The Antiquity of Us (La Fortuna Series #2)

Kabanata 28

Kabanata 28

The Past

"Happy 19th anniversary Mom and Dad!"

Ionna and I looked at each other across the table and giggled. Synchronized ang pagbati namin na tila nagre-read-a-thon lang kaya 'di na namin napigilang matawa. A smile flashed across her beautiful face before she turned to our parents.

"I love you both," she said in a soft tone. "Thank you for raising us, Mommy and Daddy. Io and I wouldn't be who we are now if it weren't for you guys."

"Thank you, too, twins. Kayo ang dahilan kung bakit tumagal kami ng diecinueve na taon nitong Dad niyo," Mom joked. She caressed Dad's arm over the table and chuckled. "Just kidding."

Ngumisi si Dad. "It's true, though. Your Mom is such a pain, to be honest. She has a lot of caprices and always spends our money on her bags and retail therapy. Kung wala kayong dalawa, baka lubog na tayo sa utang at nahiwalayan ko na siya."

"Hon, that's cruel!"

"Don't worry, I won't ever leave you, Oli." He leaned towards her and kissed her temple. "You and the twins are my greatest treasure. Mas mahal ko pa kayo kaysa sa buhay ko."

Mom blushed and swept her eyes over the eight-seater dining table that we were on. Nasa magkabilang kabisera si Dad at Lolo samantalang pinagigitnaan naman ako ni Mommy at ni Lola Hana. In front of me's Ionna while Kiro's in front of my mother, just beside my Dad, too.

"Anyway, I'm glad that we are all together again. Tuwing anniversary lang yata namin ng Dad niyo tayo kumpleto, e."

Humalakhak si Lola. "Do not get all nostalgic now, Oli. Alam mo namang 'di na kami kalakasan nitong ama mo. Hindi kami nakakabisita sa Capiz at gano'n din kayo sa 'min dahil sa trabaho."

"Yes, I know, Ma. Nagpapasalamat nalang ako sa tradisyon nating mag-sea travel sa tuwing ganitong okasyon."

"Well, of course, hija. Sayang naman itong napakatagal nang barko ng pamilya natin kung 'di rin naman magagamit. This Phinisi boat is an ancient classic! Galing pa itong Indonesia at ilang dekada nang pagmamay-ari ng mga Hermosa. This boat is such a beauty! I even modified the cabins—"

"Philip, tama na 'yang litanya mo tungkol sa barkong 'to." Lola frowned at him. "I know that you're a boat enthusiast but stop acting like you love this boat more than you've ever loved me!"

He squinted his eyes. "Nagpapalambing ka lang yata, Hana? Naku, matanda na tayo para riyan!"

"Tse!"

Naghalakhakan kami dahil sa kakulitan nina Lolo at Lola. Not long after, we finally started eating our meal. Nag-uusap pa rin ang mga matatanda, ngunit 'di na ako makasunod dahil naagaw na nina Kiro at Yona ang atensyon ko. I silently watched them as they exchanged knowing glances. Kumunot ang noo ko.

Lately, I had been noticing sketchy things between them. Bata pa lamang kami'y magkasama na kami at aaminin kong nagu-guwapuhan ako kay Kiro. He's cute and smart, but I only idolized him and nothing more. Parang matandang kapatid na siya sa 'min kaya kailanma'y hindi ko binigyan ng malisya ang mga kilos niya. Besides, we're fifteen and he's twenty-three! He's too old!

"Here, have some salad, Yona," banayad na wika niya at nilagyan ng salad ang pinggan nito. "You need to eat more nutritious foods for your health. Madali ka pa namang magkasakit."

She pouted. "Aight. But don't nag me about it."

"Okay, okay. You're so cute," he said and chuckled.

I pressed my lips in a grim line and continued eating. Kumalampog ang metal na tunog ng kutsara nang mahulog ko 'yon sa sahig. Everyone looked at me so I smiled sheepishly before kneeling down to get it. Habang pinupulot ko 'yon ay nakita ko ang magkahawak na kamay nina Kiro at Yona sa ilalim ng lamesa. My heart hammered at all my thoughts.