Irresistible Pulchritude

Chapter 3

STANDING in front of her mother, with her lips pressed together, listening to the nonstop remarks of her Tita Krizzia. Khaila's head was about to burst. May sumpa yata ang dila ng kapatid niya at biglang nagkatotoo ang hula nito kahapon. She wasn't crying because of the rumour about her having an affair, but because of their father.

"Teacher Khaila, may mayaman na boyfriend pero matanda?" Her Tita Krizzia exclaimed. "Grabe ah! Mag-ina talaga kayo! Naalala mo pa 'yung principal natin na buntis? Wala lang, pinapa-alala ko lang!" she added.

The rumour circulate and spread like a wildfire, umabot 'yon hanggang sa mga magulang niya.

"Sumasakit ang ulo ko, Angelyn! Si Kade pa talaga?!" Her Tita Krizzia hissed.

Her mother massaged the bridge of her nose and glanced at her sister, who was sitting comfortably, while looking at her newly made nails. Kasama nito si Ky na tahimik lang din sa tabi.

Masakit na ang ulo ng Mamu nila sa tsismis na kumakalat sa loob ng school nila, mas lalo pa na nadagdagan dahil pinili na magtago ng kapatid niya sa school kaysa ang umuwi na lang sa bahay nila sa village.

"Ma'am, pasensya na ho sa istorbo. Hindi na po kasi namin kaya ang mga tao sa labas, kulang ho kami." The guard said.

The securities they have were all having a hard time controlling the reporters outside the school.

"Krizzia, mamaya na 'yan. Pakisuyo na muna sa mga pinsan ni Ryker na tulungan ang mga guards natin sa labas." Mahinahon na sabi ng Mamu nila at pagod na umupo sa swivel chair nito.

On the other hand, their Tita Krizzia left the office, still mad about the rumour spreading.

"Tally… Pumayag ba ang Papa mo sa project na 'yon?" Angelyn, their mother, calmly asked her sister.

Hindi makatingin ang kapatid nila sa ilaw ng tahanan nila. Her mother sighed and give it up. Nakuha na nito ang sagot sa pananahimik pa lang ng kapatid nila. Even the overprotective brother, Ky, was silent.

"Ikaw ang photographer, ano?" Their mother pointed at Kyrst.

Ky avoided their mother's gaze.

"Anak naman…" halos maiyak na sabi ng Mamu nila. "Pinapayagan naman namin kayo sa gusto niyo, pero sa tingin niyo? Hindi ba sobra 'yon? It's too… seductive for my daughter, Tally," bahagya na tumaas ang boses nito sa kanila.

Yumuko ang kapatid niya at pinaglaruan ang mga kuko nito. Even Ky was slowly hiding himself behind her. Umingos siya nang maramdaman ang kamay ng dalawa sa magkabilang braso niya.

"Mamu… I am aiming to be a potential model for Victoria Secret. Ayaw mo noon? May anak kang maganda na rarampa sa VS?" pang-aalaska ni Tally sa Mamu nila.

Tally's latest photos turned social media upside and down. There's a lot of negative comments and some were too disgusting for her family to read. Some people just don't know how to shut their mouths and how to properly use their brains. Hindi naman 'yon maiiwasan, but still.

Ngumuso lang ang nanay nila. Their mother dismissively waved her hand, it was a good sign for her sister, that only means na wala nang magagawa ang magulang nila sa gusto nito.

"Please, be careful, Tally. Huwag kang pumayag kung hindi ang kapatid mo ang photographer mo or kung wala si Kyrst sa tabi mo." Their mother said.

"Yes, Ma!" Tally beamed at their mother.

Ky showed up from her back and showed his muscles. "Hindi naman ako papayag no'n, Ma!"

"Hindi ka pa tapos, Ky. Hintayin mo ang Papa mo, lagot ka doon!" dagdag nito na siyang ikinawala ng ngiti sa mga labi ni Ky at nagtago ulit sa likuran niya. Her mother glanced at her and said, "As for you… wala naman katotohanan ang sinasabi nila. Kaya mo ba?"