The Brightest Stars

[5]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, my citruses! 

*****

"Araw, gising na, tanghali na!" I heard a muffled voice from someone outside followed by the continuous, irritating knocks.

Sinong leche ba ang kakatok na ganito ka aga? I tried to ignore them by putting my arms over my head and my hands on my ears. But it just wouldn't stop!

"Araaaaaaaaaw! Kakain na daw ng agahan sabi ni Nana! Gising naaaaa!" Since I was almost awake, klaro na ang nadidinig ko. 

Padabog akong tumayo at pinagbuksan siya ng pinto. No doubt, it was the mushroom. He almost knocked on my face that's why he jumped out of surprise. Kaagad naman siyang nakabawi at inayos ang sarili bago ngumiti sa akin nang pagkalaki-laki, not minding the deadly glares I was throwing at him.

"Good morning, friend! Halika na, inaaya kang magbreakfast ni Nana."

"Do you even know what time is it?" I glanced on my wrist watch and felt my blood boil when I saw that it was only 7 in the morning.

"Oo! Ala-syete na, friend!" Pabibo niyang sabi.

"And you said its noon! Napaka-aga pa, nambubulabog ka na!" Inis kong sigaw sa kaniya.

"Pasensya ka na, friend. Pero kasi, ang ala-syete ay tanghali na para kay MamaLa, lalo na dito sa isla. Kaya wakey-wakey, babae'ng sa sama ng loob pinaglihi." With that said, he turned his back from me and hurried back to their house beside ours. Sinundan ko lamang siya ng matatalim na tingin. 

When he was out of sight, napapadyak nalang ako ng ilang beses sa sahig, ini-imagine na siya ang tinatapakan ko. I took deep breaths before fixing myself. I hate that mushroom but if it was Nana who called for me, I can't just stay here and be stubborn.

I wore a black oversize shirt and a pair of white shorts. Itinali ko lang ang buhok bago lumabas ng manor at pumunta sa katabing bahay.

The exterior of the house isn't big, but it wasn't small either. Napapalibutan ng iba't-ibang uri at kulay ng bulaklak ang harapan nila at may maliit na garden pa sa gilid ng bahay. The paint colors varied among dark blue, light blue and white.

Pagpasok sa bahay ay kaagad bubungad ang lamesa at sala. On a short distance, I saw Nana in the kitchen behind a small, wooden counter. Katabi niya si mushroom na nagsasandok ng kanin sa lalagyan. Ipinagtaka ko ang kawalan ng presensya ni Tata pero hindi ako nagtanong.

"E-ehem," I coughed a little to get their attention. Hindi naman ako nabigo dahil sabay silang lumingon.

"Mabuti naman at nagising ka ng maaga, Sunrise. Maupo ka na sa mesa para makakain na tayo."

"May alarm clock po kasing gumising sa'ken," I sarcastically said before taking a seat by the dining table. Narinig ko ang pareho nilang bungisngisan.

Minutes later ay nasa hapag-kainan na kaming tatlo. The breakfast meal consists of rice, fried fish and hotdogs. Ever since I was a child, Nana taught me to eat everything served on the table, so I'm not that picky with foods. Except for okra. Heaven will meet hell if you make me eat that one.