Embracing the Cold

Chapter 1

Hindi ko man masyadong maalala ang Mama ko habang lumalaki, naging maganda pa rin ang buhay ko. She died when I was 5. I was a miracle baby, actually. The doctor said she couldn't bear a child but after years of trying nila ni Papa, nabuo ako. But when everything seemed so perfect, that's when they found out she was sick and after a year of fighting, she died. That's how my lola explained to me everything.

We are rich. My grandparents owned a very successful business that would be effective until the fourth generation kahit na mapabayaan. How much more kung tututokan. That explains why I'm a brat. I get what I want. I used to get all the things I want. Close kami ng Lolo at Lola ko, siguro dahil I'm the eldest grandchild.

"Apo, sayo ko ipapamana ang kompanyang pinaghirapan namin ng lolo mo." Nakangiting sabi ni lola isang araw na nagbebeach kami. Nakaupo kami sa isang sun lounger. Dahil bata pa ako, nginitian ko lang din siya. Napatingin ako kay Anthony at Andrea na papalapit sa amin ni lola galing sa cottage.

"Lola, swimming po tayo," nakangiting anyaya ni Andrea. Nginitian siya ni lola at isinenyas ako.

"Tapos na kami ni Quisha. Kayo na muna ni Anthony," nalungkot ang mukha ni Andrea at bumaling sa akin. Inirapan ko siya. I don't hate her, it's just that masyado siyang pabida. If she wants attention, she should get it from her parents. Tutal, she's complete naman.

"Lola, balik na po tayo sa cottage." Sabi ko kay lola, tumayo siya kaagad at kinausap saglit sina Andrea. I'm cool with Anthony, he's cool unlike his kambal. Papansin. Pabida. Attention seeker. Pavictim rin.

It was my 14th birthday when Andrea showed up with a dress to kill just to impress my casual friends. Well, I don't have close friends so my Lola invited my classmates. And Andrea? here, trying to get everyone's attention. I was mad of course. I don't do that to her if it's her occasion. I don't do that to her if it's her day or what. Just a little initiative, right? I bet she wasn't informed that it was kind of rude na sumapaw? Sumasapaw siya eh. Mas mukha pang siya ang nagbirthday.

"What are you wearing, Andrea?" Pabulong kong tanong sa kanya when I got to talk to her alone.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing, Quishanette?" Maang-maangan niya. Inirapan ko siya.

"It's my day. Do not try to ruin it by showing yourself here wearing that gown. Jeez, it's not even a dress!" Iritado kong sabi sa kanya. Ngumiti lang siya, nang-aasar.

"Oh come on, don't make this a big deal. Atleast, I prepared for your birthday, diba?" Nakangiti niyang paliwanag. Inirapan ko siya at iniwan.  Pumunta ako sa table ng mga friends ko and they all greeted me. Pagkatapos ko sa mga friends ko ay bumalik ako sa table kung nasaan sina Papa, Tito, Tita, Lolo, Lola, Anthony and Andrea. Pinasadahan ko ng tingin si Andrea and I saw her red eyes, parang kaiiyak lang. Nakadress na rin siya na mas simple.

"Upo ka, Quish." Nakangiting anyaya ni Tita Ynah. Mama nina Andrea. Umupo ako sa tabi ni Papa. Ang nasa kabisera ay si Lolo. Katabi niya si Lola at katabi ko rin si Lola. Sa  right side ko naman si Papa. Kaharap ko si Andrea, sa gilid niya ay si Tita Ynah. Sa kabilang side naman si Tito at Anthony.

"Happy Birthday, apo!" Maligayang bati ni Lola. Nagpasalamat ako sa kanila. Kumain kami nang sabay at nagkwentuhan sila about sa business namin na hindi ako masyadong maalam. Bata pa lang ako, wala na akong interes sa business. Anything related to business. Alam nina Lola iyan pero that doesn't stop her from telling me I'll be owning the business pagdating ng panahon.

"Ito kasing pinsan mo, Quish. Nagpapasaway na naman. Pinagbihis ko nga, nakagown kasi kanina eh. Hindi naman bagay ngayon dahil nga ikaw ang celebrant." Paliwanag ni Tita Ynah sa nakasimangot na si Andrea. "It's rude, Andrea. You can have your time on your birthday. Do not get the spotlight, yet." Pangaral ni Tita na bumaling sa katabi niyang si Andrea.