Another Us in Parallel Universe

Chapter 14

family.

"Breakfast is ready!" Mom shouted as she knocked on my door. 

I stretched my hand and hopped out from bed. I fixed it, and faced the mirror with wide open eyes and beautiful smile.

It's another great day to spend with my family! 

Ngayon lang ako naging ganitong ka excited sa tanang buhay ko. Pakiramdam ko ay may bagong pag-asa.

Tumakbo ako papuntang kalendaryo at nakita kong sunday pala ngayon. I wonder if they both have job today. Sana day off nila nang makapagpasyal man lang kami and of course to have quality time. This is actually what I wanted to do with them, you know— mall, shopping, watch a movie and play some arcades. But, I didn't have a chance to do this kasi unang-una, broken family kami. Pangalawa, walang pera. At pangatlo— imposibleng mangyari ‘to.

But, now! I can assure that I might able to do this! Kasi kabaliktaran ang buhay ni Heather sa buhay ko. Kaya rest assured na lahat ng mga hindi nangyari sa akin ay nangyayari rito. 

Kasi sabi, kapag daw may sumaksak sa akin sa kanan sa Earth, edi ‘yong version ko rito sa parallel universe ay dumaan sa kaliwa at nakaiwas. ‘Yong point is— kung ano man ang kapalaran ko sa mundong Earth, ibang-iba sa mundong ito.

And look at this now! Completo talaga ang pamilya ko rito. At sobrang saya ko. 

Naligo na ako at minadali ang paghanda sa sarili ko, saka ako bumaba at sinalubong sila nang may magandang ngiti sa labi. I was about to say a word when I saw them staring at me weirdly again. Huh?

Why? 

"Is there something on my face?" I curiously asked.

Tinignan ko sila at hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin sila kumukurap. Tila gulat na gulat silang makita ako na nakatayo sa harapan nila. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasan kabahan at baka alam na nila ang sekreto namin ni Heather. Hindi naman sa pagiging paranoid, pero parang gano’n na nga.

"Hey, I am asking if there is something wrong in my face?" I asked again, and even waved my hand in front of them. I even almost cringed when I did it, hindi naman kasi ako ganito ka sobrang arte.

Sofie awkwardly shrugged. "No, but you wear jeans..." 

"And you wear a t-shirt?" Mom added.

"And you tied your hair?" Dad continued.

What? And, what’s wrong with that—- Oh no.

Lumakas kabog ng puso ko. Slowly, I looked at the clothes I am wearing. Isa sa kung bakit masaya ako ngayon ay may nakita akong jeans at t-shirt ni Heather na nakatago at tupi sa pinakailalim ng cabinet. Naghahanap kasi ako ng masusuotin ko na simple lang kasi sobrang barbie doll talaga 'yong mga damit niya, tapos amot expensive pa lahat. Pupusta talaga ako na walang ukay-ukay sa damit niya. Brand new at branded 'e. Kaya sa paghahanap ko ay sa wakas nakita ko rin ang sa tingin ko na komportable sa akin. Tapos tinali ko naman buhok ko because I assumed that I will be helping them para bonding na rin, pero hindi ko alam na ganito ang reaction nila sa pananamit ko. 

So... Heather never done this? Don’t tell me hindi siya nagsusuot ng ganito???

Gosh! 

Obvious naman Heather, ‘di ba? Syempre hindi, kasi hindi naman sila magtataka kung palagi niya ‘tong sinusuot! Argh!

Now, I don't know how to answer their questions. Seryoso ba talaga? Kahit man lang isang beses hindi nagsusuot si Heather nito? Kasi kung nagsusuot lang man hindi man sila ganito kataka na makita ako. Paulit-ulit ako ‘e.

Hay, ngayon paano ko malulusotan 'to? 

Bahala na nga!

I looked at them and still, they looked so confused. I faked my laugh and walked towards them. Huminto ako sa harap nila. 

