Zeno's Sapphire

Chapter 1

Nahihiyang ngumiti ako nang ayain niya na akong umalis. "T-thank you uli,"

"Yeah," He simply answered without looking at me. He just fixed his front hair habang nagtitipa muli sa kanyang cellphone.

Tahimik lang kaming naglalakad. I'm not used to opening a conversation with anyone kaya naman nag-aalangan akong kausapin siya. He looks uninterested too kaya tahimik na lang akong sumusunod sa kanya.

"Don't you have cellphone?" biglang tanong niya sa kalagitnaan namin ng paglalakad.

Napatingala ako sa kanya ngunit ang direksyon ng paningin niya ay deretso pa rin. "I have... a-ano hindi ko lang dinala k-kasi.." nauutal na sagot ko.

Sasabihin ko bang akala ko hindi ko kelangan? Thinking of that, it's too petty. I just realized it, pero 'yun talaga ang dahilan ko e...

Dumungaw siya sa akin, taas ang isang kilay. "Kasi? You're here for vacation yet you don't bring a phone with you? Sounds odd,"

Napanguso ako, " yun dahilan ko.. I thought I wouldn't need it... kasi nga nagbabakasyon naman kami rito,"

Tuluyan na siyang lumingon sa akin, there's a hint of confusion in his eyes, "Take photos?" he asked.

"a-ano.. sa camera.."

He shook his head at muling tumingin sa daan. His wavy hair slightly dance when he lightly grabbed my wrist, nangunguna sa akin tumawid.

Bahagya kong kinagat ang labi ko sa isiping para akong bata na kailangan gabayan sa pagtawid. Sa bagay ay bata pa ako...

"I didn't expect you to be Duke's sister," He said with a monotone voice. His voice is manly enough to get you intimidated.

Napatingala ako sa kanya,"B-bakit?" nahihiya kong tanong. I am glad that he's talking to me but I still feel nervous of the strictness visible in his voice.

He shrugged, "I don't need to answer that. I'm sure you know," deretsong saad niya habang hindi inaalis ang atensyon sa aming harapan.

Napatikom ako ng bibig bago saglit na nag-isip. Kuya Duke is a confident person, he knows what he can do and always ready to go for a challenge. That's how I saw him and I'm always a proud sister of him but whenever Duchess, kuya's bestfriend is the one to comment--she always say kuya is all-knowing, paepal at papansin.

I don't know why though. Pero ngayon, she's always irritated even with the mention of kuya's name. We invited her to come with us but she declined.

"Ate!"

Napalingon ako sa di kalayuang lamesa dahil sa boses ni Clane. I saw how they eagerly get up at agad na lumapit sa akin, their faces formed relief as they walk towards me. Agad ko rin silang sinalubong at yumakap.

"Our princess, where did you go? Kanina ka pa namin sinubukan tawagan," bakas ang pag-aalala ni Dad sa boses niya while mom is still hugging me.

Saglit ako umusod para maluwangan ang yakap bago napabuntong hininga. "Susundan ko sana si kuya but I got lost," pag-amin ko, hindi itinatago ang lungkot dahil pinag-alala ko sila.

I don't know where I did the courage to do that.

"Don't do that again. You should have informed me na sasama ka," masungit na pagsasabi naman ni kuya, he's always like this but we all know that he cared a lot.

I nodded at him and smile na agad niya lang inikutan ng mata. Humarap muli ako kay mom, hindi pa rin nawawala ang bakas ng pag-aalala niya. Nakaka-guilty tuloy...

"Are you okay?" Mom started asking.

Muli akong tumango at ngumiti,"Sorry for making you worry,"