That Summer When She Cried

Part 2: That Morning When They Found Each Other

Not all twins share the same passion when outside. Not all twins hang out together, share the same set of friends. It's pretty normal. But the moment they go home, they are the best of friends. Tanya and I, however, are an exception.

-Andie

--

I woke up early, bothered with my twin's absence. Yes, she might be someone na madalas wala sa bahay, at umuuwi ng bahay para lang matulog, Tanya still has the decency of telling me directly and indirectly where she would be that day and if she would be home.

Maaga syang umalis kahapon without waiting for Luke to wake up and she rushed without a word. It was okay dahil mababantayan ko naman si Luke. It's just that I would never know the right answer to the child's question.

Kung mawawala ng matagal si Tanya, alam ko gagawan nya ng paraan para makabawi sa kanya. Mom called earlier to check on us and she wanted to speak to my twin. I came up with a lie na gumagawa ng group work si Tanya sa bahay ng kaklase kaya wala. Other than that, Mom and Dad are having a good time sa cruise nila.

I'm not saying that we're from a rich family. Well, oo. May pera sila. Dad used to be a seaman and Mom knows how to handle money so they came up with a business sa Visayas and Mindanao region involving abaca as the main product. We've been providing services to Nestle for the past number of years I cannot remember.

Tanya doesn't really have to do what she's doing. Mom owns the apartment but after the drift within the family when Luke came, she started rejecting Mom and Dad's assistance. Mom can pay for her tuition fee for four straight years one time but she never took it. Tanya even tore the check apart in front of Mom and Dad the last time they visited.

At kaya lang naman sya dito nakatira ay dahil pumayag ako na magbayad sya as a rent.

That's her.

Luke woke up early looking for his Big Lady and all I was able to give him was an answer that I do not know and if he wants to grab some bread for breakfast.

He heard a car stop in front of the house and I immediately saw Tanya with a guy I do not know. Luke was about to go out and check but I stopped him. It's not good for him to see her with someone at this time.

"It's not your Mom. It's our neighbor," I told him. His face fell with my answer. It took some minutes before she got out of the car and went inside the house. Luke's face instantly changed and he was happy all over again.

Gone were the hours that he missed his mom.

I let them talk. I know ayaw din makipagtalo ni Tanya sa akin kahit gusto ko ng kwestyunin kung saan sya galing at kung ano ang suot nya but I know I should shut up lalo pa na nasa harapan namin si Luke.

I just headed straight to the kitchen and disregarded their conversation.

--

"Are you not going with us Tita Ganda?" Luke asked Andie the moment that the two went down the stairs, dressed up.

"No, I'm sorry, I can't. This is your bonding time with your Big Lady," Andie smiled at him. "But Tita Andie would be glad if you bring me home some food for tonight."

"What do you want?"

"Anything edible," Andie giggled then turned to Tanya. "You can use my car if you want to so Luke wouldn't have a hard time."

"We're okay. We'll be fine taking the cab, right tutubaby?"

"Yeah. Don't worry about us, Tita Andie. Mom's my Big Lady so I know we'll be fine. Okay. Keep the doors closed. I'll see you later," Luke said happily and kissed her goodbye.