Unleashed in February (Behind The Month #1)

4

4,  Really

Hindi na tumuloy pa sa loob ng bahay si Hope nang tumigil ang sasakyan sa tapat ng bahay namin. Pinagbuksan niya lang ako ng pinto at sumunod sa akin hanggang sa gate. I pinched his arm lightly before nodding my head.

"Sige na, ingat ka."

He tsked and made a face before getting inside his car again. Hinintay ko ang pag-alis ng sasakyan nito bago pumasok sa may gate. I'm sure my family's having their dinner now.

Naabutan ko ang payapang pag-uusap ng pamilya sa hapag nang makapasok na sa bahay. My father's mixed gray and white hair is more evident from the pendant lights we have in the dining. Nasa kabisera siya, normal ng pwesto. My mom's beside him and heard me nearing. Hinuhubad ko ang sapatos ko nang mapunta sa akin ang mga mata nila.

My sister wiped her lips before motioning the seat beside her using that thin lips of her.

"Kain na." aniya.

I smiled, "Day off mo pala ngayon, ano? Si Kuya Jude?"

She chuckled softly, shaking her head. I was referring to her boyfriend. Sometimes he would join my Ate Apple whenever she goes here during her day off. I am the only one now who's living with our parents. Sa katagalan ng pagloloko ng dalawang kuya, they finally settled for their own good. They are of age already so I can say maybe it's what made them decide to change finally.

Kuya Oxenn is now in Batangas, working as a manager at a construction supply business. He married an event planner, just last year while Kuya Benj married about three years ago with a pharmacist. I have a niece from them now who's named after our mother, Anastasia.

Sa kalapit na bayan lang sila nakatira at madalas din namang nagagawi rito. Though my sister isn't married yet, she's working as a journalist for a local newspaper around Manila and so she rents a unit there.

Ngumuso ako habang sinasaluhan sila sa mesa. I have no plans on eating a heavy meal anymore because I am still so full. Titikim lang ako ng panghimagas na marahil ay dala ni ate para sa amin.

"May alam ka na kung saan ka mag-te-take ng ojt mo?" si Ate Apple.

"Next year pa 'yon, e. Baka kung saan na lang din ang ibang kaklase ko."

Humarap si mama sa akin. "Doon ka na lang sa Absolute Knowledge, sabi ko na sa'yo."

I bit my lip, letting her say anything more. My mother, Anastasia San Miguel is a teacher in profession and is now a principal in a private school. I could say, she inspired me somehow to pursue the same career because I've witnessed how dedicated she was from teaching, and finishing her work even at home. 'Tsaka siguro, wala rin naman akong maisip na ibang pwedeng kuhaning kurso so being a teacher is fine.

"Doon ka na at hindi ka pa mahihirapan masyado. We can even save gas tuwing papasok tayo nang sabay." ani mama na tinawanan ni papa.

"Your mother and her saving agendas!"

The next day, we all went to the church because it's Sunday. I'm wearing a high waisted denim pants and a pastel yellow top with ruffles on each sleeves. It has a sweetheart neckline which showed my collarbones more. I completed my look with my white flats.

Gamit namin ang Civic ni ate patungong bayan at si papa ang nagmaneho. My sister's wearing her signature look, white button down top and a denim pencil cut skirt. Her hair is on a high ponytail unlike mine which I just chose to let down for I am kind of lazy to fix it.

Mahaba na masyado ang buhok ko. Mabuti nga at sinisipag pa akong suklayin kahit kaunti na lang ay aabot na ito sa puwet ko. Out of boredom, I cut the frontal part of my hair and made some layers. Okay naman ang kinalabasan kaya may iilang hibla ng buhok ko ang pumaparada sa bandang dibdib ko at balikat kada gumagalaw ang ulo o katawan ko. Kahit pinakulayan ko na ito, malambot pa rin naman.