"Hope! Let's talk!" Mommy in her strict tone when we arrived at home.
"What now?" I lazily said to her, losing my patience.
"What kind of attitude of that? I don't like the way you talk to me!" She emphasizes every word.
"I thought you're busy, you have time to talk to me now or should I say scold? " I bravely said.
"Oh, God! Theo, she was spoiled by your parents!" She shouted at Daddy.
"Mom stops it, we need to rest now. We're tired." Kuya butt in. But no one can stop Mommy's wrath.
"Talk to her calmly. " Daddy reminded her.
"Calm? How I can calm with your spoiled daughter? If I know that this is how they raised my daughter I'll take her home when she was a child!"
"Where did come those words now? It's about my parents now? I said talk to your daughter calmly not saying those words behind my parents who raised our daughter. " Daddy said with full of authority.
Silence after that, even my brother and sister did not talk. I cleared my throat, I have fault here. If I'll be matured or think before I act those kinds of attitudes this will not happen.
Our grandparents are involved here, they teach me well, they do not tolerate too my childish side. Yes, I am not close to my parents but I felt guilty that I don't give them a time or chance to know me. Whatever the reason is, that's not good. What will say of my grandparents if they see how immature I was? They raised me well but I act like a child who did not give attention.
"I don't know what to say anymore, if that's what you want to punish us when we are not with you, fine! But give us a chance to make you feel how we love you." She said in a bitter tone. I bit my lower lip, tears form in my eyes.
"I'm sorry Mom." I apologized.
"Take a rest, let's talk some other time. " She said and walked away.
Ate gives me a glass of water, I calm myself.
"Dad, I'm sorry," I said in a small voice to Daddy who are looking at me calmly.
"It's okay, take a rest now. " He said and hugged me.
I nodded to him and go upstairs. Ate and Kuya followed me. We were just separated when we walked to our rooms.
I sleep with a heavy heart, I felt guilty. I woke up in the middle of the night. I went downstairs to eat. I'm hungry, I did eat my dinner cause I continued sleeping a while ago, after that encounter.
When I'm in the middle of the stairs I heard Daddy talking with another on his laptop.
"She's fine Mom, don't worry. Ava did not control her emotions. " He to another line. Is that Mommyla? I went to Daddy and it was true that Mommyla who was he talking to.
"I will blame you Theo if there's something happened to my apo." I heard Mommyla's voice, I went to Daddy and it was true that Mommyla who was he talking to.
"Hi, Mommyla!" I cheerfully waved to her.
"How's my apo?" She happily asked.
"I'm okay, how about you and Lolodad?"
"We're okay, take care ha? Don't be mad at your Mommy and Daddy, they love you, okay?" She gently said.
"Yes po, I'm sorry. " I apologized to her. For sure Daddy said to her of what happened a while ago.
"Why you're awake?" She curiously asked.
"I'm hungry." I pouted. Daddy looked at me and he sighed.
"Do you want to request anything to eat?" He asked.
"I can try now to eat rice." I smiled.
"Are you sure?" His forehead creased like I was not sure to eat rice.
"Yeah!" I surely said to him.
"Excuse for a while Mom, I just prepare for her food. " He told to Mommyla.
He followed me in the kitchen, I was seated on the chair.
"What do you want?" He asked.
"Fried rice. "
"That's for breakfast. " He laughed.
"Eh? That's what I want Dad, please!" I pouted.
"Fine." He surrenders and prepares for the ingredients.
He put butter in the pan then the cooked rice, carrots, peas, and grinned meat. After that, he adds seasonings.
"Wow! Smells good." I smell the fried rice when he served it.
"Eat, call me if you need anything." He pats my head and he backed to the living room.
I ate the fried rice and I check for other food in the refrigerator. I see a chicken steak so I get and put it on the plate.
When I'm done eating, I tried to wash the dishes I used. It takes me a few minutes to finish. That's hard!
I wipe my hands and went out of the dining area.
