Yunee’s POV
I wake up in the morning wearing my smile. This day is the best day I think I’ll have.
“Here’s your dress honey.” Napaatras ako ng marinig ko ang boses ni Mommy. Pababa na sana ako ng hagdan pero sinilip ko sila ni Venee.
She’s wearing her blank face while Mom is busy with her. Napabusangot tuloy ako.
“Ito ayaw mo ba?” Tanong niya pero walang sagot si Venee. That’s right. Ganyan nga lang ang gawin mo. Mas natutuwa ako everytime you ignore them. Napangiti ako at nakita kong napatingin siya sakin. Lumabas naman ako agad at lumapit sa kanila ng nakangiti.
“Good Morning Mom. Good Morning Sis.” I said at nakipagbeso. Ngumiti lang siya pero halata sa mukha niya ang pagkairita.
“Oh, Yunee, here’s your dress. Do you like it?” Mom said as she gave me my dress. I look at Venee’s dress that she’s holding now. Hers is white while mine is cream. Seriously? Kailangan bang parehas kami?
“This is good Mom. I like it.” I said and smiled but deep inside, I want to say ‘I like it… I like to tatter it into pieces…’
“Then it’s good. Magrest lang kayong dalawa para mamaya, you’re beautiful during your birthday. I can’t imagine that my twins are turning 16 now. I’m happy to see you two. You’re both grown up and… dalaga na kayong pareho.” Mom said as tears runs down. Naiyak naman ako. Grabe… ang drama talaga ni Mommy. I just heard Venee hissed. Ang bitter talaga ng sissy ko.
“Can I go now? Pupuntahan ko pa po ang mga kaibigan ko.” She then stand up.
“Why don’t you just invite them here?”
“No! I mean… they’re all busy. Ako nalang po ang pupunta. Papasama nalang ako kay Craise. Sige po. Alis na ako. Bye.” She said and left.
“Your sister does hate me right? She’s so cold and… I could not tame her again.”
“Mom, she’s not a wild animal to tame. Just let her be. Maybe she just need some time.”
I hope ganyan nalang siya forever para wala na akong kaagaw sa inyo.
Vens’ POV
“Now what? So hindi sila makakaattend ng party mo?”
“Our party Craise or maybe, her party.” I correct her.
“Yeah. Buti nalang at ang kapatid mo ang ipapakasal at hindi ikaw. Malaking problema pag nagkataon.”
“You’re right. Wala naman tayong problema sa kanila dahil hindi naman nila alam na birthday ko ngayon.”
“Yes, and Dix said may pupuntahan din sila mamayang gabi kaya walang problema.”
“Talaga? At saan naman?”
“I don’t know. Let’s just visit them now.” I nod and we both got into their garage and took her other car.
“Nga pala, what’s your status with Dix?” I ask as she drives. She looked at me and blushed.
“Why you’re blushing? Did I said something wrong? Hindi mo naman siguro sasabihin sakin na kayo na pala di ba?”
“Well I-Uh… Ano kasi…” Napakamot siya ng ulo and I just eyed at her.
“Ano?”
“KAMINA.” She said. Kumunot ang noo ko. Anong Kamina? Is that a name? A resto? A flower, food? What the heck is that?
“Anong Kamina?”
“Aish! Ang hina mo talaga Vens oh. I mean… Kami… na… ni Dix.” She said and I nod and look at the window when I realize what she said.
“WHAT THE HELL CRAISE?! KAYO NA NI DIXXY?!” I yelled in surprise.
“Vens, ang lapit ko lang pero kung makasigaw ka parang ang layo ko sayo. Hindi naman ako bingi eh.”
“BAKIT NGAYON MO LANG SINABI? KUNG HINDI PA AKO NAGTANONG HINDI KO MALALAMAN?!” I ignore her and still yelled. Halos masubsob ang mukha ko sa biglaan niyang pagpreno.
“WHAT THE HECK, CRAISE?!!”
“Sorry… andito na tayo.” Sabi niya atsaka lumabas ng kotse. Napakamot nalang ako ng ulo at lumabas din. Sinundan ko siya papasok sa elevator.
“Now explain.” I said seriously. She look at me and rub her head.
“Eh… naiinggit ako sayo eh… kaya sinagot ko na si Dix.”
“Wow ha? Dahil lang naiingit ka? Grabe naman.” Natatawa kong sabi.
