Two Lives, One Soul

Chapter 48 Never mind.

Seraphine's POV:

Isang linggo.

Eksaktong isang linggo na simula nang dumating si Tita Tere.

At mag-iisang linggo na rin simula nang hindi ko halos kausapin sina Emery, Callie, at Collie.

Hindi naman totally ignore.

Pero sapat na para maramdaman nilang galit ako at sigurado akong alam nila kung bakit.

At dahil yun sa ginawa nilang tatlo the day after the launch. Yes, akala ko okay na, hindi pa pala.

Hanggang ngayon, naaalala ko pa rin, at sa tuwing naaalala ko, naiinis pa rin ako. Hindi na para ikuwento pa.

Kaya ngayong umaga, kahit walang pasok ang mga bata at walang trabaho si Emery, nakahiga lang ako sa kama habang nakatitig sa kisame.

Masyadong tahimik ang buong bahay.

Which was unusual.

Makalipas ang ilang segundo, tumunog ang tiyan ko at agad akong tumayo para pumunta sa kusina.

Hindi pa ako tuluyang nakakalapit nang may narinig akong kalabog mula roon.

Sunod ay bulungan.

Sunod ay sigawan.

Napapikit ako.

Hindi man lang nila kayang magplano nang tahimik.

"Mama likes bacon po, Mommy!"

"No! Baby, she likes eggs!"

"Both of you are wrong po."

Napabuntong-hininga ako.

Narinig ko ulit ang boses ni Callie.

"Objectively speaking, Mama likes both."

"Tignan mo, Mommy, Ate agrees with me po," Sabi ni Collie.

"Hindi kita ina-agreehan."

"Ate naman eh!" Reklamo ni Collie.

Napailing ako.

Two minutes later.

May nahulog.

Three minutes later.

May sumigaw ulit.

Five minutes later.

Parang may muntik nang masunog.

Seven minutes later.

Narinig ko si Emery.

"Kids," Sabi niya.

Biglang tahimik.

"Why is there smoke?" Tanong niya.

Mas lalong natahimik.

Napangiti ako kahit pilit ko iyong pinigilan.

"Nothing, Mom," Sabi ni Callie.

Kahit gusto kong magpakita sa kanila, mas pinili kong bumalik sa kwarto.

Ako marupok? Ain't no way.

Magdusa sila.

Habang nasa kwarto, iniisip ko pa rin sila. Baka pag baba ko ulit mamaya, wala nang kusina itong bahay.

Tatayo na sana ako nang may kumatok sa pinto.

Hindi ko sinagot.

Kumatok ulit.

Hindi ko pa rin sinagot.

Hanggang sa bumukas ang pinto.

Si Collie, may hawak na tissue. Kasunod si Callie, at nasa likod nila si Emery, hawak ang tray na May food. Lahat sila mukhang kinakabahan.

Very good.

"Mama?"

Tahimik lang akong nakatingin sa kanila.

Ngumiti si Collie.

God.

Huwag kang marupok, self. Ginagamitan ka lang niya ng angelic smile niya. Pero kasing demonyo 'yan ni Lara at Jasmine. Isama mo pa si Linda.

Sabi ng demonyo sa isipan ko.

"We made breakfast po for you," Proud na sabi niya.

Tahimik pa rin ako.

Si Callie naman ang nagsalita.

"We followed recipes," Sabi niya.

"Mostly," Dagdag ni Emery.

"We almost died," Sabi ni Collie.

"Exaggeration," Sabi ni Emery.

"Opo po kaya."

Tahimik pa rin ako kaya nagkatinginan silang tatlo.

Halatang nagpa-panic.

Si Emery ang unang sumuko.

"Baby."

Tumingin lang ako sa kanya.

"We said sorry."

Tumango ako.

"I know."

Tahimik silang tatlo.

"But I'm still upset."

Napayuko agad si Collie. Si Callie naman ay napabuntong-hininga, at si Emery mukhang gusto nang maglupasay.

Bago pa sila makapagsalita ulit ay may kumatok.

Si Nanay.

"Ma'am, may bisita po kayo. Hinahanap po si Amor," Sabi niya.

Agad namang tumango si Emery.

"Okay," Sabi niya.

Agad ko namang inayos ang sarili at nilingon si Emery.

"Let's talk later," Sabi ko sabay hinalikan siya sa noo.

Agad tumakbo si Collie palabas at pagkalipas ng ilang segundo-

"MAMA!"

Sigaw niya.

"MAMA!"

"What?!" Sigaw ko pabalik.

"MAMITA IS HERE!"

Napakurap ako.

Agad kaming bumaba.

Pagkababa namin, nakita ko si Tita Tere kasama si Loraine at siyempre ang apat na makukulit na bata.

"MAMAAA!"

Agad akong sinalubong ng yakap ni Tyler.

Kasunod si Tatum, si Taylor, at kahit si Tristan na ayaw sa hug.

Napangiti ako.

