Good Night, Lucy

Chapter 5: Zion

Zion

It was my 8th birthday if I was not mistaken when she came to our house.

My parents are no where to be seen when I woke up that day. Si kuya Kai, pangalawa sa aming magkakapatid ang nakita ko. He greeted me with a smile at sya ang kasabay kong kumain ng pang umagahan.

My three prince.

Iyan ang description ni mama sa amin, sa kadahilanang tatlo lang kaming anak ni mama at mga lalaki pa.

Ako ang bunso, and when you are the youngest child you had all the attention of your parents. Wala kang kahati sa anumang bagay, sa laruan, sa pagkain, anything..

Not until she came.

"Kuya.." agaw ko kay Kai na tahimik na nagbabasa ng libro. I was so bored waiting for my parents to arrive pati na rin ang isa ko pang kapatid.

"Hmm?" He responded without giving a quick glance at me. I scooped a spoonful of ice cream bago ulit nagsalita.

"Bakit ang tagal nila mama at kuya Geo?" Kaninang umaga ko pa sila hinihintay, hapon na at wala pa sila.

Kuya Kai flipped the page of the book he is reading, "Let just say that they picked up your birthday present." Aniya.

I was so happy back then to know na kaya pala wala pa sila ay dahil kinuha nila ang birthday gift nila sa akin, but that was just Kuya Kai's way to shut me up.

I should have known better but my eight year old self way back then waited patiently with so much excitement inside.

To be surprised by an unexpected gift.

"Happy Birthday Son !" It was my father, I thanked him sabay yakap sa kanya ng mahigpit habang hawak hawak ang dalawang cake sa magkabilang kamay.

Inilapag nya ang hawak hawak na cake, I even helped him unboxed them. When dad opened the box he had ay halos mapunit ang labi ko sa ngiti na sumilay sa akin. I'm smiling ears to ears when I saw the blue cake inspired with a sea creatures toys on top.

Bata palang I was exposed in the ocean surrounding. Lagi naming vacation ay sa dagat, where we had a private island in Palawan.

"Zion," agaw sa akin ng atensyon ni papa. He pointed me the other box na nasa harapan ko na hindi ko pa pala natatanggal ang takip. "Open it, son."

Hindi mawala ang excitement ko, I had two cakes with a theme I wished to have.

"Pink?!" I exclaimed ng mabuksan at makita ang laman ng box. Kuya Kai laughed and my daddy too. Halos mapangiwi ako at layuan ang pagkain na nasa aking harapan.

Why pink?! Its so gay !

"Its not yours, you stupid birthday boy." Kuya Geo said at nginuso ang cake kaya naman tinignan ko ulit ito at binasa ang mga katagang nakasulat doon.

Welcome to the family, Baby Lucy.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Baby Lucy?! Lucy is not my name and who is she?! Curiosity conquered my brain at hindi napansin ang pagpasok ni mama sa dining room.

Napaangat nalang ako ng tingin when I heard a cry. A baby's cry.

"Happy birthday Zion !" Bati sa akin ni mama na may kalong kalong sa kanyang bisig na hindi ko alam dahil nakabalkot ng tela.

Lumapit sya sa akin at unti unting umupo sa tabi ko. She then gave me a smile, "I want you to meet Lucy, your baby sister.."

Baby sister?!!!!