“De, seryoso na nga. Ang tagal niya ring nanligaw sakin. Mahal ko naman siya, alam mo naman di ba? Atsaka, dun din naman ang punta non eh. Kaya bago pa siya maagaw ng iba, sinagot ko na.” She said smiling. I smiled too. Hindi naman ako galit eh. Alam ko rin namang mangyayari ‘to.
“I’m happy for you. Pero tandaan mo, oras na saktan ka ni Dixxy, ako ang mananakit sa kanya para sayo.” I said and she chuckled and hug me.
“Thanks Vens.” I smiled and hug her back. Sakto namang bumukas ang elebator kaya bumaba kami.
Naglakad na kami papunta sa room number ni Drache at nagdoorbell. Nakailang doorbell pa ako bago magbukas yung pinto at nagulat ako sa nagbukas non.
“C---CARMIE?!” I yelled surprisingly.
“ATE VENS!” She yelled too and hug me. Binuhat ko siya at nginitian.
“Hi, baby, anong ginagawa mo dito? Kailan pa kayo dumating?” Craise ask her.
“Kahapon lang po.” She answered.
“Carms, sino ya---ATE!!” Barbs then rushed to us and hug me then Craise.
“Hi Barbs, anong ginagawa niyo dito? Nasan ang Kuya niyo?” I ask and she smiled at me.
“Namiss ko kayo Ate. Nasa loob si Kuya, pasok kayo.” Pumasok naman kami ni Craise habang buhat ko si Carmie. And there I saw him and the others busy preparing their tuxedo.
“Hi?” I said and they all looked at us with widened eyes.
“VENS?! Anong ginagawa niyo dito?!” Nagulat ako sa tanong nila. Bakit? Masama na bang pumunta dito ngayon? Binaba ko muna si Carmie at lumapit sa kanila.
“Masama bang bumisita?” I ask and look at their Tuxedoes.
“San kayo pupunta? Mukhang importante yata ang pupuntahan niyong lahat? Party ba?” Tanong ko. Hindi naman siguro sila magsusuot ng ganyan kung makikipag-away lang sila di ba?
“Uh… ano… ano kasi… umuwi ang mga parents namin at may pupuntahan kaming…” JC said but was cut off by Drache.
“Dinner… Dinner Party.”
“Yeah. Tama. Dinner party nga.” Pagsang-ayon nilang lahat.
“Talaga? Bakit kailangan ganyan ka pormal?” Tanong ko.
“Because… because…”
“Because?”
“Strict ang parents namin.” Lester said.
“Tama, Strict ang mga parents namin.” Pagsang-ayon ulit nila. Kumunot ang noo ko sa mga sagot nila. I know they were hiding something from us but… it doesn’t matter… kahit naman ako may itinatago sa kanila di ba?
“O-kay?”
“So, anong ginagawa niyo dito?” Tanong niya sakin sabay yakap. Niyakap ko rin siya pabalik at agad kumalas.
“Wala lang… namiss lang namin kayo.” I said and sit.
“Uh… Carmie and Maggs, punta muna kayo sa condo ni Kuya JC niyo at samahan niyo si Ate Mitch niyo doon. May pag-uusapan lang kami okay?” The two girls nod and wave at us bago lumabas. Kumaway rin kami at ngumiti.
“So, kamusta naman ang buhay mo kasama ng kakambal mo?” Tanong ni Seth at nagsiupuan silang lahat.
“Ayos lang. My parents arrived and I don’t know how to deal with them. Nakakamiss sila. I want to hug Mom but I can’t. Nakakatampo lang na, ngayon lang sila bumalik dahil may importante pala silang aasikasuhin dito.” I said as I looked away.
“Ano namang aasikasuhin nila?”
“Hmmm… about my twin.” Tama naman eh. Uuwi ba sila dahil lang sa birthday namin? Hindi naman di ba? Umuwi sila dahil sa engagement party ng kapatid ko. Umuwi sila dahil sa kanya. Not for me.
“Are you okay?” Drache asked and looked at me worriedly. I smiled weakly and nodded. He kissed my forehead and hug me.
Sana ganito nalang lagi, may taong laging nandiyan para damayan ka. Na handang iparamdam sayo na may nagmamahal parin sayo kahit pakiramdam mo ay wala na.
“If your parents were all here, where are they?” Bigla kong tanong at kumalas sa yakap. Nagkatinginan silang lahat at tumingin sa akin.
“Wala. May pinuntahan.” He said and I nodded. Napatingin ako sa wall clock. Shoot!
