Take Me Home (City Series #4)

Chapter Three

L

"Hindi ka sumabay kay Daddy?" tanong ko kay Kuya Gio. He's now sitting on the passenger seat of Kuya Gabe's car, kaya naman wala akong choice kung hindi sumakay sa likod.

"Nah, he left early," sagot ni Kuya Gio.

Ngumuso ako. Hindi namin pinagusapan ang away nina daddy kagabi kaninang breakfast. Kuya Leo left early, too, dahil may maagang quiz daw siya.

Sumakay si Kuya Gabe sa sasakyan, basa pa ang buhok at mukhang nag-apura pang bumaba. His the collar of his maroon uniform was a mess.

"Late nanaman nagising." Kuya Gio chuckled. "Worth it ba ang bebe time?"

"Bawal mang-asar mga nabangga ang sasakyan nila." Kuya Gabe teased while starting the car.

Kuya Gio rolled his eyes and buckled his seatbelt. Nasa talyer pa rin ang sasakyan niya, and I'm pretty sure dad's gonna hold onto his license for a while after his car is back.

Nag-asaran yung dalawa hanggang sa mahatid na namin si Kuya Gio sa school. Malapit lang naman sa bahay ang campus nila kaya mabilis lang ang pag-hatid sa kaniya.

Lumipat ako sa passenger seat pagkababa ni Kuya Gio. He ruffled my hair first before closing the door for me. Once Kuya Gabe started driving again, I remained silent. We both did.

Sobrang occupied ng utak ko kina Mommy. Ngayon lang kasi sila nag-away ng gano'n. This is something new for me, and I don't like it.

I mean, of course I'm not delusional. I know couples fight. I've witnessed firsthand how Kuya Gabe and Ate Pau argued over something while I was in the backseat. Our parents argue from time to time naman. But not like this. Not to the extent of slamming doors and screaming at each other in the middle of the night.

"Wala si mommy kaninang breakfast," I told my brother.

He nodded. "I checked on her. Nasa higaan pa siya."

"Huh?" Tumaas ang dalawang kilay ko. "She never sleeps in."

"At least she's at home." He sighed.

I nodded and looked straight ahead. I know it's a privilege that my parents raised us in a loving home. I know a lot of people with broken families or parents who just plain out suck. I just.. I can't imagine having to choose between my mom and dad. I hope it doesn't come to that.

Pagkarating namin ni Kuya Gabe sa school, dumiretso na ako sa classroom at nilabas ang economics homework ko. First subject kasi namin, at alam kong pinapa-pass ni Teacher Justine ang mga homework namin bago magsimula ang discussion.

I didn't even bother talking too much at our recess after class. I just had no energy. I felt like thinking of my parents were taking up so much of my focus that I couldn't even bother to focus on anything else.

"Hello? Earth to Lia?" Katie snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Dude, are you like, okay?"

I immediately blinked and cleared my throat. "Sorry, what was that?"

"The top I should wear tonight!" She laughed. "Okay, so I feel like the black one's too.."

Binaba ko ulit ang tingin ko sa pagkain ko. I'm so not in the mood to party later, let alone socialize. Atska, wala sina mommy sa breakfast kanina. Hindi ako nakapag-paalam na lalabas ako mamayang gabi.

Kamusta na kaya sina mommy ngayon? Is she still in bed? Where did my dad go so early in the morning? Is he coming home later?

"Lia? Are you—you're not even listening." Umiling si Katie.