C7 Chapter 7

VINCENT'S POV

Tyra and I first met at one of Synesthea's parties. My parents always let my little sister do whatever she wants, and she enjoys throwing parties for no particular reason. I'm not complaining; it's just that whenever there is a party, our house is too noisy for me to even enjoy my own peace.

The celebration was about to begin, and after greetings, all the children gathered into Synesthea's play area. Since Synesthea is a spoilt child and bullies kids she doesn't like, I know some of them don't like playing with her. Some of the parents who attended Synesthea's party used their children to approach Synesthea so that it would benefit their business, but my younger sister is difficult to please. She hasn't even had true friends up until now. Before, I felt bad for her because no children wanted to play with her because she insisted on being the boss in every game they played and making all the decisions. If she doesn't like other kids, she will start pulling their hair. I don't know where she learned that.

All I did was smile and introduce myself as I was just standing there and waiting for my parents to present me to their business partner. I became aware of my true role in their lives, when Synesthea was born —I'm their retirement plan. Because of this, when I was younger and still immature, I detested Synesthea. Synesthea is enjoying her child's life while I was locked here learning and working hard for a future that I don't even like.

Until Synesthea was diagnosed with a heart condition, which is why we're all taking special care of her. As I grew older, I discovered that I was grateful that Synesthea was able to live the life that I couldn't, and all of my hatred for her was buried because I loved her. She'll always be my sister. Even if she doesn't express it, I know Synesthea loves me and protects me from Mom and Dad when they are upset with me.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Sivan and Vincent, right?” Ngumiti naman ako sa ginang.

“Don't be too formal.” My Mom said and once again, they're in their own world.

Binaba ko ang tingin ko at natigilan ng mapansin ang nagtatagong babae sa likod nila.

"Oh, her name is Tyra, and she's 7 years old, just one year younger than Vincent." I gazed at her; she's beautiful, but she's too small and skinny.

“Say hi baby.” She immediately blushed.

Umalis ito sa pagtatago sa likod ng parents niya at inabot ang kamay ko.

“Hi, sir.” They laughed at what she said.

“Baby, his name is Vincent. Call him Kuya Vincent.” She immediately nodded, muling ibinalik ang tingin sa akin.

“Hello po, Kuya Vincent.” I forced a smile and hold her small hand.

“Hello, Tyra.” I don't know why but I was stunned when she immediately smiled as if she's the happiest in the world just because I greeted her.

“Why don't you let her play with Synesthea?” They both agreed so I don't have a choice but to guide her to Synesthea's playground.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at inalalayan na itong mag-lakad patungo sa playground ni Synesthea.

“Kuya Vincent, who's Synthesia?” I stopped.

“Tyra, she's my younger sister and it's Synesthea not Synthesia, okay?” She nodded. I smiled at her and fix her hair.

When Synesthea hears her name being misspelled, I'm scared Synesthea may become furious and hurt her.

“Synesthea? Younger sister? Can I really play with her?” I nodded at her. She smiled again.

“It's my first time playing with other kids, I hope they will like me. I want to be their friends.” Nang nasa harap na kami ng pinto ay natigilan ako dahil sa sinabi nito.

“Your first time?” Nagtataka itong napatingin sa akin at napatango.

“It's because I have poor health that's why they're not letting me go outside.” I hold her hand again and I was about to assist her to play with other kids because I'm sure Synesthea will just bully her but the door opened.

Natigilan si Synesthea pagbukas niya ng pintuan ng makita niya ako. Automatiko ring napatingin ito sa kamay namin dalawa ni Tyra na magka-hawak pa bago tinignan mula ulo hanggang paa ang nakangiting si Tyra.

“Hello-”

“Play with me in my room.” Akala ko si Tyra ang kausap nito pero nang nilagpasan niya kami at may batang babae na may luha pa sa pisngi ang sumunod sa kanya.

Napatingin ako kay Tyra na mukhang nalungkot dahil hindi siya pinansin ni Synesthea. Agad naman akong lumuhod at hinawakan ang magkabilang kamay niya.

“Why are you crying?” Pinunasan ko ang luha niya nang mapansin ang pagtulo nito.

“Is she mad at me? I can't play with her?” Napabuntong hininga ako at pinunasan muli ang mukha niya.

“Of course not, she's just not in the mood right now. How about tomorrow, you can comeback again here and you can play with Synesthea.” anas ko.

Tumigil ang luha nito sa pagtulo at nagliwanag ang mata.

“Really?” Ngumiti naman ako at tumango.

