24 Hours Challenge: EX EDITION

X. Dive

Gal

"Hindi po naging-"

I was ready to tell her the truth pero biglang naputol ang sasabihin ko. Sumingit si Ike.

"What's for dessert, Ma?"

My words hang in the air. Bumaling ako sa kanya habang narinig ko naman ang sagot ng Mama niya.

"Ay, oo nga pala! Muntik ko nang makalimutan! Teka at kukunin ko."

His mom stood up and left while I looked at Ike with a disbelieving look. He just shrugged coolly before initiating a different topic with his dad.

Wow. So he just purposely didn't step in kanina just to see me have a hard time with Tita's question?

I had the urge to punch him in the face pero sa halip ay huminga na lang ako ng malalim. Nakakainis.

Tita Jazz came back shortly, carrying a platter of her homemade rainbow cake. Nang makabalik siya ay tila nakalimutan na niya ang tungkol sa tanong. Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag. Lalo na dahil hindi na ulit kami nahotseat ni Ike at ang mga sumunod naming pag-uusap ay tungkol na lang sa career and future plans. Mas madaling sagutin.

"Kuya, let's watch Moana after this!" Yanna exclaimed halfway through our desert. Agad siyang sinaway ni Tita.

"Yanna, baby, you watch it with kuya next time na lang. Not tonight," she said, giving me an apologetic smile when in truth, she didn't have to. Ayos lang naman sa'kin. 'Yon ay kung ako ang iniisip niya.

"Ja, it's just a movie. I'm sure Galeley's fine with it," ani Tito Eric. Halatang sa kanilang mag-asawa, si Tito ang maluwag sa disiplina. Ngumiti ako at tumango.

His wife heaved a defeated sigh before nodding.

"Alright," tumingin siya sa'kin. "Favorite movie niya kasi, Gal. Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang ulit niya na'ng napanood!"

I laughed while Yanna giggled in excitement.

"Yes, po! I'm Moana of Motunui and kuya is Maui!"

Mas lalo lang akong natuwa. I turn my head to Ike and sees him do the same. He's stopping a grin.

"You're Maui?" natatawa kong tanong. He sat up straight and gave me a smolder, just like what Dwayne Johnson always does. All of us laughed out loud. Parang ewan ang mukha niya. Confident na confident pa ang gago! Akala niya naman si Maui talaga siya.

The dinner ended a couple of minutes after. Ike, Tito Eric, and Yanna went to the living room while I volunteered to help Tita clean up. Tutulong na lang din sana ako sa paghuhugas ng pinggan but she said she'll deal with them later. Kaya naman matapos maligpit ang mga 'yon ay sumunod na kami sa living room.

The movie is already playing when we got here. Kandong ni Ike si Yanna habang ang cam-corder ay nasa tabi niya lang. Nagtaka ako kung bakit silang dalawa lang ang nasa couch. Sabi naman ni Tita, malamang ay pumunta raw si Tito sa study room para atupagin ang iilang paperworks.

"Gal, do you also want to watch the movie? Kung ayos lang sa'yo, may ipapakita ako saglit."

My brows furrowed in confusion while Ike looked at us. Parang alam na niya kung anong binabalak ng ina. Umiling-iling siya.

"Ma, h'wag."

Mas lalo lang nagsalubong ang kilay ko. Napuno ako ng kuryusidad. Tumawa naman si Tita.

"Oh, come on! Gal will love this!"

She held my arm and guided me to sit on an ottoman at the other side of the living room.