Chapter 23: Summer Vacation (Part One)

"Every summer has a story, but this year it's more like a novel.

***

Clyde's PoV

"Puffy! Teka lang!" sigaw ni Eiffel at nagtatakang tumingin ako sa pintuan ng bahay.

Tumatakbong lumabas ang kawawang aso na puno ng bula na habol habol naman ni Eiffel.

I was currently sitting, having coffee in the garden. Nakaugalian ko ng magbasa ng diaryo doon tuwing umaga ng sabado dito. It was the first day of summer at wala pa kaming plano ni Eiffel kung ano ang gagawin namin. Pinagbreak din ako ng secretary ni Dad mula sa training ko since katatapos lang ng semester namin.

Nagpagulong gulong sa lupa ang makulit na aso at mas lalong naging madumi. Pagkatapos ay tumakbo ito papaunta sa mga puting damit na kasasampay ko lang!

Agad akong tumayo at hinarangan ang tumatakbong aso at mabilis na binitbit. Matalim na tinitigan ko ang maputik na aso.

"Hay, salamat Hubby" hinihingal na saad ni Eiffel na nakasuot ng apron at puno rin ng bula hangang ulo niya, halatang nahihirapan sa pagpapaligo sa asong to.

"Dito nalang natin siya paliguan sa labas. Just get her towel and things, and we'll use the water hose"

"Sige" sanayon niya at bumalik sa loob ng bahay.

Naglakad ako papunta sa water hose at binuksan ito, dahan dahang pinapaagusan ng tubig ang katawan ng aso "Lagi mong yakap si Eiffel tapos ayaw mong maligo, baka gusto mong iitsya kita sa washing machine" banta ko as I glared at the poor puppy.

Wait, am I jealous over a dog?

"Pasensya na Hubby" Eiffel said as she walks towards me and handling the dog shampoo.

"I don't really mind" I responded.

She squats down holding Puffy while I rinse her with water.

"Wala ka bang Summer Classes ngayon Hubby?" tanong niya.

"I'm not taking it. It would be just boring having only two classes in a day" I answered.

"Do you want to go on a vacation? Just the two of us if you want" I randomly suggested but it was too late to realize what I just said.

Only the two of us?! Anong pinagsasabi mo Clyde?!

Lihim na sinisigawan ko ang sarili ko. Pero ng tiningnan ko siya ay masasabi kong hindi ko na pinagsisihan ang nasabi ko.

A very bright smile was registered on Eiffel's beautiful face as her blue eyes glitters with excitement.

"We can go to Baguio, or Ilocos Sur after all Vigan recently just earned the title as one of the Heritage Sites in the world" I elaborated knowing her love for history at tumayo na bitbit ang basang aso.

And she looked more excited with my small trivia as she grabbed the white towel.

"That would be wonderful" she commented at masayang pinupunasan ang asong hawak hawak ko. Bigla siyang dinilaan nito, natatawang inilapit niya ang mukha at inamoy amoy ang aso. Samantalang napapangiting pinapanuod ko ang kulitan ng magamo.

Pero pareho kaming napalingon nang out of nowhere ay nakarinig kami ng flash ng camera. Very familiar people were currently standing in front of our yard with an irritating grin in their faces.

People who did nothing but to annoy me all my life...

"Such a lovely couple scene~" pangaasar ng lalaking ilang ulit ko ng pinagbantaan ang buhay.

"Grabe nakakainlove!" the twins stated in unison who are as usual wearing lolicon dresses full of ruffles and pinkiness.

Agad namula si Eiffel pero nakangiting nilapitan ang mga ito.

"It's great to see you again ate Kathrene and ate Kathlene, and so are you kuya Willam. Would you like to come in and have some tea with us?" Eiffel politely offered with her fascinating british accent.

Nangigigil na niyakap nman siya ng kambal "So cute~~~!!!"

"We shall have tea then!" ayon ni Willam at hinatak ako papaloob ng sarili kong bahay na parang nakatira din siya doon!

Eiffel's POV

I returned in the living room with five tea cups on my tray and gladly served our unexpected guests, unwelcomed guests naman kung tawagin ni kuya Clyde.

"Your house is so plain Clyde" puna ni ate Lene.

"Yeah how can the both of you live in it?" ate Rene retorted back and Kuya Clyde just rolled his eyes for the 17th time as he pour the tea.

"I believe that it was perfect for the two of us, since we just planned to have a simple life until I turned eighteen" I explained and carefully handed the tea cup to them.

The both of them sighed in defeat while Kuya Willam just laughed. Lagi ko kasing pinagtatangol si Kuya Clyde.

"Would you care for some muffins I baked myself?" I offered and opened the cupcake stand.

"Of course!" and they gladly reached for it and tasted it.

"This is so good! The sweetness melts on my tongue!"

"Damn you lucky Clyde"

"I bet there is nothing you can't do Eiffel!" I happily watched them and sat beside Kuya Clyde.

"I bet you're not just here to have fancy tea party with us" he stated as he scan the faces of our guests. "So, what's the catch?" he asked.

I looked at them full of wonder, they're not?

Ate Lene laughed full of poise and took a sip from the tea cup. "Oh Clyde, don't be so paranoid"

"Indeed," ate Rene added.

"Don't be so dubious with our cousins Hubby" I carefully reprimanded him and gave him a warm smile. Kuya Clyde just smiled back, probably happy that I had confidence on saying "our cousins"

One of the twins and Kuya Willam shot us a disgusting look like they're watching a romantic movie.

Hindi napigilan ni ate Lene ang sarili at tumayo na "I can't stand this sweetness anymore! Eiffel! You're coming with us whether you like it or not!" she demanded at bigla akong hinatak ni ate Rene.

"W-Wait" nagugulhan ako sa nangyayari! Pinulot ni ate Lene si Puffy na nakahiga sa paanan namin ni kuya Clyde at lumabas kasama namin habang naiwan si Kuya Clyde na pinipigilan ni Kuya Willam.

Out of my will ay isinakay ako kasama ni Puffy sa pink Porsche nila at pinaandar ito. Wala akong nagawa kundi mapatingin nalang sa back window at panoorin si Kuya Clyde na sinisigaw ang pangalan ko.

Tumatawang nakatunghay din ang kambal na nakaupo sa tabi ko.

"W-What's going on?" full of horror na tanong ko sa kanila.

They glanced at each other and smiled "We are going on a vacation!" they announced in unison.