HIDEOUS

CHAPTER 5

"Sieraaajjjj!!"

Malayo pa lang ay nadidinig na ni Sieraj ang matinis na boses ni Elyse sa bahay nila. Kaka-tapos lang ng 'tour' nila sa village at ngayon ay papauwi na sila sa bahay nila.

She quickly glanced at her cousins before she ran fast to the house. Hindi na niya pinansin ang mga tawag nila sa kanya. She hurriedly went inside their house then went to the kitchen.

"Sieraj Ckazh at your service!" she said and saluted to her sister.

"Siiieeee!! Taste my newly baked cookies and tell me how it taste."

Kumuha ng isang cookie si Sieraj at tinikman nito. As she slowly chewed the cookie she looked at her sister looking surprise.

"What? Tell me. How does it taste? Okay lang ba?" Elyse asked but Sieraj didn't answered and remained silent while still looking at her with wide eyes. " I knew it. Wala talaga akong talent pagdating sa baking e."

"It's tasty. I never eat a cookie this tasty before."

Kumuha ng dalawa pang cookies si Sieraj at kinain ito.

"Really? I don't eat the cookies I bake because I already had in my mind that it's not tasty. That I haven't—"

Hindi na pinatapos ni Sieraj si Elyse na magsalita at pinakain ito ng cookies. Nilagyan niya ng isang piraso na cookie sa bibig si Elyse para tumahimik na ito. She didn't know why her sister think that her cookies are bad or not tasty. It's actually delicious that one can't resist but to eat all that she made.

"Ano to? Kumakain kayo ng hindi kami—"

Napatigil si Maxx sa labas ng kusina nang makita kung ano ang kinakain nila. He immediately paled at the sight of the cookie. Dali-dali siyang lumabas at hindi na tinapos ang kung ano man ang sasabihin niya.

"Is this perhaps the first cookies that you bake properly? He wouldn't paled for no reason if that's not the case."

Napatingin si Elyse sa lababo na puno nang mga hugasin dahil sa pag-be-bake niya. She didn't answered Sieraj and her silence proved that her previous baked cookies are really the worst.

"Don't you think cookies are best when paired by juice?"

Kumuha si Elyse ng isang pitsel ng juice at dalawang baso.

"If you're still learning on how to bake then does that mean you're also learning how to cook?" tanong ni Sieraj habang ngumunguya ng cookies. Napatingin naman si Elyse sa kanya.

"I actually gave up on cooking a long time ago since . . . I almost burned the whole kitchen," nabilaukan si Sieraj sa narinig niya. Ibinigay naman ni Elyse ang basong may laman na juice. "I know it's surprising to hear that. Totoo ang sinasabi ko. Nagpaturo ako kay Yaya Saling pero ayaw talaga. Cooking don't like me. How about you Sie?"

"Marunong akong magluto at mag-bake. MamaLa and PapaLo taught me on how to cook while Aunt Akira taught me how to bake. And since I want to learn how to cook different dishes, nagpaturo ako kay Uncle Alfonzo. He might look like he didn't know how to cook but he's actually a good cook. I already tasted some of his cookings and it was surprisingly great. Too bad hindi namana nila Kuya Aki ang cooking skills ni uncle."

"You're really happy when you talked about them."

Nagtatakang lumingon si Sieraj sa kanya. "Hmm? What do you mean?"

"When you're talking about Kuya Aki and his family. You're really happy."

"I think it's because they're my second family to me. The first one is MamaLa and PapaLo. I don't have anyone I can rely on except them and they're the one that I trusted the most. I have a trust issues so I don't easily show my true self when I'm with another people. I'm actually stiff and stern and I don't show emotions when I'm talking to someone. But surprisingly," tumingin si Sieraj na nakangiti sa kanya. "I easily let my guard down when I'm with you all. I think it's because I know you're family so I easily trusted all of you here."

Naluluha si Elyse sa narinig niya kaya naman tumingin siya sa pintuan ng kusina. Nakita niya ang mga kapatid niya at mga pinsan niya na nakatingin sa kanila.

