August Lies

Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1

I woke up early to freshen up. I planned to go with my parents first at Dad's clinic. Tatambay lang at saka ako didiretso ng opisina.

I walked downstairs after fixing myself and heard the loud and cheery voices of my family early this morning.

I smiled.

Habang pababa ng hagdan ay kitang-kita kaagad ang malaking portrait ng aming pamilya. On the back of the red, majestic sofa is my father, Thorn Arzeus Valderama, with my brother, Deion. Sa sofa naman sa gitna nakaupo si Mommy, the one and only Zidney Sandejas. Beside her was Queen Scira and beside our youngest. Sa kabilang gilid ni Mom ay nakaupo ang Ate Clyte.

Sa pagbaba ay kaagad akong binati ng mga kasama namin sa bahay at masaya ko silang binati pabalik. I straightened my back and fixed my dress before I entered the dining.

Naabutan si Dad na nakaupo sa kabisera, may hawak na dyaryo at sumisimsim ng kape. He looked serious. His black eyes reading the words seriously and I chuckled when I saw my mother beside him, nangungulit.

My dad is busy yet my mom tried entering her head between his arms. Nang mapansin iyon ni Dad ay walang pagdadalawang-isip niyang ibinaba ang binabasa at natatawang humalik kay mommy.

My heart swelled seeing them like that.

Sa may kalan ay nakita kong nagluluto ang Kuya. He's busy doing his famous pancakes at natawa ako nang makitang nakasabit lang sa balikat niya ang shirt.

My eyes went to the baby seat near my father and saw my youngest sister, Queen Scira, playing with her Barbies. Pinapalo pa niya ang lamesa.

"Seryoso, ah?" My eyes widened when I heard a voice. I gasped and tilted my head, only to see Ate Clyte smiling.

"Ate!" I cheered happily.

She chuckled and I hugged her. I felt her hug me back.

"Kailan ka pa nakauwi? You aren't answering my calls!" I exclaimed and she chuckled, moving away from me.

"Naka-silent ang phone ko, Scira." She chuckled. "Kaninang madaling-araw lang ako nakauwi."

Amazed and happy, I nodded. Sabay kaming lumapit sa hapag at nakitang hindi na nagulat ang mga tao roon na naroon na ang Ate. I guess ako na lang ang walang kaalam-alam.

She sat beside our youngest. Lumapit naman ako sa parents ko para humalik.

"Good morning, Scira," my mom muttered, still hugging Dad on his waist.

"Morning, Mom, Dad," I said softly, kissing my dad's cheek too bago tumakbo kay Kuya.

"Pancakes!" Silip ko at napatalon pa siya sa gulat sa paglitaw ko.

"Jesus..." he muttered while fixing his glasses. I laughed, tiptoed, and kissed his cheek.

"Morning, Kuya," I grinned and laughed when he lifted his arms, caged my neck and jokingly choked me.

"Kuya!" I exclaimed and punched his abdomen. "Ang baho mo!"

"What?" His black eyes stared at me and I laughed when he pinched my nose. "Check mo pang-amoy mo, naligo ako!"

"Kids, tama na 'yan. Let's eat." I heard my mom's soft voice and Kuya let me go.

I stuck my tongue out at him and he smirked. He then ruffled my hair and I glared at him.

"You ruined my hair!" I hissed and he laughed.

"Sorry na, Miss Perfect," he muttered, smirking at me.