#UTLChapter4
**
"Ate!" Sigaw ni Elyzza nang makita niya ako na papasok ng pinto. She welcomed me with a hug and big smile.
"Saan si Mommy?" Tanong ko.
"In the study," She answered. "Tawagin ko, wait lang."
I nodded at her at naupo sa sofa. Inikot ko ang paningin ko sa loob ng bahay, parang wala namang nagbago dito simula nung lumipat ako.
"So..."
Napalingon ako sa hagdaan at nakita ko si Ate Bea na nakataas ang kilay sakin habang bumababa.
Ano na namang drama 'to?
"May nireport sakin si Leila," She said, still raising her brow.
"Leila?" Naguguluhan kong tanong.
"Yeah, I'm keeping my eye on you Kaia Martine." Seryoso niyang sabi.
Napairap ako. "Ano na naman ba trip mo Ate?"
"Sabi niya may kasama ka daw laging kumain na lalake. Sino 'yun? Ha?"
Napakunot lalo ang noo ko. Si Ivo ba? Tatlong beses ko palang siyang nakakasama sa coffee shop dahil wala nang available na seats at makulit siya. Kahit lumuhod ako sa harap niya, feeling ko hindi niya ako titigilan.
"Wala 'yun."
"Oh really?"
"Really." I blandly said. Talagang saming magkakapatid, ako pa talaga ang naisipan niyang bantayan? Pakiramdam ko nga ako ang huling magaasawa saming apat, because let's face it... Wala naman akong interes magkaroon ng lovelife.
"Siguraduhin mo lang," She said while giving me a stink eye. I just rolled my eyes at her. Drama queen.
"Hi, honey, what brings you here?" Tanong ni mommy nang makababa siya, "Nagdinner kana ba?"
I stood up and gave her the consent form for my retreat. Bukas na kasi 'yun at ngayon lang ako nakadalaw dito sa bahay.
"What's this for?" Tanong niya.
"Read it,"
"Retreat? Again?" Kunot noo niyang tanong sakin.
I nodded, "Annually po 'yan."
"Tsk, nerd." I chose to ignore Ate Bea's side remarks, sanay na ko sa mga ganyan niya. She's a bully, but I love all my siblings .
"Okay, do you need something else? May allowance ka pa? Grocery? Parang hindi nababawasan 'yung card na binigay namin sayo, kumakain ka ba?" Sunod sunod na tanong niya sakin.
"I'm okay po," Simpleng sagot ko. "Just sign the form and I'll be on my way,"
My mom nodded as she signed the paper and hands it to me. I thanked her and got up on my seat, ready na sana akong umalis kaso biglang dumating si Daddy.
I mentally sighed when I saw him. Don't get me wrong.
I love my father so much, but I swear to God, he's so strict and OA, sometimes he really drives me crazy! Minsan lang siya nandito sa bahay pero 'yung effect non samin, malaki. We have to behave ourselves, pa-damsel in distress palagi and dapat mahinhin.
But that was before.
He adjusted the strings to his protectiveness and now he trusts me and Ate to go to every where, not Ely because she's too young.
When I told them I wanted to move out, tila 3 days ko atang hindi nakita si Daddy non kasi nagtatampo daw siya sakin. Took me half a year to convince him dahil ayaw niya talagang pumayag na umalis ako. Nauubusan na daw kasi siya ng anak sa bahay since seaman 'yung Kuya ko at si Ate naman flight attendant. Dapat talaga noong first year pa ko nakalipat dito sa apartment pero ayaw nilang pumayag kaya ayun, inabutan na ko ng 3rd year.
