Chasing The Sun

Chapter Four: Grounded

#CTSGrounded

I was frozen that afternoon, seeing Colt wince in pain as he held his nose. He was lying on our cold marbled floor... with a fluffy carpet.

Ang buong akala ko ay mababagok ang ulo niya and then there's gonna be a pool of blood, then Papa... Papa's gonna find out and he's going to be furious!

That's all I could worry about. Ang sasabihin ni Papa!

Every one in the house panicked. Lahat kami ay sumama papuntang hospital to have him checked. I was silent... and a little guilty. Buti na lang pilay lang ang nakuha ni Colt. But that didn't stop Mama from scolding me.

Agad naman akong nag-sorry kay Tita Mareen.. pati na rin kay Colt. Nung tinanong nila kung anong nangyari eh hindi ko akalain ang isinagot ni Colt.

"I was teasing her, trying to make her jump with me in the pool. Nasagi niya ilong ko, but pinilit ko pa rin po siya mag-swim with me. I slipped. There's all to it," he told them.

Nakarating na kay Papa ang nangyari. For sure mag-uusap kami mamaya. I'm so dead!

"Puwede na raw siyang makauwi sabi ni Doc. Just a silly fight between the kids. It happens," malumanay na sambit ni Tita Mareen. How can she be so calm? I was hiding behind Mama's waist... and bowed my head when I met Tita's gaze.

"Oh, I'm really sorry, Mareen! Alam mo naman 'tong dalawang 'to, hindi na nagkasundo!" Mama sighed exasperatedly as she held my hand.

Tita waved her hand dismissively. "It's okay. Away bata iyon. Colt can be a bit childish sometimes. Kay Cobain lang siya nakikinig," Tita chuckled.

Nakita ko namang inaalalayan ni Kuya Cobain si Colt sa kama. His right ankle has now a cast at may benda naman ang ilong niya. Napangiwi naman ako sa hitsura niya ngayon.

"Oh! Buti pa nga si Cobain at itong si Sorina ay nagkakasundo..."

And that's when I met Colt's gaze. Kuya Coby only smiled at me habang inaakay niya si Colt. Ang suplado ng tingin sa'kin ni Colt ha!

"Is there anything you wanna say, Sorina?" Mama nudged me towards Tita Mareen and Colt.

"I..." I cleared my throat and stared at my ballet shoes. Hindi pa rin kasi ako nakakapagpalit. Wala nang time!

I sighed and bravely faced Tita Mareen, who is now smiling at me.

"I'm very sorry po, Tita Mareen. I didn't mean to hurt... him po." Ang lakas ng tibok ng heart ko! Tita Mareen may be kind pero sinong magulang ba ang matutuwa sa isang bata na naging reason kung bakit nagkaganito anak niya diba?

"And..." Inangat ko ang tingin ko at nagtama ang paningin namin ni Kuya Cobain. He had this encouraging smile plastered on his face. I gave him a small smile before facing Colt's funny face.

"I'm sorry, Colt. For your sprained ankle... and broken nose," I pouted and averted my gaze. He just nodded!

Galit ba siya? Hindi niya ako inaasar o iniinis like kanina.

Nang ma-discharge na si Colt, sumakay na kami sa kanya-kanya naming sasakyan. I watched him as he was being assisted by his brother. Getting in the car must be painful in his condition. I know how it feels. I got my ankle sprained when I first joined the ballet.

I feel really guilty!

Mama and Tita Mareen talked for a while before leaving. Nakayuko lang ako sa backseat, remembering what happened kanina.

"Sorina, you kids take it a little too far. Mabuti na lang ay gano'n lang ang nangyari kay Colt! Be cautious of your actions. I am not going to tolerate this," Mama sternly said, looking at me in the eyes.

"Yes, 'ma. I'm sorry," I calmly replied but deep inside, I'm freakishly nervous! Papa's going to be home and he's going to scold me for sure!

When we arrived home, I saw Papa's car already parked. He's home! Nauna si Mama maglakad. My feet seemed to be heavier than usual.

Nakita ko si Papa na nasa dining area, reading his newspaper.

"Honey," bati ni Mama sabay halik sa pisngi ni Papa. She sat beside him then tiningnan ako, motioning me to sit with them, too.

"Papa—"
"You were so reckless, Sorina. Paano kung may masamang nangyari? You're lucky Colt got away with only minor injuries!"

Napayuko na lamang ako. Papa's fuming mad. Nararamdaman kong nangingilid na ang luha ko but pinigilan kong umiyak. I don' wanna cry in front of Papa!

"H-He started it, Papa. He kept on teasing m-me—"
"Hindi ganyan ang tinuro namin sa'yo!" I bowed my head again and bit the side of my cheek para ma-distract ako. I heaved deep and slow breaths to ease everything that's building inside me.

"I'm sorry, P-Papa—"
"I am disappointed in you, Sorina. Ayoko nang mauulit ito. You're grounded for the rest of your vacation. The only activity I can allow is your ballet."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Papa who's still in his stern look.

Mama rushed to his side and held his hand.

"Von, we promised her a trip to Disneyland this year."
Umiling si Papa bago tumingin kay Mama. "Her actions have consequences. Hindi palaging pinagbibigyan. She must learn. Disneyland is cancelled. She'll be staying here until school starts!" And with that, he stormed out the dining area and harshly grabbed his coat before heading upstairs.

Disneyland... is cancelled?

"Oh, darling.." Mama hugged me so tight. "Makinig ka na lang sa Papa mo."

Then I cried so hard. Disneyland's my dream place! I haven't been there!

"I.. I thought we w-won't travel this year? W-What about D-Disneyland?" I asked Mama between my sobs.

She sighed and placed her chin on top of my head. "Well, I convinced your Papa to go and celebrate your birthday there. But this happened.. I hope you understand, darling."

I cried more and more. I spent the rest of my day in my room. The only gadget I have is my iPad. Pero nasa office iyon ni Papa. Grounded ako so most probably, hindi niya ipapahawak sa'kin iyon.

Kinuha ko iyong magazine which featured Disneyland for last year's issue. Lalo lang akong naiyak as I kept flipping the pages!

I cried till my eyes hurt. I can't believe Papa cancelled on it! I can't believe every thing's falling apart!

I stopped from sniffing when I realized something.

This... is not my fault.

This is all Colt's doing! Why am I the only one suffering? Bakit ako ang may kasalanan?

I can't go to Disneyland anymore because of him... because of that jerk!

I got up from my bed and sat straight. I won't let him slide this time so I will make him suffer! I stared at the magazine and heaved a deep breath. Oh, my dear Disneyland!

I will make him pay!