Just One Date

Chapter 1 - Lois & Clark

My heart began beating triple time when I saw him walking towards me.

Without a word but with eyes saying a thousand sweet nothings, he reached for my hand, his touch sending waves of excitement I could almost not contain.

Ever so gently, he led me to the dance floor, still not letting go.

While standing face to face, he gently brought my hand to his lips and dropped a tender kiss on it, still holding my gaze.

I can only give him a shy smile, not knowing what to say.

With his strong arms, he pulled me even closer, resting his hands on my waist.

The background music was soft but a little loud to start a conversation so he leaned closer to my ear, about to whisper something sweet when suddenly someone yelled....

"Wake up, Ate! Ano ba?!"

And that's how what could have been a perfect dream ended.

Hindi pa nasiyahan ang dream intruder na iyon with the fact that he disturbed my deep slumber. He even have to tug on my blanket and hit my back hard while I was lying face down.

"Bumangon ka na kasi, Ate!" he screamed in my ear.

When I didn't bulge, he started pulling my left leg, more aggresive this time.

Hiyang-hiya naman ang alarm clock sa side table sa lakas ng boses ng kapatid ko. Pero mabuti pa ang alarm clock, hindi bayolente kung manggising.

"Go away, Kirk!" I muttered and burried my head under the pillow, desperately trying to retrieve where my dream guy and I left off.

"You have to get up, Ate. Or else I'll call someone else to pull you off the bed," my 10 year old brother threatened.

Without waiting for even a minute, I heard his footsteps walking away.

"Kuya!!! Si Ate o! Ang hirap na naman gisingin!" he said aloud from my room's door.

"Ganon ba?" came an equally loud reply from downstairs.

I immediately heard heavy footsteps climbing the stairs and visions of my older brother pouring a bucket of cold water over my head jolted me out of my reverie.

"Lois Fenella!" he called my name from the door and I bolted upright, throwing my comforter on the floor.

He indeed have a bucket of water in one hand. And I know he's not kidding when he brings that. Proven. Several times.

"Gising na o! Sino bang nagsabing tulog pa ako?" I defended myself and Kirk laughed behind him before leaving.

Kuya Brett is actually nice most of the time. In fact, I usually get away with almost anything kapag nilambing ko siya. But tardiness is one of the few thing that pisses him off.

"Good! Now get up! Anniversary nina Mama at Papa, remember? We have a lot of things to do and you promised to help."

"Natuloy ba sila sumimba sa Baclaran?" pupungas-pungas na tanong ko.

"Natuloy sila sumimba, oo. Pero they decided na doon pumunta sa Padre Pio."

Sa Padre Pio Shrine sa San Pedro, Sto. Tomas, Batangas ikinasal sina Mama at Papa 25 years ago. Pati ang parents ni Papa ay doon rin ikinasal kaya very special ang simbahan na iyon para sa kanila. Kapag umuuwi kami sa probinsiya, they make a point na makadaan kami doon.

"Sayang, kung alam ko lang na doon sila pupunta, sana sumama ako," reklamo ko habang nakasimangot.

"Fen, it's their anniversary. Let's give them some privacy, okay?"

Tumango ako inspite of myself dahil alam kong may punto siya at tumayo.

"Fine. Ano bang recipe mo?" tanong ko habang sinusundan siya palabas ng kwarto at pababa ng hagdan. HRM graduate siya kaya siya palagi ang hari sa kusina.

"We'll have shrimp skewers and tomato-cheddar soup for appetizer. Java rice, roast beef and mashed potato for the main course, and our very own butter pecan ice cream for dessert. Hindi ka ba muna magtu-toobrush, maghihilamos o magsusuklay man lang?"

"Maluluto ba natin lahat iyon bago sila bumalik?" I asked back, ignoring his questions.

"Kaya nga bilis bilisan mo. Dadalaw pa naman sila kay Mamay, I think we have plenty of time to cook all of that just in time for lunch."

Mamay ang tawag namin sa Lolo sa Batangas. Si Mamay ang tatay ni Papa. Noong maliit pa kami at hindi pa nag-aaral ay doon kami tumira. Buhay pa noon si Lola, na Nanay naman ang tawag namin.

My early childhood memories consist mostly of mornings spent on the beach and running by the shore dahil may asthma ako at mahina ang baga. My grandparents think that's therapeutic and I now believe them dahil bihirang bihira na akong sumpungin eversince.

Nang mag-umpisa na kaming mag-aral ay umuuwi na lamang kami doon tuwing nagbabakasyon pero simula nang namatay si Nanay last year ay mas dinadalasan na namin ang pagdalaw doon.

"Nakakainis naman! Pupunta pala kay Mamay, dapat talaga sumama ako eh!"

Hindi pinansin ni Kuya Brett ang pagmamaktol ko at muling bumaling sa akin bago pumasok ng kusina.

