rivals

Chapter Four

(Maddison's POV)

"OH hello Maddie! Akala ko five pa ang dismissal ninyo?" salubong sa akin ng kakambal kong si Eric nang mamalayan niya ang pagpasok ko sa sala habang siya'y abalang nakikipagkulitan sa aso naming si Beau. Beau is a 2-year old golden retriever. We brought him with us here in Cagayan all the way from Manila. I and Eric just love this dog so much that we do not want him to be left behind kaya we chose to bring him with us. Para na namin siyang bunsong kapatid eh.

"Hi Eric! Yeah, maaga kaming pinadismiss ng prof. namin for last period eh, may meeting daw", ibinaba ko ang bag at ang mga libro ko sa sofa saka sumali sa kulitan nilang dalawa.

"Hello Beau! How was your day my poopy puppy? I miss you", I patted Beaus head and gave him his favourite belly rubs.

"Wow ha! Inuna mo pang tanungin si Beau kung kumusta yung araw niya. Sige, siya na ang kakambal mo", kunwari'y nagtatampo namang hirit ni Eric sa akin.

"Eh di good! At least si Beau, hindi pasaway, diba poopy puppy?"

"Heh! Sabagay, mukha ka naman kasing aso. Minsan nga mas cute pa si Beau sayo eh, di ba buddy?"

"Ulul! Kambal tayo kaya kung mukha akong aso, ganun ka din."

"Eh di kung pasaway ako, pasaway ka din."

"That's another story bro. Pero kung iisipin mong mabuti no, sa ating dalawa, ikaw lang yung pasaway pero damay pa rin ako sa parusa mo. Imagine, pati ako na walang kamalay-malay, pinabalik dito sa Cagayan.Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Perks of being Ericson's twin. Hahaha!" Bigla namang natahimik si Ericson. Uh-oh, na-below the belt ko ata.

"Im sorry Maddie. It's already been a month, I guess, and I do not think nakahingi na ako ng tawad sa iyo. Im sorry kung nadamay ka sa parusa sa akin ni Papa", malungkot nitong sabi sa akin.

"Uy halla! Nagdrama ka naman agad diyan. Binibiro lang naman kita eh. Alam mo Eric, you do not have to apologize to me. Inaamin ko na at first, tutol ako sa naging decision nina Ma at Pa. I mean, kahit saang anggulo ko tingnan, paano ako nadawit doon diba? But they let me realize why I have to be here with you and I know that it's the best for everybody because that is all that they wanted. But believe me also when I tell you na ni minsan ay hindi kita nagawang sisihin dahil sa nangyari. I know that music is your passion. Its your dream. Kahit na sa mata ng lahat naging pasaway ka, I strongly believe you did not intend to hurt anyones feelings especially Ma and Pa by doing what makes you happy. Kaya kung nangyari man to, I know it's not your intention and I totally understand. Actually, I admire you nga eh pero wag lalaki yang ulo mo ha, kasi sa parusa sa iyo nina Mama at Papa, feeling ko magrerebelde ka na, because that's what most young people do nowadays, and yet here you are making up for your mistakes. Doon naman ako proud sayo bilang kakambal ko."

"Bakit naman ako magrerebelde eh ako na nga yung mali? I realized hindi naman maitatama ng isa pang pagkakamali yung mali ko. Madami nang chances na ibinigay sa akin sina mama at papa. It was me who failed to do my part. I guess, I deserve this but you don't. And I feel guilty about that."

"Oh my God, you're really making me so proud right now. Are you the real Ericson? Hahaha! Just kidding. Kidding aside, sabi ko naman sayo diba brother man na wala kang dapat ipag-alala sa akin. You dont have to feel guilty. May reason si God kung bakit ako napasama sa pagbalik dito and I am looking forward sa kung anuman iyon. Kaya ang dapat na ginagawa na lang natin sa ngayon ay mag-aral nang mabuti. Let's finish college, find a job, make our parents proud, be successful and eventually do the things that will make us happy and contented. Isa-isa lang muna, one step at a time, we'll get there soon."

"You sound like mom, Maddie. Pft! Pero seriously, I'm really grateful na ikaw yung naging kakambal ko. Kahit ma madalas hindi tayo nagkakasundo, in times like this, you're very understanding and dependable. Kung ipapanganak ako ulit at magkakaroon ulit ng kakambal and I got to choose who it will be, I'll definitely choose you." Seryosong sabi nito sa akin. Anyare at biglang nagdadrama ito? Pft!