Someday

S #05

"Well I live in Muñoz residence." I turn around to see who's voice was that, it's Phineas. Lagot na.

Nakarating na kami ni Phineas sa bahay. 7 pm na kami nakadating, made me think na baka kumain na sila o hindi pa. Pumasok then they're all in living room, watching and doing stuff. I saw tiger, sleeping next to the Lolas. 

Biglang bumukas ang pinto ng restroom, it's my mother.

"How's the shopping?" She ask and sits in the long dining table.

"Fun. Sa taas na ako ma,kumain na po ako." Then I head to stairs.

"Sige, nga pala si Alex tumawag."She said and I stop walking. 

"Alex?" I said in high voice because of my excitement. We haven't talk since I got here. 

"Oo, chat mo daw siya bukas ng umaga ng Philippine Time. Alam mo naman na makabaliktad ang oras dito at doon." She said and I rushes to my room. I take a bath and check my phone. There's a notifications from i********:. It's from our groupchat. We have this group chat, just me, Alex and Sam.

Alex: Heey Velvet! 

Alex: We're already in the camp. I saw Cameron here!

Sam: Wishing you're here so we could be together in the camp! :(

Alex: Cameron's squad was telling us about Cameron.

Alex: He's still thinking about you girl! b***h, please enroll in West Highschool!

Then Sam sent a photo. It's her and Alex in the campfire and I can see behind them Cameron and his squad, chilling. Damn, I miss them so much. I miss America.

Velvet: Sorry! I forgot to tell you guys that I'm already here. I'm okay, no worries! Enjoy the camp and I'll be waiting for you call!

Then I send it. Nilagay ko lang sa side table ang phone ko.

Biglang may kumatok at binuksan ko ito. It's Phineas, looking at me. Pumasok siya at umupo sa armchair. Sinara ko ang pinto at umupo sa kama.

"Bakit?" I ask

"Pano mo nakilala si Cyxe?" He asks in low voice yet, it's a curious vibes.

"He sneaks to my room." I reply and he look confuse.

"Well, kung sinabi mo sa mga kabanda mo na nasa kabilang kwarto kana nagstay. Hindi sana mangyayari."

"But it doesn't mean na magiging kaibigan kayo Ate! You should tell me! Pano kung makita kayo ng mga kamag-anak niya o kamag-anak natin?" He shouts at me. What is wrong being friendly to him?

"Problema mo?" I reply to him in sarcastic voice.

"Does he know you sing?" He ask.

"No." Tumayo siya at humarap sa pinto. Grabs the doorknob and before he leaves, he said something.

"Keep it low. Pagmakita kayo sa public ng mga minions ng mga pamilya natin, hindi lang ikaw ang patay." Then he leaves, leaving the door open and Tiger came with his toy dragging.

Tiger trying to get in my bed, kinuha ko siya at nilagay sa kama. Biglang pumasok sa boses ko ang boses ni Cyxe.

"Kailangan mo muna itulak itong ottoman papunta sa right side ng higaan mo. Tiger can't climb in high bed."

Kinuha ko ang ottoman na nasa armchair ko an nilagay malapit sa higaan at pinto ko. Tiger is wondering around my bed at sa kwarto ko. Tumingin ako sa left side ko and I saw the trees outside.

Bumaba ako para kumuha ng higaan ni Tiger sa basement. Bumaba ako sa Mula sa 3rd floor to the 1st floor. Malapit sa kwarto nila Missy at may malaking cabinet doon na may pangalan na Tiger. Kinuha ko ang isang higaan niya and rushes to my room.

Binuksan ko pinto ko pinatay ko ang aircon. Binuksan ang pinto ng balcony at nilagay ang isang higaan ni Tiger para makapagpahinga rin siya dito.

It's so windy and calm but I can still hear some voices in outside the lawn and smells some barbeque from outside. I sit in the chair and Tiger came to wonder. I just smile at him.

I remember what happened kanina in Ginger Wok. Hays.

---

"Well I live in Muñoz residence." I turn around to see who's voice was that, it's Phineas. Lagot na. Tumingin kami sa kaniya and he look so mad.

"Phineas, what the heck are you doing here?" I ask and he sits beside me. He gets my fork and took a piece of chicken.

"We're going home, they're already looking for you na." He said and take another bite. Tumingin ako kay Cyxe and he just smile then proceed to eat. Naghintay si Phineas sa amin and it's just a silent awkward space. Napansin ko na nakatitig si Phineas kay Cyxe. I slightly shrugs my elbow on him and give him a piss off look. He roll his eyes and just look around the restaurant.

Natapos na kami kumain at nasa labas na kami ng mall. 

"Uuwi na kami, Cy and we'll talk later." Phineas said while looking at Cyxe and walks to the parking lot.

"Sige bro, nasa kabilang parking lot kasi ang kotse ko." He said and lookd at me.

"Sige, ingat ka." I said and walks away.

"Ikaw rin! I'll chat you later!" He said and runs back to the mall. I just smile. Saktong dumaan ang kotse ni Phineas at sumakay ako.

