Home (Summer Series #1)

Kabanata III

I am quietly eating my breakfast. Hindi ko alam kung ano pa ang mas aawkward sa oras na to. The brute and I are having breakfast together with Inay Fely, Ate Edith at Itay Rene. Nakasanayan ko na kasi na kasabay si Inay Fely at Ate Edith, at paminsan minsan si Itay Rene na asawa ni Inay Fely at driver namin. Wala na atang magtatangkang magsalita sa amin kundi lang nagpanimula ng tanong si Inay Fely.

"Iho, nalimutan kong matanong ang pangalan mo. Kahiya-hiya man, wala naman kasing nabanggit si Eleanor at Carrie sakin."

I bit my lip as I felt the annoyance creeping on me again because of what happened yesterday. Nagsumbong ata tong lalaking to kay Inay Fely at pinagsabihan ako na wag daw ako magmaldita lalo na kapag may bisita. But somehow, I never really got his name and I felt guilty about it.

"Okay lang po, Manang Fely. My full name's Aeson Nathaniel Vergara."

"Ay. Ang gwapo din naman pala ng pangalan mo, Sir." dugtong ni Ate Edith habang humahagikhik.

"Ano ba ang gusto mong itawag namin sayo, iho?"

"Everyone calls me Nate when I was in England."

I rolled my eyes at the sight of this smiling idiot. Yabang! I stopped my thoughts when someone kicked me under the table. It was Inay Fely. I know that look. She's telling me to stop whatever I was doing. Bago ko pa maituloy ang pagkain, I caught the brute's eyes on me. I just ignore him and continue eating.

Natapos ang almusal at nagpasya na kaming pumunta sa kabilang mansyon. Actually, it was a late breakfast.I can consider this as lunch. Pasado na nang alas-onse. Sinabihan ko naman silang mauna na kumain pero hinintay nila akong matapos maligo at magayos bago magalmusal. I'm wearing a white off shoulder crochet hem bohemian top with my denim shorts. I chose wearing marmont leather sandals, kesa mag boots pa ko. Baka maisipan kong magtampisaw sa dagat mamaya kaya flip flops na lang ako.

"Carrie, tara na. Nang makapaglibang libang pa kayo sa El Pescador pagkatapos."

Tumango ako at sumakay na ng SUV. Pumwesto si Nate sa passenger seat at humilig sa bintana. It's weird calling him by his real name.I shrugged and went to the backseat.

The trip wasn't long. It was a ten-minute drive. Bumaba kami ng sasakyan pagkatapos magpark ni Itay Rene. Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang villa. Ito ang naging rest house na pinaggawa nila Mommy at Daddy para saming tatlo. When they're staying here in Pangasinan, mas madalas sila dito kaysa sa mansyon para makapagunwind. Minsan naman sa El Pescador, which is one of the famous resorts in Pangasinan. Isa kami sa shareholders ng resort. I've found out that my dad really treasures that resort because that is where he met Mom. I hope I can find a man like my Dad.

"Daydreaming?"

I glared at him just making him grin at my reaction. Inamba ko siyang susuntukin, putting my hands into a fist and raising it into the air. Nagtaas lamang siya ng kilay showing his face like he's amused or something.

"Carrie. Mapapagalitan ka nanaman ni Felicia pag nakita kang ganyan ang trato mo kay Nate."

"Eh kasi naman siya, Tay, e!" inis kong sabi.

"Nako, iho. Pagpasensyahan mo na at ayaw talaga ng batang ito na may nangingialam sa kung ano man ang ginagawa niya."

Nagkibit balikat na lang ako at hinayaang magsalita si Itay Rene. Pumasok na kami sa villa. Hindi ito ganun kalaki kumpara sa mansiyon. It really gives the ambiance of serenity, though. Tumikhim ako nang mapansing nakatayo lang si Nate katapat ang glass patio doors.

"Upo ka. Gusto mo ba ng makakain?"

His eyebrows furrowed and a pout was formed in his lips. Now,what?

"You having a good mood?"

I can't help but roll my eyes again. Lahat nalang napansin ng lalaking to. Lahat ata ng galaw ko, sinusubaybayan. Out of nowhere, I realized that he's four years older than me. I blushed at the thought of calling him "kuya".

"Does it matter? Ano? Kakain ka ba o hindi?"

My tone was clearly dripping in irritation. His laugh filtered the room. Kumalabog ang puso ko habang pinapakinggan ang tawa niya. I really should consult a doctor.

"Hindi na. Kakatapos lang natin kumain.I'll just watch the television, can I?"

"O-okay.Patio lang ako."

He nodded slowly signaling me to go but I can see his reflection staring at me as I walk down the patio. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako kinakabahan. Wala namang recitation na nagaganap. I bit my lip with frustration and confusion. Nawala lang ang mabigat kong pakiramdam nang narinig ko ang tunog ng telebisyon.