Thank you so much to the top 20 gifters in KUMU!

This chapter is dedicated to:

lyaangela, turnaroundsamm, elaravaleria, limmpaulineeee, jhasmin_dg22, cathykathleen, lhiannejuat, junica.c, lomlkierra, avriellejuarez, jastine.marie, ohbreeeyyy98, x_charmine, only4clyden_, havesevi, zylphirechiara, alyannaandal, maeshomai, yvonnegwynethosorio, akolangtosimoon. 

Follow me on KUMU: gwy.saludes for more sessions like this.

***

"Gising na! Gising na! It's your first day, my Senior High brother!" 

I wished I had a noice-cancellation device on my ear so I couldn't hear my sister yelling anymore. When I didn't get up, she kept on hitting me again with the pillow so I was forced to sit up. I looked at her with no emotion on my face so she smiled and gave me a peace sign. 

"Dapat excited ka! It's another milestone in your life at dapat proud kang narito ang iyong lovely sister para ihatid ka sa school! Hindi ka ba natutuwa?!" Tuloy-tuloy lang ang bibig niya habang kumukuha ako ng twalya at damit sa closet. 

Hindi ko siya pinansin at dere-deretso lang pumasok sa banyo. I could still hear her voice from outside. She was talking about how she was so excited when she started her first day as a Senior High School student back then and then proceeded to talk about her experiences in the campus from her crushes to her profs. Hindi ko na siya pinakinggan. The sound of the shower muffled her voice. 

I dressed in my new uniform. A polo, necktie, and slacks. Just the usual uniform for high school students. Nagkakaiba lang sa color. It even annoyed me that the slacks were kind of too short for me. It was showing my ankles. Maybe it was because of my height.

After showering, I went down to prepare my own breakfast. "Dad's out?" I asked Mom when I saw her toasting bread. She was already ready to go to work in her working attire. Her long hair was in a bun, leaving a few strands out. 

"Umalis na ang Daddy," she said, giggling a bit. "May early court hearing siya. Bakit ka naghahanap ng wala? Ayaw mo ba sa akin?" Ngumuso siya bago kumagat doon sa tinapay. "Aray! Ang init!" 

"It just came out from the toaster," sabi ko naman habang kumukuha ng cereal sa ref. I sat down and poured some on my bowl, then put milk on it. It was my usual breakfast.

"Ang Ate mo, nasaan na? Estella!" sigaw niya. Narinig ko na kaagad si Ate na madapa-dapa sa hagdan dahil sa kakamadaling bumaba. Nakaligo at nakapagbihis na siya. She probably already ate breakfast since she woke up earlier than me. We were opposites. She would eat breakfast first before taking a shower. "Ihahatid mo si Kye sa school, ha! Ingatan mo siya! Baka mawala siya tapos umiyak tapos hindi na makauwi!"

"Huwag kang mag-alala, Mommy! Poprotektahan ko si Kye!" Pinalupot pa niya ang braso sa leeg ko hanggang sa masakal ako at hinampas-hampas siya. She laughed then pinched both of my cheeks. "My lovely little brother!" 

"Stop treating me like a baby," I told the both of them. I didn't like it! Lagi silang ganiyan. Acting like I can't handle myself because I was the youngest. Mas mature pa nga ako sa kanila. 

I quickly finished my food and washed the bowl and the utensils before going up to brush my teeth. Kinuha ko na rin ang bag ko at bumaba na, ready nang umalis. We just waited a bit for Mom since she offered to drop us off in the campus. The school was my sister's old school so she knew where to go. 

"Bye! Take care!" bilin ni Mommy pagkababa namin. "Kye, huwag mong kakalimutan! Anak ka ng magulang mo! You will do well in school! Mwa!" 

Tumango na lang ako at nahihiya nang naglakad paalis. Everyone was looking at us because her voice was so loud. My sister, on the other hand, ran so she could catch up to me. She was even looking at my student info so she could see my room number and building. 

