Caressing My Perplexed Stella [HS #3]

CHAPTER 3

"I love you, my Dale." She whispered. "I will keep you close to me, because the time your Dad told me about you... I know you are mine too." Her embraced tightened, I felt it.

Seconds after, my siblings went beside us too. I was surrounded by my family. Mom and Dad are great politician, they spent almost half of their lives serving the people.  Kuya Meteo is a very respectable Engineer, Aster never lose touch of being protective and Comet is excelling in his own ways, but they did more great things that were not seen by other people. It is all written in the four corner of our home, and I am a witness too. Family.

That is what happened during the Noche Buena, I think I wouldn't be able to forget this year's Christmas. It's the best holiday so far, well, as for me. I was raised in different places so I spent my holidays in those places with other people. In short, I spent my life with Dad's younger sister before I finally had a chance to live with the Hechanovas when I was five.

The morning came, Tita Kristle and her family came to visit. She is the youngest among Mom's siblings, may dalawa siyang anak na batang bata pa. One is seven-year old boy, and the other one was five girl. Kumakain ang mga ito sa sarili nilang plato katabi ang ama at ina, katapat naman namin sila nina Aster at Comet.

Naalala ko sa kanila ang aking kabataan kasama ang bwisit na Aster. Of course, I bond with them too. Tita Johannie and I will visit them from time to time so that I can play with my siblings. Pero si Aster, siya lang ang hindi ko matitiis.

"Remember when we were just like them, tapos laging malakas ng pagpasa mo ng bola sa akin?" Wika ko, ang bola ng volleyball na pinaglalaruan namin ang tinutukoy ko. Nakita ko ang kanyang pagtawa kaya naman sa ilalim ng mesa, kinurot ko ang kanyang binti. "Akala mo ba hindi ko pansin na kapag kina Comet, pa-rainbow lang. Tapos kapag sa akin, pa-spike?" Dagdag ko at diniinan ang kuko, napangiwi ito at agad akong sinamaan ng tingin.

"Kalimutan mo na 'yon, wala pa akong malay 'non." Palusot niya, umirap ako at sumubo. Alam ko kung bakit ganoon si Aster sa akin, I was three year-old when Dad officially introduced me to them. Our father told them I am their sister from another womb, Aster was five year-old that time and with careful explanation of Mom, he understands.

"How's school, you three?" Tita Kristle asked while looking at us. Tinignan ko si Comet na nakatingin sa akin at kaagad naman akong nag-kibit balikat. "Alangang si Meteo ang tanungin ko?" She added and laugh.

"I'm getting used to College things, Tita. I have to get my degree, then proceed to taking Medical College Admission Test, Earn a medical degree  and then... Ah, that's a lot of process." Ani Aster at nag-buntong hininga, serves you right for throwing a fast ball at me. "Basta ang alam ko lang, it would take years, Tita." Kibit balikat niyang sagot.

"And you transferred daw, sabi ni Ate Khalil? After the first sem? Bakit?" Sa gilid ng aking mata, nakita ko ang reaksyon ni Aster sa tanong na iyon. Sandali siyang nagbaba ng tingin, mukhang alam ko kunh bakit. Ang lakas pa ng tama niyang mang-asar, parehas lang naman sila ni Comet.

"Aster is an explorer, you know, Tita. It must have been tiring for him to go in the same university for almost half of his life now and yet he is not even close to his goal. Exploring isn't bad..." Singit ko, nakita ko ang pagtango-tango ni Tita na mukhang nakumbinsi sa aking sinabi. Nagkatinginan kami ni Aster, he smiled a little and I nodded.

"How about you, Dale?" Singit ni Tito, uminom ako sa aking tubig at ngumiti.

"Comet and I will graduate highschool this school year, Tito." Wika ko. "We're preparing ourselves for college..." Ngumiti naman si Comet at tumango.

"Then, you should talk to brothers for some advices..." Wika pa ni Tita Kristle, napangisi ako at tinignan si Aster? With this guy, maybe never.

The simple gathering went like that, the family stayed for awhile because the kids doesn't want to leave so of course, as a mature cousins, insert sarcasm, my brothers need to step up our game. Aster carried the eldest in his back, while Comet played a barbie doll with the young one. The oldies are still talking in the dining table and as for me, well, I'm just right here. Watching the problematic too. Ako lang yata walang problema sa lovelife dito.