A Little Less Lonely Together

CHAPTER 17 (Bulag)

"Do you believe in fairies and magic?" Nakakatawang tanong ng mommy ni Katkat. Magkasama na naman kaming dalawa. Palibhasa pareho kaming mahilig magbasa kaya naman andito na naman kami sa library. At ten years old, I'm wiser than most kids my age. 'Yun kasi ang sinasabi sa akin.

"No, tita. I hate Tinkerbell and stuff related to fairy tales and such. Mom said I need to be realistic." Sagot ko sa kanya. Napasimangot naman siya ngumuso. Nagbabasa kasi siya ng makapal na romance novel.

"You should believe in them, because I do. I believe in good things and the impossible." Hindi ko alam kung bakit napatulala ako sa mommy ni Katkat. Masyado siya positive at talagang sinusubukan niya akong hawaan ng optimism.

"You read a lot of English classics, Ayesa. Why would you read a serious book at that age? Read something that you can relate to. Read something that feeds the heart, not just the mind. Tatanda ka niyan ng maaga." Nakangiti lang siya sa akin the whole time. Minsan iniisio kong sadyang childish talaga si tita. Hindi kasi siya nagtatrabaho unlike ni mommy.

She stays at the mansion and takes care of me and Katkat na palaging nasa labas o nasa kusina. Katkat is such a wild child. She likes getting herself dirty and she eats with her hands. She eats a lot and her mom just lets her. Why?

Why would she let Katkat to be obese? Wala siyang sport sa school. I play tennis and volleyball. Siya naman puro lang TV at laro sa labas. She fails most of the time. I tried tutoring her once in Mathematics but I horribly failed. Hindi kaya i-process ng brain cells ni Katkat ang Math kaya I stopped teaching her. I invited her for a morning jog pero ayaw niyang bumangon at naglock pa siya ng pinto.

Katkat is rotten spoiled by her father. She loved the attention and waste her time outside instead of spending it with her family. Going outside and playing with loud kids are not my my cup of tea. I hate the smell and the feeling of dirt.

"Tita, why do you let Katkat eat a lot and go outside to play? She's terrible at school." I told her. Ngumiti lang siya.

"I want her to have a world where she can be herself without restrictions. Hindi ko siya pagbabawalan sa mga bagay-bagay. You know what, Katkat is a kid. She's so childish but very sweet. I actually admire you, Ayesa. I hope mahawaan mo ang pinsan mo ng sense of responsibility and discipline. Alam mo kasi kung paano dapat kumilos."

I've never heard a recognition like that. Nation ko lang ulit narinig na pinuri ako ng isang tao. Someone admired what's inside at hindi lang ang maganda kong mukha. This the reason why I wish na siya na lang sana ang mommy ko. Siguro mas masaya ako. Siguro mas naramdaman ko kung paano maging bata.

"But mommy said it's still not enough. I still have to strive for the best."

"Then mommy is wrong, Ayesa. You are a child; a wonderful child. Blessing ang maging anak ka. You're smart and you draw very well. You are matured than most kids your age. I admire you."

Admiration. What is that?

Napanaginipan ko na naman ang mommy ni Katkat. Palagi kami noong nag-uusap ng mommy niya about sa mga bagay-bagay. Naputol ang pagmumuni-muni ko nang makarinig ako ng katok sa pinto ng kwarto ko. Bumalik na naman kaming lahat sa probinsya after two months. Gustong makilala ng pamilya si Nathan at wala akong magawa kundi sumunod na lang.