Caressing My Perplexed Stella [HS #3]

CHAPTER 4

The holiday went fast, well it should be because I really want to go back to the Publication. We have to prepare for the National School's Press Conference, and our last official training happened when we were in Ilocos pa. I just want to thank my co-journalists for taking me seriously when I told them they need to submit articles even though we are still on our vacation. It serves as our training na rin.

During the holidays, aside from spending it with the family, I and my siblings often went out to tour the city. It's not our first time here so we just visited again those places that we usually visit. It's actually Kuya Meteo's idea since according to him, minsan lang daw kami bumisita kaya sulitin na namin. Aster doesn't want that, syempre siya lang naman ang killjoy. Thet boy just want to stay at home and read his books, he is obsessed with his gifts. But eventually, napilit din namin siya.

We used Kuya Meteo's car to tour on some of the Frech cities besides Paris. During the roadtrip I remember this joke Aster told our eldest brother. "Kuya Meteo, you are visiting France at least once in a month because it is close to Spain where you work pero bakit hindi ka pa rin marunong ng French kiss?" That mades us laugh, even Comet that is obviously not in the mood lately giggled.

We went to Marseille to visit our favorite restaurant there. It is located off the southeast coast of France and it is know for its seaport, mahal na ng mga turista ang lugar na iyon. There are a lot of visitors from all over the country, isama pa ang katotohanan na bakasyon ngayon. Then we went to Versailles, it’s home to the Chateau de Versailles or the Palace of Versailles. There are a lot of historic building there, the architecture are just superb and breathtaking.

Kung isa ka sa mga taong mahal na mahal ang history class, it will be probably heaven for you. Lastly, Champagne. From the name itself, it is the birthplace of champagne. Dahil minor kami, bumili na lang si Kuya ng tatlong bote ng wine para ibigay kay Daddy. And mind you, sandali pa silang lumagok ni Aster samantalang kami ni Comet ay nag-milkshake lang.

"Versailles, Marseille, and Champagne. With all these French Cities we've visited, hindi pa rin ako marunong ng french kiss." Ani Kuya Meteo, tandang tanda ko pa nang sabihin niya iyan. He's more like, tipsy.

"Ngayon alam mo na, alam mo na kung bakit wala ka pa ring girlfriend." Comet slammed him.

That was what all happened during our free days here in Spain. Syempre, hindi naman namin binisita ang tatlong syudad na iyon sa iisang araw lang. We have to rest too, it's just our bonding since we won't be able to do it again until next year. That's a wrap for my holiday.

"Nakagayak ka na?" Salubong ni Aster nang makapasok ako sa kusina, umupo ako sa kanyang tabi at palihim na tinignan si Comet.

"Hindi pa, mamaya na. Hindi naman masyadong marami ang dala ko." Ani ko. Six PM ang flight namin pauwi ng Pinas, it's January now and the school will be open again in a few days. "Hindi ulit sasabay sina Daddy hindi ba?" Tanong ko, nakita ko naman ang kanyang pagtango.

"Kuya Meteo will be back in Spain, Mom and Dad will accompany him. They will visit Kuya Meteo's home too, sasabay sa atin si Comet." Sagot pa nito. "Nakagayak ka na ba? Hindi ito katabing bayan lang, baka may malimutan ka." Baling ni Aster sa nakababata naming kapatid.

"Kahapon pa," Maiksing sagot nito. Nag-kibit balikat ako at marahang kinuha mula sa kamay ni Aster ang kanyang kape, kaagad niya akong tinignan ng masama kaya naman matamis lang akong ngumiti.

"You should brew your own coffee, Dale." Aniya at humarap kay Comet. "Hindi pa rin kayo nag-uusap ni Kuya Lennon?" Natigil ako nang marinig iyon, tumitig lang ako sa kanila kasabay nang pagbubuntong hininga ni Comet.

"Whatever issue I am facing right now, either between Sea or Kuya Lennon, ako na lang ang gagawa ng paraan." Tumayo siya at inilagay ang pinagkapihan sa sink, tuloy tuloy itong lumabas habang nagkatinginan naman kami ni Aster. Kaagad ko siyang sinagi kaya naman napataas ang kilay nito.