Barcelona Escapade

Chapter Thirty-Five: Unchanged

Chapter Thirty-Five
Unchanged

"Nandito na pala ang mga apo ko."

Magkasabay dumiretso sina Elian and Magnus na lumapit kay Mamá. Nagmano silang dalawa saka kaagad ding bumalik sa kaniya-kaniyang puwesto sa hapag.

"Where's Hugo and Merliya? Handa na ang hapunan."

Wala pa sina Kuya Hugo at asawa niya rito. Kausap pa ni Papá tungkol sa ginagawa nila sa Swiss. That's why I haven't talked to him about what Eros has said yet. Masyado pa siyang abala para pagtuonan ako ng pansin.

"They're talking with Papa," sagot ni Kuya Miguel.

Tahimik akong nakahalukipkip sa gilid nang paglaharan niya ako ng tingin. I sat upright and made space to breathe. I know for sure that Kuya Miguel's gonna ask me about my fiancé.

"Where is Jayren?"

See?

I averted my gaze away from him. "He's busy. Hindi siya makakapunta."

"Jayren is with his father, Miguel," si Mamá pa ang nagpaliwanag ng buo. Mama's bleak and forbidding stares reached me. "Inaasikaso ang trabaho."

It's the rare family gathering today. Bumisita sina Kuya Miguel at asawa. Saktong- sakto sa pagdating nina Kuya Hugo at pamilya niya. I don't know how long will they stay but Mamá has told me to sleep in the mansion for now to entertain my brothers' kids.

Ang dalawa, sa kwarto ko dumiretso para roon matulog. My huge canopy bed can shelter the three of us. Maliliit pa naman sila. Magnus is only five; Elian is two. Both are my brothers' eldest child.

Hindi na rin ako nagtagal pa sa hapag. I just arrived from my review and already ate outside. Para na rin hindi ko na rin tagalan pa ang pangungumusta ng kapatid ko, na si Jayren palagi ang tinatanong sa akin.

"Tita Al, is it fine to sleep here?" tanong ni Magnus nang makarating sa kwarto.

Elian is holding his right hand while Magnus held him using his left. Hinatid sila ng isang kasambahay namin sa kwarto ko, dala-dala ang backpack nilang dalawa.

"Of course," sabi ko nang tumatango at nakangiti.

Mas lalong sumingkit ang mata ni Magnus nang ngumiti sa akin. He shares familiar features with my brother, Kuya Miguel. Moreno siya, matangos ang ilong at depino ang labi. His dark curly hair is a mess but he looks adorable. Ang namana niya lang ata sa ina ay ang medyo singkit niyang mata.

I patted his head and drifted my gaze to Elian who shook his maracas. Narinig ko ang paghagikgik niya saka mabilis inalog ang maracas na hawak niya. It created a nice pitch which made me part my lips in awe.

What do I expect?

His parents are musicians. Kuya Hugo and his wife must be proud.

Hindi pa man sila nakakatagal sa kwarto ay humikab na si Magnus. I sighed and took both their hands to bring them to my bed.

"You should be tired," I began. "How about let's sleep and let's go out tomorrow?"

With his tired eyes, Magnus nodded. Si Elian ay pinatunog lang ulit ang maracas niya habang tuwang-tuwa. I had to wait until they fell asleep. Hindi naman mahirap at matagal dahil pagod sila sa parehong biyahe.

Nang masiguradong tulog na, bumaba kaagad ako para saglitin kung gising pa si Kuya Hugo. I still hasn't forget I have to ask him things habang nandito pa siya sa mansiyon. The last time Eros and I talked, he said it was my brother's doing that he's my driver today.