Kiss and Run

Chapter XVII

            

EIVEREN

Tinapik ako ni dad nang ibinaba niya ang business magazine na hawak niya't sinalubong ako ng yakap. "Congratulations, son," he greeted. Tatanungin ko sana kung para saan iyon ngunit hindi ko na rin naituloy dahil nakita ko ang litrato ko sa isang article na binabasa niya.

I am one of the Rising Young Entrepreneurs of Asia, according to the article.

"Thanks, dad," I mumbled, scratching my head, still unsure on how to deal with this kind of felicitations.

Mom and dad are indie artists. Some of their works were exhibited at European countries. I know deep down they want me to follow their trail but I am drawn by the diversities and challenges of the business industry. I am blessed enough to have parents like them as they supported me, no questions asked.

"I'm proud of you, remember that." Muli niyang tinapik ang balikat ko, napansin ko pang naluluha siya, ng mga kamay din niya ay sobrang lamig na para bang ilang minuto siyang humawak ng yelo. Bago pa 'ko makapag-komento tungkol dito ay nilagpasan na niya 'ko.

"Daaaadd!" Complain my only sister, Annalise.

"Look at you, still pretty," pambobola ni dad habang patuloy sa panggugulo ng kaaayos lamang na buhok ng anak niya. "I will going to miss you so much," masaya na malungkot niyang sambit. My brows finally knitted, why is this old man acting so strange?

"I'm pretty, I know," my sister boasted. "Mom just told me earlier." Hawak ang kaliwang kamay ng anak niya'y pinaikot niya ito. "I'm pretty!" she exclaimed. I snorted and rolled my eyes. "Kuya Eiveren!".

"What?" Inosente kong sambit.

"Tell me I'm pretty!" pakiusap niya.

"No," tanggi ko.

"Come on, Eiveren," pakiusap ni Dad at kinindatan ako.

"Fine," bumuntong-hininga ako, umaktong napipilitan, "you're pretty, little Annalise."

"See." Ngumiti siya nang malawak at muling umikot-ikot na parang isang balerina. "Gotta go and hunt my crush," paalam niya't tumakbo na palabas ng bahay. Sandali muna kaming nagkatinginang mag-ama bago bumunghalit ng tawa.

"Boys," puna sa'min ni mommy makalipas ng ilang segundo. Agad naming tinikom ang aming bibig. Base sa ekspresyon niya ay mukhang kanina pa niya kami pinagmamasdan. "You," tukoy niya kay dad, "I thought you left already?" She lower her gaze to her wristwatch. "You have a meeting at one, right?" I absent-mindedly regarded the clock display in our living room, it's 2pm already. Imbes na mag-panic ay ngumiti lamang si daddy at hinalikan ang noo ni mommy. "You're acting weird." I must agree. It is not everyday my father's displaying this kind of affection with his wife.

Very unusual.

"I love you," sinsero niyang sambit. 'I love you, too.' Bulong ni Mommy.

I could've cringe from where I am standing. Their eyes turn dreamy, like they were suddenly transported back on the exact day they realize they love each other. Ugh, I can leave this room at any moment unotice.

And when my father granted my mom a chaste kiss straight on her lips, all of the hair in my body made a standing ovation. "Seriously?" I gasps. "In front of me?"

"You're such an arse, Eiveren," natatawang sambit niya. Nagkibit-balikat lamang ako at ginaya ang accent niya sa pabulong na paraan. My Mom is a half Filipina-half English, whilst my dad is a half Filipino-half French. "Kung hindi lang ako proud sa'yo ngayong araw na 'to...kuhhh!" banggit niya.