Chapter 43

Ngumiti ako bago lumubog lalo sa mga unan. I shifted to lie down on my arm as my kids used my bed as their playing ground.

"I miss you, Twy-twy. How's it going? You didn't call me last Friday." Pinarating ko ang pagtatampo sa sinabi.

"I'm sorry, Ate. I woke up so late, and I thought you were already asleep." She tucked her hair behind her ear. "By the way, I just transferred half of this month's income to your bank account last night. Have you checked it already?"

I shook my head. "I'll check it tomorrow. What happened to your last check-up?"

Her mood shifted to a more buoyant and vibrant one, and she started talking about how her latest appointment with her OB-Gyne went. Her due would be next month and so I'm excited to see my first nephew.

I threw her more questions before she asked about how my week went. She was listening attentively, even shoving Kuya Ybarra's face, her husband, every time he kissed her shoulder and neck.

Umismid ako nang natapos magkuwento. Kakainis talaga 'tong si Kuya Ybarra. Minsan na nga lang kami nag-uusap ni Twyla, hindi pa ako pagbigyan. Twyla must've seen my reaction, so she got off the bed and told him not follow her when he was calling her to go back to their bed.

Bleh. It's me over her husband.

I recalled my wonders how did they end up together. After learning the story from my cousin herself, I no longer questioned their love for each other. I just wanna be sure that she's with the right person, and I know she is.

Pero akala ko talaga noon ay si Kuya Wilder lang ang magugustuhan niya. I'm glad that she ended up with someone who knows and values her worth. Kahit pa alam kong medyo barumbado rin si Kuya Ybarra.

"Ate, I have a hot news," she whispered with her face closer to the screen that I could smell her, but I remember myself being anosmic. "It's very very hot. Like, scorching?"

I chuckled. "What is it? Hmm?"

She was stepping on the stairs heavily but carefully, glancing back over her shoulders and combing her hair.

"Last night before I sleep, I heard Carl talking with Kuya El!" she shouted silently. "He is still not talking to you, right? He isn't talking to me, either. But guess what I found out!" she almost chipped at the last sentence.

I rolled on my back as I ingested the information. I hid my interest by rolling my eyes.

"Oh, no, Twyla. I don't want to hear anything about him—"

Her brow shot up. "You don't want me to let the cat out of the bag?"

"I don't..." Ngumuso ako.

"Okay," she muttered and shrugged it off. "OMG, Carl's going down here. I'm hearing his footsteps!"

Oh... maybe I should teach her the existence of the word 'insist' in the dictionary?

"Twy, please be careful when you walk," I told her when I noticed the camera kept shaking.

She smiled sheepishly. "Okay, Ate Tala. I guess we have to end the call now. You look so exhausted. You need to rest!"

Ngumiti ako. "Okay. Good night. I'm checking the account tomorrow so I can prepare the cheque before this month ends. I love you. Take care of yourself and the baby."

"I love you, Ate Tala." She blew me a kiss through the screen before the line cut off.

Ngumisi ako. After changing my adoptive name to my real name from birth, I told people around me to call me by that. Kung nag-adjust sila, mas lalo na ako. The only person I'm letting call me by my nickname 'Tala' is Twyla.

The third year of my program was the hardest year for me. I didn't expect I'd even enjoy our rotation during our internship. But I wouldn't deny that it was still exhausting. Well, I guess everything about BSMT is energy-sucker.

"Wow naman! Tita Rappy, ngayon lang ako nakakita ng anak mong sobrang sipag mag-aral!" Kuya Wilder's laugh bombarded my ears.

My eyes remained on my iPad standing a few inches near my plate. I chewed my last bite of Bosco stick, and after swallowing it down my throat, I motioned my chin up to meet Kuya Wilder's long neck. He was wearing a dark blue graphic shirt and a pair of chico shorts.

"Kuya, I'm reviewing for the MTLE," sabi ko.

He had his hand planted on the edge of the island counter, raising his brow at the screen of my gadget. His jaw seemed freshly shaved. I had no idea of the purpose of his visit today, but I wasn't complaining.

"You just graduated and yet, you're still studying? Miss Minion, pumapayat na ang pisngi mo. Hindi puwede 'to!" dabog niya sabay tusok sa pisngi ko.

"No, Kuya, you don't understand..." I slacked off for a day now, I wanted to add but he already cut me off.

Dapat yata nagpatuloy na lang ako sa review center sa LEMAR o Pioneer tulad nina Chisa at Nadia. Rafa was self-reviewing like me.

"No, it's you who don't understand, Miss Minion," aniya sabay dutdot sa pisngi ko. "I miss you and you don't miss me!"

