SHIELDER (CPAGS Epilogue)

Part 5

Nakapangalumbaba ako habang pinapanood si mommy na inaayos ang necktie ni Kuya Hunter. I could see in my brother's face that he could tie his own necktie and he wanted to do it but he just couldn't stop our mom.

Ah... Ilang taon na nga si Kuya? Mas matangkad pa kasi s'ya kay mommy and... I think he would still get taller than this. Hanggang sa may ilong n'ya lang kasi ang height ni mommy.

Naka-business suit si kuya. They said he had to attend a business party tonight in place of dad. Wala namang gagawin si dad but I think he just wanted Kuya to attend this party alone.

"I can do it myself, mom," hindi na nakapagpigil na sabihin ni kuya dahil nakikita rin n'ya na mangiyak-ngiyak si mommy habang inaayusan s'ya.

I'm not sure why mom looked like she was about to cry when he was just fixing his tie. Nakakaiyak pala 'yon?

"Shh... Let me," saway ni mommy at nagpatuloy sa pag-aayos ng tie ni kuya. Kuya Hunter just sighed helplessly and smiled in defeat.

Mom flattened the lapels on Kuya Hunter's suit jacket when she was done on his tie. Then she took a step backward so she could see Kuya wholly. Mas lalong namasa ang mga mata n'ya nang pagmasdan ang kabuuan ni Kuya.

"What's wrong?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Dad na lumapit na rin kay Mommy at inakbayan pa s'ya.

"Nothing. It's just that..." She sniffed as she looked at Dad. "Binata na ang anak natin, Julian... Parang kailan lang nu'ng naka-diaper lang s'ya at gumagapang sa buong bahay."

"Mom!" Kuya had a bewildered look on his face.

I giggled. Kuya Hunter's face was red!

Nang marinig ni Kuya ang tawa ko ay sinamaan n'ya ako ng tingin.

"'Wag kang tumawa, Gray. Ganu'n ka rin naman."

I stuck out my tongue at him. Asar s'ya, eh. 'Kala mo naman hindi naging baby.

"Mom, I want to wear something like that too." Itinuro ko ang suot ni Kuya. "And I want to attend parties too!"

Natawa sila sa sinabi ko. Mom had a soft look on her face when she looked at me.

"'Wag muna, Gray... 'Wag ka munang lumaki. You're still my baby boy."

Mas lalo akong napasimangot.

"But I want to wear a suit and look cool too."

"Don't worry, son," Dad said. "On your next birthday, we will throw a big party. I will invite my business associates so you'll get to wear a tux and tie."

I beamed at what my father said. Inalis ko ang pangangalumbaba ko at napaderetso ng upo.

"Promise, Dad?"

Dad chuckled as he nodded.

"I promise."

I looked at mom.

"You'll teach me how to tie my necktie too?"

Napangiti si mommy.

"I'll be the one who'll tie your necktie for you."

Mas lumawak ang ngiti ko. It's okay. I don't think I could do it anyway. When I was watching mom tying Kuya Hunter's necktie earlier, it looked really complicated. My small hands and fingers wouldn't be able to do it.

I giggled. Patalon akong bumaba sa upuan at nilapitan sina mom and dad. I hugged them both and I heard them both chuckle as they caressed my hair.

"Thank you, mom... dad." Humiwalay na ako sa kanila at binalingan si Kuya na nakangiti sa amin. "Kuya! Bring home sweets from the party, okay?"