"I missed you guys," Sabi ko kahit kasama ko sila noong isang araw.

"We missed you more."

Sabi ni Taylor.

Napatawa ako habang si Tita Tere naman ay may hawak na malaking maleta.

"Oh."

Bigla kong naalala.

Sinabihan pala niya ako na ibibigay niya today ang mga pasalubong niya sa amin na-hold kasi ang baggage niya for some reason.

"Finally," Sabi ni Loraine.

"Tita forgot it."

"I did not."

"You literally did," Sabi niya.

"I was distracted. More on excited. I forgot to claim it."

"Tita," Sabi ko dahil iyon na rin yon.

"Okay, maybe I forgot."

Natawa kaming lahat.

Habang nag-uusap kami, napansin kong may tatlong pares ng mata na nakatingin sa akin.

Emery.

Callie.

Collie.

Napakunot-noo ako.

Biglang umupo si Collie sa kabilang tabi ko at yumakap sa braso ko habang nakatingin kay Tatum.

"Mama," Sabi niya.

Kasunod si Callie sa kabilang side naman.

"Mama," Sabi niya rin, sweet na sweet.

Napakurap ako.

Then si Emery.

Tahimik na umupo sa tabi namin at hinawakan ang kamay ko. Nasa iisang couch kami.

"Baby," Sabi niya.

Tahimik ang buong sala.

Napatingin ako sa kanilang tatlo.

Then sa kabilang side kung saan nakatingin sina Tyler, Tatum, Taylor, at Tristan.

Sa akin at sa tatlong nakadikit sa akin.

Parang may realization na sabay-sabay nilang nakuha.

"Oh," Sabay nilang apat na sabi.

Napatawa nang malakas si Tita Tere. Parang alam na niya ang nangyayari.

Mas lalo pa silang dumikit at doon ko tuluyang na-realize na hindi pa pala tapos ang selosan.

AFTER A FEW MINUTES

Hindi nagtagal ay tumayo si Callie.

"Let's go po, Ate, Kuya," Sabi niya.

Napalingon ang quadruplets sa kanya.

"Saan?" Tanong ni Taylor.

"Playroom," Sagot niya.

Agad namang lumiwanag ang mukha nina Tyler at Tatum.

"YES!"

"I'm in."

Tahimik namang tumango si Tristan.

Napatingin ako kay Collie at gaya ng inaasahan ko-

"No," Madiin niyang sabi.

Napabuntong-hininga si Callie.

"I am not spending my precious time with those tiny humans," Bulong niya kay Callie habang nasa gitna nila ako.

"You're also tiny." Sagot ni Callie

"I'm taller than them."

"By one inch," Sabi ko.

Napalingon siya sa akin at inirapan ako?

"Still counts," Sagot niya.

Napailing ako.

Pero biglang mas lumapit si Callie sa kapatid niya at may ibinulong siya.

Sobrang hina, hindi ko na narinig, pero kitang-kita ko ang pagbabago ng mukha ni Collie.

Unti-unting umangat ang sulok ng labi niya.

Then she smirked.

Yung smirk na alam kong may binabalak.

"Oh."

Sabi niya.

"Well, in that case..."

Tumayo siya.

"I'm interested."

Naningkit agad ang mga mata ko.

"Collie."

"What po, Mama?" Inosenteng tanong niya.

"What did Callie say?" Tanong ko.

"State secret."

Mas lalo akong kinabahan.

"Callie."

"According to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article III, Section 12, Paragraph 1, I invoke my right to remain silent po.

From this moment forward, I shall neither confirm nor deny any allegations, accusations, assumptions, suspicions, chismis, rumors, speculations, or investigative questions.

Any statement I make may be used against me in the court of family gatherings, group chats, and your nosy friends po.

Therefore, I choose silence. Thank you, and may the truth remain undiscovered po. " Mahaba niyang sabi.

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako.

Good luck sa quadruplets.

Pag-alis ng anim na bata, naging tahimik nang bahagya ang sala at eksaktong dalawang minuto lang tumagal iyon.

Dahil tumunog ang doorbell.

Pagbukas ni Manang ng pinto-

"?CóMO ESTáS! ARIGATO!"

"HOLAAAAAAAA!"

Dalawang babae agad ang sumigaw.

Napatawa ako.

Si Jasmine at Lara.

Kasunod nila sina Hana at Linda, at sa likuran nila ay sina Calista, Margaret, at Cassandra.

Parang reunion na yata ito.

"TITA TERE!"

Sabay na sigaw nina Hana at Lara.

Napakurap si Tita, pagkatapos ay natawa.

"Hello, girls."

Agad silang lumapit parang mga batang nakakita ng ninang na galing abroad.

"Tita!"

"My shoes?"

"My shoes?"

Napatawa si Tita.

"Of course, meron kayong apat."

"YES!"

Halos magtatalon sina Hana, Lara, Jasmine, Pati si Linda.