"Dito, beh! Dito ang daan!" Hinawakan niya ang braso ko at hinatak sa kabilang daan. I just trusted her since this was her old school. Para akong may kasamang magulang sa first day of school. She was even acting like my mother. "Dito ang building mo, okay? Papakabait ka, ha..." 

"Can I go in now?" I sighed heavily. It was so hot outside. I didn't have time to hear her advices anymore. I heard enough. 

She walked towards me and hugged me so tightly and even fake cried like I was going to another country. Hiyang-hiya ako. I covered the side of my face so the people looking won't recognize me. 

"Sige na... Mula ngayon, pinapalaya na kita..." She even acted like she was sobbing. "Mula ngayon, malaya ka na... Magagawa mo na..." My brows furrowed when she started singing. 

I just turned my back against her and went inside the building, leaving her outside. Nakita ko pa siyang kumakaway nang tingnan ko siya pabalik kaya kumaway na lang ako saglit bago naglakad papuntang elevator. Finally, she was gone. 

I found my room immediately since it had a number at the top of the door. When I entered the room, almost all of my classmates looked at me. Since this was all our first day, I doubted that they actually knew each other, unless they went to the same high school. I didn't so I just ignored the stares and went to an empty seat at the back, near the window. 

I just stared outside and watched the soccer players train in the field. My training for Sepak takraw will start next week. I was scouted by this school to play for them after my junior high school team won for 2 consecutive years. 

I was too early so I just started sketching while waiting for the teacher. When she arrived, all of us stood up to greet. It was the usual introduction thing during the first day. I knew we'd probably do nothing so I didn't bring too much things. 

The teacher wanted us to do a simple introduction, which I was best at. Simple introduction. Simple and short. I practiced it inside my head a lot of times until I was called in front. 

"I'm Kierleigh Skye V. Martinez, but you can just call me Kye," I introduced myself. "My hobbies are sculpting and drawing. I also play Sepak takraw." After saying that, I just quietly went back to my seat. I didn't even wait for them to give me a reaction. 

I didn't like talking a lot, that was why I didn't pursue law like my dad. I didn't like debates or quiz bees like my sister. I wanted something that won't require me to talk a lot. Sculpting, drawing, painting. Anything. I knew what I wanted... even for college. I planned to apply for Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Sculpture. 

"Hello! You like sculpting?" My seatmate suddenly talked to me after she sat down. Magkasunod kasi kami. I didn't even listen to her introduction. "I'm Lyanna! I like art too." 

Obviously... She was in Arts and Design track. I just nodded and looked outside the window, ignoring her, but she talked to me again. 

"Are you related to Attorney Kalix Martinez?" she asked again. "I'm a big fan! He handled my aunt's case before!"

"No, I'm not," sagot ko ulit. 

The classes were as boring as I expected. I just took notes of the art materials we need for the next weeks, which I planned to buy during lunch time so I won't have to worry about it anymore. Noong marinig ko na ang bell, kinuha ko na ang bag ko at mag-isang naglakad palabas ng building. 

"Kierleigh, do you want to eat with us so you're not alone?" The Lyanna girl asked. She was with her circle of friends. A mixture of men and women. 

"Kye. It's Kye," I corrected her. No one ever called me Kierleigh. "And no... I have plans." 

"Oh, he has a date!" Tuwang-tuwa pa siya at pumalakpak. "Goodluck! Galingan mo, classmate!" 

I just nodded and silently walked away, leaving them. I planned to have lunch alone, but as soon as I got out of the store, I heard someone calling my name. "Kye!" I already knew who it was.

When I turned around, I saw my friends. Camero and Juarez were standing there, counting their coins. Parang nagpaparamihan pa yata sila. We were all almost the same age. They were also in Senior High School. 

Camero, the loud one. Not interested in anyone, just games. Married with his games. Juarez, the hopeless romantic one. He was always rejected by everyone for some reason, although he already had everything anyone could wish for. Maybe the problem was him, huh.

