SNIPPET OF A FAIRYTALE

Perks of being hit by a ball.

He didn't face her, he extended his arm backwards as if asking her to hold his hand. And she did hold his hand.

Old routine na nila to ni Zoey.

nakaextend pareho ang arm nila, pero nakatalikod pa rin si Zoey sa kanya.

"Zo. Sorry." She whispered.

Nasa gitna sila ng kalsada, street lights lang ang ilaw. Buti walang dumadaan, kundi mapagkakamalan silang mga abnormal.

Hinigit sya ni Zoey at magkatabi na sila.

He lowered his head to talk to her.

"Next time you call me gay, I'll kiss you like a mad man." his face is damn serious that she actually felt scared but she blushed at the same time. Buti na lang madilim hindi yon napansin ni Zoey.

"Y-you won't do that." Arci answered but it sounded like she's convincing herself.

He smiled at her and winked.

"Come on Aling Maliit, let me take you home." Zoey

Then they resumed walking, holding hands. Arci's heart wants to get out of her rib cage.

xxx

"Andeng!!! May naghahanap sayo!"

Nasa kalagitnaan si Andrea ng pag-eedit ng isang article for their upcoming issue nung narinig nya ang malakas na tawag ng ate nya.

Nasa kwarto sya at kinailangan pa nya ayusin muna ang mga gamit bago bumaba. Pero dahil major impatient ang ate nya...

"HOY! ANDREA!!!"

"OO SAGLIT LANG!!! MAKAHINTAY KA NAMAN ATE!" training ground nya talaga ang bahay nila sa palakasan ng bunganga.

Sila lang ng Ate nya ang nakatira sa bahay nila. College student ito at every weekend lang umuuwi, pero mukang walang pasok ito bukas kaya napauwi in the middle of the week, kaya sanay si Andrea na mag-isa lang palagi. She is very independent, bata pa kase sya ng magdecide ang Mama nya na mangibang bansa para may maipang-buhay sa dalawa nyang anak pagkatapos mamatay ng Papa nya because of a tragic accident.

Pagbaba nya sa living room nila, nandun ang magaling nyang kapatid, panay ang hampas at kwento sa bisita nya.

"HOY ATE! BAKA GUSTO MONG PUNTAHAN YUNG PINIPRITO MO... NANGANGAMOY SUNOG NA!" Sabi nya

Nun lang nga naalala ng ate nya ang niluluto.

"AY OO NGA!!! HAHAHAHA SIGE PEPE HA! NEXT TIME ULIT!" tawang tawa pa ang ate nya sa kausap

She motioned him to follow her outside. Nasa terrace sila.

"Naligaw ka?" she asked

"Grabe ang ate mo Andeng! Sakit ng balikat ko! And pakisabihan naman na Chino na lang ang itawag sakin wag na Pepe! Ang panghi eh!" he grimaced

Di naman napigilan ni Andeng ang tawa.

"HAHAHAHA!!! EH KASALANAN YAN NG NANAY AT TATAY MO!" she said while laughing

"Pramis pag yumaman ako yan ang unang ipapabago ko!" Chino

"Mayaman ka naman ah!" Andrea

"My parents. Not me." he pointed out

"Sus! Ganun na rin yon! Bakit ka nga nandito??" Andrea

He sat down on their rocking chair.

"Papakita ko sana sayo yung mga inedit ko na pwedeng pang cover sa issue natin next month." he pulled out his fd.