Knowing the Vixen

Eighteen

I tried to calm myself down. Ilang beses akong huminga ng malalim at dinama ang hapdi ng pisnge ko. Nalalasahan ko rin ang kaunting dugo sa gilid ng labi ko. Damn, her hand is always heavy.

Napaupo ako sa sofa at tinitigan ang basag kong salamin sa sahig, natapon iyon nang sampalin ako ni mommy ng ikalawang beses. I messed my hair thinking I am mad at my self for not being mad at Mom. No, I never hated her, I am just sad that she can't be a mother to me and Jillian. And no matter how many times she slap and cursed at me, she is still my father's wife.

As much as possible, I want to keep this to myself. I don't want to give my father anything to worry about dahil kapag nakaabot ito sa kanya, alam kong pag-aawayan nila itong mag-asawa. Then Mom would threaten Dad because she came from an influential family, it could taint his political image. In the end, Dad is forced to compensate me and will turn a blind eye again.

It's a cycle where me and my sister is always on the loosing side.

I was lost on my thoughts when the sound of heavy music filled my ears. It's coming from my bedroom. So I stood up and walk to the door. Inilapit ko ang tainga at pinakinggan ang ingay sa loob.

The music was really loud. Iisipin kong may house party sa loob niyon kung hindi ko lamang naalala na kwarto ko nga pala iyon.

So I decided to open the door and I saw Jillian and Blaine in my bed, singing and dancing along the barbie music. Samantala, sina Vixy at Blake naman ay nakaupo sa harap ng study table ko. Blake was not moving.

"Baby, I said don't move."

"Ate, nakakangalay! I want to scratch my knee!"

"Do you want to look ugly in my sketch?" Blake shook his head. "Good. Scratch fast then don't move."

I can't believe what I'm seeing right now. Vixy managed to divert their attention and make them play. Parang walang away na naganap lamang sa labas. Nanatiling nakatitig lamang ako sa kanila hanggang sa mapansin ako ni Jillian.

"Kuya!!"

She ran towards me and hugged my legs. Napatigil sa ginagawa si Vixy at napatingin sa akin, Blake took that as a chance to run to his twin and they sang along with the music. Then my stares went back to Vixy when she stood up, slamming the pen and bondpaper on my table.

"Kuya.."

My attention was drawn back and I looked down, Jill was gesturing her hands for me to kneel down so I did. She looked so worried and slowly touched my swelling face.

"Manang, sabihin mo kay kuya Anton na itrack ang mga bata at pumunta kayo dito. Don't make me wait long."

Umangat ang tingin ko kay Vixy na ngayon ay nakatayo sa gilid ng vanity table ko kung saan ang bag niya. After talking with someone on the phone, she went to Blake and Blaine and lowered the loudness of the music.

"Manang will come over here. Siya muna ang magbabantay sa inyo. I need to go somewhere with kuya Tim but we'll be back in no time. Got that?"

Sabay tumango ang kambal sa kanya at bumalik kaagad sa ginagawa.

"Where are we going?" Tanong ko sa kanya pero hindi niya ako sinagot, sa halip ay naupo siya sa kama at inumpisahan suotin ang sapatos.

"Jillian hunnie, go play with the twins. I'll take care of your kuya."

"Are you going to treat him?" Jillian asked.

"Yes baby."

My sister nodded and played along her playmates. While Vixy dragged me out of the room and made me sit on the sofa. Wala siyang sinabi, nakakrus lang ang kanyang mga braso at matiim na nakatitig sa akin. Sometimes she's clenching her jaw and she also kept on looking at her rose gold wristwatch. She must be feeling impatient with the way she's tapping the floor with her green stilettos.