Love Me on December

Kabanata 3

Kabanata 3: Kapit-bahay

"I'm finally here! Yes!" I cheerfully said in fulfillment and happiness, as I exaggeratedly raise my arms widely and dramatically spin around.

"God, Rita..." I heard my cousin from the back complaining as if he's ashamed of his own gorgeous cousin out here.

Binalingan ko na siya at niyakap ng mahigpit, kahit napapashook pa siya ng head while crossing his arms at me.

"Thank you so much, couzn!" Napapatalon na ako habang hinihigpitan ang yakap ko sa kaniya.

"Calm down, Rita! Nasa Pilipinas ka na, kindly please act like a Filipina!" Reklamo niya and took off my arms one by one away from him.

I giggled na lang, and pinched his waist suddenly na ikinasama niya ng look sa'kin.

"Sus! Akala mo naman kung sinong makaasta, eh hanggang ngayon ang tigas-tigas nga ng pananalita mo!" I mocked at him.

Napairap siya at nauna nang pumasok sa kotseng nasa harapan namin na hinihintay ang arrival namin dito.

Ang bilis-bilis lang ng pangyayari at narito na nga ako sa Pilipinas! Eus miraculously convinced Dad tungkol sa pagbabakasyon ko rito, and I don't fcking know how he did it just like that!

I'm very so much thankful to this couzn, talagang tinulungan at gumawa talaga siya ng paraan na makapunta ako rito. My plans before this year ends are slowly becoming real, and my gleaming smile with a hope on my face cannot be taken away by anyone else now.

Mahaba na ang aming binyahe, at nakakalimutan ko na kung saang lugar 'yong beach house nina Eus.

"Where are we nga pala?"

"Cebu City." Maikli niyang sagot, before he dozed off to a nap.

I couldn't wait to pasyal all over the places... at ang hanapin ang hindi na umuuwi kong ina.

I was too busy staring outside the window of the car, until nakatulog ako at hindi ko na namalayan na nakarating na pala kami. Nagmamadali akong lumabas sa kotse, bitbit ang isang stuff toy na si Stitch at bumungad nga sa'kin ang malaking bahay.

Nang makapasok na ako sa gate, the rock-concrete pathway is in the middle of the bermuda grass as I keep walking towards the main door. I looked up at the country house as I remembered some childhood memories here. It is still the same Filipino-Australian architecture that shouts brilliance and simplicity. I remembered nasa likuran nito ang katabing dagat, and I can't wait to go there later.

Sumunod na ako kay Eus papasok na sa loob, at mas lalo lang akong namamangha. This house is far way different than our modernized house back in Sydney. Masasabi kong pinag-iisipan talaga ang bawat bahagi ng bahay na ito.

"Oh dear, Rita!" I heard someone called out my name from the corner as I was gazing around the country house.

I turned around, and the Filipina mother of my cousin immediately embraced me into a hug right after she approached me.

"Tita!" I greeted lively.

"Oh goodness, ang laki mo na!" She conplimented in disbelief that made me slightly laugh.

We both withdraw from the hug, habang nanatili ang mga kamay niya sa magkabilang gilid ng braso ko and gaze at me thoroughly.

"Kumusta ka na? Finally, nakabalik ka muli rito sa Pinas, hija." Her Filipina beauty is overflowing. Nakakamangha ang kagandahan ni Tita, she reminds me of my Mom though.

"Ayos na ayos lang naman po, Tita." I answered her, all smiles.

"Good! Mabuti naman at maayos lang ang biyahe niyo ni Eus pauwi rito."