Holding on to His Promises

Chapter 2: The Annoying Christmas Vacation

WARNING: Religious topic. (widen your mind and understanding for the characters' thought.)

Hindi ko mapigilan ang mata ko sa paglilibot ng tingin sa paligid ng kwarto ni Dylan habang hawak-hawak ko ang kumot ko ng mahigpit.

I was scared.

I couldn't stop thinking about Lolo Max like, what if what Kirby told me about Lolo Max was true? That he would become a monster. My mind couldn't stop imagining a monster with one eye, sharp teeth, six hands, and gross skin―in short, with horrible appearance―while the other side of my brain was Lolo Max with red eyes and sharp fang, wearing a vampire costume with high colar; and his mouth were watering with blood. I had goosebumps in that thought.

I turned my head to Dylan and Kirby; they were already sleeping peacefully together in Dylan's bed. I was in a separate folding bed. I shouldn't be here with Kirby and Dylan in one room because Tita Thalia said that I am a girl and they are boys, but they begged to Tita Thalia to let me sleep with them.

"Dylan," tawag ko kay Dylan para gisingin siya. They were just a few steps away. "Dylan!" I hissed once more. I heard him moan, at senyales iyon na nagising ko siya. "Dylan, I'm scared!"

Nagkusot-kusot pa siya ng mata niya nang humarap siya sa akin. "What?" inis na tanong niya sa akin. Papikit-pikit pa ang mga mata niya at nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya.

I sat up. "I can't sleep!"

"That's not my problem, Demi," nakasimangot na sabi niya at nagtalakbong ng kumot.

Bumagsak ang mga balikat ko. Muli nalang akong humiga at nagmukmok sa higaan ko. Nanubig ang mga mata ko dahil kahit na anong pilit ko na matulog ay hindi ko magawa. "Kung alam ko lang, sana hindi nalang ako sumama rito," malungkot na sabi ko.

Nagulat ako nang biglang tanggalin ni Dylan ang pagkakatalakbong niya sa kumot. "What do you want me to do?" he asked with annoyance in his voice.

Sumimangot lang ako sa kanya at tumalikod sa direksyon niya. "Nothing. I'll just call Auntie Rona to pick me up tomorrow."

"Tss!"

Nagulat ako nang umalog ang higaan ko at naramdaman ko ang pagtabi niya sa akin. Mabilis na pumihit ako paharap sa kanya, medyo hindi pa ako makagalaw ng maayos dahil masikip ang higaan.

"Bakit dito ka humiga?"

"You said you're scared. Let's sleep now. I'm sleepy," sabi niya at hinila ang kumot ko para makikumot.

"Hey, your mom will freak out when she knows about this. Boys should not sleep with girls."

"My mom and dad sleep together," he said closed eyes.

I frowned. "Because they are big already."

He opened his one eye. "Whatever, Demi. Let me sleep, will you? Or I'll let you sleep alone here." Then he closed his eye again.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at napatitig sa kanya. Storm's presence beside me minimised my fear. Not bad at all.

Therefore, I fell asleep

I was woken up when I heard Kirby's voice."Oh my Battman! Why did you two sleep together?" Kirby said with eyes widened.

"Huh?" Napalingon ako kay Dylan at nakita ko itong nasa tabi ko na nagising na rin. Oo nga pala! Magkatabi kaming natulog.

"Hey Dylan, may crush ka kay Demi, 'no?" Pang-aasar ni Kirby.

"What?" kunot-noong sabi ni Dylan.