It Has To Be You

06.

"Dale, nasan ang papa at mga kapatid mo?"

Pansamantalang itinigil ni Dale ang ginagawa at nilingon ang inang kagagaling lang sa kusina. May suot na apron at mukhang kakatapos lang magluto. Agad nyang isinara ang laptop at sinalubong ito ng isang mahigpit na yakap.

"Papa is with kuya Marcus. I think they're at the veranda having some fresh air and a small casual talk." Sabi nya.

"What were you doing?"

"H-huh? Nothing really important, ma." Their mother looked at him teasingly. Dale was a quiet guy. He was the quiet but dangerous type.

"May girlfriend ka na ba?"

"Ma, wala. Busy ako sa pag-aaral. Wag ako ang tanungin mo. Si Jacq dapat."

Tumawa ng bahagya ang ginang at ginulo ang buhok nya. Hindi ugali ni Dale ang magmaktol kapag kinakausap o inaasar man sya ng kanilang ina. He was just stating what's in his mind and answering every questions given, honestly. Straightforward. Though he may look like a mute one outside, his family knows him very well for being an adorable son inside.

"So how's school?" Kumalas sya sa yakap ng ina at nagthumbs up.

"I want to direct a short movie, ma." His mom laughed heartily of what he just said.

"Dale, isn't it too early? First year ka pa lang, sa tingin mo kaya mo na? Besides anak.." Tumawa ulit ang ginang. "You are an Engineering student."

"Well, you can try me. Or nevermind. I think I need to focus studying really hard. I want you to be proud."

"Of course, anak. Ngayon pa lang, proud na proud na nga ako sa inyo ng kakambal mo eh. You were both smart guys plus ang gagwapo nyo pa. You love our family so much kaya ano pang hahanapin ng isang inang kagaya ko sa pagkakaroon ng anak na kagaya nyo?" He smiled at her and she smiled back. "Just nevermind Joaquin's naughty personality. We're all fine." She added at sinabayan pa nya ng tawa.

"He's not just naughty, ma. Malandi sya. That's a fact." He said contrary of what their mom said.

"I heard you, two! Hindi mo na ako kailangang siraan kay mama, Dale." Pababa ng hagdan si Joaquin habang nagkakamot pa ng ulo. Dahil doon napangiti naman ang ginang. Tumayo ng maayos si Dale at tsaka humalukipkip.

"JOAQUIN! You dyed your hair again?!"

"Chill, ma. One color is boring." Agad syang humalik sa pisngi ng ina pagkalapit. Sinuntok naman nya si Dale sa braso.

"Are you going to cosplay Jack Frost?" No joke, Joaquin is a living anime.

"Jack Frost choose me. But nah. What about you? Are you going to cosplay Casper?"

"Tss. Shut up."

"Ilang beses mo bang kailangang pakulayan yang buhok mo, Jacq? You are getting weirder and weirder every week lalo na kapag nagpapalit palit ka ng kulay ng buhok. Stay still, would you?"

"Ma," hinarap nya ang ina as he gave his twin a sideway look. "I told you, one color is boring. Parang yung isa dyan, boring. From black to blonde to black."

Hindi nagpapigil si Dale. Agad nyang binatukan ang kapatid.

"Aw!"

"Itigil nyo na nga yan. Kayong dalawa talaga." Nagtawanan silang tatlo. "How's your study, Jacq?"

"Ma, ask Dale. We are both attending at Yonsei. Kambal kami, diba?"

"Tss. Sa business ad ka, sa engineering department ako. Kaya hindi ko alam mga pinaggagagawa mo. At hindi din ako kagaya mong malandi. I am a varsity player and you are the ultimate player." Umirap sa hangin si Dale. "Come on, girls aren't toys to play with."