Camp Sadness Of Dandelion

Chapter 45

Klara knocked on my door three times. Still sleepy, I got up to answer her. I opened the door and her smiling face greeted me. She was holding a tray, with a glass of milk on it. Oh she still remembered the milk.

"Good morning. Breakfast is ready pero kung wala kang ganang kumain nasa lamesa lang ang pagkain." sabi niya na nakangiti.

I knew Poppy, Klara, and Brandon were trying to cheer me up. Last night was disaster. Hindi ako hiniwalayan ni Brandon at Klara kagabi, kahit sa pagtulog ko ay pumasok sila sa kwarto para bantayan ako. Their care for was appreciated. Hindi ko inaasahan yun sa kanilang dalawa na gagawin nila yun. I knew they're efforts as a parents of four, and five for Brandon though.

Kagabi ay nagtatagis ang bagang na nakatingin sa labas ng bintana si Brandon sa may kwarto ko. I knew he's looking at his neighbor's summer house. Si Klara ay nakaupo sa love seat kagabi, si Poppy ay nasa kwarto niya at sinabihang matulog. I knew Poppy wanted to be with me but her parents' presence were enough. Maiintindihan naman niya yun dahil matanda na siya, hindi na siya teenager gaya ng dati. Hanggang sa makatulog ako ay binantayan pa rin nila ako.

At sa unang beses, nakatulog ako na hindi lock ang pinto ng kwarto. I always locked it for safety reasons but last night, I was safe because my father and his wife were there for me.

"Thank you sa gatas pero bababa ako, maliligo lang ako." sabi ko.

Napaawang ang labi ni Klara, gulat niya akong tinignan. "Are... are you sure Lisa?"

I nodded. "It's okay. I'm fine." sabi ko.

Nagbago agad ang kanyang expresyon. Malaking ngiti ulit ang kanyang pinakita sa akin. "Of course dear. Sasabihin ko sa Dad mo na magluto agad ng prawns na gusto mo. Then I'll wake Poppy, yung bata na yun kasi ay hindi pa nagiging."

Tumango ako at tumikhim. Sinarado ko ang pinto nang makaalis siya. I drank the milk. Inubos ko muna yun para hindi masayang. Then I took a bath. Paglabas ko ng kwarto ay lumabas din si Poppy.

"Hello." she greeted with her sleepy voice.

"Hey. Breakfast is ready." I answered.

She nodded. "Kaya nga ako bumangon dahil kay Mommy. Kakain na daw. You know she's too excited to have breakfast with you. Hindi ko alam pero namiss yata nila ang presence mo dito sa summer house."

Namiss? Wala nga akong ginagawa na ikinakatuwa nila. All I did was to stay in the room with my phone and books. Nginitian ko lang si Poppy habang pababa kami ng hagdan. Naka pyjamas lang siya samantalang ako ay bagong ligo.

When we entered the kitchen. I saw Brandon sitting on the edge of the table, sipping his coffee while reading a tabloid and Klara was setting the plate on the table, the foods were ready on the table too.

"Good morning parents." greeted by Poppy. She went to hug Brandon and kisses her Mom a good morning.

"Good morning to you too pretty ladies." answered by Klara.

"Ba't ang daming niluto niyo Mom, Dad? Para tayong palaging may fiesta. Sa bahay ay hindi tayo naghahanda ng ganito karami kahit kompleto kami." reklamo ni Poppy.

Maybe she's on her diet kaya nagrereklamo siya na maraming pagkain. I said grace first before attacking the food. Pagdilat ng aking mga mata ay nakatunganga sila sa akin. Nag-iwas sila ng tingin nang sumagot din ako ng nakakatakang tingin.

I cleared my throat. "I always say grace since I was a kid. Sa orphanage pa." I answered. And Klara just answered me an 'oh' pero hindi ko na yun inabala pa dahil nagugutom na ako.

Umupo na rin si Klara sa kabilang corner, kaharap niya si Brandon. Binaba na rin ni Brandon ang tabloid para magsimula ng kumain. Si Poppy ay cereal ang kinain niya. Brandon rolled her eyes.