You Tripped, I Fall

chapter three

Chapter Three,
   Aina

     I thought nightmares only appear when I'm asleep.

But apparently, it's not.

Umawang nang kusa ang labi ko trying to process all that's happening. Balak ko lang namang kumuha ng hapunan dito sa baba para isabay sa pag-aaral ko sa kwarto. But here I am right now, hearing Seiji Santiago will be staying in our house. What shocked me is that his father died! Not that I'm inconsiderate regarding the situation pero kasi...

Seiji is the essence of trouble.

And I hate him.

What if he invites his unmannered friends in our property? Tapos hahawaan niya pa ako ng pangit na pagkilos niya? I bit my inner cheek out of frustration.

Everyone knows Seiji's character is pole apart from mine. Hindi 'to pwede! Just because his later parent abandoned him doesn't mean we have to take mercy na agad.

My face crumpled with disgust. "Eh diba may nanay pa naman siya? Why don't he reside there instead—?!"

"Aina."

"Aina!"

"Ate!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sabay-sabay nilang pagtawag sa akin. But most importantly, I looked at Deia na nangibabaw ang boses sa kanilang tatlo. If my face was crumpled, then Deia's was squashed. Unti na lang ay mas magmumukha na siyang panganay kesa sa akin— in fact, nakalimutan ko ngang mas matanda ako dito for a split second that she raised her voice.

Great. Tinataksil na ako ng nag-iisa kong kapatid.

"Ano ba, ate?!" Pinanlakihan niya ako ng mata. "He's literally mourning!"

I bit my lower lip at mabagal na binalik muli ang tingin kay Seiji. Kahit may pagitan ang layo namin sa isa't isa, I'm certain I'm not mistaken when I saw that small grin playing on the corner of his lips. May sinasabi si Mom ngunit hindi ko iyon mabigyan pansin as I watch him slightly pouted, nang-aasar, knowing I abhor that kind of face— those triggering, narrowing eyes that mock.

Ugh. And that supposed to be the face of mourning?!!

"Ilang araw?" I ask, arms starting to cross.

"Gusto mong hulaan?" Si Seiji na mismo ang tumugon. Ang singkit niyang mga mata ay walang pagod na nakatingin sa akin. Brazen of my presence, parehong kamay ang nasa bulsa ng suot nitong gray cotton shorts. "Joke, wala din akong alam. Siguro isang buwan? O dalawa? Huwag kang mag-alala, mabilis lang naman 'yon. Hindi mo mamalayan." Then he winked.

He. Winked.

Without anyone else seeing.