"Stormiiiiiiii!!"
Half awake, I covered my face with the pillow beside me.
"Stormi, wake up!" The girly voice covered my room.
She even tried getting the pillow but I switched to the other side of my bed.
"Stormi, you're gonna tour me around today! So, wake up!"
Napabangon ako dahil sa sigaw niya. And I remembered that Mariel is here, to have a short vacation.
I looked at the clock placed on the bedside table. Nagulat ako na alas onse na ng tanghali.
"You should have woke me up earlier..." I said, massaging my temples.
"Eh sabi ni Lola kakatulog mo lang. She said you came home around 4?" She asked, making sure of Lola's words.
"Oo." Tinignan ko ang suot ko. I'm still wearing my white hoodie and my black two lined jogging pants.
Sa sobrang puyat, pagkauwi ko ay nahiga na ako agad. Hindi na ako nag-abalang maglinis dahil naligo naman ako bago umalis ng hotel. Hindi rin naman ako nagbabad masyado sa pool.
"So, when I knew that we're going to have a week for vacation, I immediately told Papa that I want to stay here in Manila!" She sat on the edge of my bed. "Nakakainip sa Nueva Ecija!" She laughed and hugged my bed.
Pumasok ako sa banyo para magtoothbrush at mag-ayos. Nagsuklay lang ako. Pagkalabas ko ng banyo ay nakadapa pa rin si Ariel.
"How have you been the past few months? Hindi pa rin umuuwi si Tita Marina?" I asked as I fix my bed. Tumayo na siya roon at tinulungan ako na ayusin ang kama ko.
"Okay naman. Mama? Kung umuwi man siya, hindi ko naman ramdam presence no'n sa bahay." She smiled bitterly.
I suddenly feel sad for her. Bata palang kami ay gano'n na si Tita Marina. She always leave Ariel in Nueva Ecija with Tito Gio and come home only on special occasions. Pinagpapasalamat nalang namin na umuuwi siya taon taon para sa birthday ni Ariel.
"Does your head hurt?" She asked.
"I'll be okay. Nakatulog naman na ako. Inom nalang ako ng vitamins." I said.
"That's good." She walked towards me. "I missed you! Hindi ka dumalaw sa akin sa Nueva Ecija!" Nagtatampong sabi niya at yumakap sa akin.
"Busy sila Daddy pati si Ate. Walang magmamaneho ng kotse..." I explained and tapped her back.
"Papa said she's going home this week. Para daw sabay na kami bumalik sa Nueva Ecija." She sounded so sad.
Alam kong kahit umuwi si Tita, hindi naman niya gaanong pinagtutuunan ng pansin si Ariel. She'll bring gifts for her daughter, na akala mo bata na madaling paamuhin dahil nabigyan mo na ng regalo.
"Hey, things will always get better, A. I know I'm not in your shoes to understand what you're experiencing but do keep in mind that I'm here to listen to whatever you wanna say." I said.
"Yes, thank you..." she hugged me tighter. Bumitaw din naman siya agad. "Come on, you haven't eaten breakfast. It's already lunch time!" Masiglang aya niya.
Tumawa ako at tumango sa kaniya. Nakakapit ang braso niya sa braso ko hanggang sa makababa kami. Lumapit ako kay Mommy na naghahain ng mga putahe sa lamesa.
"Good morning, Mommy!" I greeted and kissed her on her cheeks. "Ako na po diyan." I initiated.
"Good morning! Nakatulog ka na ba?" She asked and handed me the dishes.