Maya-maya ay inilabas ni Tita ang ilang paper bags mula sa maleta. Sa loob non ay mga box ng sapatos, at nang makita ng apat kung ano ang laman-

"TITA, I LOVE YOU!"

"TITA, YOU'RE MY FAVORITE HUMAN!"

"SALAMAT PO!"

"SALAMATCHI!"

Napailing si Loraine.

"Childrens."

"We accept that."

Sabay na sagot nilang apat.

Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay nagkukuwentuhan na kaming lahat sa sala.

Hanggang sa may maliit na taong lumabas mula sa hallway.

Relaxed at may hawak na box si Tatum.

Napalingon si Lara at agad siyang natigilan.

"Awwwww."

Napakurap si Tatum.

Napahawak si Lara sa dibdib.

"Who's this cute kiddo?"

Natawa ako pero bago pa makasagot ang kahit sino, may umupo sa kaliwa niya.

Si Tyler.

Lara blinked.

Then looked right.

Then left.

Then right again.

"Wait."

Napakurap siya.

"Jasmine."

"Hmm?"

"Dalawa sila."

Napalingon si Jasmine.

Natigilan din siya.

"WAIT."

At eksakto sa sandaling iyon, lumabas si Taylor.

Tahimik ang buong sala.

Nagkatinginan sina Lara, Hana, Jasmine, at Linda.

Then sabay-sabay silang sumigaw.

"TRIPLETS?!"

Napatawa ako.

Sakto namang kasunod si Tristan.

"Quadruplets." Sabi ko

Sabay silang napatingin sa akin.

"WHAT?!"

Napangiti ako.

"Meet Tyler, Tatum, Taylor, and Tristan."

Nanlaki ang mata nilang lahat.

Meanwhile...

Tahimik na nakatingin si Tatum kay Linda, parang may iniisip.

Then bigla siyang ngumiti.

A dangerous smile.

"Oh," Sabi niya.

"You're pretty," Dagdag niya.

Sakto naman ang pagdating ng kambal at base sa itsura ni Collie, narinig niya yon.

Nabulunan si Linda.

"WHAT?"

Napatawa agad si Tyler.

"OHHHHHHH."

Napahawak si Hana sa sofa.

"TATUM GOT RIZZ."

"TATUM GOT RIZZ."

Ulit ni Tyler.

Napailing si Taylor.

Habang si Tristan ay mukhang gusto nang bumalik sa playroom.

Si Linda naman ay namumula at sa sandaling iyon-

"MY LOVE!" Sigaw ni Collie mula sa hallway.

Lahat napalingon.

Naglalakad siya papasok ng sala.

Napatingin siya kay Linda.

"My love," Ulit niya habang nakasimangot.

"Yes?" Sagot ni Linda.

Kita ko sa mata ni Collie na namumuo na ang mga luha at doon siya nagsimulang magsalita.

Dire-diretso.

Walang hinto.

Parang robot na nagka-caffeine overdose.

"According to my calculations, 134 raised to 15, x plus 79 minus x squared equals x plus 7, so x equals 1 and x equals negative 2.

V equals pi over twelve, quantity x to the fourth minus nineteen x squared minus fourteen x plus thirty-two dx.

Therefore, as you know, nine minus x squared produces y equals x plus seventy-nine minus x squared and therefore-"

Tahimik ang buong salang nakikinig.

Si Cassandra ay kumurap.

Si Margaret ay napakurap.

Si Jasmine ay mukhang nag-blue screen.

Si Hana ay nakabukas ang bibig.

Si Lara ay parang nagdarasal.

At si Linda?

Nakatulala lang.

Pero tuloy pa rin si Collie.

"Therefore, after solving the integral and applying all possible calculations, including theoretical variables, hypothetical assumptions, emotional constants, irrational numbers, and several mathematical impossibilities-"

Huminga siya ng malalim at tumayo nang maayos sabay seryosong tumingin kay Linda.

" The answer is."

Dramatic pause.

"Never mind." Sabi niya.

Napakunot-noo kami.

"Never mind, you were never mine. Glimpse of me and you. Oh, you were a good dream." Dagdag niya.

Mas lalo kaming natahimik lahat.

"BenBen yarn?" Natatawang sabi ni Jasmine, pero siniko siya ni Lara.

Then Collie turned around at naglakad palabas ng sala.

Naiwan kaming nakatulala.

Parang bida sa heartbreak movie.

Hindi gumalaw ang kahit sino.

Fifteen seconds.

Then-

"WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"

Sigaw ni Lars.

"She's eight right?" Di makapaniwalang tanong ni tita.

Tumango naman ako at ngumiti.

Tuluyan nang sumabog sa tawanan ang buong bahay.

"Napaka-dramatic ng bunso mo, Amor," Sabi ni Lara.

Napabuntong-hininga naman ako.

Bigla namang tumayo si Linda.

"I'll go check on her," Sabi niya at umalis na rin, sinundan si Collie.