“Oh my gosh! Uhmm… kailangan na naming umalis ni Craise.” I said and pull Craise to the door.
“Ha? bakit? May pupuntahan ba kayo?” Tanong nila.
“Hmmm… yeah? Ano, sige, kita nalang tayo bukas ha? Ingat sa dinner party. Good luck. Babye.” I said and me and Craise both run at the elevator.
It’s almost quarter to 4 at 7 magsisimula ang party. We only have 2 hours to prepare. Nagmadali kaming bumaba sa parking at agad pinaharurot ang sasakyan. Nakarating agad kami sa bahay nila at umuwi na ako agad.
“Baby, ba’t ngayon ka lang?” Salubong sakin ni Mommy. Baby? Nakakamiss pakinggan pero… alam kong ngayon lang yan.
“May pinuntahan po kami ni Craise, sige po, maghahanda na ako.” I said and walk upstairs. Nilock ko yung pinto ko at huminga ng malalim.
Slowly, I felt tears flowing through my eyes.
“Mom, if only I could hug you and kiss you and say that I miss you too… but… I can’t. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong magpadala sa nararamdaman ko o dapat kong kontrahin ‘to. Hanggang kailan ko ba mararamdaman at mararanasan ang paghihirap na ‘to? Hanggang kailan ka magiging ganyan sakin Mommy?” Ayokong magpakahina sa harap nila dahil hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan ang pagiging magulang nila sakin. Hindi ko alam… malay ko ba kung pagkatapos ng event na ‘to ay wala na naman akong magulang?
Craise’s POV
“Baby, are you ready?” Tanong nila Mom and Dad.
Yeah, tulad ng parents ni Vens, umuwi rin sina Mom and Dad dito. Bakit? Para umattend ng birthday party slash engagement party ng twin ng best friend ko.
“Opo…” I said and force a smile. Kahit papaano ay namiss ko rin sila.
Hindi naman ako galit kina Mommy at Daddy. Nagtatampo lang. Pero compared to Vens, masasabi kong mas mahirap ang sitwasyon niya. Ako kasi, only child. Eh siya, may kapatid. At ang masakit, hindi pantay ang pagtingin sa kanila. And that hurts me most. Kung pwede ko lang sabihin kina Mommy na ampunin siya, noon ko pa ginawa.
“Baby, you’re grown up now… parang kelan lang, ang liit-liit at ang cute cute mo pa but now, dalaga ka na.” Mom said with teary eye.
“Mom, Dad… sorry to ask this but… would you do the same kung anong ginawa nina Tita Min at Tito Ted?” Kumunot ang mga noo nila.
“I mean… i-aarangge marriange niyo rin po ba ako?” I asked with a trembled tone. They looked at each other and soon laughed. Parang na pa huh? Naman ako. Anong nakakatawa sa sinabi ko.
“No. No baby… Daddy and Mommy will never do that. You’re the only child we have and we want the best for you. Kaya kung anong makapagpapasaya sayo, ibibigay namin ng Mommy mo. Alam kong nagkulang kami ng Mommy mo. We don’t have time for you and we’re sorry for that. But, we were doing this for you. Remember that, even Mommy and Daddy were far away, don’t think that we don’t love you. We love you baby. Kahit mawala na lahat ng kayamanan, wag lang ikaw. You’re the most precious wealth we ever haved.” Dad said and tears escaped from my both eyes.
Buti nalang at waterproof ang make up ko. Sabi ko na at maiiyak lang ako eh. But I was touched by what Daddy said.
“Thank you Daddy… Mommy… I love the both of you.” I said and we all hugged.
I miss hugging them both. Ngayon, naiintindihan ko na sila. They were all doing this for me. My parents love me. Akala ko, dahil hindi nila ako pinapansin ay hindi nila ako mahal. But hearing those from my Dad? I can feel the sincerity and love of a parent for their child.
I’m lucky… lucky to have them both. If only Vens could feel and have a family like this, I’m sure hindi na siya mahihirapan at malulungkot.
“Oh, tama na. Masisira ang make-up ko.” Mom said as we all parted away. Dad and I laughed and the three of us walked and ride on the car.
Papunta kami ngayon sa hotel kung saan gaganapin yung party. I hope this night would run so good. This is the first time after long years na magcecelebrate ng birthday ang best friend ko na kasama ang pamilya niya.
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A/N: Watch out for the next updates... mahaba-habang update din 'to... pasensya na po sa mga wrong grammars... aayusin ko nalang ulit pag may time.
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