"We're eating dinner at Keith's house, Ingrid. Be ready at six." salubong sa akin ni Ate Salisha.
I stopped on my track and gave her a small smile.
Why bother to tag me along? Wala ako sa mood na makipagplastikan sa ibang kamaganak ni Daddy.
I can feel her gaze analyzing me. Hindi ko na lang iyon pinagtuunan pa ng pansin at pumunta na sa kwarto ko.
Binagsak ko agad ang katawan ko sa kama at pumikit. How tiring my life is. Kung pwede lang talagang mabuhay ng mapayapa na malayo sa sakit. Kung pwede lang tayo ang pumili ng kapalaran na gusto natin. Sana wala tayong iisipin pa kung hindi ang maging masaya at kontento sa mayroon tayo.
I closed my eyes. Ramdam ko ang mga luhang gustong kumawala ngunit pilit ko itong itinatago.
What's the purpose of living when life keeps on tormenting you?
I chuckled bitterly.
Tumayo na ako at naglakad patungo sa closet ko. I need to prepare for the dinner later. Baka kapag hindi ako sumama ay makatikim na naman ako ng masasakit na salita kay Daddy.
I was contemplating wether I was going to wear a dress or just a plain clothes. I sighed. There were tons of dresses that my sister bought for me.
She's so thoughtful. I don't even know if I deserve her kindness. Damn, I'm overthinking again.
In the end, I picked the most simple white cream dress and a white doll shoes.
Mabilis kong inayos ang sarili at bumaba na agad.
My sister was already there. She's wearing a pastel blue midi dress that looks really good on her. Our eyes met, and she immediately smiled at me.
"You look great," she said when I walked towards her. I smiled widely and playfully winked at her. She laughed a bit.
"You're so beautiful, Ate!" I said while pouting. Niyakap ko sya patagilid at sinandal ang ulo ko sa balikat nya.
"Silly." she said.
"Wow! You girls looked heavenly!" Tita Misha exclaimed while walking down the stairs.
I can say that she's really pretty. Mukhang kaedad lang namin sya. She's wearing a black dress while holding her favorite silver pouch.
"Where's, Dad?" Ate Salisha asked.
Sasagot na sana si Tita Misha nang saktong pagbaba rin ni daddy.
"Oh there he is!"
My father smiled at my sister and didn't even bother to glance at me. Umayos akong tayo at bahagyang lumayo sa kapatid.
Lumapit sya agad kay Tita at nauna na silang lumabas. Mabilis din ang paghawak ni Ate Salisha sa kamay ko at hinila na ako paalis.
Tahimik lang akong nakatingin sa labas ng bintana habang nasa sasakyan ganoon din si ate. Samantalang patuloy ang paguusap nila Daddy at Tita Misha tungkol sa negosyo at sa iba pang mga bagay.
The thirty minutes ride was like a lifetime. It was exhausting. Mabuti na lang at nakarating na kami agad sa bahay nila Cress.
"Glad to see you again, Ingrid! Hindi kana nakakabisita rito, anak." Tita Kris exclaimed.
I walked towards her for an embrace.
I smiled. "I'm sorry, tita. I've been very busy, but I'll try to visit you when I have time."
She nodded gently.
"Where's Cress po pala?" I asked, looking around the place. Puro mga kamaganak namin ang nandoon ngunit kahit anino ni Cress at hindi ko mahanap.
