Mere Words

Chapter 20

I woke up disappointed the next day. Ang pamilyar na kuwarto ang bumungad sa akin pagkadilat ng mga mata.

Inabot ko ang cellphone na kanina pa tumutunog, nakapatong sa bedside table. I turned off the alarm. The date says that it was Sunday.

Masamang-masama ang loob ko. Ano na kaya ang nangyayari sa kanila? I'm sure they're having fun. I pouted when the book showed blank pages as I scanned through it.

Kahit na wala na sa huwisyo at tamad na para sa panibagong araw, tumayo ako at nagtungo sa bathroom para makaligo. Magbibihis at tatambay na lang sa may portiko habang nagbabasa.

It's Sunday, but unlike other families, we don't attend masses. Both of my parents are atheist. Well, they didn't say it exclusively, but with their lack of vigor for religious matters others pay so much attention to, you can say they are. Kaya siguro hindi na nakakapagtaka na lumaki akong tinatanong kung totoo bang may Diyos o isa lang ba itong konsepto para ibalanse ang mundo.

However, with Garius and the magic of the book, somehow I am starting to believe. How can I explain everything that had happened so far if they aren't miracles?

Tinali ko ang buhok pagkatapos ay sinuot ang salamin. Naka pink printed T-shirt ako at itim na jogger pants para sa araw na ito.

I yawned as I was walking down the stairs. Nang bigla akong mapahinto sa nakita. Papa, in his six-pocket brown shorts and a navy blue polo shirt, was sitting on the couch casually while reading a news paper. It's so unusual to see him here. Kung madalang siyang makasama sa hapunan, mas lalo na tuwing umaga. I couldn't even remember when was the last time I saw him chilling here at home.

"Pa...pa?"

"O, gising ka na?" tanong ni Papa nang matanaw ako. Pagkatapos ay ibinalik ang atensyon sa binabasa, "Buti naman at tanghali na."

"Wala ka pong trabaho?" I continued going down.

"I need a breather. Masyado nang masakit sa ulo ang kaso laban kay Mr. Chang," he simply replied with his eyes still on the news paper. My Papa is really good with multitasking. Isang kakayahan na sana ay namana ko rin.

"Why po?" I tried to sound interested. I just wanted to have a talk with Papa, and I know, talking about his interest is the key. Lumapit ako sa single sitter na katabi ng couch at doon naupo.

"He's being an ass," ang tanging sagot niya, hudyat na ayaw pag-usapan ang tungkol doon.

Kung 'di ka ba naman kasi nag-iisip, Laurie. Kakasabi nga lang ng Papa na gusto niya makahinga muna mula sa kaso.

I tapped my forehead, inwardly. After my failed attempt, silence resurfaced between us. Papa was still busy with the news paper, while I was trying to look around, as if interested with our living room's interior design.

I breathed out exaggeratedly, when Mama popped up suddenly from the kitchen. Anong himala kaya ang nangyari at nasa bahay pareho ang mga magulang ko?

"Gising ka na pala, anak! Come on guys, the food is ready," maligayang tawag sa amin ni Mama.

Sabay kaming tumayo ni Papa at sinundan si Mama. Sa hapag ay may pagtatakang pinagmamasadan ko ang pagiging malapit ng mga magulang.

"Laurie?"

"H-ha?" Natataranta kong inayos ang salamin, nabigla sa pagtawag ni Papa.

Mas lalo akong nagulat nang si Papa na mismo ang naglagay ng kanin sa plato ko.

"What do you want? Menudo, adobo, or both?" parang wala lang na tanong ni Papa.

I felt my eyes warmed. Pati puso ko ay parang hinaplos.