"Mga chismoso. Bakit kayo nandito?" naiiyak na tanong ni Elyse sa kanila. Lumingon si Sieraj sa pintuan.

"Sie."

Inangat niya ang isang platong cookies at pinakita sa kanila. "Cookies?"

They all paled at the sight of the cookies and they answered the same thing. "No thanks."

"Eh? Pero masarap naman. Ayaw niyo? Kahit tikim lang."

Ngumiti lang sila sa kanya. Sieraj pouted and put down the plates of cookies.

"Sie huwag mo nang pilitin ang ayaw. Tayo na lang ang kumain ng cookies. Sa garden tayo."

Sinenyasan ni Elyse ang mga katulong para dalhin ang dalawang baso, isang pitsel ng juice, at isang plato na puno ng cookies. Lumakad si Elyse habang hinatak si Sieraj papunta sa garden.

•~•~•~•~•

"Kuya Aki inagaw na nila si Sieraj," nagrereklamo si Ryouji habang nakatingin sa papalayong bulto ni Sieraj na hinahatak ni Elyse.

"Stop whining. Ngayon lang nila nakasama si Sie samantalang ilang taon na natin siya nakasama."

Napangiti si Akihito sa kapatid niya. Napamahal na sa kanila si Sieraj at itinuturing na nila itong kapatid kaya mahirap makita na nasa ibang tao ang atensiyon ni Sieraj at hindi sa kanila.

"Tomorrow is our last day, right? How about going at a beach. Para maiba naman," suhestiyon ni Akita kay Akihito.

"May extra ba kayo? Mag-be-beach kayo tapos wala namang dala na extra."

"Plano na namin noong nasa Japan palang tayo na pumunta tayo sa beach. Handa kami 'no," proud na Sabi ni Airo habang nakangiti. Napailing nalang si Akihito sa kanya.

"I'll tell Kael, Yuriel, and Adí about this. Don't tell our cousins yet."

Sumaludo si Airo sa kanya. "No worries."

"Hindi naman halata na excited ka." Napatingin si Airo kay Enzo na nakapamulsang tumingin sa kanya.

"We all know why he's excited Kuya Enzo. Wala tayong kapatid na bastos."

Inambahan naman ni Airo si Ryouji habang tumatawa si Kyouri. "Anak ng. Mga walang galang 'tong dalawang 'to a. Anong bastos? Mga bwesit talaga kayo. Ano bang iniisip niyong mga abnormal na nilalang? Ha?"

"Ladies wearing a bikini. Hindi ba 'yan ang dahilan kung bakit excited ka?"

Hindi makapaniwalang tumingin si Airo kay Akita. "Jusko naman. Anong bikini? Hoy mga kapatid kong maliit ang utak. Excited ako dahil makakapag-surfing ulit ako. Mga bwesit talaga kayo. Kung ano-ano nalang ang naiisip niyo. Baka kayo ang excited makakita ng mga babaeng naka-bikini."

Tumawa ng malakas ang apat habang naiinis naman na nakatingin si Airo sa kanila. Dahil sa inis niya umalis siya at pumunta sa garden kung saan nandoon sina Elyse at Sieraj.

•~•~•~•~•

"Bakit kasi tatlong araw ka lang dito Sie? Inisang linggo mo na lang sana. Ang daya e." Ngumuso si Elyse Kay Sieraj.

"I still have school and a match coming."

"Match?"

"Yep. Kasali ako sa volleyball team ng school namin. We have a practice match with another team on another school."

"Really? Kuya Aki didn't tell us about you being on a volleyball team."

"I thought you already know since I'm one— I mean our team is the one that represents Japan."

"Huh?! Team niyo? Hala ba't 'di ko alam. Kayo ba 'yong nakalaban ng Pilipinas na nanalo? Bakit hindi ko narinig pangalan mo sa line-up?"

"I sprained my ankle during our practice." Uminom ng juice si Sieraj at habang umiinom siya nakita niya si Airo na naglalakad patungo sa puwesto nila.