----

I wonder what kind of talk that they will discuss. I heard a notification from my phone kaya tumayo ako para kunin ang phone ko. It's from i********:. I put my password and I open my i********:, it's Cyxe. That made me smile.

Cyxe: Hey, got home?

Velvet: Yeah, ikaw?

Cyxe: Oo

Velvet: Ano ang pinagusapan niyo ni Phineas?

I'm so curious kung ano ang pinagusapan nila. Baka kasi ano ang sabihin ni Phineas eh.

Cyxe: About the band lang. 

Velvet: Ahh

Cyxe: Pupunta pala kami dyan bukas for meeting.

Meeting? Eh pano siya makakalusot? Everyone in the house knows who is he. He's a freaking Fernandez.

Velvet: How? Makikilala ka naman dito eh. 

Cyxe: No worries, I've done is before. Kung naka pasok ako sa kwarto mo na nasa 3rd floor, sa baba pa kaya na nasa garahe lang?

Okay. I get it. Oo nalang.

Velvet: Hmm, sige. Ano pala ang pagmemeetingan niyo?

Cyxe: About the audition lang. Punta ka para makilala mo rin yung ibang members namin.

Bigla akong inantok dahil sa lamig ng hangin.

Velvet: Sige, bye. Matutulog na ako eh. Night!

Cyxe: Sige, good night Velvet. Sweet dreams.

His last message made me smile. Pumasok ako sa loob at binuksan ko ang aircon.

"Tiger! Halika! Tiger!" Tinawag ko si Tiger at pumasok naman ito. Sinara at ni-lock ko ang sliding door ng balcony ko. I slide the curtains and turn off the lights except for the light near the bathroom and the night tables.

Tiger head to my bed and I lay besides him. I put my phone near the night table. I can hear the tv downstairs, the aircon, Phineas' room is kinda loud because of the music and Tiger's squishy toy sounds. Then I fall asleep.

Bigla akong nagising dahil sa ingay ng ringtone ko. I grab my phone without opening my eyes and swipe to right.

"Sino ‘to?" I ask in low voice. I open my eyes a bit and look at my alarm clock.

It's 3:36 am already. Tumingin din ako kay Tiger who's also sleeping.

"Kisses?" I open my eyes wide when I heard the voice from the other side. The voice made me feel how my first love feels. His voice is still makes my heartbeat crazy.

"Kisses? It's me, Cameron." He said. 

"Yeah. Hey, sup?" I sit in my bed and smile a bit. I miss him so much. 

"I know it's already night time in there but I just want to ask if you're okay." Tumingin ako sa screen and it's from a landline.

"Yeah, it's 3 in the morning already.  I'm---I'm okay… You?"

"Yeah, camp is pretty fine. Mrs. Park was looking for you; I told her that you're in vacation."

Mrs. Park was in-charge in the girl’s camp. She's one of my mother's friends.

"Please tell her that I miss her so much!" I said excitedly.

"I will.." He said and next was a moment of silence.

"I miss you, Kisses." He said in the other line. I can feel the sadness in his voice.

"Cam, I miss you too. I know the truth. Sam told us what happened. I send you a message in i********: and Twitter." I said in calm voice but my heartbeat is racing.

"Really!? Yes! Kisses, I will court you when you get back here!" He said it loud that I could here the other boys saying that his time it's over.

"I'll chat you when the camp is over! Just wait Kisses, I will court you soon!" He said it loud that made me smile and laugh. Gago talaga siya.

"Don't be so excited, Cam. Mr. Ackerman, your time is over." Narinig ko si Kuya Fred na nakabantay sa counter nga boys camp. Kuya Fred talaga.

"Okay Fred, bye Kisses!"

"Okay, bye Cam." I said and hang up. Damn. I still miss him. Bawal kasi ang gadgets sa camp eh, kaya landline lang ang gamit. I open my app clock and open the world clock.

It's 12 noon sa Maryland. Kaya pala nakahiram ng landline. I shrug my head lightly and smile. I turn off my phone and head back to sleep.

"Vel? Vel? Kain na." I heard my mom knocking in my door. I look around and found Tiger infront the door, waiting for someone to open it.

I charge my phone and open the door for Tiger. I head to bathroom to wash up and dress up. I look at the wall clock. It's 6:45 am. Aga pa ah, bakit ginising nila ako?

Bumaba ako at pumunta sa dining room. Nandoon silang lahat samantala sina Lolas, Aunt Renee at mama ay nasa sala at nanonoud ng news. Kumuha ako ng oatmilk and pour to my glass. Nasa hagkainan sina Tito, Papa, Missy, Ate Farrah, at Phineas. Sina papa at tito ay naka office attire and thr rest is on there uniform. Bumati naman silang lahat ng good morning at bumati rin ako.

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Ate Farrah at kaharap ko si Missy. Kumain din ako katulad nila. I realize that Ate Farrah's uniform is different that Phineas and Missy.

"College kana? Nursing?" I ask. Tumingin siya sakin.

"Yep, same school sa kanila." Then she proceeds to eat.

"Senior na kayo?" Tanong ko kina Phineas at Missy na kumain rin. Tumango naman sila. Iinom sana ako ng gatas ng biglang nagsalita si Papa na kinagulat ko.

