Bedroom Negotiations - Gold (Self-published)

19

We all agreed to use Lee Ann's SUV. I actually changed my mind the moment we walked out the restaurant's door because one, Alexa was pregnant, and two, Lee Ann's a minor.

Naisip kong bakit ko naman idadamay pa sa mga kagagahan ko ang mga kapatid ko? Paano kung may isang batalyong supporters pala si Freda? At least ako sanay ako sa buntalan pero 'yung dalawa kong kapatid?

I looked at Alexa who was wearing a powder pink above-the-knee dress paired with black tights and mid-heel boots; and at Lee Ann who looked every inch the carefree teenager she should be in her blue and white triple ruffle blouse and white denim pants.

"Teka..." I stopped walking.

My sisters looked inquiringly at me.

"I don't think this is a good idea..." I started to say. "Ako na lang ang pupunta, h'wag na kayong sumama. Hintayin n'yo na lang ako rito at i-mi-message ko na lang sa inyo ang blow-by-blow account ng kaganapan. Kung gusto n'yo ay mag-Facebook Live pa ako para na rin kayong nand'un."

Alexa frowned. "Bakit, Ate?" She had her brow arched as if she was ready to refute whatever reason that would come out of my mouth. "Bakit ayaw mo kaming isama?"

"Uy, teka lang, ha, h'wag mo akong gagamitan ng gan'yang katarayan at wala akong panlaban sa excellent reasoning skills mo courtesy of Harvard," I tried to joke but instead of smiling her frown deepened.

"Bakit hindi ka namin sasamahan? Ano 'yun, hahayaan na lang natin na susugod-sugurin ka ng kahit sino? Hindi ko nagustuhan na pinuntahan ka pa n'ya talaga rito sa building na tayo ang nagmamay-ari para lang insultuhin. How dare this Freda woman lie about you and that girl's father and then send her to stalk you in our own property?"

I laughed. "Kalma, masyado ka namang hot, Sister. Ako pa ba ang magpapaapi? Magtutuos talaga kami n'ung hunghang na 'yun. Pero, as the eldest ay responsibilidad kong siguraduhin na walang hindi magandang mangyari sa inyo."

"Ate, we can take care of ourselves," Lee Ann said. "And I agree with Ate Alexa, we should teach that woman a lesson."

"Alexa, Lee, ang sa akin lang naman ay baka mamaya magkasabunutan doon o kaya ay magkaroon ng umaatikabong action scenes. Malay ba natin, ninja pala itong si Freda at batuhin n'ya tayo ng shuriken? O, kaya ay leader pala ito ng gang at biglang nagkaroon ng car chase scene, 'di ba?"

They stared unblinking at me.

I sighed. "You're pregnant, Alexa, I don't want to put you and the baby in danger. Mamaya mapaano ka pa d'un, hindi ko talaga mapapatawad ang sarili ko."

I then turned to my younger sister. "Ikaw naman, Lee Ann, you're too sweet-tempered for such a confrontation. Ikaw na lang ang nag-iisang virgin sa ating tatlo, kailangan ka naming protektahan," I jokingly said.

"Gosh, liability pala itong virginity ko. I should probably do something about this ASAP—"

I laughed at the look on Alexa's face.

"Ate, I was just kidding," Lee Ann immediately said. "Wala naman po akong balak..."

"Uy, walang balak sounds final. H'wag gan'un. I am not encouraging you, ha, Lee, at baka kalbuhin ako ni Alexa rito but let's not put double standards and labels because just like everything else, losing one's virginity is a choice. As your sister, I want you to keep or lose your virginity for the right reasons."

"I know that Ate..."

Alexa patted Lee Ann's shoulder. "Lee, what Ate Lia said is exactly my point. If you're going to lose it ay hindi dahil naiinggit ka, or trip mo lang, o gusto mong i-prove 'yung worth at pagmamahal mo d'un sa lalaking pagbibigyan mo n'yan. One's virginity is not something that you use as a banner to announce your value as a woman. Tandaan mo 'yan. It's a piece of flesh that does not define who you are pero hindi rin nangangahulugang ilalako mo na lang 'yan. Lose it, I hope not very soon, for the right reasons."