A Royal Visit in Brooklyn

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

"Naku, pagpasensyahan n'yo na si Yuka, ah?" Ate Cora apologized after Madam Yuka left. I just stared at her, still quite terrified from what I heard. "May ginawa ba siya sa 'yo, hija?"

Seb was immediately alert, he glanced my way and gripped my palm more.

"Nasaktan ka ba, Gabriela?" he asked, "ayos ka lang ba—"

"I'm fine, don't worry," I gave Seb a gentle smile before looking at Ate Cora's way, "she just held my hand and said something weird. I didn't get it since it's too quick and the words she used are deep Tagalog, I guess?"

I lied. I understood a few parts of it, maybe not all but quite and it was terrifying. What if I understood the full context? I think, I might be shaking now.

"Are you sure?" Seb's serious and deep voice inquired. I nodded and gave him a bright smile.

"Yes, and she just looked at my hand and said something. It's about fate? I don't know." I shrugged like it was nothing but the look on Ate Cora's face is filled with concern. "She said she's a fortune teller?"

"Hay naku, Yuka," Ate Cora sighed. "Pagpasensyahan mo na, Gab, at ganyan talaga ang kapatid ko na 'yan. Simula pa lang noong mga bata kami halos lahat ng nakikitaan niya daw ng liwanag kinakausap niya. Titignan ang palad tapos babasahin—ewan ko, hanggang ngayon ay 'di ko pa rin alam saan niya nahuhugot iyon."

"O-Oh," I nodded, "but is her readings accurate, Ate?"

Her eyes widened, she glanced at Seb and shook her head after clearing her throat.

"Hindi, wala, h'wag mo na lang pansinin si Yuka." She gave me a gentle and reassuring smile. "Minsan lang talaga'y nakakatakot pero mabait naman iyon. Hayaan mo't pagsasabihan ko para hindi na kayo istorbohin."

"It's okay, Ate," I mumbled. "You don't have to."

"Hindi, kakausapin ko, hija." She glanced at Seb too. "Pasensya ka na, Baste, ah? Pati itong si Gab ay nadadamay. Sana pala pinauwi ko na talagang Pinas iyang kapatid ko."

"Ayos lang, Ate," Seb answered, his thumb gently caressing my palm. "Pero kung ayos lang, p'wedeng pakisabihan? Ayaw ko lang kasing natatakot si Gabriela."

I opened my mouth to tell him not to bother much but when I saw the genuine concern on Seb's face, I lowered my guard and gripped his hand instead. He must've felt it for he opened his palm, filled the gaps on my fingers with his and held it.

"Oo, sasabihan ko. Pasensya na talaga." She smiled a little, "gusto n'yo ba ng pagkain? Mayro'n pa ako roon." She suddenly offered.

"Ate, you have BJ pa?" I asked and when she nodded, I chirped.

"Oo, tara," she chuckled. "Ano pang gusto n'yo? Mag-init ako ng pagkain."

"I want quick-quick and kiki yum too!" I exclaimed and Ate froze, glanced my way with her wide eyes.

"Ano?"

"Quick-quick and kiki yum—" but a palm covered my mouth before I could even say anything.

"Kwek-kwek at kikiam, Ate." Seb laughed awkwardly, "pagpasensyahan mo na at buhol na buhol na ang dila ng mga conyong taga-Italya."

I eyed him sharply after that. He just shot his brow up and smirked, slowly pulled me towards Ate Cora's stand.

I ate happily that night—well, I tried to. With Seb. He was looking at me from time to time but I'd offer him a smile to let him know I'm doing just fine.

I don't want that to bother him but maybe, he felt me masking it so on our way to my room, he kept on looking at me.

"Seb, I know naman na I'm super maganda but you're staring na too much. Baka mag-dream ka about me, ah?" I teased.