CARMELLA...
MAGKAKAHARAP kaming tatlo, ako, si Luther at si Napoleon. Katatapos lang naming kumain ng hapunan, at ngayon nga ay nasa sala na kaming tatlo. Luther decided to sleep here na kanina pa tinututulan ni Napoleon.
"Umuwi ka na, Luther. Mama Aileen will be worried about you." Pagtataboy na naman ni Napoleon sa kapatid nito.
"Nope, Mommy and Daddy are not home today. Pupunta sila ng hospital for Mom's chemo, so dito ako matutulog ngayon Kuya." Sagot ni Luther na nakangisi pa habang nakatingin sa kapatid.
"Chemo?"
Binalingan ako ni Luther, "yes Ate Ganda. Mommy has ovarian cancer, pero stage two cancer pa lang. Maagang nakita kasi regular na nagpapa-check-up si Mommy sa OB niya. Let say, every six months yata ang check-up ni Mommy."
Naramdaman ko naman ang paglipat sa tabi ko ni Napoleon bago niya ako akbayan. "She'll going to be fine, I believe Mama Aileen is strong and she'll overcome this trial."
Nakatutuwa naman ang magkapatid na ito, I can easily say that their bond is strong. Even their faith is strong, na kahit hinaharap nila ay ganitong kaseryosong bagay. They think positive and have a high hope they're going to overcome all of this at once.
"I hope I can meet you Mama Aileen soon," bulong ko kaya Napoleon.
He lean down to kiss me at my forehead. "You will, soon." Then he kissed me again at my forehead down to my eyes, my nose.
Pero bago pa man umabot ng lips ko natigilan na si Napoleon. Binato na pala ng rolled tissue ni Luther.
"W T H! As in what the hell, pumasok na kayo ng kwarto at doon niyo ipagpatuloy 'yan. Hello there's a kid in here," maarteng reklamo ni Luther na tinawanan lang namin ni Napoleon.
Natigil lang ako sa pagtawa nang halikan Pa rin ako sa lips ni Napoleon kahit na panay ang reklamo ni Luther. Tawa lang nang tawa si Napoleon while his brother is ranting non-stop after we kissed.
Now, I can say that my boyfriend is a bit tease, and playful. May pagkaisip bata rin siguro kapag ang kaharap ay ang mga taong malapit dito.
Pero for me, the first time I saw him all I can say is that his a serious type of a person. Not until now na para itong batang naglalambing sa akin habang iniiggit ang kapatid.
We three end up playing card games.
"Glad that I finally see you happy, Kuya." Ani Luther.
Natigil ako sa pagsipat sa baraha na hawak ko at tinignan ang dalawa. What is this again? May matutklasan na naman ba akong bago.
"Luther," saway ni Napoleon sa kapatid niya.
Napatingin ako kay Napoleon na seryosong nakatingin sa akin. "It's okay honey, I want to know as much possible all that is concern about is you."
"Wala ka naman dapat ikatakot Kuya. You should be proud, you have a lot of achievements. Si Daddy lang ang hindi nakaka-appreciate sa mga ginagawa mo." Sabad ni Luther.
"It's just a simple hard work, Luther. Don't make a puss out of it," ani Napoleon.
Sobrang seryoso niya habang nagsasalita. He even stop playing card and just sit and watch us. Tahimik na rin siya hanggang sa magpasya na kaming matulog.
"Care to tell me what's Luther trying to say?" Tanong ko kay Napoleon nang pumasok na kami sa loob ng kwarto niya.
He just shrugged and hugged me tight. Naramdaman ko pa ang halik niya sa ulo ko.
"My whole name is Carmella Gonzalez, I'm twenty-three years old. Panganay sa dalawang magkakapatid. My dad passed away when I was still a kid," aniko habang magkayakap kami.
