Barcelona Escapade

Chapter Thirty-Six: Better

Chapter Thirty-Six
Better

The light on my window woke me up from my deep sleep. Naalala ko pang sa bahay na binigay ni Mamá ako tumuloy ngayong araw kasama pa rin ang dalawa kong pamangkin.

I also want to cherish the time they're still here and they're this young. Paniguradong 'pag lumaki na sila, mas lalong mawawalan ng oras para sa'kin.

Even Mama's dominion ruled over them when just yesterday, she signed them up in a two-month theater workshop habang nandito sila. Ibig sabihin magtatagal talaga sina Kuya Hugo rito.

I gently moved Elian's arm on my belly to stand up. Since I'm alone with them, I wanted to make them a nice and healthy breakfast.

After frying banana and eggs, kaagad kong itinext si Eros na sunduin ako mamaya para ihatid sa mansyon ang mga pamangkin ko. He replied with a quick okay.

Our last conversation still strikes me even until today. He meant to say there were things from two years ago that didn't change. And how... stupid of me to think one of it was the way he sees me.

Mabilis akong napailing sa naisip at ginising na lang ang mga pamangkin ko. They took a quick and joyous breakfast as they both stuff sliced fried banana in their mouths.

"Are we going back to Kinder City again, Tita Al?" Magnus was the one who asked.

Kinailangan ko pang hawiin ang dumi sa labi niya.

"Not today. Your Mama wants you back in the mansion."

Dismayado siyang napasandal. "Sa susunod po, pupunta ulit tayo?"

Ngumiti ako. "Of course. If Tita Al is free, she'll make time."

Lumiwanag ang mukha niya. "Will we be with Kuya Eros? Will he be there? Will he give me a ride again?"

Naglaho ang ngiti ko sa sinabi niya pero hindi pinahalata. Napainom ako ng tubig at muntik nang bumara ang slice ng saging na kinain ko sa lalamunan.

Out of all the names Magnus can remember!

I chuckled awkwardly. "It's Jackson, not Eros, Magnus. He's Kuya Jackson. Remember it, okay?"

Ang batang 'to, hindi man lang ako pinansin. He stuffed another slice of banana in his mouth and just grinned at me. His cheeks looked bloated and my fusses immediately went away. Pinanood ko na lang silang masayang kumain.

My phone rang after a matter of minutes. Nang silipin at tanggapin ko, it was Jayren whom I haven't heard from since last week. He's been a busybody, working and dealing with his father's business affairs.

"Hey."

"Hi," he began. "Miguel said you're in the house? Bibisita ako, okay lang ba?"

"Right now?"

My breathing hitched after remembering I asked Eros to come here and fetch us. Saglit akong sumilay sa mga pamangkin na abala sa pagkain. They haven't exactly met Jayren and maybe this is a good chance to introduce him to them.

"Yeah? Are you busy?"

"No..." My breathing puffed. "Alright. You should meet my nephews too."

"Okay," he said in a tone that sounded smiling.

Once he said goodbye and ended the call, kaagad ko ring tinawagan si Eros. I was afraid he may already be in his way after hearing beeping sounds in the other line when he picked up my call.

"Hey.." panimula ko.

"Señorita," tawag niya sa kabilang linya.

Napalunok ako sa tawag niya. "Uh.. huwag mo na pala akong sunduin."