Waking Nightmare

[2] "Welcome Back!"

JADE

Napahikab ako. Inaantok na ako kakatingin sa labas at pinapanood ang pagpatak ng ulan sa bintana. Ilang araw na rin na nag-ulan ng ganito kalakas. Dati madilim lang ang kalangitan o kaya kaonting pagbuhos ng ulan ang nakukuha namin hanggang sa pagsimula ng summer, pero ngayon para bang nakikiramay ang langit sa pagkawala ng nag-iisang kaibigan na mayroon ako.

And there goes my brother knocking on my door again. His continous knocking made me frown in irritation. Can’t he leave me in peace?

"Hoy kapatid kong mukhang baboy!"

Hindi ko pinansin ang pagkatok niya. Gumulong ako sa kama at tinitigan ang puting kisame ng kwarto ko. Napahawak ako sa noo ko nang may pumatak doon. I looked at the ceiling, and saw a tiny hole and I figured that’s where the water came from.

I’ll fix it when I feel like fixing it. There’s already a lot in my life that needs fixing.

“Jade!” My bedroom door swung open, revealing a very angry older brother. Tinuro niya ako at may itinapon sa’kin. “Hindi mo ba ako narinig? Sabi ko maghanda ka na at may susunduin tayo sa train station!”

I wanted to be left alone in peace. Unfortunately, our mother asked us to pick up their ‘friend’, who will be arriving this afternoon. Kailangan ba namin pumunta? Hindi nga namin kilala kung sino ang kaibigan niya na ‘yon.

“Ikaw na lang pumunta,” suhestyon ko, at kinuha ang binato niyang damit. Tiningnan ko ang flowers na nakaembroidered sa tela.

“Hindi pwede. Batas ang utos ni mama.”

Oh, right. Mother’s words are final, more like a sacred law and order in this household.

She’s been threatening to cut my hair because it’s grown too long and she doesn’t want a long-haired pale as a ghost daughter walking in the house looking like, well, this — a mess.

Ilang beses niya na akong sinabihan na magpagupit na ako pero hindi ko siya sinusunod. Hindi ako magugulat kung balang araw siya na mismo gugupit sa buhok ko.

Alam niya kung gaano ko kaayaw na hawakan ang buhok ko.

When I was fourteen, I threw fire crackers in a salon, and the whole place was lit on fire after the fire crackers exploded.

That’s what that woman get for cutting my hair too short. As a kid I’m hot tempered but now that I’ve grown up, I don’t think I have the courage and the same energy I had before. I wonder where did all of that strength go?

“To be honest, wala akong pake kung kalbuhin niya ako o sunugin niya ang ulo ko ngayon. I really don’t feel like doing anything right now.”

“Jade, stop sulking and get your ass off of that bed or I’ll drag you out.”

Tinaas ko ang dalawang braso ko.

“Go ahead,” I grinned at him and shook my arms. I saw his cheeks redden as he puffed out a frustrated sigh, he mouthed, “Unbelievable.”

“What? Thought you said you’re gonna drag me out?”

He sat on my bed, fell backwards and lay beside me. He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. Ibinaba ko ang mga braso ko at ipinulupot na lamang ‘yon sa kanya.