Anathema

Two: To burn you with Ice

'She was silent. But her eyes were telling me everything, I should know.'

~~~~

*KIHARAH PARKER GOMEZ*

"Harah."

"Harah, babes. We're here." I felt someone's hand, caressing my hair.

"Babes. Gising na uy."

I sluggishly opened my eyes and silently yawned.

"Tara na, babes." I nodded at her and fixed my wrinkled clothes.

"Neah," I called her.

"Yes, babes?"

Babes. Sheneah loves giving nicknames. I remember that time when she told me, she do not want to call me ate anymore. Instead she called me babes.

"Can you help me with my things?" I asked.

"Sure, babes. Halika na." Neah took my other suitcase then lead me outside the car.

"Thank you," I mumbled at her.

"No problem, babes."

I smiled and clung on to her arm, and we headed inside their house.

"You're beautiful daughter is home!" Sheneah shouted.

"Ate ney!" Lumingon kami nang marinig namin ang sigaw ng kapatid ni Sheneah sa may hagdan.

"Baby Zac!" Sheneah hurriedly ran and hugged Zacross, her ten-year old brother.

"Hello po, ate Harah." Zacross hugged me also.

"Hello din, Cross." I prefer calling him Cross instead of Zac, like everyone does.

"Zac. Sa'n sila mama?"

"They're in the study room. You want me to call them?" he asked.

"Hindi na, baby. Kami na lang. Makidala mo na lang 'tong ibang gamit sa kwarto ko." Cross nodded and took my suitcase with him.

"Thanks, Cross."

"Tara." Sheneah held my hand then lead me to their study room.

She knocked three times then opened the door.

"Ma? Pa?" We went inside and saw tito and tita sitting on the sofa, reading. Tito Jb, leaning his head on tita Arinne's shoulder.

"Oh. Neah. Harah." Tita Arinne immediately noticed us.

"Hi, mama. Hi, papa." Lumapit kami sa kanila.

"Hello po, tito, tita." I bowed a little and kissed tita Arinne's cheeks.

"Dala mo na ba ang gamit mo, iha?" Tito Jb asked.

"Opo."

Mama and papa were on a vacation, so they decided to let me stay at Sheneah's house for a while. We do have dorms in Cammelor Academy, but I prefer staying here with Neah every weekends than be alone.

"Good. Tara, doon na tayo sa labas. Kumain na ba kayo?" tito asked.

"Hindi pa po, pa. Magluluto po ba kayo?" Sheneah asked.

"I already did. Alam ko nang darating kayo kaya nagluto na 'ko. Call your brother first." Neah nodded and so I did follow her up to the staircase where Cross' room is.

"Zac. Kain na tayo." Neah knocked at his door.

"Coming!" Cross opened his door.

"Tara."

Pagkadating naman sa dining area ay nakahanda na ang mga pagkain. I sat beside Neah.

"Let's eat."