My mouth flew open at his accusation. Sometimes, I could see myself holding a feather lancet and performing a capillary puncture on him. Oh my, that was one of my biggest weaknesses almost every month before. I did it once to Kuya Rain, and he swore he wouldn't let me touch his fingers again.

"That's not true! You're busy with your work and your girlfriend and you have no time with me anymore because I'm no longer a baby to you. I've been trying to make time to bond with you but it is you who are always busy. So it is your fault for missing me!" litanya ko habang nanatiling nakaupo at nakatingala sa kaniya.

He inhaled sharply, putting his hands on his hips before turning around to face my mother who was cutting a carrot on the chopping board. Ate Hadia was helping her prepare for lunch. I woke up later this day.

"Tita, 'yang bunso mo, marunong nang mang-gaslight!" sumbong niya kahit siguradong narinig naman ako ni Mama.

"Well, you taught her well, I guess?"

"Tita?!"

Humagikgik ako. I jumped off the stool chair with the empty plate and ambled to the sink. Hinugasan ko iyon habang pinakikinggan ang reklamo niya kay Mama.

Lumapit sa akin si Kuya Wai. "Come on, Miss Minion. This is not you—"

"Kuya, I was already slacking off. Next week na ang exam. I need to study."

He mimicked what I said before going off to see our doggos. Sadly, Cannoli and Ambrosia were now resting in animal paradise.

Pinatay ko muna ang iPad ko at tumulong kina Mama. Naturuan niya naman na ako pagdating sa kusina pero dahil sa dami ng nagagawa, hindi rin ako madalas dito. I only assist in the kitchen when I'm free, like today.

"Sweetie, you can go back to your room to do what you're supposed to do. I'll take care of the kids so they don't disturb you," Mama informed me, pertaining Onyx, Donut, and Tart as my kids.

On the way to the staircase, I found Kuya Wai strutting down with Tart tucked in his arm. He was murmuring something to her while caressing her head. When his gaze lifted to me, one side of his upper lip twitched.

I pouted, stopping right in front of him on the steps. I crossed my arms over my chest while shaking my head in fake dismay.

"You went into my room and catnapped Tart. That's not very nice, Kuya Wilder," I pointed.

"Alam mo bang kapag pinitik kita, tatalsik ka?" Patuloy siya sa paghaplos sa alaga ko.

Umiling-iling ako, hindi naapektuhan sa banta niya. "Okay, I get it, Kuya. Nag-away siguro kayo ng girlfriend mo kaya ako ang ginugulo mo ngayon at hindi ka pumasok sa trabaho. Maybe I should call Ate Gi—"

"Shh! Hindi kami nag-away, ah?" marahas niyang putol, lukot ang mukha. "I went here because I feel so low right now and I'm missing you. And since you don't even miss me, I'm going to make Tart and me high ourselves."

He made a quick turn to the other side and walked passed me without stumbling. Kinalas ko ang mga braso sa tapat ng dibdib at hinabol siya.

"Kuya! Kuya! Don't you make her high or else!"

He glanced at me over my shoulder. "Kita mo? Mas concern ka na ngayon sa pusa mo kaysa sa akin! I'm gonna drug her!"

"No!" I stomped. "She doesn't like catnip! My poor baby!"

He started poking fun at me while I was following him around. He ended up with me in my bedroom while I was studying. Imbes tuloy na makapag-aral, nadi-distract ako sa kanilang apat. Mabuti na lang at pumasok si Mama at sinaway si Kuya kaya pinalabas silang lahat. I stuck out my tongue at him when he displayed a sham misery.

"Mama, I think Kuya needs some ginger tea!" pahabol ko.

I wasn't exactly a smart kid. Oftentimes, I stick with my own studying technique that is effective for me. I burnt the midnight oil until it was the day of the board exam. Buong pamilya ko pa talaga ang naghatid sa akin patungo sa testing center. Siyempre, wala si Ate Harley dahil nasa barko pa.

"Nandito na ba lahat ng documents na lang kailangan mo? I'll check it again—"

"Ma, pang-apat na beses mo nang i-check ang mga 'yan. Kumpleto na nga," ani Kuya kay Mama habang nasa sasakyan kami.

"Sugar, you sure you're okay? Hindi ba sumasakit ang ulo mo? Ang tiyan? Hindi ka nagugutom? Maybe—"

"Ma, ayos lang po ako." I chuckled. "Walang pong sumasakit sa akin at hindi rin po ako nagugutom."

Dalawang araw ang exam at mula umaga hanggang hapon iyon, tig-tatlong subject. Dalawang araw din yata akong naubusan ng dugo at brain cells. I spent the next few days resting to recover them.