"I..." I made a fake laugh again. "I... I want to try something new! Yeah, yes, that! Something new," I reasoned out and laughed as much as I could to kill the awkward atmosphere. Nagmumukha na akong tanga dahil sa inaakto ko. 

However, they just looked at me strangely. 

Tae, paano ba 'to? Mukhang hindi pa sila convinced! May mga trust issue ba ‘to?! Pero kung iiscamin, paniwala kaagad!

"Well, that's new but still suits on you!" Dad complimented and just shrugged off. Ininom na niya kape niya ar nagsimula na kumain.

"Yes! Yes! New," I replied and laughed again. Tinignan ko si mommy at Sofie na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nawala sa mukha nila ang pagtataka. 

Ramdam ko na ang namumuo kong pawis sa noo dahil sobrang tagal nila mag-agree. Awkward talaga. Can we fast forward this moment? Hindi ko na kasi alam kung ano gagawin ko. Masyado silang observant.

"Well, you're still pretty," Mom added and enjoyed her meal. Nagkibit balikta na lang ito kaya napangiti ako. Tama ‘yan, mommy! Huwag mo na kasi tignan!

“Kumain kana anak,” nakangiti nitong sabi at mukhang hindi na issue sa kanila ang damit ko.

Phew. I thought this was my last day in this dimension.

Tinignan ko si Sofie at nag-roll eyes na lang. “Nothing’s new, you are still ugly.” 

Umupo na ako sa harap nila at saka doon ko lang tinaasan ng kilay si Sofie. Bully talaga! Buti pa ‘yong kapatid ko, sobrang tahimik. Ito, ewan ko na lang! Base sa mga kwento ni Heather, ayaw ‘to magpatalo!

I started eating, not minding their stares. Err, I should've dressed like Heather. Sobrang awkward. Pero kasi I though pwede naman ganito since dito lang sa bahay. Hindi ko alam na hindi pala nagsusuot ng ganito si Heather. And helloooooo? Duhhhh??? Malay ko ba sa fashion taste niya. And yes, sobrang magaganda ang mga damit doon sa closet niya, sa sobrang ganda nga hindi ako makapili at maging comportableng suotin ‘yon. 

"I really thought you threw that away, ate," Sofie started the conversation that made everyone looked at our direction.

Tumaas kilay ko ulit sa kaniya. "Really? When did I tell you that? This is one of my favorites," I protested just to justify the fact that I am wearing it. 

"Well, three years ago? I am still glad you keep it since that was my gift," she rolled her eyes that made my mom and dad laughed.

Oh, kaya pala ito lang 'yong isang nakatago sa kaniyang cabinet. Hindi niya sinusuot kasi gift ni Sofie. So that explains why. 

Buti na lang. 

"Yeah! Thanks for this! I actually tried this for you," I smirked at her but she just rolled her eyes again.

"Whatever."

Tumawa na lang kami dahil may sariling mundo man sila mom and dad. They are talking about the expenses of the house and all. Kaya habang nakikinig ako ay nilalasap ko rin ang luto ni mommy. Iniisip ko rin, ganito rin kaya kasarap magluto mama ko? Noong bata pa ako palagi niya kaming pinagluluto, pero sobrang tagal na noon at limit ko na ang lasa. Hindi man lang ako nakaulit. Sayang. 

"How was it, Heather?" I lifted up my head and looked at my mom. 

Then, I smiled widely.

"Ang sarap mom!" I complimented out of nowhere to kill the off-vibe.

Nagsitangoan naman sila especially dad.

"Well, that's your mom. Cooking is her expertise."

"Nako, binobola mo na naman ako," pakipot na sagot ni mommy kay daddy.

"Anong binobola ka diyan? Hindi ah, masarap ka na nga este masarap ka magluto." 

Hindi ko mapigilan matawa dahil hanggang ngayon ay nagkukulitan pa rin silang dalawa. Sana all. Sana all ganito pa rin ang bonding ng pamilya. Hindi ako nagsisi na kinuha ko 'tong pagkakataon na 'to para lang makasama sila, para lang mabuo kami, para lang maranasanan ko kung paano magkaroon ng buo at masayang pamilya. 

