The Ugly Duckling (PUBLISHED UNDER PSICOM)

Ugly #41

Nanahimik ako sa kwarto nang biglang may kumatok sa pinto. Pagkatapos ng katok na iyon ay bumukas agad at iniluwa ang kapatid ko na nakasimangot at may bahagyang pag-aalala sa mukha. Napataas ang kilay ko sa emosyon na ipinapakita ngayon ni Avis.

"Have you talked to Luke Dashiel?" isang malaking epic fail ang boses ni Avis. It was obvious that she was trying to sound like she don't care but her own voice betrayed her. Aasarin ko sana siya pero nangibabaw ang tanpong niya sa utak ko ang naging tanong niya.

She's asking if I talked to Luke. Bakit naman?

"Three days ago pa. Bakit?" kunot noong tanong ko at napakagat siya sa labi niya. Kitang-kita ko sa mga mata niya ang matinding pag-aalala.

"Three days ago? He didn't text or call you for the last two days?" I frowned. Avis' questions were scaring me. Mukha pa siyang magha-hyperventilate sa itsura niya. What's her deal?

"Bakit na naman ba? You want me to call him? May date na naman ba tayong sisirain?" sinubukan ko siyang asarin pero ni-isang irap ay wala akong nakuha mula sa kaniya. Huh. She must be really worried. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasan na mag-aalala rin. "May problema ba kay Luke, Avis?"

She bit her bottom lip again. Avis shook her head. I blinked. That's all it took for Avis to go back to her cold persona. She lifted her hand, checking her phone that I didn't know she was holding. "Lunch's going to be ready soon. Hindi ako makakasabay. I need to report in the office."

My forehead creased. Tumagilid pa ang ulo ko sa pagkagulo. "O...kay."

Wala nang sinabi si Avis at lumabas na agad ng kwarto ko. My sister can be really weird sometimes. Napakabilis magbago ng mood. Itinatago pa niya. It's obvious that something happened to Luke Dashiel. Ayaw pang ipaalam sa akin. Inaway na naman kaya niya?

The thought got lost on me when my phone beeped a new message. It was from Sage. I couldn't help but blush, remembering what happened yesterday. The way Sage pulled me for a hug played in my mind in an endless loop. I could still hear the words that he told me.

What happened yesterday was beyond me. It was my first time to see Sage that sweet and serene. It was surreal. Until now, I still couldn't believe that it really happened.

Heaven. That's what hugging him feels like. Like I'm floating in mid-air, high in the clouds, and away from everything. Being enveloped in Sage's arms made me feel secured and completely invincible.

I sighed at my thoughts. My attempts in staying away from him was getting harder and harder. I don't think I could last keeping him in a distance any longer, but I must. I can't let him in again.

Taking him back would be a big mistake. I don't want to mess things up any further. I've done enough. Pushing him away would save us both for future heartbreaks.

SIS:

I'll be busy. Please behave today.

My forehead creased in genuine curiosity. I wanted to ask him what's he up to but Sage would immediately conclude that I care. Kahit totoo iyon ay ayaw ko naman ipaalam ko sa kanya. Letting him know that I care will only draw him closer, and I'm trying to do the opposite of that.

Pinili ko na lang na wag sumagot kahit na ilang beses akong natukso na sumagot sa text niya sa akin. I deeply sighed because I'm hopeless. This is so hopeless.

At dahil sa wala naman akong kahit anong plano ngayong araw ay inaya ko si Dee na tulungan ako sa pagtapos ng research ko. The deadline is days away from now. It's a good thing she's free today.

Naisipan namin na sa isang coffee shop na lang pumunta dahil tatamarin ako kung sa bahay ako gagawa. Pagkadating ko sa shop ay naabutan ko na si Dee na abala sa laptop niya. She ordered a slice of New York Cheesecake and an Iced Caffe Mocha of her own while I opted for an Iced Caffe Americano and a Blueberry Cheesecake.