"Kanina ka pa namin tine-text, ah?! Hindi ka sumasagot!" reklamo kaagad ni Camero. "O baka wala ka talagang plano sagutin! Eh, basta! Nandito ka na rin naman kaya halika rito, dali..." Inakbayan niya kaagad ako at hinatak palapit sa kinatatayuan nila kanina. "Mayroon akong fifty... May sixty si Leone... Ikaw?" 

"Didn't your parents give you allowance?" nagtatakang tanong ko. It was so unlike their parents to just give them fifty and sixty pesos. Tita Elyse and Tito Hiro? They would never. My dad already gave me five hundred yesterday. 

"Nag-iipon kami!" sabi naman ni Leone. "Hindi ka ba marunong mag-ipon, Kye? Nakaka-disappoint ka naman." 

Nilabas ko ang wallet ko at pinakita ang buong five hundred. Both of them frowned like it was something they didn't want to see. "Ano ba 'yan!" sabay nilang reklamo. 

"Ang pangit mo naman ka-bonding. Sa five hundred mo, dapat fifty lang ang gagastusin mo. Divide mo dapat by ten para may ipon ka! Tingnan mo si Leone, may six hundred kaya sixty lang ang mayroon siya ngayon," pinaliwanag pa sa 'kin ni Camero.

"Ang dami mong alam, Kiel," I said, rolling my eyes. 

"Salamat, p're, gagi ka! Sinabihan pa akong matalino. Parang ngayon mo lang nalaman!" Tumawa pa siya at hinampas ako sa braso. "Tara na, kumain na tayo! Kasya 'to, pramis!" 

Hinatak ako noong dalawa kaya wala na akong nagawa. Akala ko kung saan kami kakain pero huminto kami sa hilera ng street food. They ordered some barbecue and hotdog sticks. Binilhan pa nila ako at pinabaryahan ang five hundred ko. 

"Okay na 'yan! Itago mo na 'yong natirang pera mo." Kinuha ni Leone ang wallet ko at nilagay roon ang sukli ko. "Oh, eh 'di may ipon ka na! Galing, 'no?" 

"Sinong nagpauso niyan?" Tumaas ang isang kilay ko. 

"Siyempre, ako! Okay na 'yon, Kye... Huwag mo na akong bigyan ng credit. Para ka namang others!" Nahihiya pang ngumiti si Kiel at napakamot sa batok niya. 

I wanted to say something but it will just burst his happy bubble so I just remained quiet and ate the barbecue. They were talking a lot of things to the point that I got distracted with time. Pagkatingin ko sa relo ko, nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Late na kami. 

"Okay lang 'yan! Mag-cutting na lang tayo! Wala pa namang ginagawa. First day pa lang!" Kiel shrugged. 

"No. I need to go to class," I told them, shaking my head. I thought Leone will agree but he just stood there, eating isaw casually. "You're not going to class either?" 

"Wala namang ginagawa," sabi niya rin. I parted my lips, shocked with his response. 

I expected him to be more responsible than Kiel but they were just the same. Well... It made sense. All my teachers did not even check attendance. It was just the usual class introductions. I got sick of it already so I just sighed and agreed to hang out. 

"Tara, sa bahay namin! Wala sina Mommy!" aya ni Leone. 

We agreed to just go to his house and play games. Wala ang Kuya niya dahil may pasok. His sister and parents were also out so we were safe. Kiel was going crazy over a game just because he lost to me once. I didn't even know how to play. 

"Hindi puwede. Siguro alam mo na 'to dati pa!" he even accused me of lying! He was so competitive! 

"Just accept your defeat," I told him while holding the controller. 

"Oh, bobo ka pala, eh! Talo ka, oh!" Leone said, laughing out loud. "Panis ka ngayon." 

We were enjoying ourselves when we suddenly heard a car parking at the garage. Nagkatinginan kaming lahat, kinabahan. Agad namang tumayo si Leone para sumilip sa may bintana. Kiel counted to three before we ran to the back door, but the door already opened and I suddenly faced Tita Yanna. 

