She parks the car in front of the gate. Nakiramdam kung may gising pang tao s loob ng bahay. Wala. Patay na rin ang mga ilaw sa garden.
Good, no one’s home!
Dahan-dahang binuksan ni Chloe ang gate at maingat na pinasok sa garage ang Honda CR-V. Nakahinga siya ng maluwag ng makitang patay lahat ng ilaw sa loob ng bahay. Agad niyang kinuha ang mga shopping bags sa kotse at mabilis na pumasok. Eksaktong pagsara niya ng pinto ay bumukas ang ilaw sa sala.
“It’s time you came home.”
“Kyaaah! Damuho ka, kuya! I thought it’s already dad, you almost give me a heart attack.”
Pabagsak siyang naupo sa couch. Hindi alintana kay Chloe ang salubong na mga kilay ni Edison.
“What?” she snaps.
“Wala sina dad dito nasa business trip. Saan ka ba galing sa lagay na ‘yan?”
“Need to ask that? I went shopping of course. Its still early 10pm pa lang naman ah.”
Napansin niyang umiinom naman ng alak ang kapatid niya. Malamang stress na naman ito sa trabaho. It’s supposed to be good that our parents are away but looking at him, I think it’s not a good idea. He will be temporarily in charge of the company’s operation.
“Kailan ka ba matutong umuwing maaga? Sa ginagawa mong ‘yan ay parang gusto mo nang tumira sa mall.”
“If I’m home I don’t know what to do, kuya. I wanna help you in the company but you won’t let me. You’re all busy in the corporate world, umuuwi lng yata kayo para matulod dito minsan wala pa nga.”
“At least mina-manage naming umuwi ng maaga,” sabi nito at dunampot ang ilang documents sa mesa. Oras ng pahinga pero trabaho pa rin ang inaatupag.
“Kaya nga para matulog o kaya uminom ng alak gaya ng ginagawa mo ngayon. Akala ko wala na akong curfew dahil tapos na ang semester. Besides I’m still maintaining those good grades.” Ngumisi ako sa harap niya. Kahit nga ako hindi maniniwalang good grades nga ba talaga ‘yon.
“Good grades, huh? But not good enough. Alam kong tinanggal ka na nila sa Accountancy program and you’re shifting course.”
Darn it! I kept that a secret for almost a semester not telling my parents anything. They all thought I’m still in that course. How did he know?
“C’mon alam mo mismo na napilitan lang akong mag-enroll sa course na ‘yon. Pati na rin ikaw noong college days mo.”
Dalawa silang magkapatid ay may talent sa music at arts pero dahil may family business obligasyon nilang kumuha ng business course at tumulong sa construction company. They don’t have a choice but to obey their wishes. She did attempt to get an Interior Designer course but my parents had found out and threatened me that they won’t finance my needs. If she wants to shift her course she has to get it the hard way. Really, the hard way like palalayasin ka and get a part time job to pay for your tuition.
Harsh parents, tsk! So I choose practically over my desires.
At home is like an extension of a business meeting during dinner. It’s like every decision involves a negotiation. If I have some concerns I share it with my brother or better yet I keep it to myself. They can provide our needs financially but they lack moral support. Her yaya is the one who fills that lacking part. Today that they are out of town is a sense of relief. We can do whatever we want.
“Aalis ako bukas. I have seminar in Cebu. I’ll be back after 3 days,” sabi nito.
“How about me? I’ll be helping in the office?” As if ba naman may maitutulong ako. I’m the only one who will be left behind tomorrow. Yeah, time to party!
“You’re going to stay here but somebody from the company will be coming over to...shall we say babysit you in case you make some trouble.” His teasing eyes sure spells trouble. I know he have something in mind but I don’t have any idea what it is.
Oops, false alarm. It’s not time for party yet!
“You mean your girlfriend? Or one of your girlfriends? But I don’t need a babysitter.”
Naalala tuloy niya noong nagstay ang girlfriend nito sa bahay ng dalawang araw. Akala talaga niya mabait ito pero malditang bruha pala. Sinigawan ang yaya niya kahit wala naman itong kasalanan. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit naghiwalay sila nalaman ni kuya ang tunay na ugali nito.
Minsan naman kung sinu-sinong babae ang dinadala nito sa bahay kaya hindi na siya magtataka kung sakaling may makasalo siyang ibang tao kapag almusal.
“Anong girlfriend? Kaibigan ko ‘yon. He’s one of our managers so be a good girl.”
“Then he’s one of those boring business people.” I just wish the one’s coming over is a girl so we could shop, go to a salon or dine but it isn’t.
“If he’s boring he won’t get those hot chicks every day.”
Whoah, he will let a womanizer stay in the house? Another version of kuya.
“Mahilig ‘yon magpatino ng taong matigas ang ulo,” he added.
“Really? Iyan kung mapapatino niya ako. Gwapo ba siya?” Now I’m suddenly interested but I don’t think he will succeed in giving me disciplinary lessons.
“Matulog ka na nga lang.” Babatukan sana niya ito ng newspaper kung nakailag si Chloe. Patakbong umakyat ito ng hagdan. Napailing na lang si Edison sa inaasal ng kapatid.
