Caught in the middle

Chapter 8

Yes! It's finally Friday today! Makakapagpahinga na ako and hello phone na!

I was busy combing my hair when I heard noises sa baba. That voice sounds familiar!

Dali-dali kong kinuha ang gamit ko at patakbong lumabas ng kwarto. Nakasalubong ko si Tristan and I greeted him a "Good morning" bago ako bumaba ng hagdan and when I finally got to the sala

"Tita Gemma!"

"Harujusko itong batang to! Did you miss me so much?" note her Visaya accent. It's kind of strong and loud like this "Harojusko itung batang itu! Did you miss me su mats?"

I hugged her tight. She looked old now, dumami na yung mga wrinkles niya. Mas matangkad na ako sakanya ngayon dahil maliit lang talaga siya and napansin kong may mga bata siyang kasama, isang I think 5 years old and dalawang ... what? Twins?

I looked at her "Anak niyo po?"

She nodded with a smile "Yes my dear" binuhat niya yung twins ng sabay, I mean isa sa kaliwa, isa sa kanan. They're wearing a dress, with same design but different color, blue and pink. "Say hi to Ate Trina" the twins waved their hands! They're so cute especially when they smiled and I saw their teeth, I mean I saw none but gums! "This is Gersey" lifting a bit the girl in blue "and this is Gem Rose" she did the same

"Ilang taon na po sila?" as I touched their faces. Anlambot! Ganto rin kaya yung skin ko dati nung bata pa ako?

"Naku! Tatlong taon na yang mga yan!" the other kid pulled her shirt, then he looked at me "Ay naku Giro ha!"

Nagsquat ako para magpantay kami ng bata "Hi! Your name is Giro?"

Tinakpan niya yung mukha niya na parang nahihiya at nagtago kay Tita. I smiled. All of them look incredibly cute!

"Trina natakot sayo!" I heard Nanay's voice coming. She's from the kitchen and may dala siyang box ng brownies

She handed it to Tita Gemma who's putting her lovely daughters down. Inaya siya ni Nanay na kumain muna kaya kumain na muna kami bago umalis. Nagdaldalan kami saglit and kagaya ni Nanay, bugaw din si Tita

"Trina wala ka bang boyfriend? Ang ganda ganda mo na oh!" hinipan niya yung kutsara na may kanin at sinubo kay Gersey

Umiling-iling ako "Tita alam kong maganda ako pero ayaw ko pang magboyfriend"

"Diba Gems? Sabi sayo eh! Manang yang anak ko!" Nanay sounds so hopeless

Sinubuan muna ni Tita yung isa niya pang anak bago ako harapin muli "Hay naku Katrina ha
! Di kita pinapasali sa pageant nung bata ka pa para lang magpakamanag ha!"

I laughed. I remembered Tita doing my make-up and teaching me how to ramp back when I was a pre-school student. She's been my Nanay's buddy in terms of making me join those pageants and singing contests.

"Di kop o makakalimutan yung malaking hikaw na halos kasing-laki na ng mukha ko swear!"

After a small talk, nagpaalam na si Tita na uuwi na siya, dumaan lang pala siya ditto dahil sa order niya kay Nanay. Nag-alala pa ako kung pano sila uuwi buti nalang may dala siyang kotse. She promised me na babalik siya ditto ulit with clothes and a pair of big earrings for me, to wear. I bet I can't wear those clothed based on Tita's taste, it's so girly!

Tristan stayed in his room. If I know nahihiya lang yun kaya hindi bumaba.

~~~~~~~~~~

Silence...

"Ms.Valderama why are you late?" Ma'am Krista asked me with her very intimidating voice plus her classy and maarte accent

Napayuko nalang ako "I'm sorry po, I ran some errands in our house po kasi" I explained nervously