"Oh, ang aga n'yo namang nakauwi?" nagtatakang tanong niya. 

"M-mommy! Akala ko nasa trabaho ka!" Leone was panicking. Kiel and I just acted like we were calm but we were actually already scared that our parents will know. 

"Nakauwi na ako. Narito Tita Via at Tito Arkin n'yo. Kakauwi lang nila galing Spain." Tita Yanna was still wearing her uniform when she entered the house. Sumunod naman sina Tita Via sa likod niya.

"Hoy, nag-cutting kayo 'no?!" pansin kaagad ni Tito Arkin. I was lost with words! 

"Hindi, ah!" agad na tanggi ni Kiel. "P-paano mo naman nasabi 'yan, Tito?! Ha-ha!" He was just making it more obvious. 

"Nag-cutting sila..." Tita Via nodded after confirming it with Kiel's reaction. See? I knew he just gave it away. 

"Kung ako 'yan, isusumbong ko 'yan!" Tito Arkin told Tita Yanna. I can even hear his evil laugh. "Cutting pa kayo, ha!" Tumawa na naman siya. 

Tita Via didn't actually care. She just told us to get some things in her car because she had pasalubong for us. I just got some food and put them inside my bag. It didn't help that my mom will also go to Tita Yanna's house to have their little reunion. 

"Oh, bakit nandito ka?" my mom asked when she arrived straight from work. "Nag-cutting ka?" tanong niya rin kaagad na parang alam niya na. "Lagot ka! Huwag mong sasabihin sa Daddy mo-" 

"What?" I felt chills when I heard my dad's voice from behind her. 

"Hayaan n'yo na... Bata pa naman," sabi ni Tita Via. "Kumain na lang kayo rito." 

"Hindi puwede. Dapat bata pa lang, dinidisiplina na! 'Di ba?!" Tito Arkin just can't let us get away with it. He was just doing that to annoy us. 

"You cut classes?" Tita Elyse also asked Kiel when she arrived. Kiel just pouted like a puppy in the couch. "It was probably your idea, huh?" 

"Hindi kaya..." It was almost a whisper.

"You can fool your dad, but not me." Tita Elyse shook her head. "Well, classes were probably boring. Whatever." 

"See?! Narinig mo 'yon, Mommy? Kaya dapat huwag mo na akong pagalitan," Leone defended himself too. 

"Mabuti nga ako lang 'to. Kung nalaman 'to ng Ate mo, ano na? Lagot ka na naman." Tita Yanna rolled her eyes. 

The reunion ended after dinnertime so all of us went home already. I already expected my dad to lecture me about it when we got home but he just asked me about how I felt during my first day. 

"Aren't you going to scold me?" I asked dad because I was waiting for it. 

"You already know that what you did was wrong. There's no point in telling you again." He calmly sipped on his coffee while typing on his laptop. 

"I'm sorry," I told him. 

He just glanced at me and let out a short laugh before looking back at his laptop. "It's fine. Just don't cut until you fail. Don't be like me." 

"You failed?" I was surprised to hear that. I never expected my dad to fail at something! He was always so good at everything. 

"Yes, and I'm still alive and successful." He gave me a small smile. "So relax, Kye. I don't want you to live a stressful life." 

I also gave him a smile. Having successful parents like them sometimes made me feel pressured to also do well but I was glad they always reminded me that I should focus on the things I enjoyed. They never expected anything from my grades. 

"You're young. You make mistakes. You regret them. You learn from them. There's always a room for improvement in this household," he said. "Remember that the most important things for your mom and I are your happiness and growth." 

"Thank you, Dad..." The weight on my chest eventually went away with his words. "I'll get ready for bed now. Don't tire yourself."  ________________________________________________________________________________

:)

Bonus Write With Us session in Kumu on January 18, 8 PM about Viarkin: Life After Marriage

Another Write with Me session in Kumu on January 25, 8 PM about CHK trio.

Kumu: gu.waii

See you.