Dying Embers

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One: Whiskey Talking

"Ang ganda!" Jilliana exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. Binuksan niya ang tinted window ng sasakyan, inilabas ang ulo niya, at hinayaan ang hangin na maglaro sa buhok niya habang pinagmamasdan ang daan.

We were driving through Fort Casa Victoria — maybe fifteen minutes away from our house. The place looked almost surreal: a modern fort with a hotel and casino, and a long stretch leading toward the beach. The lamp posts lined the road like quiet sentinels, their light glinting against the glass windows of nearby buildings. Beyond them, a meadow swayed softly under the wind.

"Ikaw lang naman ang pangit, eh," Henry quipped.

That earned him a round of laughter.

Napansin ko, lately, sobrang hilig ni Henry barahin lahat ng sinasabi ni Jilliana. Parang automatic na lang. Maybe that's just how they are... or maybe not. I had a small hunch, pero parang imposibleng totoo 'yon.

"Ang sama ng ugali mo. Nakakasuka ka kausap—"

"Look, Nimbus! It's like we're abroad," Henry interrupted, completely ignoring Jilliana's glare as he admired the scenery outside. Jilliana just rolled her eyes, glaring daggers at him, which only made Henry chuckle louder.

"Para kayong mga bata," Nimbus muttered, exasperated. "What are you, three?"

"Shunga," Henry shot back, grinning.

"How about Mom and Dad, Clarence? Hindi mo sila susunduin?" tanong ko mula sa likod. He was now easing the car into a parking space.

"Nauna na sila rito," sagot niya.

"Okay."

I turned to my right. Kanina, ako 'yong antok na antok sa byahe, pero ngayon, siya naman ang tulog. His head leaned slightly against the window, lips parted just a little, and with every bump sa kalsada, bahagya lang naigagalaw ang ulo niya. Napangiti ako.

There was something oddly peaceful about watching him like that — too peaceful that I almost didn't want to wake him up.

"Chance," I said softly, leaning closer. "Gising..."

"Dito na tayo?" tanong ni Nimbus.

"Yup!" Clarence answered from the front just as he turned off the engine.

"Tara! Labas na tayo! Nawiwiwi na ako!" Henry suddenly announced, laughing so loud it startled everyone.

"Henry! Ang laswa mo talaga!" Jilliana shrieked.

"Ha? Anong masama sa wiwi?" he teased, feigning innocence.

"Yuck!"

"OA mo," he said, laughing again and shaking his head.

Meanwhile, beside me, Chance still hadn't opened his eyes. He mumbled something incoherent and shifted to a more comfortable position, as if determined to finish his nap.

"Chance, gising na. Nandito na tayo," I said again, this time gently shaking his shoulder.

I saw Clarence outside the SUV — sa may side kung saan bumaba na sina Henry at Nimbus kanina. The car doors were wide open now, and without the air conditioner, the heat began to creep in.

"Hindi ka pa lalabas?" he asked, leaning slightly to look inside.

Umiling ako. "Gisingin ko pa siya."

Clarence tsked. "Pabebe naman niyan. Sige, gisingin mo na 'yan. Mauna na ako. I'll wait for you there, and explain everything to me later, ha?"

His tone carried that strict, kuya energy again before he turned and walked off.