Good Riddance (DS #2)

Chapter 8

Chapter 8:

The Family Picture

"YOU HAVE a cozy home, Kuya. Is this yours alone?"

Iginala-gala ni Blair ang paningin sa buong kabahayan. Simple lang naman ang interior na white and dark blue. Pero ang mga furnitures pulos mamahalin at sa pagkakaalam niya ay sa ibang bansa lang mabibili.

"Uncle Herald gave this to me since it's closer to Ateneo. I stay here a lot of times. For the weekends, though, I still go home to Uncle's place."

"You're so lucky!!! You're only nineteen but you have your own house to stay already." Itinukod niya ang siko sa kitchen counter at kumuha ng Italian spaghetti. "Ang bait naman ng umampon sa'yo, Kuya."

Ngumisi ito at sinalinan siya ng orange juice sa baso. "How's school, Blair?"

"Katatapos lang ng final exams namin kanina. It's vacation already!"

"Mukha bang papasa ka?" he teased.

She pouted. "I hope so! Nagpa-tutor naman ako, eh. Hindi naman papayag si Mama na hindi. Magagalit siya."

"Well, you go to an international school. Mahal masyado ang tuition kung hindi ka lang papasa. Besides, it's better that you study hard. Lalo na't graduating ka na next year. That will determine which university you'll get accepted to."

Napabuntong-hininga siya. "We have money. Kahit saang university makakapasok naman ako, as long as the price is right."

Ginulo nito ang buhok niya. "Point-taken. Pero mag-aral ka pa ring mabuti."

"Sige. Pero kakain muna akong spaghetti ngayon."

Her brother quietly chuckled and sat on the high stool beside her. Kumuha na rin ito ng pagkain at sinabayan siya sa pagkain.

"I miss you, Kuya. Hindi ka na pumupunta sa bahay ni Papa."

She felt him stiffened a bit. Ngunit sandali lang 'yon. "I assume you already know what happened years ago. Kung itinakwil ako ay bakit pa 'ko babalik kay Santino?"

"Hey! You should still call him 'Papa', because he's our father."

"Not on my record."

"Delos Santos ka pa rin, eh. You still carry Papa's name. And Tita Andrea fought for you to be a Delos Santos, right?"

"Sure..."

Napabaling siya dito. "Oh, I'm sorry. Condolences pala, Kuya. Although it's been... three years na? Sorry, I wasn't able to come to you. Hindi kasi ako pinapayagan ni Mama lumabas."

She was thirteen that time and no matter how hard she begged to see Kuya Sandro, her mother wouldn't approve. Ipinagbakasyon pa siya sa ibang bansa at pinag-stay sa grandparents niya.

"I understand. You don't have to be sorry. People die when it's their time to die, anyway. Mama's not an exception," he said, almost emotionless.

But Blair can still hear a hint of sadness. Ngunit sobrang tago na lang ang kalungkutan iyon na kung hindi pakikinggan mabuti ang Kuya Sandro niya, walang makakarinig.

Niyakap niya ito sa baywang. "I'm here na ulit, Kuya Sandro. Promise ko, lagi kitang pupuntahan dito! Siguro papayagan naman na 'ko ni Mama. Pero hindi ka na talaga bibisita sa bahay ni Papa?"

"Blair, you have to understand that in this world, kapag ayaw sa'yo, huwag na huwag mong ipagsisiksikan ang sarili mo. Know your worth as a person." Hinaplos nito ang buhok niya. "You know where we stand, right? Anak lang tayo sa labas ni Santino. Mga anak na panigurado ay ayaw niya na bago pa tayo mabuhay."