-Ashley's POV-
"BAKIT DI NIYO AKO GINISING!? DEFENSE KO NGAYON, ALAM NIYO BA YUN?!"
Kasi naman ate Ingrid, kung nag sabi ka kay mama at bumangon ka agad sa higaan mo pagtunog at tunog pa lang ng alarm mo, di ka sana malalate. Hay.
"Ashley, bat di mo ako ginising?" With her towel all over her upper body and obviously ready to take a bath, she stopped in front of me with her angry face.
"Di ko alam na defense mo ngayon."
"Oh come on, Ashley. Common sense." She rolled her eyes then took her angry steps to the bathroom.
Ate Ingrid will always be the maldita na ate. Magkasundo kami nung mga bata kami pero pagtungtong namin sa high school, third year ako at fourth year si ate, nagbago ang lahat. Laging mainit ang ulo, minsan lang makisalamuha sa amin kung saan minsan tumatawa at ngumingiti siya. Yun lang yung oras na masasabi ko na magkasundo kami, parang Elsa at Anna lang.
"Ashley, wala ka bang klase?" Without knocking, mom peaked her head. "Saan ate mo?"
"Naliligo na ma. Late na daw siya."
"It's her responsibility to wake up early. Baba ka na at mag almusal." Mom calmly closed the door. I hope narinig yun ni ate.
"It's your responsibility to wake up early." I repeated intentionally para marinig ni ate Ingrid at sabay tayo mula sa bed.
"You don't have to repeat that. Narinig ko si ma-"
I went out of our room and didn't finish listening to her. Hays. Bakit pa kasi pinag-isa kami ng kwarto. Our parents knew about our relationship, I think. Siguro this is their strategy. Well mom and dad, it's not working, I'm telling you.
So like the past mornings, I took my breakfast with dad at the center of the dining table and mom in front of me.
"I heard from your mom you are running for Cumlaude." Dad said while chewing his food.
"Yes, dad."
"Good. Wala ka pa sa fourth year mo you are already on the list."
"Even your first daughter, Ingrid is also running for Cumlaude." Mom inserted.
"Well, I have nothing to say. I have two beautiful and smart daughters." Dad proudly smiled.
And so as mom.
Yung family kasi namin, big deal yung achievements. Hindi naman sa mamaliitin ka kung wala kang na-achieve sa whole elementary, high school, senior high and college years mo pero they act so cold toward you if wala and you can feel it although they're not talking, they're not satisfied but they're not disappointed also. Hirap yung ganitong tipo ng pamilya e. You need to work hard para maiwasan ang mga ganitong bagay. It's like you have to prove something.
"By the way, kamusta manliligaw mo?" Dad gave that serious face, waiting for my response.
Yes, Dad knew Ethaniel dahil classmate ng Dad ko ang Dad niya nung nasa college pa sila. He knew also that he's courting me. Parating wala dito sa bahay si Dad dahil sa business meetings niya. Taga balita lang naman si Mom kay Dad tungkol sa mga nangyayari sa aming magkapatid. Kaya di na kami magtataka ni ate Ingrid kung biglang magtatanong si Dad tungkol sa mga buhay namin. May number one kaming tagasubaybay, Mom.
Dad is a businessman. Yung trabaho niya nagbebenta ng stocks ng kanilang kumpanya sa mga taong mayayaman at malalakas. Kumbaga siya ang first step para matawag ang business partnership na official. Kaya siya laging nasa meetings at naka-americana. Malaki -laki rin kinikita ni Dad sa ganitong klaseng trabaho dahil nagagawa niyang sustentuhan mga pangangailangan namin na siya lang ang nagtratabaho.