"S-sprained?" Napahawak si Elyse sa noo niya. "Oh my God. Why do you have to sprained your ankle before the match?"

"Anong pinag-uusapan niyo? Oh cookies. Patikim." Nagulat si Elyse kay Airo na biglang sumulpot sa tabi niya.

"Kuya Airo naman. Bakit ba bigla ka na lang sumulpot dito?"

Hindi umimik si Airo at kumain ng cookies. Ngumiwi naman si Elyse sa kanya habang si Sieraj ay tumitingin sa mga bulaklak na nasa gilid niya.

Silence filled the garden and the only sounds they can hear are the singing birds, the whispering of the winds, the dancing leaves, and the calming sound of the pool. They enjoyed the silenced that filled between them but not after it was ruined by their noisy cousins entering the garden.

Elyse and Airo both grunted while Sieraj just sighed. Wala silang ibang magawa kundi ang manatiling tahimik sa pag-iingay ng mga pinsan nila. Kahit sa konting panahon na nagkasama sila nasanay na si Sieraj sa kaingayan nila kahit na gusto niya ng tahimik na paligid.

"We're going to the beach~ filled with many sexy ladies~"

"What kind of f*cking song is that? Kakantang wala sa tuno. Meron ba no'n?" Tinanong ni Savi si Fydyl na nagpipigil ng tawa.

"Meron. Si Xaf. Hahahahaha." Tumawa si Savi at Fydyl na parang nang-iinsulto. Ngumiti naman si Xaklier pero sa loob-loob niya ay naiinis siya sa dalawa.

"We're going to the beach~ filled with many sexy b*tch~" binatukan ni Callayne si Cley na nakangising kumanta.

"Language idiot."

"Aray. Kuya Cal naman," hinihimas ni Cley ang batok niya habang nakatingin kay Callayne.

"What beach? Sinong pupunta sa beach?" Elyse curiously asked her loud cousins but they didn't gave her an answer, instead they ignored her.

"Are they planning on going to a beach? May sinabi ba si Kuya Kael?"

Lumingon si Xaf kay Sieraj na nakatingin sa ate niyang si Elyse. Both of them are curious as to why their cousins are talking about going to a beach.

"The four oldest members of the family are still talking about that matter. But I got a feeling that they're not considering on going to a beach because of some matters. Kuya Kael will have a meeting tomorrow with the shareholders. I don't know about the other three but I'm sure they will also be busy tomorrow."

"Where did you know about the 'beach' part?" kinakabahang tanong ni Airo kay Xaf. 'Wag naman sana sa'kin.

"Just heard them talking at the library while I was passing by."

Airo felt relieved about what he just heard. Akala ko naman nadinig nila ako kanina.

"Kuya Airo I want to buy gifts for my teammates. Can you come with me tomorrow?" Airo glanced at Sieraj scrolling through her phone.

"Yeah. Sure. Isama na natin ang kambal."

"Thanks."

"Hoy Airo. Hindi mo naman sinabi sa'min na may girlfriend ka na pala. Ano 'yong pangalan? Kari? Kouri? Kaori?"

Lumingon si Airo sa mga pinsan niyang nakiki-chismis na naman. Mga chismoso nga naman. Buti na lang hindi ako chismoso.

"Kaori is not my girlfriend and I don't have a girlfriend. Wala akong plano na magka-girlfriend. Naiintindihan niyo?"

"Psh. Ayan na naman siya. Deny ng deny na naman."

Blankong tumingin si Airo kay Cley na nakangisi sa kanya. Wala na talagang ibang magawa ang mga pinsan niya kundi ang inisin siya.

"Sieraj ba't parang ang ingay 'ata dito sa garden? Ang tahimik lang kanina. Pansin mo rin ba Kuya Airo?"

Napatingin ang lahat kay Elyse.

Nahalata ni Sieraj na naiinis ang ate niya kaya iniba niya ang usapan. "Sama ka sa'min mamaya? Pupunta ako sa mall to buy gifts. Sasama si Kuya Airo."