"Dad, I'm going to sleep. " I told to Daddy who was busy in his laptop.
"Good night! " He said.
I went upstairs and brushes my teeth before I go to the bed. I fell asleep immediately.
I went downstairs when I woke up in the morning. Daddy is sipping his coffee, same as with my sister and brother while Mommy is preparing for breakfast.
"Good morning!" I greeted them.
"Good morning baby sis!" Kuya greeted.
"Morning!" Ate Amelia.
"Good morning anak! How's sleep?" Daddy asked me
"It's good!" I happily said and I went to Mommy, I will apologize again to her. My apology was not enough, she's my mother and I love her.
"Good morning Mommy!" I hugged her behind.
She sighed and faced me.
"Good morning, I'm sorry love! I love you!" She hugged me. I felt safe in her arms. I felt I'm home, I felt I have a savior and a mother who can sacrifice for you.
From our drama, someone chuckled behind.
"Drama naman ng umaga, Mom gusto mo ba ng apo?" Kuya smirked at Mommy.
"You don't have a girlfriend, stop imagining." Mommy rolled her eyes at Kuya.
"Apo lang naman, hindi naman kailangan ng girlfriend." He defensively said and he laughed.
"Stop that being flirt Aeneas." Mommy warned him.
"Luh! Di naman ako lumalandi, sila ang lumalapit Mommy." He proudly said.
I rolled my eyes, he was feeling, full of himself.
"There's a girl, yesterday Mom, she thought Kuya's dating me. Yuck!" I said in disgust. Family stroke? Oh, God! It's creeping me out!
"What? Another girl again Aeneas?" She raised her brow to Kuya.
Kuya was about to say but I cut him off.
"Vena Mom, a flirty girl!" I rolled my eyes.
"Aeneas?" Mommy was about to slap Kuya but he run away. I laughed so hard. Scared huh?
We ate breakfast and Ate said where she went for this day.
"Can I come?" I asked her, they were doing a project in the house of her groupmates.
"Sure, I just chat with them." She said.
I was bored in this house, they are always in the company and Ate and Kuya is in school, so I was left alone here.
Next time I will go to the company with Daddy and Mommy.
"What time?" I asked Ate.
"I'll just take a bath and we'll go."
"Okay!" I said and went to my room to take a bath and change clothes.
I'm wearing a Black Rib-knit tank top and high waist loose denim shorts and low cut white rubber shoes. I curled the end of my hair and do my make-up.
I'll get my things and exactly Ate knocked. I opened the door for her, she was wearing a printed t-shirt and she tucked in on her high-waisted tattered jeans.
"Let's go?"
I nodded at her. We went to her car and I sat on the shotgun seat. She drives and we enter a village and stop in a contemporary style of the mansion. The guard opens the gate for us.
"Who owns this?" I asked ate. But she didn't answer me because she was typing on her phone.
The door opens and we went to their living area, I see six people on the sofa and the floor, they were talking and someone typing on the laptops. Two boys and four girls.
"Amelia!" My lips parted to see Ate Jacey here. She hugged Ate and when she see me, she smiled.
"OMG! 'yan yong kapatid mo Amelia?" Another girl asked Ate.
"Yeah, everyone this is Hope. " Ate introduced me.
"Mas maganda ang kapatid mo." They teased Ate.
"Che! " Ate rolled her eyes.
"Hope upo ka, hayaan mo na ang Ate mo." Someone gave me space on the sofa.
I smiled. "Thank you." I sat on the sofa.
"Amelia payag ka don?" They continue teasing Ate.
"Tsk, wag niyo akong ginaganyan." Ate rolled her eyes
"Ang matured ng kapatid mo sis." They commented.
My cheeks burn to their compliments.
"Bakit ngayon ko lang nakita tong kapatid mo? Akala ko kung si Kuya Aenaes ang idadala mo noong sinabi mo sa GC na magdadala ka ng kapatid, nagdiwang ako malay mo future sister in law mo pala ako. " I laughed with them of what the other girl said.