Nagpatuloy kami sa kuwentuhan. At pansin ko ang pananahimik ni Emery. Minsan, napapalunok ako sa mga tingin niya.

Collie's POV:

Nakabusangot po akong nagmartsa papunta sa room ko.

Hindi ko ba alam bakit pa ako bumalik sa sala kanina.

Actually, alam ko po. Para kay My Loves.

Pero anong nangyari?

Biglang pong sumingit sa love story namin si Tatum. At hindi lang basta sumingit.

May pa-

"You're pretty."

Napasimangot ako lalo.

"Yes, she's pretty," Bulong ko sa sarili.

Tumigil ako sa paglalakad.

"Not just pretty, very pretty."

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko.

"But she's MY Linda," Bulong ko ulit.

Napakurap ako.

Wait.

Hindi ko pala siya Linda.

Hindi pa.

"Not yet, but soon," Sabi ko sa sarili ko.

Pagpasok ko sa room ko, agad akong tumalon sa kama at niyakap ang stuff toy ko. I miss this baby of mine. Minsan ko na lang rin kasi siya dala because I feel safe na. Before kasi wala si Mama Amor, so I always had her beside me.

"First, she's planning to get Mama away from me," Kausap ko sa stuff toy ko sabay napabuntong-hininga.

"Which is understandable because Mama is Mama."

Tumango ako sa sarili ko.

"Then now she's planning to get my Linda."

Napasinghap ako.

"The audacity," Sabi ko sabay move sa head ng stuff toy ko as if she's agreeing with what I said.

After a few seconds, biglang may nagsalita sa isip ko.

Angel Collie.

'Collie.'

"Ano?"

'Tatum is just a kid.'

Tahimik ako.

'And she's not stealing anyone.'

"Hindi mo sure, Angel," Bulong ko.

'She's being friendly.'

"Friendly," I said and rolled my eyes.

'Just like you. Be kind.'

"If she's just like me, she's flirting too. I always do that," I said, pouting.

'Collie.'

"Fine."

I know the kind side of me won't stop, so I gave her what she wanted to hear.

"Tatum is cute too, right?"

Napasimangot ako.

"Yeah."

Napahawak ako sa noo. Agad namang sumingit ang isa pang boses.

Demonica Collie.

"That's the problem. She's a competition."

"Tama," Sabi ko.

"Dangerous competition."

"Very dangerous," Sabi ko.

"Shut up, Demonica. Stop twisting this kid's thoughts.'

Napahiga ako nang tuluyan sa kama. Nag-aaway na naman sila sa isip ko. I might be weird right now, as my classmates always say, but this helps me think further.

Bago pa makapagsimula ulit ang dalawa sa utak ko-

Knock. Knock.

Napalingon ako sa pinto.

"Come in," Walang gana kong sabi.

Bumukas ang pinto at agad akong napaupo.

Linda.

'Love!' Muntik ko nang masabi, pero nagpigil ako.

Konti lang.

Mga zero percent.

"Ate Linda."

Natatawa siyang lumapit.

"I've been looking for you," Sabi niya.

Napakurap ako.

Talaga?

"Kala ko nasa garden ka," Dagdag niya.

Mas lalo akong napakurap.

Hinahanap niya ako?

Nag-pout naman ako para cute.

"Go to your Tatum," Sabi ko.

Napahinto naman siya.

Then natawa.

Natawa talaga.

Hindi iyong pigil na tawa talagang natawa mas lalo akong nag-pout.

Tinatawanan niya lang feelings ko.

"You're laughing."

"Sorry."

Natatawa pa rin siya, then umupo siya sa tabi ko. Tahimik kaming dalawa ng ilang segundo.

Hanggang sa bigla siyang nagsalita.

"Love."

Napakurap ako.

'See? Love daw,'

Sabi ng angel sa isip ko.

'Binobola ka lang niyan.'

'Manahimik ka, Demonica.'

"...What?" Sabi ko.

"Love," Ulit niya.

Tumigil ang mundo ko.

Tumigil ang oras.

Tumigil ang lahat.

Pati yata utak ko.

"Say it again po."

Mas lalo siyang natawa.

"Love."

Napangiti agad ako. Parang bigla akong nawalan ng pakialam sa buong mundo, pati kay Tatum.

"Okay," Sabi ko habang tumatango.

"Everything is forgiven po," Dagdag ko.

Napailing siya.

Ano pong magagawa ko, eh marupok ako sa ngiti niya.

"So we good?" Tanong niya.

Agad akong naging seryoso.

"Can I ask something?"

"Hmm?"

"Will you give me a chance po?" I asked.

Tahimik siya sandali, pagkatapos ay natawa ulit.

"Collie."

"Po?"

"Bata ka pa."

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Alam ko na iyon, pero hindi ako susuko.

"Who knows what happens in the future?" Dagdag niya.

Napakurap ako.

Wait.

