Forgetting Cecille

Chapter Six: Sibling Love

Chapter Six: Sibling Love

Rae's POV

This is not my ordinary day. Unlike before, when it's weekend I'm just staying at home or at Pat's and Raf's home or we'll just drive to the nearest province for overnights, today is different. Actually, hindi lang ngayon, nagstart pa to two months ago. Nung nagsimula na kong lumabas ulit ng kwarto ko ng mas madalas.

"Naka-usap ko na si Ninong. And he said that we can stay there as long as we want. But of course hanggang week-end lang diba?" sabi ni Dad habang nagdadrive. Gamit namin ngayon ang family Van para magkasya kaming lahat. Lahat naman kasi ay may pasok na sa Monday kaya hindi kami makakapag-stay ng matagal kung gustuhin man namin.

Mom is on the passenger seat. Ate Dom and Ate Daph is on the second row with Yaya. Me and my tween brother is on the last row. Tinanggal na kasi yung magkaharap na upuan sa likod dahil nandun ang mga gamit namin.

"Ano ba Dee! Scoot over. Ang luwag luwag na nga sa side mo eh!" inis na sabi ko tapos binunggo ko sya ng balikat ko.

"Eh masakit nga kasi yung muscles sa binti ko. We had an intense training because basketball season is coming." Pagdadahilan nito. Nakasandal na kasi ito sakin halos para maiunat nya yung binti nya sa kabilang side.

"I don't care. So shoo!" pagtataboy ko sa kanya.

"Kids. Stop that. Let your sisters rest" saway samin ni Mom na kinaikot lang ng mata ko. She's treating us like a kid. Tapos itong si Dee naman gustong gusto magpababy kay mom. Mama's boy talaga.

"By the way Kids, susunod daw ang kuya nyo tonight. Makikita na naman natin ang baby girl natin" excited na sabi ni Dad. That was the baby ate Becca is bearing when they visit San Joaquin. Kakaisang taon lang nito nung March. And it's July now.

"Buti naman. Sana they can go back with us para naman maisama natin sa ospital baka makatulong sa recovery ni Dad" sabi ni mom. Talking about popsie. Hindi pa rin kasi ito gumigising. Isang buwan na ang lumipas ng ma-comatose si Popsie.

"I'm sure hon, it will" sabi ni Dad. I know of all of us, Dad is the one who's really hurting. It's his father.

Di na lang ako nagsalita. Nakatitig lang ako sa labas, riding this van gave me a familiar feeling. Sunlight in the morning reminds of that morning which I didn't know would change my life. Drastically.

I'm on the same spot. Same position. Wearing my headphone, listening to the music that best describe what I feel. What my heart wanted to say. I remember that very day.

Nandito na kami sa peir ng probinsya nila mom. Di ko alam kung bakit di pa ulit kami sumasakay ng sasakyan kaya nakatayo lang ako dito at hinihintay ang ano mang sasabihin ng secretary ni mom.

I was busy scanning the place when I hear people shouting.

"Daniela! Daniela!" I looked around finding who's calling me. O kung ako nga ba ang tinatawag nila. Marami namang Daniela sa mundo eh. I was holding to my back pack strap while waiting for Mom's secretary, nagrereport na ata ito kay mom kasi may kausap sa phone e. kakababa lang namin ng ferry.

"Daniela Rae!" dun na nakuha yung attention ko. Napaatras ako nung makita kong may tumatakbong dalawang babae papunta sa gawi ko. Isang payat na kasing height ko ata tapos isang matabang babae.

Halos matumba ako nung yakapin ako nung matabang babae.

"Nako! Daniela ang laki laki mo na! Muntik na kitang hindi nakilala!" sabi sakin nito habang iniikot ikot pa ko at halos lamutakin na ang muka ko sa kakapisil.