"Will you please fix yourself first? You just got out of bed and it shows. Magsuklay ka man lang, pwede?"

Napakunot ang noo ko.

"Bakit ka ba masyadong bothered sa itsu-"

"Buongiorno Amore mio!" an overly excited voice cut me off mid-sentence pagtungtong ko sa bungad ng kitchen. His fake Italian accent immediately released 'inis' hormones through my system.

I rolled my eyes and realized he's the reason why my brother suddenly cares that I look like a mess.

"He said good morning, Fen. Aren't you going to greet him back?" Kuya Brett prodded me with his elbow.

"Ang aga aga, andito ka na? Umuuwi ka pa ba sa inyo?" I asked sarcastically instead.

"I just got here. Syempre naman, silver anniversary nina Mama at Papa, kailangan present ako," mabilis na sagot nito.

"Hoy Ethan, Mama at Papa namin iyon, hindi mo. Huwag kang makisawsaw."

Kuya has been darting me a look simula nang bumukas ang bibig ko but I'm not going to be intimidated.

"Pasasaan ba at magiging Mama at Papa ko na rin sila kapag nagkatuluyan na tayo. Kaya mabuti na iyong nagpa-practice ng maaga."

"Kapal ng mukha mo, Ethan."

"I prefer you call me Clark, my Lois."

"And since when did your preference matter to me? Kapag may trabaho na ako, I swear I'll file a petition to drop my first name. Fenella na lang ang makikita mo sa birth certificate ko!"

Inilapag niya ang isang mug na Nesquick sa harap ko at ngumisi.

"Hindi kaya mag-conflict iyon sa pangalang ilalagay ko sa marriage certificate natin?"

It was bad enough that my parents named me Lois Fenella after his name, Clark Ethan. But to be reminded of it every single day makes me hate that name even more. Kasagsagan yata noon ng kasikatan ni Superman at sa Daily Planet nila pinangarap magtrabaho kaya for some very weird reasons, our parents thought it would be cute to name us after them, expecting the two of us to be instant soulmates. I usually drop my first name kapag nagpapakilala ako, but this guy never fails to remind me that we're connected in some ways.

"Kulang ang tulog ko Ethan, don't start with me, I'm warning you," I threatened.

"Awww...you spent another sleepless night thinking about me. I can put you back to sleep, amore. You want me to sing for you?"

"Gusto mong ibuhos ko sa iyo ang chocolate na tinimpla mo?" I asked, nearing my boiling point bago sumingit si Kuya.

"Magtatalo na lang ba kayong dalawa o tutulong kayo?" he asked, crossing his arms on his chest.

"Tutulong syempre, Bro!" maagap na sagot ni Ethan.

Bago siya lumapit kay Kuya ay ipinaghila muna niya ako ng upuan at ipinaglagay ng placemat. Ipinatong niya roon ang hot chocolate na tinimpla niya para sa akin bago naglagay ng Nutella sa toasted bread na kinuha niya sa oven. He knows I couldn't resist it. Iyon ang paborito kong almusal.

"Minsan nalilito na ako kung kaninong bahay ito at kung sino dapat ang naghahanda ng pagkain para kanino," Kuya Brett made a comment while raising his brows.

Masyado nang at home si Ethan dito samin. Halos dito na ba naman siya lumaki. Simula bata pa kami ay best of friends na sila ni Kuya.

"I enjoy fixing breakfast for my Lois, Bro. No big deal," pagbabalewala ni Ethan as I started eating the sides of the toasted bread before eating the center.

"Pinamimihasa mo iyan kaya na-spoiled," anito kay Ethan bago bumaling sa akin.

"Hoy Fenella, ipagtimpla mo man lang ng kape itong si Ethan, hindi ka na nahiya, nasa sariling bahay ka ikaw pa ang pinagsisilbihan.

Gusto kong sabihin sa kanya na minsan nalilito na rin ako kung sino ba sa amin ni Ethan ang kapatid niya pero nag-dalawang isip ako.

I gulped the not so hot choco before speaking.

"Kuya, walang pumilit kay Ethan na ipaghanda ako ng almusal. At kung kaya niya akong igawa ng breakfast, mas lalong kaya niyang gumawa ng para sa kanya. Isa pa, Milo lang naman solve na iyan, kahit hindi na timplahin," I said instead and Ethan grinned.

"My Lois knows me so well," he said, looking flattered despite what I said.

It doesn't take a genius to know that fact about him. Bata pa siya, paborito na niyang magpapak ng Milo at kumain ng Choc-Nut. Hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng taste buds meron siya pero kahit maraming imported na chocolate drink sa kanila at puno ng Cadbury ang ref nila, mas pipiliin niya ang Milo at Choc-Nut anytime. Habang naglalaro kami noon he would be carry a small jar of Milo and Choc-Nuts on his pocket. Hanggang ngayon sa tuwing nanonood kami ng movie sa T.V., iyon pa rin ang mga favorite niya habang nagkakagulo kaming magkakapatid sa popcorn.

