"Luke, give her your number"
I snorted. "No need, dad"
My parents got Century an iPhone 6 dahil wala daw siyang phone. They got us the same stuff for Christmas. At ngayon, pinipilit nilang ibigay ko 'kay Century ang number ko. Pfft!
Binatukan ako ng tatay ko. "Hindi ka chicks kaya 'wag kang feeling! Cellphone number lang at hindi virginity mo kaya 'wag kang pa no need-no need diyan, you rascal"
I gasped. "Ma! Binatukan ako ng asawa mo!"
My dad glared at me. "Tattle tale"
I smirked and my sight happened to land at Century. She has some stupid expression on.
"What?"
She shrugged, picked Century up to tuck her in. It's almost four in the morning at kami na lang ang gising, it's Christmas hey.
"Hey boys, won't you go to bed?" mom asked when she entered the room. She's holding a glass of red wine in her right hand and a phone in her left.
"Naa" dad and I both said. We're drinking beer at pakiramdam ko mauunang lalagapak ang gurang kong tatay.
"Okay, so I already have Century's school records and pwedeng pwede na siyang mag-enroll sa January" mom beamed.
That got my dad interested at mukhang nawala pagka-tipsy niya. He's about to say something pero inunahan ko siya.
"Mom, it's Christmas. Pwedeng sa ibang araw n'yo na pag-usapan 'yan? Iniisip ko pa lang na makikita ko si Century sa campus, naaalibadbaran na ako" I finished my beer in one gulp.
Dad smirked. "Oh that's good. Remember to say hi to her when you see her around your school. And I hope she catches your poor pranks. And when that happens, I'm telling you... balik commute ka"
I did the same smirk. "Ninja ata 'to. Mom, dad, hinding hindi ako mahuhuli ni Century sa kahit ano kasi wala naman akong ginagawang masama sa school"
"Neknek mo boy! Maraming sinusumbong sa'kin 'yong dean niyo!" he pointed the tip of his bottle at me. "Lokong 'to" bulong niya.
Letsugas talagang dean 'yan. For all I know, mas malala sinasabi ng isang 'yon tungkol sa'kin kahit very very light lang naman talaga ginawa ko.
Simula kasi nung 'aksidenteng' nagunting ko 'yong slacks niya, mainit na dugo niya sa'kin. Well, malay ko bang masisilip na nakasuot siya ng pink panties. Our dean is a he but after that incident, mukhang confirmed na kung ano siya. I feel sorry a bit but I have no regrets.
"Buti pa si Century, binilhan ako ng wallet..."
I looked at my dad again. Sayang saya siya sa nakuha niyang gift from Century. It's a signatured leather wallet with some stupid lock.
"Babaw mo, dad"
Binato niya sa'kin 'yong gift wrapper. "Che! Buti nga may nakuha siya for me di katulad ng iba diyan"
I groaned. "Eh sa malamang, nabunot ka niya di ba? Edi syempre bibigyan ka talaga ng regalo ng isang 'yun!"
"She got me a wristwatch also" mom lifts her left arm. She's wearing a gold Guess wristwatch. Whoa. Bigatin talaga si Century. May pakiramdam talaga akong hindi basta basta savings nun and I know there's something fishy.
I rolled my eyes. "Edi wow..."
"You didn't get us anything, rat"
"I don't have money" I shrugged.
"But it's Christmas! You're supposed to save something at least."
"Dad, nakalimutan niyo na bang ginipit niyo ako sa allowance lately? Haler!"
"Hindi excuse 'yon!"
I scratched my neck. "Whatever"
Mom shook her head at us then bid goodnight. Of course I got my mom something pero 'yun lang kaya ng budget ko kaya hindi ko na binilhan si dad ng kung ano.
Nang wala na si mom, biglang sinunggaban ako ni dad. Para kaming nagre-wrestling pero dahil mandaraya talaga ang isang 'to, I was locked.
"Get us something sa New Year! Okay?"
"Wala akong pera hangga't walang pasukan!"
He slapped my butt. "Well, do something!"
"Okay, okay! Let me go, hulk!"
He did. "Loser!"
I made a face. "Cheater!"
*******
Nagulantang ang tulog ko nang biglang may kung tumunog nang malakas. I looked around pero mukhang nanggagaling sa loob ng drawer ang tunog. I groaned and pulled that thing out my drawer.
It's a wrapped stuff. I tore the wrapper and opened the box. There's an alarm clock inside at 'yon ang maingay. There's also some note.
Dahil batugan ka, I got you an alarm clock. Merry Christmas.
PS. It will forever go off at 7 AM.
-Cent
I high fived my face. Hindi ko na talaga alam kung sino mas masahol ang pag-uugali sa'min ng pipi na 'yon!
Bwisit na tinapon ko sa tabi 'ko 'yong alarm clock. Buti na lang cool 'tong alarm clock na 'to at hindi ko tinapon sa sahig.
There's some gun included, it has a laser thingy at kailangan mong barilin ang alarm clock para tumigil sa ingay. And when you pull the trigger, there are sound effects and a recorded voice which yells 'die'.
I noticed something shining in the box at kinalkal ko uli. May isa pang maliit na black box, a famous jewelry brand was written on it. I opened the box and there's this silver necklace with a silver howling wolf pendant. Whoah.
I grinned. Hindi na masama. There's a note posted behind the box.
This is my real present. Enjoy.
-Cent
"Yuke!"
I glanced at my closed door. "What, kid?"
"Someone's hewe, I can't open the doow" Galaxy slowly stated.
I groaned, grabbed my shirt and opened the door.
"Where's Century?"
"Cooking"
"Mom?"
"She went out with dada." Galaxy climbed on me and I carried her down to the living room.
Galaxy pointed at the door again when we hear the doorbell. I opened it and went out to find a delivery man near the gate.
"Aragon residence, sir?"
"Yes siw" Galaxy answered.
"Pizza delivery po, ordered by..." he glanced at the receipt, "...Century"
I snorted. "Century! Give me your dang money, your pizza's here!" I yelled.
I grabbed the boxes. Galaxy started peeking inside it. "Hun, later"
Century came out with two thousand bills and paid for the pizza. She gave him one last nod and took Galaxy from me.
"Ang cute po ng anak niyo ma'am, sir" the guy get inside his car before I had the chance to correct his thought.
"What the hell..."
Century visibly shuddered and went inside. I followed them.
"Cooking pala ha? Eh ano 'tong order mo?" tanong ko habang naglalakad kami papuntang dining.
Galaxy sat down; Century gave her two slices of pizza.
"I cooked something for lunch pero gusto ni Galaxy ng pizza"
I glanced around. Maraming naiwan kahapon sa handa namin pero mukhang idodonate na naman ng mga magulang ko sa shelter dahil nagsisiwalaan 'yong mga handa. Oh well.
Umupo na din ako at lumamon ng pizza. "Where'd you get money?"
"Your mom gave us 5k for food. They won't be back til tomorrow morning"
I choked. "What?! May dala bang Santa bag si papa nung umalis sila?"
Galaxy and Century nodded.
I shook mine. Isa lang ibig sabihin nito, mag-aalaga ako ng bata at disabled ngayong araw. So much for a merry Christmas.