July 2nd, 2006

"I don't want to go." I protested to my mom as i watch the week-worth replay of Full Metal Alchemist on Animax. Of course, upon hearing that from me, my mom pulled on her don't-play-shit-with-me-young-lady-you'll-do-what-i-ask-you-to-do face. In my mind, a /swt emoticon popped over my head. You know moms, you have to follow their whims otherwise there'll be hell to pay. So i said, "Where will we go anyway?". With this, she lightened up and told me that we're going to our neighbor's house because we were invited to their birthday/anniversary feast. Great, an unnecessary (and unwanted) encounter with the "perfect" family. God, why is this so?

So i pulled on some fresh clothes and combed my hair a bit. I didn't want to go, but i know i have to look good at least. While we were walking towards the neighbor's house, i took a huge gulp of breath. It has been like 10 years when i last entered that house. Since that fateful day i confessed my 'feelings' to my childhood playmate who lived there, i swore that i would never again return there unless necessary. That or the world is in the state of chaos and destruction and their house is the only building left in the philippines to take refuge upon. Retarded, i know. But i just never wanted to go inside that house anymore.

As soon as we entered their house, we were greeted by a warm, and welcoming atmosphere. The house is sparkling and dustless, well-lighted and comfortable contrary to our house, which, by the way, is just across theirs. I thought to myself, "wow, they really are the epitome of a perfect filipino family". The dad is a quiet, calm and loving father. The mother is a Bree-stereotype (Bree of desperate housewives), a woman of elegance and simplicity. The eldest daughter is a prospective cum laude of UST engineering. The other children are good-mannered and nice. They immediately served us good food and had us sit down in their living room with a make-yourself-feel-comfortable manner. I felt pretty overwhelmed with the reception. I never spoke a word while i was there and my mom was busy socializing with the other guests. Despite my huge appetite and their wonderfully prepared banquet, i had no craving for food at all. I looked at our house through their beautifully designed glass window and wondered if they hear us whenever we fight over the small, trivial things. Come to think of it, i've never even heard them fight or shout at each other since we'd been neighbors. They really are perfect. And being there in that house just amplifies the bitter feeling in my chest for not having a nice family just like theirs. Now you know why i hate going to that house.

Now i'm back in this house full of the smell of desperation and rotten wood. I'm so glad to be back again in the real world.