We were just laughing, talking and making quality time with each one. Not until, dad added the fun and invited us to have a family date.

"Picnic!" Sofie suggested with her wide smile.

“Nagpicnic na tayo! Remember those days, Heather?” Nagulat ako nang itinanong ako ni mommy.

“P-po?” I asked.

“‘Yong picnic. Gusto mo ba ulitin ‘yon? Sobrang tagal na nga ‘yon. You promised to us ba kapag malaki na si Sofie, pupunta tayo ulit do’n,” masaya niyang sabi na nangingiti.

“Right daddy?” He looked at dad and smiled.

“Hala! Kayo lang? Ang daya niyo!”

Tumawa silang dalawa at napatingin dito. 

“No, kasama ka rin because you were 9 month old in my stomach. Kaya si Heather pa lang andoon. Nakakatawa nga dahil ikaw ‘yong bukambibig niya. Sobrang saya ng mga araw na ‘yon. Hon, ang sarap balikan. Do you still remember those days, baby?” Napatingin si mommy sa akin.

She continued talking about what happened and feels like that was one of her favorite moments. Wala akong magawa kundi tumango at ngumiti. But at the same time, maging malungkot.

I don’t have any memories of those moments. 

Kasi hindi naman ako ‘yon.

Nalulungkot ako pero hinayaan ko na lang dahil ayokong masira ang araw na ‘to. So I still pretended that I remembered it all even it’s not.

"Mall date?" I raised my hand. I wanna shift the topic as much as possible.

But then, they looked at me confusedly. What again?! Did I tell another unusual words? They seemed so shocked and confused. Ito talaga isa sa mga kinakatakotan ko 'e, 'yong may mga masabi akong hindi appropriate sa kanila.

"Err, why?" I asked when I couldn't get their looks anymore.

"That's new," dad commented and stood up.

Mom and Sofie looked at me with question-looked.

Bakit? Hindi ba nagmo-mall si Heather dito? Shuta, ano bang klaseng tao si Heather. Hindi gumagawa ng pangkaraniwang ginagawa ng mga tao.

Konti na lang talaga lilipad na ako papuntang Earth at kutusin si Heather dahil hindi niya man lang nabanggit mga ito. Ano pa kwenta ng Q and A namin kung mga 'to ay hindi niga nabanggit?

"You didn't like going to the mall, don't you?" Sofie asked and rolled her eyes.

Maldita talaga.

"And why?" 

"Because lots of strangers will just going to take pictures with you! You said that!" 

Takte! Ano si Heather dito, artista?! Tanginang life swaps to, mas komplekado pa kaysa sa pagpapalit ng baterya sa remote control.

Pero seryoso, nangyayari talaga 'yon? Sa pagkakaalam ko ay sa campus lang celebrity si Heather kasi 'yon lang naman nabanggit niya. Sa kapag sa campus ay maraming nauutal na kausap siya, maraming gustong makipagkaibigan at makausap, siya palagi ang muse at representative, etc. Pero hindi ko alam na pati pala sa mall o public places may pa gano'n din siya. 

"Feeler ko naman 'pag gano'n," I laughed. Kasi totoo naman, not unless sadyang narcissistic lang talaga si Heather. 

Pero sabagay, hindi naman kadudaduda na maging artista siya kasi nga mukha siyang model. Vivid pa rin 'yong unang araw na nakita ko siya. No doubts, bagay siya maging artista.

"Yeah, good to hear that," she replied and stood up. "Well then, good luck." She ran upstairs, giggling.

Habang ako ay nagtataka lang man. Pinagloloko lang naman ata ako ni Sofie, tignan mo hindi man lang nagseryoso. Magkakaroon lang talaga ako ng oras para bisitahin siya, itatanong ko talaga 'to.

