He Is His Creation

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: PART TWO

"Achoo!"

I wiped my nose and sniffed hard after I sneezed. I've been suffering from high fever and runny nose these past few days. Oh, not just days. Weeks, I should say. Magdadalawang linggo na akong may trangkaso.

And now my head really hurts.

Sumilip ako sa bintana at nakita kong hindi na maaraw. Natulog ako kaninang tanghali at hapon na akong nagising.

Inabot ko ang isang baso ng tubig sa bed side table at saka lumagok hanggang sa makalahati ito.

Napatuon ako sa may pinto nang may kumatok. After three knocks, I saw Dad peeped inside my room.

"How are you feeling, son?" he asked and entered while bringing a tray of snacks--a patient's diet.

A glass of calamansi juice, banana, and I assume that bowl's containing hot porridge.

"Medyo masakit ang ulo, Dad." I answered as I forced aching body to just sit.

Kasama ni Mommy si Luris sa Manila. Kaming mga lalaki lang ang nandito sa bahay. Ni hindi ako makabangon sa sobrang bigat ng pakiramdam ko kaya naman para akong baldado na nasa higaan lang buong maghapon. Dad's taking care of me. Nakakahiya nga sa kaniya. May trabaho siya tuwing umaga tapos pag-uwi niya aasikasuhin niya pa ako na parang isang 6-year old Logan Riley ang kaniyang bine-baby sit.

Maghapong nasa eskwela si Lucian kaya naman ako lang mag-isa ang naiiwan dito. Mukhang walang pakialam sa mundo si Lucian pero hindi naman siya selfish. I know that every morning before he leave for school, siya ang nag-iiwan ng agahan ko sa dining area.

Dad sat beside my bed after putting the tray on the bedside table and laid the back of his head in my forehead--checking my temperature.

Hinawi ko 'yon kaya naman napakunot siya ng noo.

"I'm not a kid anymore, Dad. 18 na ako. Just use a thermometer." sambit ko kaya naman napailing siya at natawa pero kaagad ding tumayo at saka hinanap ang thermometer na nasa may first aid kid.

His hazel brown hair shone nang tumama ang ilaw dito. I suddenly remembered my other siblings. Halos minana nila ang physical attributes ni Mom. Luris and Lucian both inherited Mom's black hair (Well, dahil fan na fan ni Luris si Dad, she dyed her hair to hazel brown), dark eyes, and height. . I'm not saying na pandak si Dad, he's naturally tall because he's a guy and pure English. Mas matangkad pa rin naman siya kay Mom pero masyadong matangkad ang nanay ko para sa isang babae.

Did I already mention na half-Venezuelan si Mom at dati siyang supermodel?

Kaya naman naman din nina Luris at Lucian ang pamatay looks ni Mom.'Ang nakuha lang nila kay Dad ay yung kutis. Morena kasi si Mom.

Ako lang yata ang naiba ang hitsura. Basically, I am Luther Riley version 0.2.

I got my hair, height, green eyes, and complexion from him.

Ngayon ko lang natitigan ulit ng ganito si Dad.

I used to admire his physical attributes when I was young. Pero 'di na kailangan. I have it all.

Napaisip tuloy ako kung meron ba kaming lahing Filipino.

"Ang hirap namang halungkatin ng mga gamit mo, hijo." he said and wiped his sweat dripping from his forehead as he brushed away the dusts from the thermometer.

"I don't do much organizing. Nasanay kasi kayong tumambay sa kwarto ni Lucian." I said while peeling the banana.

"You should maintain orderliness in your lair too. Malinis nga, hindi naman nakasalansan ng maayos yung mga gamit mo. Look at your shelf, wala ngang alikabok, magulo naman tignan." he preached as he checked the thermometer.