ALEXIS and the Bet

Chapter Three: The Book Club

"KUMUSTA na ang school, anak?" my mom asked as she passed the platter of rice to me across from her. We were having our dinner, and as requested by my dad, she prepared menudo, Dad's favorite.

"Okay naman po, Ma," I answered. "Masaya naman po."

My dad looked unconvinced, though. He looked at me as if he was dissecting my very thoughts as he tried to delve deeper into my brain to extract the very truth of my real feelings about my new school. "'Nak, 'yong totoo?"

"Pa, opo. First day pa lang naman kaya wala pa ako masyadong kilala. Pero may mga mababait naman na students doon," I said hoping Dad would be convinced this time. "Nakasama ko po sila no'ng lunch time. Mukhang okay naman po sila."

Dad gave me a small smile and I keow what would come next after that. "Alex, pasensya na, ha, at lumipat na naman tayo. Hayaan mo. Sa susunod, 'di ko na kayo isasama kapag nadestino ako sa ibang lugar."

"Pa, okay lang talaga 'yon," I said giving Dad a warm smile. "Opo, nabigla ako na kailangan na naman natin lumipat, pero at least sama-sama tayo 'di ba?"

"Si Ate at Papa ang drama!" my eleven-year-old brother, Daniel, teased.

"Daniel, kumain ka na lang diyan. Ubusin mo ang kanin mo," Mom told Daniel, causing my little brother to pout.

Mealtimes at home were always the highlight of my day. I always felt happy whenever we get to eat together. And even though life at school may sometimes suck, I knew that when I get home, my family would always be there to cheer me up.

After dinner, I helped my mom clear the table and washed the dishes. Dad and Daniel probably went upstairs to watch a game of basketball or whatever sports they could catch on the TV. They both know that the downstairs TV was exclusively for Mom's use at this time of the night. You might think that Mom was into those soap operas at primetime. But Mom's a bit different. Sure, she liked watching variety shows, news, and some talk shows. But Mom was more into old flicks like Grease 1 and 2; throw in Clueless, too. Really, she thinks like a teenager sometimes. But I love my mom. She's a freelance writer who writes romance novels and she said she gets inspiration from watching those kinds of movies. I guess she influenced me in to watching those movies as well. And kids my age couldn't relate to my choice of movies. I mean, did they even have a clue about Grease?

Tonight, Mom wanted to watch Grease 1 and drool over John Travolta dancing and singing about Summer Lovin'. Dad saw what Mom put on the player, and he said, "Ma, ba't ba puro pangdayuhang pelikula yang pinapanood mo? Ba't 'di mo subukang panoorin 'yong mga palabas ni Loydie at Sarah? Maganda naman ang mga 'yon. At saka puwede bang panoorin 'yan ni Alex?"

"May parental guidance naman, Pa: ako. At Pa, nanonood din naman ako ng Filipino movies," my mom answered him with a smile. "Nakalimutan mo na ba na pinanood natin 'yong pelikula ni Sarah Geronimo at Coco Martin no'ng monthsary natin?"

Mom and Dad were the complete opposite: Mom was on the sweet and mushy side; Dad, however, was your typical male who had no romantic bone in his body. But they complimented each other, completed each other. They even celebrated monthsaries and anniversaries; or rather Dad consented to celebrate it with Mom since she was so into it. But I guess that was how Dad showed his affection for Mom. I love my parents and how they remained sweet and all. But really, do they have to get sweet and chummy in front of me?

"Eeew Ma! Maglalambingan ba kayo ni Papa o manonood tayo ng movie?" I asked when I caught Dad kissing Mom on the cheek.

Mom giggled like a teenager and said to Dad, "Umakyat ka na Pa at nagagalit na si Ate."

After Dad left, Mom pressed the play button and the movie started. As the movie progressed, the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds started dancing their moves while singing the lyrics of Summer Nights. I suddenly remembered the Pink Angels and the Blue Knights, and right before my eyes I couldn't help but imagine the Pink Angels wearing long skirts and skipping around while the Blue Knights wore black leather jackets looking like some old school gangster and busting their moves atop the bleachers. My snorts turned into chuckles as I continued my vivid imaginings. Then my chuckles turned into laughter as I realized how funny the Pink Angels and Blue Knights might look.