Isang araw na akong hindi naliligo habang nakikipag-video call kay Twyla at kay baby Twilight. My right elbow was propped on the bed, with my hand serving as my pillow. Beside my laptop was a bag of tortilla chips expiring next week. I just found it from the stocks since I didn't know when. Kuya Rainier was trying to get on my nerves by letting all our dogs inside my room. My room was a disaster now.

Kaso mukhang kasama yata ako sa disaster. Lagot ako kay Mama kapag nakita niya mamaya ang kuwarto ko. Pero mamaya pa naman 'yon kaya mamaya na rin ako mag-aayos.

Our video call ended when Twy had to make her baby son sleep. How I wish I was there to pinch his chubby cheeks lke his Mommy! Ngayon kasing magda-dalawang taon na siya, mas napapansin nang halos lahat ng feature niya ay galing kay Kuya Ybarra. I must pinch baby Twilight's cheeks before they flattened!

Mabuti na lang at nagawa ko na 'yon nang  binyag niya. Doon nga lang sa Switzerland ginanap katulad ng kasal ng mga magulang niya.

"Skyricharm! Tawag ka ni Mama sa kusina!" sigaw ni Kuya sa labas ng kuwarto pagkatapos ng sunod-sunod na katok.

Right after that, I spotted Cookie and Donut around my study area, running after Eclair who was biting a piece of cloth, which I perceived from its shape as my bra. My eyeballs popped out as Eclair jumped on one of my desks, with two other dogs still following her, and knocked into the phlebotomy kit I got as a present! Nasa gilid na nga iyon pero natamaan pa rin!

"Oh, no!"

I didn't even know who sent it to me but I kept it. Ayaw ko lang gamitin dahil meron naman akong binili.

"Riri!" Kuya's thunderous voice called again.

I whisked myself off the bed as the room was inundated with crashing sounds, thanks to these four-legged animals who used to be a ray of sunshine but now bedroom-wreckers!

I squealed when my foot twisted out of nowhere that sent me kissing the floor. Onyx barked as he ran in my direction. Umupo ako at napansin ang sumabit na damit sa paa ko. I kicked it off and hugged Onyx when the door flew open.

"What's happening here?" ang malamig na boses ni Papa ang una kong narinig.

Una siyang pumasok habang nililibot ang tingin sa paligid. Behind him was Kuya Rain whose eyes were pinning me with sharpness. I pressed my face against Onyx's neck, trying to hide myself with his body.

"It's almost dinner time, Skyricharm Aera. Kumain ka pa talaga ng chichirya?" sita ni Papa nang makita ang mga balat ng pinagkainan ko sa kama.

"Papa, I twisted my ankle. It hurts," nakalabi kong sinabi at nilabas ang paa sa paningin niya.

Lumapit silang dalawa sa akin at tinatanaw ang paa ko habang nakatayo. Then, they shook their heads. I pouted more when it seemed they were not going to believe me. Ginalaw-galaw ko iyon at ngumiwi.

"Ouch..."

"Riri, stop acting. We all know it doesn't hurt," si Kuya.

"Your mom is calling you in the kitchen. Pumunta ka na roon bago pa siya ang pumunta rito at pagalitan ka sa itsura ng kuwarto mo," sabi ni Papa.

"But! But! It really hurts!" maliit ang boses kong pagpipilit sa masakit.

Lumingon si Kuya kay Papa at maagap na nagsalita, "Pa, 'wag kang maniwala. Ayaw niya lang mapagalitan. Don't look at her face!"

Bumungtonghininga si Papa at lumuhod sa harapan ko. Si Kuya naman ay napailing na lang at naglakad na palabas ng kuwarto. The bedroom-wreckers ran after him like they didn't do anything.

My vision followed my father's hands holding my small feet. May kaunting kirot nang ginalaw niya iyon pero mukhang hindi naman malala. So my claim that it hurt is valid! Kuya Rain was heartless!

"Get up, princess. Let's see if you can walk," malumanay niyang utos habang pailalim akong tiningnan.

Inabandona ng mga braso ko ang katawan ni Onyx. He was still standing like a guard beside me while my father was helping me to stand. Kinagat ko ang labi at pigil na ngumisi nang makapaglakad naman.

"Papa, I can walk! Wow!"

Nanliit ang mata niya sa akin. He shook his head but I caught him smirking a bit.

"Maligo ka muna o kahit magpalit ka ng damit. Huwag kang magtatagal kung ayaw mong umakyat ang Mama mo rito," banta niya. "May bisita si Tart."

Yehey! Hindi na ako pinagalitan! I smirked inwardly at the thought that my brother had failed to set me up tonight.

But wait...

My bisita si Tart? Tart, my ragdoll?

I took a brief shower before I stepped into my pair of cotton shorts hiding under my plain white v-neck shirt. I combed and clipped my hair on the side with a barette before grabbing my phone on the nightstand beside our family picture frame. We were complete there. I smiled at it.

