Monarch High: War of the Brats

CHAPTER 46

Christmas break is here now! Napaaga yata ang break namin dahil pagkatapos ng Seniors' week ay saka naman nag-announce ng christmas break next week. Dahil doon ay nagkukulong naman ako condo at hindi alam ang gagawin. Sometimes, I was cooking lalo na nang maalala ko ang ilang turo sa 'kin ni Mae sa pagluluto. I was kind of fond of her cooking since she's really great at cooking. Minsan, may alam pa syang ilang techniques! Lalo na nung oath taking, ang sarap ng ulam.

While I was checking the frying pan, I felt my phone vibrate inside my pocket. Kaagad kong kinuha iyon, inalis ko muna ang kawali sa apoy bago binasa ang text ni Kuya sa 'kin.

Kuya Primus:

I'll call.

I took a deep breath when I read his message. Ibinulsa ko ang cellphone ko saka bumalik sa pagluluto. When I was done frying an egg for my breakfast, saka naman tumunog ang cellphone ko.

Sinagot ko ang tawag ni Kuya at inayos 'yung breakfast ko sa mesa.

"Kuya," I greeted. Walang-gana kong tiningnan ang agahan ko at binalik amg atensyon sa tawag. "Anong meron?"

"Anong anong meron, Priscillane? It's Christmas!"

I rolled my eyes. "Matagal pa 'yun. Tsaka hello? Mukha ba akong walang calendar para hindi malaman 'yun?"

He chuckled dryly on the other line. "Christmas is coming, so that does mean you're coming home, right?"

Natigilan ako. I was hardly looking at my breakfast that I'm afraid the plate would break any time now. Huminga ako nang malalim bago nagsalita.

"Y-You know I can't go home during Christmas, Kuya..."

"Priscillane, matagal na 'yun..."

I gasped. "That was just last year, Kuya! Ayokong sirain ang pasko nyo."

"Mom and dad missed you already..."

Napalunok ako. "I'm sure they miss Priscilla more. I'm fine here."

Kuya Primus blew a loud breath that it could be heard on the speaker. Napanguso ako bago nagsubo ng pagkain. I suddenly missed Mae's cooking.

"Hindi na ba magbabago ang isip mo?"

"Kuya," I groaned. "Ilang ulit ka nang tumawag dito, walang magbabago, okay?"

"Alright. I'll visit you when I have time."

"Okay," I replied curtly before dropping the call.

Mabilis kong tinapos ang breakfast ko. I quickly showered and decided to go on a grocery because I don't have any supplies for this month. I tilted my head as I looked at the frame that was standing on the bedside table. I reached for it and kissed its glass, specifically to the girl on its side. I grazed the frame using my fingers. The girl beside the little girl me, with a smiling face, feels like an old memory...

I can still remember how her face was bathed with nothing but blood...

Kaagad kong nabitawan ang frame dahilan nang pagkabasag nito sa sahig. I gasped inwardly. Sa huli ay wala nang nagawa kundi ang kumuha ng walis para mawala ang bubog. Kinuha ko ang litrato sa loob nito at inilagay sa drawer.

The nightmare that made me live for almost a year now...

Nang makalabas ako ng condo ay kaagad kong kinuha ang phone ko. I hoped Mae was not so busy today. Wala akong ibang kasama mag-grocery at mabilis akong ma-bore. Baka imbes na umikot-ikot ako para bumili pa, baka uuwi na lang ako na walang dala.

Luckily, Mae's free today. Tinanong ko nga dahil baka may date sila ni Cal pero wala naman daw at nauumay na syang makita ang mukha ni Cal araw-araw I wrinkled my nose as I remembered their escapades. Itong si Mae, natural pa naman na magaling sa lalaki tapos si Cal sobrang mapang-asar pa. Minsan nga ang sarap pag-untugin, eh.