"Mangarap ka lang, madaming Babae yun,  noong isang araw nga nakasalubong namin yung isa, pinagkamalan pa niyang date ni Kuya si Hope, ang tanga lang. " Ate telling of what happened in the mall.
"Jacey yung meryenda." One of the boys told to ate Jacey.
"Pagkain na naman Jethro?" Ate Jacey asked line she doesn't believe on what he said.
I looked at them all, they are serious about doing their project, they are also just holding a paper but nothing she contributed, and they are also talking.
"Guys mag-lalunch na tayo mamaya." Ate Jacey announced, they are all happy.
Silence came, they become serious, so I just opened my phone.
"Gago, talo ka lang eh"
"Madaya ka kasi."
All of us went our eyes to three people walking downstairs. Wesley, Jadiel, and Hale. What the? Who owns this house? I panicked a bit. Fuck!
They are talking about computer games. Jadiel is wearing a plain t-shirt and shorts. He lazily walked and just listened to the two.
"Naku, nandito pala si ate cleng cleng." Wesley reacted to the girl who is noisy all the time.
"Hoy, Wesleng ang ganda ng pangalan ko." She answered and rolled her eyes to Wesley.
"Pag nandito ako nandito ka rin. Malas naman oh" Wesley scratched his head.
"Aba! Ikaw pa ang minalas? At tigil tigilan mo yang cleng cleng mo ha!"
"Eh ano? Ate Alora Claire nandito ka pala. " My lips form a smile when Wesley changed his voice to a girly tone. They have the same vibes.
"Nadali mo Wesley." She clapped her hands.
"Jade, sabay sabay na tayong mag lunch." Ate Jacey told to Jadiel.
"Okay" He simply answered, he did not even turn his gaze at his sister.
"Ang sungit talaga ng kapatid mong yan Jacey. Sandali nga at palambutin natin." Ate Claire smirked and she looked at me. My eyes widened at her. Don't tell me you will use me?
"Ay eto eto, magiging Miss Cupid muna ako. Jade may ipapakilala ako sayo, si Hope." When she said my name the three turn their head to us.
When Jadiel found my eyes, we stared at each other. I'm the one who looks away.
"Wag mong idamay ang kapatid ko." Ate told Ate Claire and pulled her hair.
"Eto naman, OA ka masyado malay mo maging crush siya ng kapatid mo. Mas malakas ngang manghatak ng lalaki yang kapatid mo kesa sayo." She rolled her eyes to Ate.
"Che"
"Bakit kasi ngayon niyo lang linabas ang kapatid niyo?" She curiously asked now
"Galing sa U.S yan." Ate said.
"Bro, si Hope." Wesley told the two and they went to us.
"Hoy, Wesley hindi ikaw ang rinereto ko." Ate Claire shouted to Wesley.
"Hoy ka rin kililing, kilala ko siya." He shouted back.
If these two were each other every day it become messy and noisy from their loud voices.
They seated beside me. My heart beats loudly and it's like it will destroy my rib cage. Fuck! Calm yourself, Hope. If I'm not seating, it might be I will be weakened, my knees trembling.
"Are you bored at your home?" Jade asked me. Of course, his cold and emotionless face. Nothing change.
"Yeah, bahay niyo pala dito? Hindi ko alam." I coldly said. If I know I should just stay in our house. Wrong move! I get irritated with myself and with him. His presence was too much.
I hate him!
"Your sister and my sister are best friends. What do you expect?" Well, I don't know if Ate will go here. She didn't mention it.
I did not answer him, I just scrolled on my phone even I'm bored of the pictures I saw in my news feeds.
He softly chuckled. "Snob huh.?"
So? You are? I scoffed at my thought.
"Ay oo nga pala Ate Amelia, may isusumbong ako." Wesley said. All of them looked at him, especially Ate.
"Si Jade binato------- aray ko" He was about to say something but he was immediately cut by Jadiel who poked his head. Fuck! He traveled his hand at my back to reach Wesley on my other side.