I looked at my dad but he just shrugged and stood up. 

"Well, you guys should get ready later, we are going to the mall," he said that made my heart so happy.

He looked at me and then gave me a winning smirk. Then, he walked away. I shifted my gaze to mom and she was just smiling, looking unsure about what's happening.

Ano ba kasi meron? Ganito ba ka komplikado buhay ni Heather dito? Andaming ganap.

"You okay mom?" Tanong ko na lang. 

Tumayo na rin siya at umiling.

"No baby, you are just a little bit weird today and I don't know what's happening to you," she chuckled. "But don't get me wrong, I am still happy that you are finally exploring that things that you haven't experienced it."

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at tumayo na ako. I went towards her and I hugged her.

"Thanks mom, starting from now, huwag na kayong magduda sa akin because I finally know how to live simple," sabi ko na lang in case na madala ko ang pagiging simple ko rito.

"You are always simple, Heather." 

I looked at her, "You just want extra." 

Naghiwalay na kami at naghanda na para sa mall date namin. Plano namin ay mag-movie date sa sine, kumain sa labas, picture taking, shopping at lahat ng gusto naming gawin. Habang nag-aayos ako ay hindi ko maiwasang ngumiti nang ngumiti. I am so excited for this day.

-

"Really dad?! You're going to buy me that merch?" Sofie exclaimed as she tried to enter the front seat of the car just to ask for dad's assurance.

"Oo nga. Kanina kapa," dad laughed, so as mom.

We are on the way to the mall and I still can't understand why they're acting strange. Strange kasi kapag may nababanggit ako ay magtitinginan sila tapos magkibit balikat na lang. O, ako lang kasi hindi ko naman kilala buong pagkatao ni Heather. She's really different from me. 

Far from me.

Sobrang magkasalungat. Sa sobrang pagkaka-iba ay nagmumukha na rin akong ibang tao.

Well, that's her. In the first place, hindi naman talaga ako siya. Magkatulad lang kami ng pangalan, mukha, katawan— but over all? Magkaibang tao kami.

"We're here," mom announced and untied her seatbelt. 

I looked outside the window, at nasa parking lot na nga kami talaga. Sofie immediately rushed out of the car and dad followed while mom and I were still inside. 

"You sure you're not going to wear sunglasses?" She handed me the black gucci one.

"No, mom. Wala namang araw sa loob ng mall."

She bursted into laughter.

"I didn't know you know how to make a joke."

Joke ba 'yon? Totoo naman kasi na walang sun sa loob. Bakit ako gagamit niyan?

Lumabas na kami pero nakita ko pa rin na tinago ni mama ang glasses sa bag niya. I looked at myself in the glass of the mall before entering it.

I was just wearing a coffee brown neck-sleeve pair with nude trouser and a high cigarette heels. Binagay ko na rin sa baguette bag ko. I just wanna look so simple yet classy. Kung pwede nga lang magpants ay sinuot ko na. Pero hindi ko naman hahayaang na magduda pa lalo sila, lalo na ng mga tao na makakakita ngayon sa akin knowing that Heather is a quite famous here. Oo nag-ayos talaga ako para naman hindi na ako mapahamak pa, 'no. Okay na 'yong sila lang nagtanong tungkol sa suot ko. Pero kapag lalabas naman ako ay kailangan ko mag-effort, hiniram ko lang naman 'to kay Heather 'yong pagkatao niya, kailangan ko pa rin ingatan.

"Omg! It's Heather! I told you!" The short girl with bangs pointed at me. 

As soon as her friend saw me, they shouted both as if they just saw a famous celebrity. 

At bago pa ako makapag-react, they ran at me after. Akala ko sila lang pero hindi pala. Madami ring teenager na sumunod at kumuha ng kaniyang-kaniyang phone para humingi ng selfie ko.

Oh no. Baka ito 'yong sinasabi nila. 