"Oh. Speaking of, punta tayo ng salon after. I wanna redo my hair. Medyo pumapangit na siya sa paningin ko." Lumingon si Sieraj sa kanya habang umiinom ng juice.

Her hair is dyed in red—bloody red. What do you mean by 'pumapangit na siya sa paningin mo'? Her hair is just like a blood.

"You should just leave your hair. A little cut will do. Don't dye it again."

"Eh? Bakit naman?"

"Bagay sa'yo ang pula. Wait. What is the original color of your hair? Is it blonde like mine?"

"You're the only one who have a blonde hair Sie. All of us here has either black or brunette hair. Namana mo rin ang features ni Grandma."

Napahinto si Sieraj sa pag-inom at tumingin sa Kuya Kael niya. That's right. Ever since she arrived here she noticed that she's the only one who have a blonde hair. Siya lang din ang naiiba dahil sa mukha niya. She inherited her late grandmother's face.

"That's right. I still remembered how shocked I was when I saw her face. Nag-pa-send ako kay Kuya Kael ng picture tapos, woah, I feel like I'm seeing Grandma again. Alive." Savi shivered remembering it again.

Hearing what her cousin, Savi, and her brother, Kael said. A buried memory flashed in her head. She vaguely remembered that someone told her that she looked like just her grandmother. Her head ached at the sudden flashed of her memory. Napahawak siya sa ulo niya at dumaing.

"Sie okay ka lang ba? You look pale," lumapit si Elyse sa kanya. "Oh God. What happened to you? Masakit ba ang ulo mo? Is it because of the heat? What is it?"

Hindi sumagot si Sieraj at napahawak ng mahigpit sa ulo niya. Beads of sweat slid down her face as she was grasping for air. Nag-panic ang iba niyang pinsan habang kalma lang na lumapit si Akihito, Airo, Enzo, Akita at ang kambal.

"Okay Sie. I want you to breath slowly and relax. Okay? Now inhale, exhale. Slowly Sie."

Sieraj inhaled and exhaled slowly as what Akihito told her. Pinunasan siya ng kambal habang tinatali ni Airo ang buhok niya at hawak naman nila Enzo at Akita ang kamay niya.

"That's it Sie. Relax. Inhale, exhale."

Ipinikit ni Sieraj ang mata niya at kinalma ang sarili. Walang ka-alam-alam ang mga pinsan at kapatid niya kung ano ang nangyari. They just let the 'Yakuza brothers', as what they called them, handle the situation.

"Okay ka na Sie? Masakit pa ba ang ulo mo?"

Umiling si Sieraj kay Akihito habang nakapikit pa din. She hung her head low to hide her tears coming out from her eyes. This is the second time that she experienced this panicking situation. Ang una ay noong nakakita siya ng dugo na nagpa-alala sa dugo ng lolo't lola niya.

"Maybe you should just rest for today, Sieraj. Postpone muna natin ngayon ang pagbili mo ng gifts. We'll buy it tomorrow," suhestiyon ni Airo kay Sieraj na nanghihinang napatingin sa kanya.

"May naka-schedule na akong gagawin bukas. I already plan on buying gifts today," she seriously said as she glared at him.

Itinaas ni Airo ang kamay niya hudyat na sumusuko siya. "Alright. We'll buy it today. Ano ba ang gagawin mo bukas? It seems important."

"Just roaming around the city the whole day. I'm here for a vacation so might as well enjoy it while I'm here. I'll be busy practicing once we get back on Japan."

"Oh. That's right. You have an upcoming match so you'll be busy practicing," tumango-tango si Airo. "Okay, my brothers and my cousins. Let's tour our cute little koala at the city tomorrow. Let us make Sieraj forget about their upcoming match and make her happy and relax for tomorrow. Stress na 'yan kaka-isip sa volleyball match nila."

Tumango ang mga pinsan ni Airo sa sinabi niya. And with that they all have one thought for tomorrow: Let Sieraj enjoy and relax. Let her experience the joy and happiness once again. Let her make another memory that she can't forget and will always be on her mind.