Behind the Scenes [Edited Version]

Scene 22

Nina Elise Diones calling...

Napaupo ako sabay ayos ng aking sarili bago sagutin ang tawag. Pinilit kong ngumiti nang lumabas ang mukha ni Tita Nina sa screen. "Hi, Tita," bati ko.

"Erika! At last, sumagot ka na!" She looked at me with a questioning look, "are you purposely ignoring our calls?"

"Give her a break, Nins. She might be busy!" Another tita entered the frame. It's Tita Marie. She pointed behind me. "Look, she's still awake kahit gabing gabi na!"

I looked back to the window and clock behind me. Yes, it's dark outside. Maghahating gabi na rin kasi. I was up working on some reports. Saturday naman, but Kevin and I are working our butts off. Due na kasi ng ibang final requirements sa ibang minor subjects.

"Okay lang po–"

"What's a short email to squeeze into her schedule, 'di ba?" Tita Nina insisted, cutting me off.

Tita Marie shook her head while stirring a drink on a cup. "Oh, stop it, Nina," she said while rolling her eyes. "Your neice looks like she needs a drink. Coffee or tea, dear?"

I genuinely smiled. Namiss ko sila bigla. "I've had enough coffee, Tita Marie. Thank you po."

Binuhat ko ang laptop sa mula ibabaw ng mesa at dinala iyon sa kama. Dumapa ako at ipinatong iyon sa isang unan. Napangiti ako habang tinitingnan sila.

Tita Marie and Tita Nina are my mom's sisters. Sabi ko nga, ulila na ako, at sila ang nag-palaki sa 'kin.

Tita Marie is the eldest. Papuntang fifty na ang edad nito. Wala itong asawa at wala rin akong nababalitaang boyfriend nito. She's been living in Los Angeles for almost half of her life. Una at tanging pagkikita namin nang personal ay nang mamatay si Mommy. Pero nasa 4 or 5 years old palang ako nu'n.

Depite our distance though, I've never felt alienated around her. Masaya kasi siya kausap at bagets kung magsalita. It's like she's never away.

Si Tita Nina naman, siya ang bunso nila. Nasa mid-thirties na rin siya. Kabaliktaran ni Tita Marie, seryoso at strikta ito.

"Hey," untag ni Tita Nina. She looked at me through her reading glasses. "Have you talked to your professor about your OJT?"

Tumango si Tita Marie. "Oo nga. Ilang taon ka na rin naming hindi nakakasama. You promised to have your OJT here, 'di ba? We miss you, Erika hija."

Kinagat ko muna ang ibaba kong labi bago pinilit na ngumiti. "Before that, kumusta po muna kayo jan? Are you in your pantry? It looks different."

"Yes!" Tita Marie exclaimed. "I did a little updating. Eto kasing si Nina, halos ayaw pang ipagalaw." Lumapit si Tita Marie sa screen at bumulong, "Kinausap ko na si boss mismo para maayos," she said with a wink.

Natawa naman ako. "Buti po't pinayagan kayo."

"Sinabi mo pa."

"Ate," reklamo ni Tita Nina sabay hila kay Tita Marie papalayo sa screen. Tapos, tumuro siya sa 'kin. "You. Don't change the subject."

Tumawa si Tita Marie sa likod. "Natuto na sa 'yo ang pamangkin mo, Nina."

"Sorry, tita," sabi ko nalang. "Hindi ko pa po kasi nakakausap ang professor ko. And..." I looked down.

Both my aunts from the other side of the screen fell silent.

"You don't want to go?" Tita Marie asked slowly.

Bigla akong napatingin sakanila. "It's not like that, Tita. More like, not now."

I heard a ring in their background. Tita Marie tapped Tita Nina's shoulder. "That means break is over, sweetie."