The clock struck 3 PM, and although I hadn't actually slept, I had pretended to do so the entire afternoon. Luckily, my mom didn't catch on. As I sat on my bed, waiting for the clock to reach 3 o'clock, I felt time moving too slowly. With a burst of excitement, I leaped off the bed, struggling a bit to open my door because I am too small. I couldn't help but wonder when I would grow bigger?
Hurrying to the living room, I found my mom watching TV. She immediately looked at me as I approached, and I greeted her with a wide smile.
"Anak, did you even sleep?" she asked, to which I could only laugh, unable to deceive my dear mother. She let out a sigh...
"Mommy, can I go out? I want to play at the dalampasigan."
"Yes, as long as your brother accompanies you and you don't attempt to swim..."
"I promise, mommy, I'll stay at the dalampasigan only."
"Okay, baby. Go ask your brother to go out with you." After planting a kiss on my mom's cheek, I dashed towards my brother's room.
"Kuya, let's go out! I want to play outside."
My brother groaned and rubbed his eyes before giving me a ridiculous look.
"I don't want to go out with you," he stated before collapsing back onto his bed.
"Kuya, please."
"No, and please leave my room. I'll come out later," he replied. Disappointed, I returned to my mom, but I couldn't focus on the TV as I eagerly awaited my brother's descent down the stairs.
"Kai, bring your sister with you if you're going to play outside," Mom said without tearing her eyes away from the series she was watching. I looked at my brother annoyingly because I already saw his face contorted like I was some pain in the ass.
"Why should I, Mom? Just let her stay here," my brother retorted with an expression that obviously indicated he wouldn't be able to say no.
"Fine, but I will bring her home if she's being makulit," my brother sighed. I chuckled a little bit. Mom didn't need to say anything; I am the favorite child.
I followed my brother as he led the way out of the house, but before we could reach the gate, he crouched to level his eyes with me like we're gonna be having some pep talk. I expected what he was going to say.
"Do not play castle in the sands, okay? Don't get dirty."
"What's the point of playing if I won't get dirty?" I asked in confusion.
"Seriously? You're still a kid talaga. Just don't play in the sands, okay? Bring your Barbie or anything, or just watch me while I play."
"Why would I watch you? I'm not your mom," I retorted. I noticed my brother's irritation.
"Can you just go home?" he asked in frustration.
"Nope, not gonna happen," I replied and gave him my sweetest smile.
We started walking towards the court near the dalampasigan. Kuya loves to play basketball every afternoon, and he has a lot of friends.
"I will be at the dalampasigan. I will play there, kuya," I said before I ran off. I was so excited to play at the dalampasigan because I loved the sea.
"Kae!" my brother shouted. I just glanced back at him and laughed. He's so funny.
I sat down in the sand, my shorts immediately getting covered in sand. But I didn't mind; I was focused on building my sand castle. Slowly and carefully, I molded the sand, shaping it into the perfect castle that I want...