Napailing ang kapatid ko sa reaction na iyon ni Ethan, fully aware of how he ignored my snide comment about making breakfast.

"Sige na, Bro, sabayan mo na ng almusal si Fen, may cereal si Kirk diyan sa kitchen cabinet, kunin mo na lang," alok ni Kuya kay Ethan habang hinahalo ang soup sa kalan at agad namang sumunod ang isa.

Ethan is definitely my brother's bestfriend. Hindi ko alam kung inisip niyang advantage iyon pero on my part, hindi.

I hate his presence per se. What I hate more is the fact na halos sa amin na siya tumira. At kapag nandito siya, I lock myself inside my room the whole time. Iyon nga lang, that's not one of my options right now dahil kapag hindi ako tumulong sa paghahanda para sa anniversary ni Mama at Papa, siguradong magagalit si Kuya.

I finished my breakfast quickly habang naglalagay siya ng Corn Flakes sa bowl kaya bago pa niya malagyan iyon ng fresh milk galing sa ref ay tapos na ako.

I looked around the messy table and searched for something to do that does not involve a knife. Takot akong masugatan at ayokong sirain ang araw nina Mama kung sakaling mahimatay ako kapag nakakita ng dugo.

"Ako na ang bahala dito sa mga patatas, babalatan at dudurugin lang naman ito diba? Ikaw na lang magtimpla mamaya," I told Kuya Brett and picked up the large bowl of already boiled potatoes.

"At saan ka pupunta? Dito ka magbalat," utos niya habang naka-kunot ang noo sa akin.

"Sa sala. Nakakainip kaya gawin ito, sasamahan ko si Kirk manood ng T.V. doon."

He darted me a look but I ignored it and left the kitchen with a triumphant smile.

Mukha na naman akong kontrabida sa mata ni Kuya, I know. Alam ko rin na hindi siya natutuwa kapag ganoon ang inaasal ko but I hate the way he practically begs me to entertain Ethan.

I spent the next hour sa sala with Kirk pero dahil isa si Ethan sa mga favorite people niya, maya't maya ang tawag niya rito para mag-join sa panonood ng paborito nilang How To Train Your Dragon.

Mabuti na nga lang at nagpapatulong pa si Kuya sa kusina kaya hindi agad maka-alis si Ethan doon but when he finally went to the den, it was my turn to go to the kitchen.

"Aalis ka na?" Ethan asked in disappointment as we walked past each other.

"Dadalhin ko na kay Kuya itong gagamitin niya sa mashed potato," pagdadahilan ko.

He made a face bago tuluyang naupo sa tabi ni Kirk and I made myself busy the next few hours helping Kuya Brett, preparing the long dining table, washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen. My brother is not stupid not to realize na masyado lang akong sinisipag dahil gusto kong umiwas. But this time he didn't argue probably because I'm a big help for a change.

When Ethan returned to the kitchen, I made another excuse to get the dessert.

"Kunin ko lang sa shop yung ice cream," I said to no one in particular.

"Samahan na kita?" Ethan offered but I waved my hand to say no.

"One gallon lang iyon, Ethan. Hindi ako mababalian ng buto kung bibitbitin ko iyon."

I turned to leave without looking at my brother. Hindi ko na rin hinintay ang hirit ni Ethan.

Dumeretso ako sa katabing lote ng bahay namin at itinaas ang roll-up door ng Frozen Dreams, ang ice cream shop namin. It took me a while bago nahanap sa freezer ang flavor na paborito ni Mama at Papa dahil sa dami na ng flavors na naimbento ni Kuya Brett.

We're usually open on Saturdays pero dahil anniversary ni Mama at Papa, we decided to close it for the day. Sundays, however is strictly a family day according to Papa.

Palabas na ako ng shop nang makita kong pumarada ang sasakyan namin. Sinalubong ko agad si Mama at Papa.

"Happy Anniversary!" masayang bati ko bago humalik sa pisngi nilang dalawa.

"Just in time for lunch. Magpapa-deliver ba tayo?" tanong ni Mama kay Papa.

"Itanong muna natin kay Kuya," suggestion ko para hindi nila mahalata na may surprise na handa para sa kanila. Pasimple rin akong nagtext kay Kuya Brett para sabihing narito na sina Mama.

"Si Ethan, tinawag ba ninyo? Baka hindi pa kumakain ang batang iyon," naalala agad ni Papa habang pumapasok kami sa gate.

"Pa, may kusa ang taong iyon. Hindi iyon nagpapahuli," I replied with a sigh.

