Zephyr Strings

Kabanata 10

I don't want that to happen. 

"The board is coming, oh my God! Mabuti na lang makakapag-yacht tayo before that! Deserve natin magliwaliw matapos ng matinding pagsusunog natin ng kilay, Bianca!" Ate Reese said excitedly while trying the beach dresses she purchased abroad.

Nakaupo ako sa kaniyang kama, yakap ang kaniyang unan. Si Ate Bianca naman ay nakaupo sa couch at magka-krus ang mga hita habang malamig na pinapanood din ang kambal niya. 

"I don't think I have the right to be happy. As long as I'm still not a licensed lawyer, there's no such thing as happiness," the gloom in Ate Bianca's voice made me and Ate Reese wince. 

Sa aming tatlo, si Ate Bianca ang pinaka-kritikal. I didn't even see her smile. Even once! Kung ano ang kinasigla naming dalawa ni Ate Reese, ganoon naman ang kinatamlay ng personalidad niya. I can even compare her to a black cat or a crow. 

"Hindi ko alam kung negative ka lang o sadyang pagkatao mo na talaga maging miserable. Your birthday celebration in a yacht is your chance to loosen up, Ate." Sa tamad kong boses at humiga sa kama ni Ate Reese. "Happiness comes in any form. Small or big, it doesn't matter. As long as it makes you happy. You just have to learn to be a bit appreciative and perhaps act like a human."

"Tama ka riyan, Vic! See, Bianca? Makinig ka sa pilosopo mong kapatid! I'm so proud of you, my dear Ludovica. I thought you were just a piece of crap. But I'm glad to know you're a piece of trash infused with an atom of wisdom!" Eksaheradong sambit ni Ate Reese at pumalakpak pa. 

Napatili siya nang masapul ko siya ng hawak kong unan. Bumangon ako at bumaba ng kama. 

"The hell? Huwag kang sumama sa yacht, ah!"

"Bakit, ikaw ba bibili? Tatay natin bibili, oy. Sino ka po?" Tudyo ko at tamad siyang nilagpasan. 

"I'm a celebrant!"

"Well, I won't attend for you. Pupunta ako para kay Ate Bianca."

"Whatever! I already invited Cohen. I have a lot of friends, but Bianca is a loner. You can bring friends, too, so we can have a lot of visitors!"

My friends, huh? Who are those friends? I didn't really make a friend that I can call a friend. Puro kaswal lang na kaibigan ang nakilala ko. I only had one best friend aside from Cohen. The friend who I could share everything with. 

I bit my lip and turned to face my sister. Nakatingin na si Ate Reese sa kaniyang repleksyon habang humuhuni. It must be fun to be carefree without burdens on your back, huh?

"Oh, Vic!" Nakangiting bumaling sa akin si Ate Reese. "Can you play a song for us? We never got a chance to see you play your violin live. Please? As a gift?" 

Kumalabog ang aking puso at napatingin sa isa pang kapatid nang tumayo ito, nakatingin na sa akin. The sudden interest in her eyes made me even more nervous.

"Reese's right. Aside from your old videos, we didn't really see you play in person. Maybe you can play something for us as a gift?"

Nanginig ang aking mga labi, ngunit nagawa ko pa ring ngumiti sa kanila. No. I can't. I will never touch a violin again. 

"I don't have a violin anymore, Ate. My violin was confiscated by Mom when I decided to quit—"

"Huwag kang mag-alala! Marami sa agency ni Daddy! We can borrow one or even buy it for you!" masayang sapaw sa akin ni Ate Reese. "That will be the best gift for me!" 

I put my hands behind me and fisted them. Ate Reese's expecting eyes and Ate Bianca's interest made me reluctant to decline. Kung ibang tao sila, tatanggi kaagad ako.