Teach Me Ate

Chapter 1

Kire's POV

As I woke up, grogginess clinging to my eyelids, I brushed my eyes and stretched out my arms.

A wide smile spread across my face as I realized the date. It's already April 10, just four days left until my birthday!

I couldn't contain my excitement and jumped up and down on my bed, marking the calendar with a bold circle. This was going to be a special milestone for me—I would finally turn 18 and be able to get my driver's license.

I giggled to myself, imagining the freedom that awaited me on the open road.

Eager to share my enthusiasm, I hurriedly made my way downstairs to greet my parents. As I entered the kitchen, I found my dad sitting at the table, sipping his coffee and engrossed in the morning newspaper. The aroma of my mom's cooking filled the air as she prepared a delicious breakfast of fried rice and longganisa.

"Guess what, Mom?" I blurted out, unable to contain my excitement. "Only four days left until I turn 18! I'll finally be able to drive a motorcycle!"

My mother chuckled warmly, her eyes twinkling with joy. She understood my anticipation and shared my happiness. But my dad, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow, his expression hinting at concern and caution. He lowered the newspaper and looked at me with a serious gaze.

"Just because you'll be of legal age doesn't mean you can do whatever you want, Kire," he said firmly, his voice laced with a sense of responsibility.

"You need to remember that there are rules and regulations in place for a reason. Making rash decisions or acting irresponsibly could land you in jail. So, you must approach your decisions and actions with maturity and seriousness."

His words hit me like a sudden gust of wind, momentarily deflating my excitement. I sighed and took a seat next to my dad at the dining table.

At that moment, I couldn't help but feel that he was being overprotective and treating me like a child. But deep down, I knew he was only looking out for my well-being.

As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, my dad broke the silence with a question that caught me off, guard.

"Are you ready to meet your 'ate'?"

Confusion flickered across my face as I tried to process his words. The term 'ate' referred to an older sister figure, but I didn't have any siblings. I looked at my dad, perplexed, and asked, "What do you mean, Dad? I don't have an older sister."

A mischievous smile played on my dad's lips as he revealed the surprise he had been keeping from me. "Well, you do now," he sarcastically said.

My heart skipped a beat as a whirlwind of emotions swept over me—curiosity, anticipation, and a hint of nervousness. I never imagined having a sister, and the thought of meeting her for the first time stirred a mix of emotions within me.

My mind was consumed with curiosity about my unknown sister, someone I had never met before. I had always believed that I was the only child, but now my parents' reactions to my question had sparked a glimmer of hope within me.

"Mom, can you please tell me more about my sister?" I asked, my voice filled with anticipation. My mom and dad exchanged a glance, a momentary silence hanging in the air. I could sense something significant hiding behind their guarded expressions.

After what felt like an eternity, my mom finally broke the silence, placing a plate full of fried rice in front of me. The tantalizing aroma wafted up, but I barely noticed it as I awaited her response. The plate was adorned with three longganisas and fried scrambled eggs on the side, a breakfast fit for a king.

I slumped my head on the table, feeling a mixture of annoyance and impatience. My mom's chuckle interrupted my thoughts, and she looked at me affectionately before speaking. "Kire, my dear, let's enjoy breakfast first. I'll tell you all about your sister afterward, okay?"

I couldn't help but sigh. My eagerness was getting the better of me, and I reluctantly began eating, albeit with a padabog attitude. My mom's amusement only grew as she watched me, probably finding my impatience endearing.

Meanwhile, my dad finished his breakfast and rose from his seat, ready to leave for work. He leaned over, kissed my mom on the cheek, and ruffled my hair before saying his goodbyes. "Take care, both of you. I'll see you in the evening," he said, his voice filled with warmth.

As my dad exited the house, I seized the opportunity to bombard my mom with questions about my sister. My curiosity had reached its peak, and I couldn't wait any longer. "Mom, please tell me everything about my sister. Who is she? Where is she? Why have I never met her before?" I asked, my words spilling out in a rush.

My mom looked at me with a playful glint in her eyes, and I could tell she was about to tease me. I thought she would finally reveal the long-kept secret, but instead, she began telling an exaggerated tale, embellishing the details with a mischievous grin.

As I listened to her outlandish story, a mixture of frustration and amusement washed over me. It seemed my mom was determined to keep me in suspense a little while longer. Though her words were playful, I sensed a deeper undercurrent beneath her teasing, as if she was hiding something important.

I finished my breakfast, my hunger momentarily forgotten in the whirlwind of emotions. With a smile, my mom finally decided to end her charade and leaned closer to me, her tone turning serious. "Kire, my dear, your sister does exist, and she is out there somewhere. But her story is not as extravagant as I made it out to be. I promise I will tell you the truth, but let's take our time and savor the mystery a little longer."

I looked at my mom, a mixture of anticipation and gratitude in my eyes. Though her playful nature often tested my patience, deep down, I knew she loved me and wanted to protect me. With newfound patience, I nodded and replied, "Alright, Mom. I trust you. Whenever you're ready, I'll be here, waiting."