He Broke Me First

Chapter 2

"Syrbia, mag taxi na lang kayo."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Papa. Sabay-sabay kaming kumakain ng umagahan ngayon. Today's the continuation of our class so I woke up early to get ready. I was actually excited about it. Hell, yeah. I missed holding books and pens.

"What? No!" malditang sagot ni Coleen. She put her utensils down, pouting her lips like a duck who was ready to drink.

"Hindi ko na kayo mahahatid, Coleen. Nagmamadali ako."

Nagsalubong ang dalawang kilay ng kapatid ko at nagpangalumbaba habang mahaba pa rin ang nguso. Ang cute. Parang human version ni Annabelle.

Nagpatuloy ako sa pagkain at nakinig lang sa usapan nila. Maaga pa naman. 8 AM pa ang simula ng first class ko. I don't need to rush eating. I still have time.

"Pa, you know naman na I don't like ng smell ng air-conditioning sa taxi. It gives me headache!" Coleen continued.

Napailing na lang ako. Kahit kailan napaka-arte. Okay lang naman sa' kin mag-taxi. Inubos ko ang pagkain sa plato ko pero hindi muna ako umalis. I waited them to finish their foods too before I stood up.

I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Nang matapos, bumaba na ulit ako. I put some liptint on my lips first bago pinagpag ang suot kong uniform. It was a pair of black skirt and white blouse with a logo of BSMA, the course I was taking, beside its pocket.

"Ma, ayokong mag-taxi!" reklamo ulit ni Coleen. Sinundan niya si Mama sa labas habang bitbit ang pouch na lagi niyang dala bukod sa bag niya. I was certain it contains liptint and other cosmetic stuffs that she either bought or took from my things.

"Syrbia." Lumingon ako kay Papa nang tawagin niya ako. "Baka late akong makauwi mamaya. 'Wag mong isara 'yong gate, baka hindi na naman ako pagbuksan ni Ria. Alam mo naman 'yang nanay mo."

"Anong sinasabi mo?" Biglang sumulpot si Mama sa likod niya.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Papa at parehong nanlaki ang mga mata. He cleared his throat before giving my mother a smile. "W-wala. Ang sabi ko maaga akong uuwi dahil baka mamiss kita agad," palusot niya.

Tumalikod na lang ako sa kanila. They fight like teenagers. They would often fight but after minutes, they would be okay already. I sometimes want to nag at them but I was aware I couldn't do that. Si Mama pa!

My forehead creased when I looked at Coleen. She was sitting on the couch while a smile was being plastered on her lips. She seemed thinking of something that is flattering. I wondered if what was exactly running inside her mind. Kanina lang halos ay inis na inis siya, ngayon naman parang tangang nakangiti.

"Kayong dalawa, lumabas na kayo at nakakahiya kay Joaquin. Sinabi kong isabay na lang kayo. Pareho lang naman ang pinapasukan niyong University, Syrbia. Idaan niyo na lang saglit si Coleen sa school niya. Maaga pa naman."

I immediately turned my head to Mama when I heard what she said. Anong sabay? Umiling-iling ako. Ayoko! Mas gusto ko pang mag-taxi kaysa sumabay sa Joaquin na 'yon!

"Ma, mag-taxi na lang kami!" I insisted. Mabilis na tumayo si Coleen at kinurot ako sa tagiliran ko. Masama ko siyang tinignan.

She shook her head. "No way! Ikaw na lang kung gusto mo, sasabay ako kay Joaquin."

I blinked. Did she just call him only by his name? Without saying kuya? Or did I just misheard it? I rolled my eyes. This kid, I knew she was interested in him. What a brat.

"Bakit ka ba nagrereklamo, Syrbia? Sumabay na kayo kay Joaquin," pag-pilit ni Mama.

Tumingin si Papa sa' min pagkatapos maisuot ang uniform niya. "Ria, kung ayaw ng anak mo, h'wag mong pilitin-" Hindi na naituloy ni Papa ang sasabihin niya nang tignan siya ni Mama nang masama. "Sige na, Syrbia. Pumayag ka na, makakatipid ka pa. Sayang ang ibabayad mo sa taxi."