Unleashed in February (Behind The Month #1)

37

37, As I wash away

"Congrats!"

"Ayos! Congrats, JP!"

"ENGINEER ANDRADA HERE WE COME!!"

My eyes were locked on my legs as I started hearing the positive cheers from the visitors, especially from Hope's cousins.

"Wala pa... Board exam pa..." he said in his baritone, followed by his short laugh.

"Sure na 'yon! Congrats!"

"Picture tayo... Bakit mo hinubad iyong toga mo, kuya? Sayang! Suot mo ulit pati iyong medal mo. Cum laude yata 'to..." ang boses ni Jelly ang nang-asar sa kanya.

"Baduy-"

"Sige na! Picture muna! Saan na ba ang photographer? Kuya Jorenz!"

They really adore having their celebrations done intimately. Halos sila-sila lang sa pamilya at kaunting kaibigan lang. Their family is indeed very simple and it amazes me still. Mayaman sila pero sa totoo lang, hindi mo talaga iyon mararamdaman.

They had their photo op while I'm silently sitting. The front yard of their house is once again filled with white tables and chairs. A long rectangular table is on the front side with catered foods on top. It's almost lunch time kaya marami na ring tao. Sa pamilya pa lang nila, sapat ng malaman na magiging masaya sila dahil sa bilang nila.

Binati ko ang papa ni Hope kanina na siyang humaharap sa mga bisita pagdating ko. He looked the same, good looking still despite the age. Pagkatapos ay umupo lang ako sa isa sa mga upuang nakatabi sa malaking palm tree nila. I even saw Randell who smirked at me and I just knotted my brows.

"Kami naman..." Sherra's voice echoed in my ear as I heard her say that.

Natahimik sila at hindi ko na matignan ang ginagawa. I sighed and lifted my spoon to finally eat the plenty amount of food I got for myself.

Kanina kasama ko si Jelly sa mesa at nasabi pa niyang ang tagal daw, isang taon mula nang makita nila ako. Nagulat pa nga ako dahil hindi ko inaasahang sasabihin niya iyon sa'kin. She said I was missing in action when Ate Antares got her baby his christening event. Wala rin ako noong nagbirthday ang pamangkin nila kay Kuya Rico.

She invited me to attend on Olga and Jared's graduation party next week but I just smiled simply and told her I'll try.

Nakakahiya mang sabihin iyon pero hindi rin kasi ako sigurado kung makakadalo ba ako. Wouldn't that be awkward? I mean, this is the first after a very long time that I'll be with them, and Hope to begin with. I still have to make sure how this day would go.

"Okay na?" si Ren nang sinubukan kong iangat ang tingin sa gawi nila.

"Last one!" Sherra smiled and held on Hope's arm.

Dumaan sa likuran ko ang isang babae at nang makita ko ay naupo na ulit sa tabi ko si Jelly, karga ang lalaking anak ni Ate Antares. I had a wrong thought, hindi pala porke blooming e... babae na talaga ang anak. The baby looks handsome though.

"Diet? Ang dami pa roon ah..." ani Jelly, napatingin sa pagkain ko.

I shook my head. "Okay na 'to. Hindi pa naman ako gutom."

"Erin!" tawag sa'kin ng tinig na kaytagal ko na ring hindi naririnig. "Buhay ka pa pala!"

I smiled shyly at Tita Carmen when she walked towards me. She took the baby from Jelly's hold but eyes are still on me. I stood up. Inabot ko ang kanyang isang kamay para magmano.

"Hindi ka nagpapakita!"

"Uh..." I said, feeling a bit uneasy because almost everyone's eyes are now on me.