"Ano?" Ate asked confused.
"Si Jade binato niya si Hope ng Bola." He was fast in talking so that Jadiel didn't hurt him.
"Halla! Jade, what did you do? Saang school ka pumunta? You're first-year college? How come?" Ate Jacey scolded Jadiel.
"Hindi ko naman sinasadya at dinala ko siya a clinic." He defensively said to his sister.
"Why you didn't tell us?" Ate Amelia worriedly asked.
"I'm fine ate, nahilo lang ako konti noon." I said to Ate.
On the other side, Ate Jacey continues to scold her brother.
"Ikaw Jadiel Pierre huh?" She pointed to her brother.
"Whoooa! Easy okay? Guilty rin naman ako at nag sorry ako sa kanya." He explains and defends the slap of his sister.
"Ayan magalit kayo sa kanya." Wesley whispered but Jadiel heard.
"Gago ka, palayasin kita dito sa bahay." He rolled his eyes to Wesley.
"Bahay ko na rin to. Halos dito ako tumira."
We laughed at them. They will not stop if they are not interrupted by a maid.
"Naka ready na po ang lunch." She said and all of them stand up and went to the kitchen. They know the way like they used to come here.
"Lunch may rice... Gusto mo magpaluto ako ng iba?" Jadiel suddenly asked me.
"No, it's okay. Kumakain na ako ng kanin." I surely said to him, and I didn't give a glance to him.
"Sure?"
Bakit ang kulit? Close ba kami?
We all sit at the dining table, I'm beside Ate and I was shocked when Jadiel went to the other side. Now, I felt awkward.
There is a lot of food was served on the table. I'm not familiar with the dishes, I just get what Ate get.
The two looked at me when I put rice on my plate.
"Mas gusto ni Hope ang street foods." Wesley said, also looking at my plate.
"Ay bakit Hope? Hindi mo gusto ang pagkain?" Ate Claire confusedly asked.
"She's not eating rice" Ate answered. They are all shocked.
I suddenly felt that I'm the others, I didn't feel this way when I'm in the U.S. I'm confident in all I'll do. I never felt this way.
"Eh, bakit may kanin siya sa plato niya kung hindi siya kumakain ng kanin?." They curiously asked and they looked at my plate.
"She's adjusting. Don't worry sinasanay niya rin sa bahay ang kumain ng kanin." Ate surely said to them.
They nodded but they worriedly looked at me. I smiled at them to sure that I'm okay to eat rice. I don't want to be a burden to them.
We were done eating and we were back all in the living area. The course was surely Business Management but I don't think so if that's a project of the minor or major subject.
"Hope computer games Tayo sa taas." The three invited me. I nodded, I have nothing to do so.
"Kayong tatlo ingatan niyo 'yang kapatid ko. " Ate reminded to the three.
"Oo ate, pabalikin mo ng Isabela si Hale pag may nangyari kay Hope." Wesley smirked at Hale.
"Ulol." He raised his middle finger to Wesley.
"Bad, hindi tayo talo bro." His sides of lips rose to Hale.
I laughed at them and I followed upstairs. Jadiel is in my back. They open the room and they sat on the gaming chairs. The two started to play games.
"You know how to play computer games?" Jadiel asked.
"I'll try." I coldly said even my heart want to explode. I hate this feeling when he was near.
He nodded, so I sat on the other gaming chair and open the computer. I silently choose games that I know.
I didn't glance at him when he sat beside me.
Jadiel suddenly stood up, so I looked at him confused. He went outside and seconds later he back with a gray hoodie. Cold kasi siya kaya hindi kinaya ang lamig.
But my thought fades away when he give it to me. My lips parted and I looked at him curiously. He purses his lips.
"Wear it, your skin is too much exposed. I can't concentrate." He coldly said, my jaw dropped. What the? What is his problem with my clothes?
He didn't glance at me anymore so I just wear the damn hoodie and fuck! I smell his scent.