Katabi nito ay ang maliit na flower vase kung nasaan may ilang tangkay ng bulaklak na daisy. It was from an anonymous sender. They wouldn't reach my room if not thoroughly inspected. Every week may nagpapadala nito kaya every week ko ring pinapalitan.

My phone screen lit up and I noticed the flood message from the groupchat consisting of the four of us—Chisa, Nadia, Rafa, and I. I treaded toward the doorway while I was reading the message, and pulled off my feet right after I saw a certain link.

My finger pad tapped the underlined link Rafa sent to our group chat. I scrolled through the page and clicked the first surnames bracket. I held my breath as I continued to swipe up. My hand slapped my mouth upon reaching the seventh page.

Roll of Examinees in the
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST LICENSURE EXAMINATION
Held on August 25 & 26
Released on August 31

285. Blaustein, Skyricharm Aera Wilson

"Oh my God..." I mumbled. "Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God!"

"Why are you still standing there?"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Kuya na mukhang kagagaling lang sa kuwarto. He craned his neck with a deep frown as he stared at my stunned silence. When I goggled at him longer than necessary, the crease on his forehead smoothened and his orbs shifted to worry.

"Baby Ri, what's wrong?" he asked gently.

Impit na tili ang kumawala sa bibig ko kasunod ang panlalaki ng mga mata niya sa gulat. I jumped and threw my hands on his neck while screeching. He cursed and instantly wrapped his arm around me to prevent us from completely stumbling.

"Riri, spare my ears from bleeding."

"RMT na ako, Kuya!" tili ko bago siya pinakawalan.

I was grinning ear to ear as I dashed away from him without waiting for any response from his stupefied reaction.

"Hey, baby, be careful! Shit!" he warned when I almost rolled down the stairs.

Everything turned blurry around me as I sprinted off to the kitchen, where I sought my parents. I jounced like a wild ball and screamed like I was being chased by a tiger. My parents detached themselves from each other in surprise by my appearance.

"Ma, Pa, RMT na po ako!" I announced with avidity, raising my phone up in the air.

Namilog ang mga mata ni Mama at agad ngumiti nang malawak. Tumakbo ako sa kanila at agad siyang niyakap habang patalon-talon pa rin. Tears of joy flowed down my cheek.

"Congrats, baby. I'm so proud of you!" Mama said and kissed my cheek. "Oh my... I'm so happy for you, my Riri. I love you..."

"Thank you so much, Mama!" I cried in her arms. "I passed. I passed. I did it!"

Bumitaw ako sa kaniya at tumingala kay Papa. A pleasing smile displayed across his face as he opened his arms for me. Yumakap agad ako at naramdaman ang init ng yakap niya. My cheek pressed against his chest as he gently caressed my head and back.

"Mana ka talaga sa akin. First take lang ng board exam, pasa na," pagmamayabang niya pa kaya natawa ako. "Congrats, my princess."

"Thank you, Papa!"

Pinakita ko sa kanila ang listahan ng mga nakapasa sa MTLE nang pumasok si Kuya sa kusina. I smiled broadly at him when he gave me a side hug.

"Congrats, li'l girl. Finally, my blood contribution has paid off. My veins can now rest from your needles."

I laughed at him and playfully smacked his arm. He simpered. Nilingon ko ang mesa nang hindi pa rin humuhupa ang tuwa sa balita. I counted the plates and there were five. Apat lang naman kami, ah? Uuwi ba si Ate Harley? At marami pa ang ulam!

The thought of her going home again after a few months since she moved out and started living in with her girlfriend excited me. Minsan na lang kasi siya pumunta rito at nami-miss ko na rin ang paglalambing niya sa akin. Also, I'm sure Mama misses Ate Harley, too. Ang hindi makauwi sa loob ng mahigit anim na buwan dahil sa trabaho ni Ate ay nangungulila na si Mama, lalo pa ngayon na hindi na siya rito umuuwi. But then I remember, next month pa ang susunod niyang uwi.

It saddened me to see this side of reality when you grow up as an adult. You wouldn't always be living with your parents, even if you love them. Some will say that it's the child's decision to live separately away from their parents but that's how life goes on. But living separately from your parents doesn't always mean you are already cutting ties with them.

"By the way, Riri," si Papa at humarap na sa akin. "Tawagin mo na ang bisita ni Tart. Nasa sala siya. Kakain na tayo."

My smile got spoiled upon hearing that. Kuya hissed beside me, withdrawing himself away.

"M-May bisita po? Nasa sala? Bisita po ni Tart? My cat?"

"Yes, shortcake," Mama answered. "You didn't see him? Rain, umalis na si Engineer Merrick?"