Hindi siya nag-no.

Hindi siya nag-no.

OH.

Napaupo ako nang tuwid.

"You didn't say no."

Napahawak siya sa noo.

"Collie."

"You didn't say no po," Ulit ko.

Bumuntong-hininga siya.

"Okay, I'll let you get this."

Tumango agad ako, ready na akong makinig.

"You're eight, right?"

Tumango ako.

"I'm already twenty-four."

Tumigil siya sandali.

"After ten years, I'll be thirty-four and you'll be eighteen."

Napaisip ako.

Hmm.

May point.

Pero ako si Collie, so may idea ako.

Agad akong ngumiti.

"Okay."

Naningkit ang mga mata niya.

"That smile worries me," Sabi niya.

"After ten years," Panimula ko.

Mas lalo naman siyang mukhang kinabahan.

"If you don't find someone..."

Tahimik siya.

"Will you give me a chance?"

Napabuntong-hininga siya. Mukhang nag-iisip agad akong nag-pout.

"Please?"

"Collie."

"Please?"

"Collie."

"Please?"

Napatingala siya sa kisame, parang humihingi ng tulong.

"Okay."

Napasinghap ako.

"Really?!"

"Yeah," Sabi niya.

"Yes!" Sabi ko.

Tumango ako nang mabilis, pero tinaas niya agad ang daliri.

"But."

Napahinto ako.

"If your Mama says yes. But if she says no, I'm sorry, but it won't happen. Also, I want academic achievements and no guidance records starting now."

Napangiti ako nang napakalaki.

Very easy deal.

Agad ko siyang niyakap at matapos ang ilang segundo, niyakap niya rin ako pabalik.

Then hinalikan niya ang noo ko.

"Happy?"

"Very po."

Natawa siya.

"Good."

Tumayo siya.

"Come on."

"Hmm?"

"Let's go back."

Napailing ako.

"No."

Napakurap siya.

"No?"

Tumango ako.

"What now?"

Ngumiti ako at niyakap siya ulit nang mas mahigpit.

"Cuddle first po, please."

Tahimik siyang nakatingin sa akin, pagkatapos ay natawa.

"Five minutes."

Nanlaki agad ang mata ko.

"Ten."

"Five."

"Nine."

"Five."

"Eight."

"Five."

Napabuntong-hininga ako.

"Fine."

Napailing siya habang inaayos ko ang puwesto ko at isinandal ang ulo ko sa balikat niya.

For the next few minutes, tahimik lang ang kwarto at sa unang pagkakataon simula nang dumating si Tatum, hindi ko muna siya inisip.

Well...

Maybe a little.

Pero kaunti lang.

I was jealous.

Very jealous.

Unreasonably jealous.

Embarrassingly jealous.

And the worst part?

I knew it.

I knew I was being ridiculous.

I knew Amor wasn't doing anything wrong.

I knew Loraine wasn't doing anything wrong too.

But that didn't stop me from imagining at least seventeen different ways to separate them every time Loraine casually touched Amor's arm while laughing.

Not that I was counting.

Because I absolutely was not counting.

Definitely not.

Ahh, shoot.

Maybe a little.

Okay, maybe I was.

Right now, everyone was gathered in the living room.

The house was loud.

The kids were running around.

Hana was laughing so hard she was nearly falling off the couch she only act like that sometimes.

Lara and Cassandra were arguing about something.

Jasmine and Calista were having a sweet moment, as always.

Callie was reading a book while somehow still participating in three conversations.

Collie, I don't know, but she's with Linda, I think, and probably busy being a menace.

And in the middle of all that chaos, Loraine was sitting beside Amor.

Too close.

Way too close.

"Remember when you accidentally locked us outside during winter?" Loraine asked.

Amor immediately groaned.

"Owag."

"That was hilarious," Loraine said.

"That was hilarious," I whispered to myself, copying her.

"It was not hilarious," Amor said.

"It absolutely was."

"You made me climb a fence."

"You survived."

"I almost died."

"You were dramatic."

"I was freezing."

Loraine laughed. Then she casually leaned against Amor's shoulder again.

Casually.

Like it was normal.

Like she had every right.

Like she was the girlfriend.

They looked at me.

I smiled.

A very forced one.

A very calm smile.

A very normal smile.

Meanwhile, inside my head-

Move, you bitch.

Move away from my wife.

Move away before I help you move respectfully.

"Emery?"

I instantly looked up.

My expression immediately softened.

"Yes, Tita?"

Across me, Tita Tere smiled.

I smiled back.

Sweet.

Polite.

Civilized.

Nothing suspicious.

I need to make a good impression.

I think she likes Loraine.

Actually, no.

She loves her.

The moment she looked away, my eyes immediately returned to Loraine, who was still leaning against Amor.

Unbelievable.

Absolutely unbelievable.

"You're staring."

I almost jumped.

Margaret, the traitor.

She was sitting beside me.

Smirking.

I ignored her.