Wala na akong nagawa kundi pagbigyan sila at nakingiti rin ako sa kaniya-kaniyang camera. Lumipas na ang ilang minuto, napagod na ako kakangiti ngunit hindi pa rin matapos-tapos ang pagkuha nila ng litrato. Hinanap ko sila daddy at nakita ko sila malapit sa red ribbon stall na naghihintay lang sa akin. I took the courage to say no and excused myself from them. Dali-dali naman akong lumapit sa kanila at sinalubong lang ako ng ngiti ni mama.

"You seemed so extra today," she greeted as soon as I stopped in front of them.

I was about to ask why but Sofie interfered.

"Yeah, are you really Heather? Is that you? Kasama ba talaga namin si Heather?"

Lumakas ang kabog ng puso ko. Takte. Sobrang lakas ng t***k sa sobrang kaba. Shocks! Nahahalata nila ako? Nag-iingat naman ako ah!

Aaaaaaah! No! Not now please.

"L-Let me explain," I stuttered. Jusko naman! Please, Lord, sana mapatawad nila ako. Nandito lang naman ako dahil sa mama nila 'e. 

"Sorry—"

"Whatever. Crazy ka nga pala, moody af." Sofie cut my words.

"Sofie!" Mom widened her eyes at her. 

"Wala talagang araw na hindi kayo nag-aaway 'no?" Dad laughed. 

"Oh siya Heather, mabuti naman sa wakas pinagbigyan mo mga fans mo." 

Fans?

Napahawak ako sa ulo dahil sobrang g**o nilang kausap. So, nagdududa lang sila pero hindi talaga nila ipupush 'yong idea na hindi ako 'yong Heather na nakakasama nila? Well, that is good. 

But what fans? I wanted to ask why, what and how did I have fans. What Heather truly is? 

Bago pa man sila nagsimulang maglakad ay kinuha ni mama kamay ko at inilagay ang sunglasses dito. She smiled at me and followed them after. Nagkibit balikat na lang ako at sinuot ito. Ngunit, sa pagharap ko sa gilid ay may napansin ako sa glass ng isang boutique store. 

That's me!

No, no no. That's Heather! 

Tumakbo ako at lumapit doon. Nakita ko ang pangalan ko este niya— este naming dalawa! Argh. This is so confusing af. She was sitting on a bench with her red string dress and lipstick. In short, she was modeling these products. Kasi on her right side, mayroong nakalagay na "Shop with me, shop with Vueroca." A brand. 

So, model pala siya? 

All this time I was saying that "parang model" siya when in fact she truly is! Bakit hindi nabanggit ni Heather sa akin 'to? Siguro nakalimutan niya. Pero kung binanggit niya naman hindi naman ako magmumukhang tanga rito. 

But upon looking at her now...

She's unbelievable. 

Paano niya nagawang maging ganito kasikat habang ako naman ay isang ordinaryong mamamayan lamang? Pareho naman kaming mukha ah. What's with her that I don't have? 

I'm starting to get insecure.

"Heather, let's go," Mom called me from behind.

Tumango ako saka ngumiti ng peke sa kanila. We spent our day watching some movies, shopping and playing some arcades in Quantom. Sobrang saya ng mga laro namin lalo na noong naglaban laban kami sa basketball. Kasama ni mama si papa then si Sofie naman sa akin. Dad won the first game, pero nang nasa final round kami ay kami na nanalo ni Sofie. The prize we got is ice cream! We are so happy bonding with each other. Ganito pala kapag complete family, para na ring buo pagkatao mo dahil wala kanang hihingin pa sa ganitong kasayang pamilya. Sana lahat nakakaranas nito.

Somehow, I forgot all of my stresses and worries in life. 

Isa lang nararamdaman ko ngayon— masaya.

Masaya ako sa desisyong pinili ko.

Sa desisyon kung saan makakasama ko ang buong pamilya ko kahit pansamantala— kahit hindi sila totoong mga magulang ko talaga.

I'm happy. 

That's what matters the most at the end of the day.