Set Ashes In Flames

In Flames 11: Crush

In Flames Eleven

Gianna

Mommy and daddy were extra observant of my actions. They were trying to spot whether may pagtatampo ba ako sa kanila o wala.

"Wala nga, mommy!" I laughed giddily and shook my head. "I'm fine!"

Pinaningkitan ako ng mata ni mommy. She crossed her arms and side glanced at daddy to check if they're on the same page about being suspicious of me.

Kinagat ko ang pang ibabang labi ko. Pinamulahan ako ng pisngi habang inaalala pa rin ang mga nangyari kahapon.

"Besides..." I waved at kuya na kalalabas lang mula sa main door. "Kuya took me out to dinner last night. Why wouldn't I be happy about that?"

"She commuted," pagsusumbong ni kuya, making it sound as if it was a bad thing.

I chuckled. "So? At least may bago akong experience, 'di ba?"

"You...y-you commuted?" napalunok si mommy. "Kasama mo ba si kuya Maurice or were you alone? That was your first time, Gianna. Anything could have happened to you!"

Mas lumaki pa lalo ang ngisi ko.

"Wala namang mangyayaring masama, mom. I was with a friend yesterday." I tried taking my mind off of it in front of my parents. I'll be too flushed thinking about it, then they'll start asking questions.

"Huh... a friend?" dad put his hand on his waist then pointed at my face. "You look like a teenager experiencing a crush for the first time, sino yan?"

Shit!

"Is it Dexter?" si mommy naman ngayon ay sinilip nang mabuti ang mukha ko dahil sa sinabi ni daddy.

"She was with a girl yesterday. I don't know whether to be happy that she wasn't with Dexter or to be concerned that I've just met the new friend yesterday."

Mommy rolled her eyes.

"Give her a break, Vance Hamilton. Pati ba naman sa babae ay babakuran mo ang kapatid mo?"

Inayos ko ang pagkakasakbit ng bag sa aking balikat sabay tingin sa direksyon ng aking driver.

"Mabait naman po si... V-Victoria..." heck! I almost said Vector! "A big coincidence but it turns out na inaanak pala siya ni kuya Maurice. You can ask him to confirm at para na rin makampante po kayo. I think he knows her well."

"Wag na natin masyadong alalahanin ang bagay na iyan. Pagkakaibigan lang naman pala eh. Why are we making such a big fuss?" ani dad.

"Hoy, kayong mag anak kayo!"

Nilingon namin si manang na lumabas na rin pala ng pinto.

"Akala ko ba ay may mga pasok kayo. Bakit mga nakatambay pa kayo sa gate? Kanina pa inistart ng mga driver niyo ang sasakyan!"

Agad na tinulak ni kuya Vance ang gate upang makatayo nang tuwid. Nakasandal kase siya roon kanina.

"Ito na po, manang. Aalis na po," nangingiti si mommy dahil sa pagsasaway ni manang sa ganitong oras.

Yumakap si mommy kay manang. She really must have a special place in her heart.

"Mag iingat kayo, Eleanor," hinaplos ni manang ang buhok ni mommy. "Hanggang ngayon talaga ay naglalambing ka pa rin sa akin."

"She was your baby before she was mine, manang," nakangiting pinapanood ni daddy si mommy.

Ngumuso si mommy ngunit may nagtatagong ngiti dahil sa sinabi ni daddy.