If it wasn't enough na bestfriends si Kuya Brett at Ethan, best of friends pa since high school ang Daddy ni Ethan at si Papa. "Sanggang-dikit" raw sila as my Papa put it.

They were so close that they even decided to live in the same village to raise their respective families. That explains why we live just across Ethan's house. Tatawid lang si Ethan at bahay na namin. Iyong kwarto nga niya ay katapat lamang ng kwarto ko sa taas kaya permanente kong isinara ang bintana at ibinaba and blinds sukdulang ma-soffucate ako.

I have to admit though na mababait ang parents ni Ethan. They treat me and my brothers like we were they're own kids. Naalala ko nga noong maliliit pa kami kapag may pupuntahan sina Mama at Papa, sa kanila kami iniiwan. And there was never a time na hindi nila kami winelcome with open arms.

Si Ethan naman, being an only child ay palaging kasama ng parents niya but if in case kailangan siyang iwan, kina Mama at Papa lamang siya ipinagkakatiwala. Kaya ganoon na lang ang pagmamahal ng magulang ko kay Ethan. Iyon rin siguro ang dahilan kung bakit sila naging mag-bestfriends ni Kuya, dahil lagi kaming magkakasama.

"Surprise!!!" sabay-sabay na sigaw ng Three Musketeers pagpasok namin ng kusina.

Tuwang-tuwa si Papa at panay ang thank you sa amin. Teary-eyed naman si Mama habang isa-isa kaming niyayakap na magkakapatid, pati si Ethan.

Highly appreciative ang mga magulang ko. Small expressions of affection are valued and petty efforts count kaya ang mga ganitong surprise party ay big deal para sa kanila.

Noong nakaraang summer vacation nga ay nagpa-outing sila dahil tumagal ako ng three semesters in a row na hindi nagshi-shift ng course. Ang totoo parang hindi pa rin nga ako decided sa course ko ngayon pero dahil nakakapagod ring magpalipat-lipat ng course ay baka pangatawanan ko na. Anyway it's my final year in college. Dapat nga ay last year pa akong graduate kung kasing-tino lang ako ni Kuya mag-aral.

"Family picture! Picture tayo!" excited na yaya ni Kirk, bago ako hinila sa kamay para tumabi kay Mama.

"Family picture daw, hindi mo narinig?" angil ko kay Ethan nang agad itong tumabi sa akin.

"Lois Fenella!" saway agad ni Papa nang marinig ako. Alam kong nagpigil lamang siyang magalit dahil ayaw niyang masira ang special occasion na ito. Ayaw ko rin namang maging dahilan ng tension kaya isinara ko na rin ang bibig ko at hinila si Kirk para pumwesto sa gitna namin ni Ethan bago pilit na ngumiti sa camera na naka-timer sa ibabaw ng wall divider.

"Andiamo a mangiare!" Ethan exclaimed after a while.

"Tama si Ethan, let's eat!" Papa agreed immediately.

Together we had lunch habang panay ang masayang kwentuhan nila. Nangingibabaw pa ang boses ni Ethan pero mabuti na lang at masarap talaga magluto si Kuya kaya kahit papaano ay nabawasan ang inis ko.

"Anak, okay ka lang? Tahimik ka," sabi sa akin ni Mama bago hinagod ang likod ko habang nagde-dessert ako.

"Mas okay sana ako kung tayong pamilya lang ang nagse-celebrate," I said in a whisper dahil baka marinig ako ni Papa. Nalungkot naman agad ang mata ni Mama and I immediately regret kung bakit nag-comment pa ako ng ganoon.

"Anak, parang miyembro na rin ng pamilya natin si Ethan, hindi ba? Hindi ka pa ba nasasanay sa kanya? Alam mo naman na mag-isa lamang siya sa bahay at sa atin siya ibinilin ng magulang niya, hindi ba?"

Nang mag-umpisang magtrabaho sa Italy ang parents niya ay nanibago si Ethan. Alagang-alaga ito ng Mommy niya dahil unico hijo kaya malaking adjustment sa kanya na mawalay sa magulang. Nag-aaral pa siya noong time na iyon kaya kahit kaya na siyang i-petition ng parents niya na nakahanap ng mababait na employer ay hindi siya sumama. He chose to study here.

I want to explain how I really feel na parang ako pa ang naa-out of place sa sarili kong pamilya but I know this isn't the right time to discuss that so I just nodded, feeling defeated. Kahit saang angulo yata nila tingnan ay ako pa rin ang lalabas na kontrabida.

Picture this. Poor little Clark Ethan just wanting to belong because he's terribly missing his family. Add in the brat named Lois Fenella who's always trying to drive him away. The result? 5:1. Kakampi niya lahat.

I'm the true member of the family but I'm the one who's feeling left out.

I've got parents and two brothers and yet, I've never felt so alone.