Strawberries And Cigarettes

Kabanata 2

Kabanata 2

I carefully lifted the crispy, golden-brown skin from the platter of peking duck resting on our table and transferred it to Reese's plate. Masaya ko siyang pinanood habang maganang kumakain. I smiled and busied myself with my food. 5:30 ng hapon ng sunduin ako nila mommy sa university, gusto nga sana niyang makilala si Harper pero sabi ko ay sa susunod na.

She's so relieved na maayos ang naging takbo ng first day ko sa university, kaya mag-celebrate daw kaming tatlo. Nag-uwi si mommy ng peking duck galing sa maliit na restaurant namin sa binondo. She spent all her time there. Isa ding dahilan 'yon kung bakit hindi ako naburyo sa tagal kong nag homeschool dahil madalas ay tumutulong ako kay mommy sa pagluluto.

Reese is happily narrating his day. Unlike his Ate. Me. He actually attended school every year. He's turning 13 this year, and he wants to be a basketball player. Matagal na naming alam ni mommy 'yon. Sa taon taon ba namang kada UAAP season ay nakapakat siya sa TV namin upang manood ng basketball. I looked at my little brother lovingly. It's actually one of my worries, being transgender and all, is his reaction. But our little champ—well, not little anymore—accepted me wholeheartedly. Uminom siya ng tubig bago humarap sakin. His eyes were shining expectedly.

"Ate, how's Ateneo? That's my dream school! Yung paborito kong player sa UAAP dyan nag-aaral!" He said excitedly. Tumango ako at pinanggigilan ang pisngi niya.

"Ateneo's very nice but I still think La Salle's basketball team is much cooler." I said teasingly. Mahina akong humagikgik nang makita ang pag-asim ng mukha nito. It's not like I know a thing or two about basketball. I just know that La Salle is Ateneo's biggest rival, making them my brother's nemesis.

"That's cap Ate!" Aniya. Inayos ko ang salamin ko at natatawang nailing. There he goes again with his strange vocabulary.

"Berry andaming naghahanap ng strawberry shortcake mo kanina sa resto. I have to politely remind them na hindi yon parte ng menu ko!" Mommy said gaining my attention. Oh, right. I used to bake cakes for the restaurant. Hobby ko lang naman pero gustong gusto ni mommy 'yon especially the strawberry shortcake, kaya sabi niya ay i-try daw naming itinda sa resto.

"If I have some free time, Mommy, I'll try to bake." I answered. I do really enjoy baking.

"Okay but don't exert yourself too much anyways, how are the boys at Ateneo? Did you find someone handsome?" Mommy said teasingly but that teasing is not for me. I counted to three and giggled when Reese's voice echoed around our small dining table.

"What boys! Mommy no. Ate Berry, you find only me handsome, right?" Reese said, making mommy and I laugh. He has always been protective of me.

"Of course, big boy. The Handsomest." I said. I watched as he arrogantly nodded his head before continuing to eat. Nagkatinginan kami ni mommy at tahimik na tumawa bago pinagpatuloy ang aming hapunan.

I pouted when I heard a loud engine pass by again. Nasa balcony ako ng kwarto ko. Our house is moderate sized up and down, with a little garage on the ground floor. We live in a humble subdivision. Balak ko sanang dito mag-basa ngunit hindi naman ako makapag-focus dahil panay ang daan ng mga sasakyan. Niligpit ko na lamang ang mga gamit ko at pumasok na saking kwarto. I sighed and sat down at my study table.

My room, surprise, surprise! Is light pink with white and floral decorations. I opened my laptop to check my class schedule tomorrow when I saw that I had one unread email. Kumunot ang noo ko. No one has ever e-mailed me before. Oh, It's from Harper!

"Hi Chinadoll! Gosh, I feel old using email to chat but anyway, I realized that I didn't ask for your socials pala! Buti nalang ma'am made us send our emails sa GC, so I still found a way to contact you. Email me your socials when you read this!" The email said. Napakurap ako. I do not have socials. Well, I do have YouTube and Pinterest but do those count?