Meet Me at the Crossroad (Artist Series #2)

Chapter 5

[Disclaimer: I do not own any of the attached photos.]

"Late ka na umuwi, ah."

I turned to look at Kuya Gio, my brother, when I stepped inside our house. He was lounging on the sofa, busy with some sort of a mobile game. Kumunot ang noo ko. Ano'ng ibig niyang sabihin na late na akong umuwi? Teka, anong oras na ba?

I glanced at my watch to check the time. It's 7:43 in the evening already?! Our class ends at 6:30PM. Ganoon ba talaga kami katagal maglakad?

"Iya," my mom just got out of the dining area, greeting me with a smile. Lumapit ako at nagmano. "Bakit ngayon ka lang?"

Ibinaba ko muna ang bag ko sa sofa. "Naglakad lang ako pauwi, My. Ang hirap kasing sumakay."

"Naglakad ka? Jusko, madilim na sa daan, Iya,"

"Okay lang, Mommy. Kasama ko naman 'yong mga kaibigan ko," I told her.

"Weh? Saan ka talaga pumunta?" sabat naman ni Kuya habang nakatutok pa rin sa phone niya. Ay wow, sumasapaw?

"Totoo nga! Ang haba kaya ng pila sa jeep," I reasoned out.

"Tama na 'yan," Mom butted in. "Magbihis ka na at kumain ka na agad. Nagluto ako ng sinigang,"

"Si Daddy?" I asked when I noticed that he's not around.

"Nasa taas, anak."

I went upstairs to change clothes at my bedroom, but I noticed my Dad at the balcony. Lumapit ako sa kanya para magmano.

"Kumusta school?" iyon ang bungad niya.

Napaisip ako. Naalala ko na naman ang pagiging sabaw ko kanina habang nag-di-discuss kami sa Gen Math. Gosh, I really didn't understand the lesson. "Okay lang po," I said nevertheless.

"Alam mong ayaw ko ng ganyang sagot," sagot niya sa akin. "How's your grades? Your scores in exams and quizzes?"

"Uhm, hindi ko pa po alam ang grades ko, Dad. Hindi pa tapos ang semester," I told him. "But I'm confident na hindi ako magkakaroon ng grade below than the usual. I'm doing the best I can."

Gosh, I really do hope so. Dad's so strict when it comes to our academics. I remember when I was in elementary and junior high, he would confiscate my phone after class and he will not return it until I finish all of my homeworks. We even agreed that once I get a general average lower than 90, he will not provide me with allowance for the next quarter. Ganoon din ang ginawa niya sa mga kapatid ko noong nag-aaral pa sila. Kaya siguro lahat sila ay nakapagtapos nang may karangalan –– because Dad made us prioritize our studies above everything else.

"Mabuti kung ganoon. Pagbutihin mo ang pag-aaral mo, Guia. At sa susunod, iwasan mo nang umuwi ng ganitong oras," pinagsabihan niya ako.

"Yes, Dad," I nodded.

I stared at the picture frames hanged on the walls near our bedrooms, reminiscing the memories that this family had. Displayed are the graduation pictures of my elder siblings. There's also a picture of Dad when he was still serving in the military. In the middle was a large family picture –– I was still a little kid here.

We're not from a wealthy clan but my family had became successful in their own career paths. My Dad is a retired soldier. Medyo may katandaan na, kaya gumagamit na ng baston sa paglalakad. My Mom is a former assistant supervisor in a business company, but she also retired from work and is now a housewife. Pinagpahinga muna siya ng mga kapatid ko dahil sapat naman ang kinikita nilang tatlo para buhayin ang pamilya namin. Nakapagpatapos ang mga magulang ko ng isang pulis, isang CPA, at isang nurse. Me, on the other hand... I still don't know what my dream profession is.