Nilakihan ko ang bukas ng pinto ng playground ni Synesthea pero bago kami makapasok ay muli akong natigilan sa nakita. Mahinang nahikbi ang batang babae na nakaupo at may putol na buhok sa sahig at meron ding gunting.

Naramdaman ko ang bahagyang pagtatago ni Tyra sa likod ko. Napahawak ako sa ulo ko nang marealize kung ano ang nangyari. Panigurado akong si Synesthea ang may kakagawan non.

Sumasakit ang ulo kong muling tinignan si Tyra.

“Let's play tomorrow, is that okay with you? It's a little messy here.” Nagtataka man ay tumango ito sa akin.

Inihatid ko siya sa magulang niya at inayos ang kalat ni Synesthea. Sinabi ko kina Mom and Dad ang nangyari, pinagsabihan lamang nila ang halata mong hindi nakikinig na si Synesthea at matapos non ay inamo rin ang biglang nagtampo na si Synesthea kahit hindi naman siya pinagalitan.

Napailing na lamang ako at umakyat na sa kwato ko.

Iyon ang unang beses na nakita ko si Tyra at hindi ko alam kung bakit sa pagtulog ko ay ang inosente niyang mukha ang nakikita ko. Kinabukasan din ay dumating ang mga magulang ni Tyra kasama si Tyra na namumugto ang mata.

“I'm really sorry, she really wants to be here and play with her Kuya Vincent daw.” I looked at Tyra na muling nagtatago sa likod ng Mom niya.

Nginitian ko siya at dahan dahan naman siyang umalis sa pagkakatago at lumapit sa akin.

“You promised me.” Mahinang sabi niya sa akin. Ginulo ko ang malambot niyang buhok.

“Of course, let's go?” Agad nagliwanag ang mata nito at sumilay ang ngiti sa mga labi nito dahil sa sinabi ko.

Simula non ay palagi ng nasa bahay namin si Tyra, madalas kapag wala akong ginagawa at may extra time ako ay nilalaan ko para kay Tyra ang oras ko pero kapag busy ako ay si Synesthea ang kalaro nito pero lagi akong nakabantay sa kanila.

Buti na lamang at lagi nitong sinusunod ang gusto ni Synesthea kaya walang naging problema lalo na at mukhang hindi rin labag sa loob nito ang mga gusto ni Synesthea.

Nalaman ko rin non na never pa pala itong nakapunta sa school at lagi lang siyang home schooling kaya pala sabik na sabik ito sa kalaro.

Pinanood ko si Tyrang lumaki hanggang sa mag highschool na kami at napanatag na rin ang loob ng mga magulang niya at pinayagan na si Tyra na pumasok sa school.

Unang araw palang nito ay agad na itong nakakuha ng atensiyon at maraming kaibigan, sabik si Tyra sa kaibigan kaya naman halos lahat ay naging kaibigan nito na naging dahilan kung bakit mas binantayan ko si Tyra dahil ang daming nag take advantage kay Tyra.

Walang pag aalinlangang binibilhan ni Tyra ng mga gamit ang mga kaibigan daw niya na alam kong ginagamit lang siya, kaya ang lahat ng mga taong lumalapit kay Tyra ay inoobserbahan ko at inaalis ang mga taong nag susubok na gamitin lang si Tyra.

Buti na lang ay umuwi ang pinsan nitong si Kyra at habang wala ako dahil magkaiba rin kami ng building ni Tyra at hindi ko rin siya laging nababantayan ay siya ang nagbabatay kay Tyra at nakilala rin nito si Chantal isa sa mga tunay na naging kaibigan ni Tyra.

Lahat ay tinuturing na kaibigan ni Tyra kaya kapag may bigla itong pinapakilala ay hindi na ako nagtataka at hinahayaan lang pero kapag talikod ni Tyra kapag hindi ko nagugustuhan ang pakikitungo ng mga ito kay Tyra ay agad ko ng tinatakot ang mga ito para hindi na muli pang lumapit kay Tyra.

Alam ko na noon pa na gusto ko si Tyra, higit pa sa kaibigan. Alam ko ring gusto ako ni Tyra at sapat na iyon sa akin. Hindi ako nanligaw dito hanggang hindi ito nakakatungtong ng tamang edad kahit na isang taon lang naman ang agwat namin.

Nang makatungtong si Tyra sa tamang edad ay doon ko siya officially niligawan and after 6 months sinagot niya ako at exactly April 20, 11:11 pm.