Unfortunately, Margaret wasn't the type to let things go.

"You're jealous," She whispered.

"No."

"You are."

"I'm not."

"You absolutely are."

I took a sip of my drink.

"I'm not jealous."

Margaret looked at Loraine.

Then at Amor.

Then back at me.

Then she grinned.

"Oh, she's jealous," She said, not to me, more to herself.

I wanted to throw a pillow at her.

Unfortunately, I was an adult.

Even so, I wasn't able.

So I simply stared.

Margaret looked delighted, which made everything worse.

"Oh no."

"What?"

"It's worse than I thought."

"Margaret."

I sighed.

On her other side, Cassandra looked over.

"What happened?"

"Emery is jealous," she whispered, but I could hear it.

"Oh."

Calista immediately looked interested.

Within seconds, all three of them were staring at me.

I suddenly understood how zoo animals felt.

Meanwhile, Loraine looked over and immediately noticed.

The smile on her face widened.

Oh no.

Whatever that smile meant, I wasn't going to like it.

Not one bit.

"Loraine."

Amor narrowed her eyes.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing."

Lie.

A complete lie.

Because a few seconds later, Loraine suddenly wrapped an arm around Amor's shoulders.

The entire room went silent.

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Hana immediately covered her mouth.

Jasmine looked like she was about to scream.

Margaret looked ready to witness a murder.

And Amor?

Completely oblivious.

"Why?" Amor asked when she noticed everyone was looking at them.

Because your friend has a death wish.

That's why.

Loraine smiled sweetly.

She's a bitch.

"Oh, sorry. I got carried away," Loraine said and let go.

I stood up immediately.

Everyone looked at me.

Including Amor.

"Baby?" She called.

I smiled.

A very calm smile.

A very dangerous smile that I know she the only one here knows.

"I just remembered I need to do something."

"Now?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Emery."

"It's very important."

I was about to walk.

"Emery."

That voice.

I froze.

Tita Tere.

Of course.

I slowly turned around.

She was smiling.

"Can we talk for a moment?" She asked.

Suddenly, I felt nervous.

"Of course po, Tita," I said.

A few moments later...

We were in the garden. The noise from the house was softer here. The afternoon breeze was calm.

For a while, neither of us spoke.

Then Tita Tere smiled.

A gentle smile.

The kind that reminded me of Amor, and somehow, that made me relax.

"Thank you."

I blinked.

"For what, Tita?"

"For loving her," She said.

The words caught me off guard.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say.

Tita Tere looked toward the house.

Toward the windows. Toward the place where everyone was laughing.

Where Amor was.

"You know," She said softly, "Amor has always loved deeply."

I listened quietly.

"When she cares about someone, she gives everything."

Her smile became smaller.

"But because of that, she gets hurt deeply too."

I looked down.

My chest tightened because I knew exactly what she meant.

Tita Tere looked back at me.

"Before, there were times when she smiled because she felt like she had to."

I swallowed.

"But now?"

Her eyes softened.

"Now she smiles because she's happy."

I didn't say anything.

I couldn't.

Because suddenly my throat felt tight.

"She laughs more," Tita continued.

"She worries less."

A small laugh escaped her.

"And she talks about you all the time."

I smiled before I could stop myself that sounded exactly like Amor.

Tita Tere noticed and smiled too.

"Thank you for giving her a home."

The words hit harder than I expected.

"Thank you for loving my girl."

For a moment, I couldn't answer.

Because all I could think about was Amor.

Amor laughing.

Amor being stubborn.

Amor teasing me.

Amor falling asleep on my shoulder.

Amor calling me baby.

Amor existing.

And honestly, loving her was the best thing I do.

So I smiled.

A real smile this time.

"She gave me a home too," I said.

For a second, Tita Tere simply stared at me.

Then her eyes became suspiciously shiny.

Oh no.

I immediately pointed at her.

"No crying, Tita."

She laughed.

"Too late."

And just like that, the tension disappeared.

But before we could go back inside, we both heard a loud scream from the house.

"MAMAAA!"

Followed by-

"COLLIE STOLE MY BOOK!"

Then-

"I DID NOT!"

Then-

"SHE DID!"

Then-

"PROVE IT!"

Tita Tere sighed.

I sighed too.

Then we looked at each other and immediately started walking back inside.

Because apparently, peace in this family only lasted five minutes at a time.

The house felt strangely quiet.

A few hours ago, it had been full of noise, laughter, teasing, and endless talking.

Now that the visitors had gone home, everything felt different.

Especially because Mama was still ignoring us.

I sighed dramatically as I walked down the hallway.

"This is bad," I muttered.

Mama wasn't yelling. She wasn't scolding us.

She wasn't even giving us the famous disappointed look.

No.

She was doing something much scarier.

Which was ignoring us, and honestly?

I'd rather get a lecture.

At least then I'd know where I stood.

With another dramatic sigh, I stopped in front of Collie's room.

