CHAPTER 9

                                    

                                          
We're on a big boat now, going for a cruise. It's private, owned by Mateo. Only ten of us are on board, including the driver.
Mommy is taking pictures with Dad, even though he doesn't want to. Lolo is sitting, drinking wine, and reading a newspaper. Chatalina spread out a blanket and sat there taking pictures. I'm taking pictures of the sea. Mateo is silently following me. The twins are with us. I don't know where Tito and Tita are.
I noticed how similar Mateo and Daddy Carlo are, especially to Lolo Carlitos, in their mannerisms, habits, and dislikes, like being in pictures and being in noisy environments.
"Aren't you done yet?" Mateo said impatiently. I turned to him and rolled my eyes. 
This man. Sinabihan ko na siya kanina na 'wag na sumunod sa akin. 
"I told you, sit down over there," I said, not turning to him, as I looked at the pictures I had taken.
"Ate Zylene, let's take a picture!" Alicia shouted. We both looked at her.
"I'll sit beside Grandpa and Dad. Don't move too much here, you might fall," he said. I just nodded and didn't turn around. I heard him sigh and kiss me on the top of the head. I started to walk towards Alicia.
While we were taking pictures, someone spoke from behind us. I turned around, and it was Chatalina.
Bilis nito kanina lang naka upo at nag p-picture ngayon nasa likod na namin. Para siyang kabute. 
"Enjoying living like a princess, huh," she said, smirking. I was about to answer when Alicia cut me off.
"What the hell is your problem?! Leave us alone nga!" Alicia said nastily. Tayrence approached her and held her arm.
"Enough, Alicia. Don't mind her. I'll take your pictures. Just don't mind her," Tayrence said authoritatively to the twins, but his sister just rolled her eyes and pulled her arm back. She then handed the camera to him with a slam.
"You know what, Alicia, I'm so annoyed with your attitude. You have no manners. You're smart, but simple. You don't have respect for your elders," she said and pushed Alicia, making me gasp. I approached Alicia to help her up.
"What the fuck is wrong with you, Chatalina?!" Tayrence said angrily, while checking the twins for scratches.
Alicia laughed sarcastically.
"Respect? Who do you think you are to be respected?" Alicia said, and then she suddenly grabbed Chatalina's hair.
"Ahhh, Let go of my hair!" Chatalina screamed and pulled Alicia's hair back.
"Alicia, let go of her hair!" Tayrence commanded his sister, but she seemed not to hear him.
I took a deep breath and approached them.
"Alicia, tama na," I said, but she just shouted.
"Let me go! She deserves this. This bitch really knows how to get into my nerves," she pulled Chatalina's hair even harder.
"Ahhh! You witch!" Chatalina screamed. I searched for Mateo, but they were gone.
"Get off, Ate! You're hurting my twin!" Tayrence shouted, trying to pull Chatalina's hand off Alicia's hair.
I was shock when Tayrence accidentally pushed Chatalina. 
Tyrence got in between them, and I tried to get Alicia's hand off. Finally, I managed to pull her away. 
Alicia's hair was messed up, and Chatalina had scratches on her neck and face. She stood up from where she was sitting.
"What's your problem again?! Chatalina, can you just leave us alone!" I was about to walk away and pull Alicia with me. I saw anger in Tayrence's eyes as he fixed his twin's hair.