"Nak, baka sa susunod ay dito ka rin magaaral ng senior year mo." Tumingin akosa kaniya in deep shock. Dito? Pano na sina Sam at Alex? Ang mga kaibigan ko sa East High? Si Cameron!? Nooooo!!!!

"Bakit pa? Okay naman ako sa LA ah." I said and papa look at me in shock.

"Akala ko ba okay kana dito?" Dad said in confuses voice.

"Okay ako dito pero hindi ko naman ginusto na magaral dito."

"Well, wala na tayong bahay sa LA. Wala na tayong babalikan." Wala? Ang alam ko, nirentahan nila Alesha na mama ni Alex ang bahay namin.

"Nirentahan mo yung bahay pa kina Alesha. Kina Alesha lang muna ako makikitira."

"Ayaw mo ba dito?" Missy ask out of nowhere. I look around and everyone is confuse.

"What? Hindi naman sa ayaw ko dito, gusto ko---" I was explaining when Missy interrupt.

"Pareho lang yun, ayaw mo dito." Tumayo siya, dala ang bag niya at lumabas. I look around and they look at me as if I was wrong. Even my lolas in the sala are looking at me.

"Bakit? Hindi naman talaga eh. Nandoon ang mga kaibigan ko, doon ako lumaki. Do you expect me to celebrate my 18th debut in here na kayo lang ang mga kilala ko?" I ask them in higher voice that made me stand up.

"Velvet!" Suway ni Mama sakin na nasa living room. This is the first time they ever see me that get mad. Gusto ko dito pero hindi ibig sabihin na I will be here for the rest of my life. Gusto ko doon kasi mas marami ang mga kaibigan ko.

"Bakit? Mas masaya sa California Mama! Babalik ako doon!" I shout.

"Velvet!" There’s a moment of silence ‘till when my dad calls my name. He didn’t even dare to look at me and his voice was so mad. I know my dad likes here. Everyone likes here! And I don’t care about them, I can handle myself!

"Whether you like here or not, we will stay in here! Bibisita kalang doon kapag summer!" He shouts at me. Bibisita? I will never find happiness in here!

"Babalik ako sa California!" I shout at umalis harap nila. Bumalik ako sa kwarto ko and lock the door. I don't want here. Mas gusto ko sa California. Masaya doon.

I just don't feel the same vibe in California. Dito, ever since punta ako dito, medyo di ako napapalagay. Baksyon palang yun. Pano kung tumira? No. Mas masaya ako doon kahit sina Sam at Alex lang ang kasama ko. Nandoon din si Cameron. Kung hindi ako maenroll sa next school year sa East High,lalayas ako dito.

I stay in the room for a while. Wala naman yata ang concern sakin dito. I decide to read a book.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, something love story with feminism. Classic. I get my blanket at umupo ako sa arm chair near the sliding door. Then just start enjoying the book. I look at my wall clock and it's already past 7 am. 4 pm na ito sa California at maghihintay nalang ako ng isang oras para magout na sila activities sa camp.

2 hours past and my phone ring. I put a bookmark sa last page na binasa ko at kinuha ang cellphone. A video call and its Alex. I open it and si Alex and Sam ay magkasama, looks like in the cabin.

"b***h!!!" Alex scream loudly with a smile. Damn! I miss them so much!

"Hey!" I said.

"How are you? You good?" Alex ask.

"Is there any hottie guy?" Sam ask and we just both laugh.

We proceed to talk about how's my trip, the camp, the arguement about transferring schools. Then bigla kumatok at pumasok sa room ko si Phineas. He's wearing this Uniqlo Mickey edition sky blue tshirt and a black pants. He has a chain in his side pants.

"Girl! Is that Phineas?!" Alex exclaimed. Phineas look awkward after entering the room. He could look at the screen because I'm infront of him while he's behind me. I look at the screen and damn, Sam is always shy when it comes to Phineas.

"Hey.... Phineas." Bati ni Sam. I laugh silently while Alex is smiling. Phineas still looks awkward.

"Tulungan mo ako sa studio maglinis, paparinigin kita sa mga nagaudition." He said and walk away leaving my door open.

"Girl, I just want to get married with your cousin." Sam said and we both laugh. Namaalam ako sa kanila and bumaba ako papuntang studio nila. Tiger follow me when I got in the second floor.

Binuksan ko ang studio and Phineas is with his computer, doing some stuff. I look around and there's trash everywhere. This is a disaster.

There's a lot of plastic bags, filled with different trash from different food company. McDo, Jollibee, Chowking, even from 7/11 Crunch Time chicken. I decided to clean up while Phineas is doing some crazy shits in his computer and printing something.

Natapos na ako sa paglilinis at umupo sa sofa. I close my eyes and start relaxing. Teka, bat ba ako naglinis ulit? I look at Phineas who's distributing the papers in the table.

"Bat mo ba ako pinalis ha?" I ask. Kairita! I came here for vacation, not for being a maid. Kinatok ko ang pinto, sabay sigaw kay Phineas.

“Hoy Phineas! Buksan mo ang pinto!” Binuksan naman ito with a smile on his face.

“Welcome to the group, Ate!”