I knocked twice before opening the door.

The moment I stepped inside, I froze, then wrinkled my nose.

"What is that smell?"

Collie looked up from her bed.

Without missing a beat, she answered.

"My fart."

"YAK!"

I immediately covered my nose.

"You're disgusting!"

Collie burst out laughing.

"You're the one who asked."

"I wasn't expecting that answer!"

"Then that's your fault."

I groaned.

Why was I related to this girl?

My eyes wandered around her room.

And honestly?

It looked exactly how I expected it to look.

Plain.

Very painfully plain.

No bookshelf.

No novels.

No science magazines.

No math books.

Not even a random encyclopedia.

Nothing.

The only things that stood out were a small basketball ring hanging near the wall and a guitar resting in the corner.

That was it.

I stared at the room in disbelief.

How did someone survive like this?

My room had books everywhere.

Story books.

Science books.

History books.

A few astronomy books.

Some random educational magazines.

This room?

It looked like the bedroom of someone whose entire personality was throwing balls at hoops.

I was still silently judging her life choices when Collie suddenly spoke.

"Anong kailangan mo sa aking kaharian?"

I blinked.

Then looked at her.

She was sitting cross-legged on her bed like some kind of queen.

I almost laughed.

"Your kingdom needs improvement."

"My kingdom is perfect."

"Your kingdom doesn't even have books."

"Books are scary."

I stared at her.

She stared back.

Then she grinned.

I rolled my eyes.

"Anyway, I'm here because of Mama."

The smile disappeared from her face.

"Yeah."

"She's still mad."

"Very mad."

I sat beside her bed.

"What should we do?"

Collie scratched her chin dramatically.

"Hmm."

I waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Then she pointed toward the ceiling.

"Let's ask her."

"...That's your idea?"

"Yep."

"That's it?"

"Yep."

I stared at her for a long moment.

Then sighed.

"Fine."

Because somehow, despite all evidence proving otherwise, Collie occasionally had good ideas.

Very occasionally.

Like once every leap year.

We left her room and headed toward Mama's bedroom.

Collie knocked twice before opening the door.

Mama was sitting on the bed while scrolling through her phone.

The moment she saw us, she looked back at her screen.

Ignoring us.

Again.

I noticed Mommy wasn't there.

Maybe she was downstairs.

Or outside.

I wasn't sure.

I cleared my throat.

"Mama?"

No answer.

"Mamaaa?"

Still nothing.

Collie nudged me.

I nudged her back.

She glared at me.

I glared back.

Finally, she spoke.

"Mama."

Mama slowly looked up.

"What?"

Progress. At least she answered.

I immediately smiled.

"What do we need to do so you'll forgive us?"

Silence.

Mama returned her attention to her phone.

I looked at Collie.

Collie looked at me.

Then we both looked back at Mama.

"Mama?"

Nothing.

"Mama?"

Still nothing.

Then finally, she sighed.

The kind of sigh adults make when children are exhausting them.

She lowered her phone, thought for a moment, then pointed toward the door.

"Go stand in the hallway."

We blinked.

"The hallway?"

"Outside the guest room."

She pointed again.

"In the family room."

I nodded slowly.

Then came the next instruction.

"Face the wall."

Collie frowned.

"For how long po?"

Mama looked directly at us.

"Twenty minutes."

The room became silent.

Twenty minutes?

Just standing there?

Facing a wall?

That was oddly specific.

But if it meant Mama would forgive us, then it was worth it.

I stood straight.

"Okay, Ma'am."

Collie immediately copied me.

"Okay, Ma'am."

Mama simply waved her hand. Like we were soldiers receiving orders from our commanding officer.

The moment we left the room and closed the door behind us, I looked at Collie.

"Are you sure about this?"

Collie looked completely confident.

"Of course."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"What if she's tricking us?"

"Mama only gave one instruction."

"That's not reassuring."

"It is for me."

I stared at her.

Sometimes I wondered how her brain worked.

Actually, no. Most of the time.

Still, she seemed confident, and Mama had finally spoken to us. That had to mean something.

So together, we walked toward the hallway outside the guest room.

When we arrived, we stood side by side, facing the wall.

Exactly as ordered.

For a few seconds, everything was quiet.

Then I slowly turned my head.

"Callie."

"What?" I asked.

"This wall is ugly."

"We're being punished," I said.

"I know."

"So stop judging the wall."

"I'm not judging."

"You're judging."

"I'm observing."

"Same thing."

I sighed.

This was going to be a very long twenty minutes.

I stared at the wall. The wall stared back. At least, that's what it felt like.

"Collie."

"What?"

"This is humiliating."

"We've survived worse."

"When?"

"I don't know. But it sounds cool."

I sighed dramatically.

Beside me, Collie looked completely relaxed.

Like, how?

We were literally standing in a hallway facing a wall like criminals.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from behind us.

Both of us immediately straightened.

Then a familiar voice spoke.

