I don't think I can give the handkerchief back to its owner. Friday na ngayon at nakasakay na ako sa kotse namin, we were now heading home. Si Zach ay nasa passenger seat at nakikipag-kwentuhan kay Tatay Noel. Hindi ko masundan ang usapan nila dahil masyado pa akong preoccupied sa nangyari kanina.
Speaking of… hindi ko na naituloy ang balak kong pagbigay sa panyo. His best friend came just in time when I was about to approach him. Hindi ko na din itinuloy dahil mukhang may usapan sila na pupunta kung saan dahil sa excited na boses ng babae at ang agad nilang pag-alis.
Weekends na bukas and it's time for our family. Sa susunod na linggo naman ay baka hindi ko rin maibigay dahil siguradong magiging busy siya dahil sa nalalapit na foundation day. I heaved a sigh and lean to the back rest of the back seat.
Napansin ni Tatay Noel ang ginawa ko dahil tiningnan niya ako mula sa rearview mirror. Marahan siyang ngumiti ng magtama ang tingin namin. Agad din naman niyang binalik ang mata sa daan.
“Ayos ka lang, Zephy?” tanong niya. Napalingon din si Zach sa akin. “Tahimik ka ngayon, napansin ko. Ganyan ka lang naman kung may… bumabagabag sa ‘yo.”
Ah, this family is really so observant. Reason why I love my family so much. I smiled to Tatay Noel, but still aware of Zach’s glaring stare.
“I’m okay po, Tatay.”
Umiling ang matanda, sa daan pa rin ang paningin. “Sa halos anim na taon kong pagiging driver n’yong dalawa ni Zach ay kilala ko na kayo. Para ko na kayong mga apo…”
Oh, I know what's next now.
“Alam ko kung kailan kayo masaya, totoong masaya. Kung kailan kayo malungkot. Kung kailan kayo napapagod na. Kung kailan kayo galit dahil sa isang school mate o badtrip dahil sa isang bagay na hindi niyo nagastuhan.”
Nagkatinginan kami Zach. His eyes is like telling me to speak up with what I am feeling. I shook my head reason for him heave a sigh.
“Palagi lang naman nandito si Tatay, Zephy. Makikinig ako sa lahat ng gusto niyong sabihin.” pagpapatuloy ni Tatay.
I nodded, “I never forget that, Tay.”
Tumingin ulit sa akin si Tatay Noel. “Mabuti kung gano’n, Zephy. Naalala ko ang Daddy niyo sa inyo nung ka-edad niyo siya.” bahagyang tumawa si Tatay Noel.
Nakarating kami sa bahay na wala pa si Mom and Dad, minsan ay nauunang umuwi si Mommy tuwing friday pero mukhang hindi kasama ang araw na ito sa ‘minsan’ng’ ‘yon. Binati ko muna si Nanay Matilda at Ate Myrna na nasa kusina bago ako nagpaalam na magpapalit lang ng damit. Binilin ni Nanay Matilda na pagkatapos kong magbihis ay dumiretso sa garden, sa may gazebo.
Papasok na sana ako sa kwarto ko ng marinig ang boses ng kakambal sa likod ko, hinarap ko siya. Kaka-akyat niya pa lang. Sumandal ako sa pader sa tabi ng pintuan ng kwarto ko.
“I don't like you being like this.” he started. I lifted my right brow. “Hindi ka pa nga niya kilala madalas ka nang wala sa sarili mo, paano kung makilala kana niya, Zeph? What will happen to you?”
Napakurap-kurap ako at bahagyang ngumiti. My soft brother is now finally appearing.
“I feel like I wouldn't like the changes that'll happen to you if…”
“C’mon, Zach. Stop overthinking things.”
“How can I? When I knew you very well…”
Lumapit ako at ginulo ang buhok niya. Napasimangot ako dahil mas matangkad na siya sa akin. I used to be a bit taller than him when we were younger. Matangkad naman kami pareho pero sadyang mas matangkad siya, life’s just so unfair.
“I promise I won't change, though.”
He scoffed, “Hindi ka nga niya kilala.”
Humalakhak ako, “Can you help me get close to him, though?”
They have the same strand after all. I even sometimes saw them talking since both of them are topping they're class.
“He’s graduating, Zach. I… at least want to tell him what I feel, not because I want it to be reciprocated but because I don't want to regret something I know… could free myself from this.”
