para tignan kung anong niluluto ni Mommy. Sinigang na gabi. The only thing I can cook perfectly.

"Mommy, I think you need to teach me another dish to cook." I said.

"Bakit? Nagsasawa ka na ba magluto ng sinigang?" Natatawa si Mommy.

"Opo. Maybe you can teach me how to cook Dinuguan."

"Sige. Next weekend." Mommy agreed while stirring the sinigang. "By the way, hindi na nagpupunta si JP dito. Did you guys get into a fight or something?"

Ayaw ko na sana isipin yung mga nangyari bago ako umalis, pero hindi ko din naman mapipigilan pag nagtanong na yung mga magulang namin.

"Uhmmm... Hindi naman po sa ganoon, Mommy. May hindi lang-"

"Ian, where's your phone." Si Daddy. He sounds frustrated. Kunot ang noo at salubong ang kilay syang lumapit kay Mommy. "May number ka ni Calen diba?"

"Meron." Mommy grabbed her phone and probably scrolled through her contact list before handing it to Daddy. "Bakit nanlalaki 'yang butas ng ilong mo?"

"Basta." Daddy took Mom's phone and tapped on his.

Pinapanood lang namin si Daddy na mukang yamot na yamot. Nilapat nya sa tenga nya yung phone. His breathing was heavy while waiting for the person on the other line to pick up. He paced back and forth in front of us.