"What are you two doing?"

I turned my head a bit.

"Mommy!"

Collie also turned.

Mommy was standing there, holding a glass of water.

She looked confused.

Very confused.

Collie pointed at the wall.

"Mama Amor told us to face it."

Mommy blinked.

"What?"

"We got punished," I said.

Her expression changed.

Her eyebrows lowered.

Her jaw clenched.

Oh no.

That was the face.

The protective mommy face.

The one that usually appeared whenever someone upset us.

"Facing a wall?"

I nodded.

Mommy looked horrified.

"As punishment?"

"Yes."

For a moment, she simply stared at us.

Then she placed a hand on her hip.

"This is too much."

Uh-oh.

I immediately knew where this was going.

Before either of us could stop her, Mommy turned around.

"I'll talk to her."

Then she marched away like a woman preparing for battle.

I watched her disappear around the corner.

The moment she was gone, I slowly turned toward Collie.

"Look what you did."

Collie gasped.

"What do you mean, what I did?"

"You're the one who convinced me this was a good idea."

"Because it was!"

"Now they're going to fight."

"They love each other."

"Exactly."

"They fight all the time. I always hear them at night. Then in the morning, they are both in a good mood."

"Not helping."

We both turned back towards the wall, then somehow continued arguing while still facing it.

Like two angry employees being disciplined by human resources.

"You should've questioned the punishment."

"You should've questioned it!"

"You're older."

"By minutes!"

"Still older!"

I pointed accusingly at the wall.

"This is your fault."

Collie pointed at the wall too.

"No, this is YOUR fault."

We both stopped.

Then stared at the wall.

The wall was apparently the enemy now.

After several more minutes of arguing with each other and silently blaming the wall for our problems, more footsteps approached.

We immediately straightened.

Again.

She walked toward us and stopped.

"How many minutes did she give you two?"

I thought about it.

"Twenty minutes, but we only have seven now, I think po."

"Maybe six." Collie said.

Mommy groaned.

Then, to our complete shock, she turned around and stood beside us.

Facing the wall just like us.

Collie blinked.

"What are you doing, Mommy?"

Mommy crossed her arms.

"Serving my sentence."

I stared.

"What sentence?"

"This is unfair. Your Mama gave me one hour."

My jaw dropped.

"ONE HOUR?"

Mommy nodded sadly.

"One whole hour."

Collie immediately burst out laughing.

"That's what you get, Mommy."

"Excuse me? I was defending you two."

"You lost, po," Collie said.

"I know."

Mommy looked at the wall, then began ranting.

"This household has no justice."

I laughed.

"You're being dramatic, Mom."

"I am a victim too."

"No, you're not."

"I absolutely am."

She pointed at the wall.

"I spoke one sentence, and now I'm here."

"Okay," I replied.

"For one hour," She continued.

"Okay," Collie replied.

"This is abuse."

I covered my mouth to stop myself from laughing.

Mommy was about to continue when a familiar voice suddenly interrupted.

"You want another one hour?"

Complete silence.

We slowly turned around.

Mama Amor was standing there, one eyebrow raised, arms crossed, looking completely unimpressed.

Mommy immediately straightened.

"No, Ma'am."

I nearly laughed.

Collie was already shaking from trying not to.

Mama sighed heavily.

The kind of sigh that said she was tired of all three of us.

Then she walked toward the family room and sat on the couch.

For a few moments, she simply watched us.

Me, Collie, and Mommy.

I looked at her.

Then when she looked back, her expression softened.

I looked away.

"Halika nga kayo dito."

The moment she said that, my heart immediately felt lighter.

I looked at Collie.

She looked at me.

Then both of us rushed toward the couch.

Mommy followed behind us.

The second we reached her, Mama opened her arms.

And just like that, all three of us crowded around her.

I hugged her waist.

Collie immediately stole one side.

Mommy claimed the other.

Poor Mama.

She got trapped.

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

We simply stayed there.

Enjoying the warmth.

Enjoying the fact that she was finally talking to us again.

Finally, Collie broke the silence first.

"Mama?"

"Hmm?"

"You forgive us now?"

Mama looked at us, then shook her head with a small smile.

"Di ko naman kayo matiis."

My chest instantly felt lighter.

I knew it.

I knew she still loved us.

Even when she was angry.

Even when she was ignoring us.

She always loved us.

Mommy rested her chin on Mama's shoulder.

"You already did."

Mama looked at her.

"For one week."

I immediately laughed. Collie laughed too. Mama narrowed her eyes.

"You wanna face the wall again?"

Mommy instantly pouted. A full-grown woman is pouting like a child.

"No."

"Then be quiet."

Mommy grumbled under her breath.

Collie and I burst into laughter.

Soon, even Mama was smiling.

And just like that, the heavy feeling that had been hanging around our family for days finally disappeared.

The punishment ended.

And most importantly, Mama was talking to us again. At the end of the day we still a family that love each other.