He nodded and hugged me. “I might not understand this for now… but I hope you know I’m always here for you… we're always here, Zeph.”
“I am always keeping that in mind, Zach. I hope you do the same.”
I feel him stiffen… my poor brother. He has always been so hard on himself. He may act carefree sometimes but he hides the real him. Hindi naman kami pini-pressure ng mga magulang namin sa pag-aaral at suportado nila kami sa kahit anong gawin namin, as long as it doesn't harm us.
After that, sabay kaming pumunta sa gazebo matapos magbihis. Naka-upo na nga siya sa kama ko nang lumabas ako sa cr matapos mag half bath ng mabilis. The snacks Nanay Matilda and Ate Myrna made earlier was now served in the table of the gazebo. We settled ourselves while waiting for our parents to arrive. They texted us naman na on the way na sila.
Nagkwentuhan lang kami ni Zach tungkol sa mga activities na pwede naming gawin sa Sunday. Nagkasundo kami na mag beach. We’re gonna tell that to our parents when they arrive. We never really get tired of being excited whenever it's our family day.
We were in the middle of planning which beach we’ll go to and the activities we’ll do when our parents arrived. They look so tired but give us they're sweetest smile when they get near us, it's like our mere presence is enough to lighten up their bad day.
“What are our twins doing?” Daddy asked as he pulled a chair for Mommy. Mommy sat their and thank Dad.
I smiled, our parents are so sweet with each other. I want to have that kind of love Mommy and Daddy has for each other.
“We’re planning a beach trip this Sunday, My, Dy!” I excitedly said.
Tumango si Zach, “We also had decided which beach we’ll go to.”
Mommy frown, “This is kinda unfair. You planned everything not including us with the planning.”
Nilagay ni Daddy ang braso sa likod ng upuan ni Mommy. They are still both wearing their formal attire.
“At least we don't need to think much about this trip, love.” Daddy chuckled.
Mom’s frown deepened, “They’re growing up so fast I just wanted them back to be a baby!”
What's with my Mommy today? She's so adorable while saying those. Daddy’s eyes gleamed with so much love as he stared at Mommy.
“Oh, please! Love birds stop being so sweet for a while we need to plan this outing first.” I almost rolled my eyes.
Mommy and Daddy chuckled while I heard Zach muffled something.
“Inggitera,”
Tiningnan ko siya ng masama pero kumuha lang siya ng isang banana que sa plate at isinubo iyon. Inirapan ko siya.
“Before anything, my lovely twins, I want to inform you that maybe we can go this beach your talking about tomorrow.”
Pareho kaming nagtatakang napatingin sa magulang.
“Why, Dy? Busy ba kayo ni Mommy sa Sunday?”
“No, no, honey.” Umiiling-iling na sagot ni Mommy, “Your Dad and I decided to make our weekends a family day… and a break too after the five days of being a workaholic parents that we are.”
Nagkatinginan kami ni Zach. I was sure we share the same thought when he voice out what was in my mind.
“Nag decide din pala kayo, My, without us.”
Mommy acted innocently while Daddy’s laughter echoed in the whole garden. I smirked. Mom glared at Dad as if he betrayed her. When we all sobered up from the teasing we finally talked about what Mom and Dad has decided to.
“So as we were saying… our weekends are for our family. No business or school works should be included.”
“That’s hard.” Napangiwi si Zach.
“I agree,” Daddy said.
Agad silang sinaway ni Mommy, “Tumigil nga kayong dalawa.” Then Mommy glanced at me and Zach. “Of course, we know that your studies requires a lot of attention now but always remember that we're not after your achievements here.” Mom said softly, now glancing at Zach, “We prioritize your health more than those academic achievements. It's your health and your safety that always matters to us, my babies, alright?”
I nodded earnestly. Ito talaga ang gusto ko ang indirectly na pagsabihan si Zach.
“Besides, anong gagawin namin sa academic achievements niyo kung tuluyan na kayong nawawala sa amin? We are not invalidating those achievements, alright? We are more than proud but at least don't pressure yourself too much. Sapat na sa amin ng Mommy niyo na masaya kayo at natuto.”
And so that ended with our plans and more of Mom and Dad’s pangaral. And that also ended with the planned that tomorrow ay sila na ang bahala sa financial expenses namin. That's the usual, though. Daddy is even more happy to do that. Providing us with the things that he can give is making him so happy.
♡