MU Series: The Frugal Idol (SOON TO BE PUBLISHED)

TFI 02

Binagalan ni Perry ang pagpapatakbo ng kotse nang papasok na siya sa parking area. He looked for a vacant spot for his Ferrari Purosangue until he spotted the familiar car a few spots away. He quickly checked the plate number. At tama nga siya. It was his dad's car. Agad din niyang napansin na bakante ang katabing parking spot and he parked his car there.

Tiningnan muna ni Perry ang kanyang sarili sa rear-view mirror. He smiled in satisfaction with his appearance. Presentable pa rin siya kahit na kagagaling lang niya sa shooting. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit late siya ngayon sa family dinner nila every Sunday. At hindi siya puwede na hindi sumipot dahil nag-insist ang Mommy Cherry niya. Magsisimula na rin kasi ulit ang pasukan sa Montecillo University.

After fixing himself, Perry hopped out of his car in no time. He even took his time closing the door as he turned around dramatically as if he is the leading man in a music video. All smiles, Perry headed towards the entrance of the restaurant. Although the parking area was almost completely occupied, hindi gaanong karami ang nakita niyang customers pagpasok niya. There were still a number of available tables. Well, it is a high-class restaurant kaya hindi na rin nakapagtataka na ganito ang bumungad kay Perry. His dad probably chose this restaurant para magkaroon sila ng private family time na minsan lang mangyari. Ilang beses na rin nasira ang family time nila sa tuwing lumalabas sila dahil dinudumog siya at ang Mommy Cherry niya ng kanilang fans.

Hahanapin pa sana ni Perry kung nasaan ang mom, dad at mga kapatid niya nang marinig niya ang may kalakasan na boses ng kambal. Perry quickly shifted his eyes to the direction. At hindi nga siya nagkamali, boses ito ni Chaser at Chester. They were teasing their younger sister, the one and only princess of their family na hindi rin naman nagpapatalo sa dalawa.

Perry shook his head as he walked towards them. Chester and Chaser saw him but he gestured at them to keep themselves quiet. Ngumiti lang ang dalawa na tila hindi siya napansin. Tahimik na nagpatuloy si Perry na naglakad sa likuran ng bunso nilang kapatid.

"My precious. . ." Perry whispered right on his sister's ear. Ginaya pa ni Perry ang boses at pagkakasabi nito sa isang character ng Lord of the Rings. Napaigtad naman ang kapatid niya.

Before she could face him, Perry pinched both of her cheeks from behind. "How's our baby sister?" he baby talked.

"Kuya Perry! Pati ba naman ikaw? Pinagtutulungan na nga ako ng mga French Pryce." She pouted na kinatawa lang ni Perry. "And I'm not a baby anymore. I'm already a highschool student."

"Still you're younger than us, Baby Sister Precious," sagot ni Chester. Katulad ni Perry ang pagkakabigkas nito sa pangalan ng kapatid. Napahagikhik naman si Chaser na nasa tabi ni Chester.

Lalong humaba ang labi ni Precious. Binitawan na ni Perry ang magkabilang pisngi nito't umupo sa bakanteng upuan katapat ng inuupuan ng Daddy Penny nila.

"Okay, that's enough, boys," awat ni Penny sa magkakapatid.

Agad naman na tumigil si Perry pati ang kambal na Pryce. And soon after, the food they ordered came. Tahimik nilang pinagsaluhan ang pagkain. Ngunit, nagtatanong din paminsan-minsan si Penny sa mga anak, at nagbigay ito ng ilang mga paalala. Perry, Chaser and Chester nodded in agreement. Ganoon din ang ginawa ng tatlo nang magsalita ang Mommy Cherry nila.

After the dinner, sabay silang lahat na nagpunta ng parking.

"Don't forget what I told you, boys. Behave kayo sa Montecillo University, especially you, Perry," paalala ulit ni Penny pagkatapos magpaalam ng tatlo.

Perry smiled like he couldn't promise that. And a giggle escaped his throat while he scratched his neck. "I'll try, dad. But. . . I really can't promise you that."