32nd League: Patay na patay
IRIS WAS looking straight at the necklace Ryland gave her as a gift. She missed him so much but she understood how much time Ryland needed to get back on his feet again. Iyon lang ang nag-iisang regalo, maliban sa regalo ni Travis, na nabuksan niya matapos ang kaniyang debut party.
She looked at the mirror and saw how beautiful the necklace was on her neck. Then she heard familiar voices from downstairs kaya mabilis siyang bumaba ng hagdan. It was her Kuya Carlisle on his corporate attire. When Carlisle noticed his sister, he flashed a genuine smile.
It was an overwhelming feeling for Iris to receive such a beautiful smile from her brother. Now, she could confirm that it wasn't a dream. Her brother finally acknowledged her.
"Good morning, Iris. Breakfast?" Carlisle said.
"Good morning, Kuya! Kasama mo ba si Ate Sapph?" Iris asked.
"Nah, she's at home. I just decided to go here so I can discuss some business matters with Dad before going to work. Mukhang bihis na bihis ka, going somewhere?" Carlisle answered casually yet trying to sound affectionate to his sister like it was the most normal thing for him.
"Uhh... yes! I'll visit Travis. I just want to check if he's fully recovered now," tugon ni Iris. Saglit na nawala ang ngiti ni Carlisle pero agad din namang nanumbalik. "Which reminds me... Dad, I need to go..."
"No, you're not going anywhere, sweetie, with an empty stomach. And besides, it's not everyday that we'll be eating as a complete family," Mr. Jang said.
"Hmm... Yes, that's right, Dad. At isa pa..." ani Iris at pinulupot ang mga braso niya sa braso ng kuya niya, "Kuya Carlisle and I are finally okay. And we need a lot of catching up to do. Right, Kuya?"
"Right," natatawa namang tugon ni Carlisle.
Carlisle noticed how much had changed with his sister. Mas madalas na itong nakangiti ngayon. Mas vocal na ito sa mga naiisip at nararamdaman nito. He wondered if that was because of that guy Travis. He really wasn't comfortable with him.
Labis ang kaniyang pagsisisi dahil nabigo siya sa pagiging kapatid kay Iris. Masyado siyang naapektuhan sa pag-iwan sa kanila ng kaniyang ina. Alam niyang marami siyang kailangang gawin upang makabawi sa kapatid niyang idinamay niya sa galit na naramdaman niya noon.
TIRIK NA tirik ang araw na pumapaso sa maputing balat ni Iris habang tinatahak niya ang daan papasok sa dulong parte ng San Miguel. Mabuti na lang at nang nasa may eskinita na siya ay medyo lumilim na ang daan.
"Hi, Ms. Iris," bati ng mga nakakasalubong niya. Dahil sa madalas na pagbisita niya sa baryo ng San Miguel ay natutunan na siyang igalang ng mga residente nito.
"Kuya, aalis na 'ko, ha. 'Wag mong kalimutan na uminom ng gamot. Alas-kwatro pa ang uwi ko kaya hindi kita mababantayan. Kapag nagutom ka naman, init mo na lang 'yong pagkain na binalot ko pa sa debut ni Ate Iris. Hindi pa naman panis 'yon, okay?" Sa labas pa lang ay dinig na ni Iris ang boses ni Trixie.
"Oo na, umalis ka na nga," utas ni Travis. Hindi muna pumasok si Iris, sa halip ay sumilip muna siya sa awang ng bintana.
"Baon ko muna," nakalahad na wika ni Trixie.
"Ha? Binigay ko na sa 'yo ang isang linggong allowance mo, 'di ba?" kunot-noong wika ni Travis. Napangiti naman si Iris sa kaniyang nasasaksihan.
"Kuya, hello! Bawal ba 'kong magka-project? Syempre, may mga bayarin din sa school!"
Iritang dumukot ng pera sa wallet niya si Travis at masayang masaya naman itong tinanggap ni Trixie bago lumabas ng bahay kung saan nakita niya si Iris na nakatayo.
BINABASA MO ANG
Definitely Out of his League | published under Ukiyoto Publishing
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