IS THIS ANOTHER LESSON LEARN?

CHAPTER XVII

Sam smiles faintly, noticing the flicker of emotion in his eyes. She can sense the subtext and unspoken words hanging in the air. She nods, acknowledging his unspoken feelings.

"Thanks, Trev. I'll head to bed then."

She excuses herself and heads to the guest room, leaving Trevor and Sandra alone in the living room.

Sam smiles faintly, noticing the flicker of emotion in his eyes. She can sense the subtext and unspoken words hanging in the air. She nods, acknowledging his unspoken feelings.

"Thanks, Trev. I'll head to bed then."

She excuses herself and heads to the guest room, leaving Trevor and Sandra alone in the living room.

Trevor watches as she walks away, his heart still pounding. He lets out a deep breath, trying to collect himself. Sandra, noticing his expression, smirks at him.

"You're so whipped, Trev."

He rolls his eyes, trying to play it off.*
"Shut up, Sandra. You don't know what you're talking about."

But the slight flush on his cheeks betrays his true feelings.

Sandra grins, enjoying teasing him.
"Oh, come on. Masyado kang obvious b  na sobrang crush mo ang pinsan ko" . Kung paano mo siya titigan, pati yung pag kilos mo tapos kinakabahan kapa pag nasa paligid si ate. Hahah... classic whipped behavior."

Trevor groans, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He hates how perceptive Sandra is. But he can't deny the truth in her words.

"Okay, fine. You know how much i like her. Happy now?"

"Sinabi mo na saken yan ng maraming beses". sandra teases him.

Trevor rolls his eyes again, realizing that he's already admitted this to Sandra multiple times before.

"I know, I know. You don't need to remind me everytime,."

He crosses his arms, trying to look annoyed, even though he cant hide the hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"Hindi ako sanay na hindi kayo nag aasaran ni Ate. 

Trevor laughs, knowing that Sandra is amused by their usual banters.
"I guess we've become pretty predictable huh?"

He shakes his head, still amused by her observation. He grabs the leftover containers and start tidying up the coffee table. 

"Hindi no! Masyado ka lang Cringe, HAHAHAHA."

Trevor feigns outrage ar her remark.
"Hey I take that offense to that! I'm not cringe. I'm suave and charming."

He winks comically, trying to keep the lighthearted atmostphere going.

"Luuhh! Si Ate ba ganun ang tingin sayo?"

Trevor can't help but laugh at her comment. He knows she just teasing him, but he decides to play along.
"Hey, I have killer personality, a winning smile, a sharp wit. I'm total package. Your cousin just need to open her eyes and see it."

He says with mock confidence, a playful grin in his lips.

"Hindi ka sure, alam mo naman pa iba iba ang ugali ni ate." 

He sighs playfully, knowing she has a point.
"Yeah i know , I know. Your cousin is a tough one to figure out. She's different from anyone I've ever met."

He shrug helplessly, still trying to feign nonchalance, even though the mention of her name makes his heart flutter.

He glsnces towards the hallway, in the general direction of the room where Sam is resting.
"She's got the mystery to her, you know? I can't quite put my finger on it. One minute she's guarded and distant, and the next she's warm and open.

He scratches his head as he tries to make sense of his own feelings.

"Maraming Personalities kasi si ate."

He chuckles recalling the many side of her he's witnessed. "Yeah, i've noticed. She's like a walking contradiction sometimes. One minute she's confident and independent, and the next she's vulnerable anf emotional."

He rubs his chin thoughtfully. "It's like trying to figure out a damn puzzle."

"Bukas mo na isipin yan at matutulog na ko, may pasok pa bukas."

He nods, realizing it's getting late.
"Yeah, you're right. It's getting late. Goodnight."

He give her a quick smile, his thoughts still preoccupied with Sam, who's resting in the room.

"Matulog ka na din after mo dyan. Wag mo na masyadong isipin si ate at tulog na yon. Akyat na ko Good night Sungit."

He chuckles softly appreciating her concern.
"Okay, okay. I"ll try not to think to much about her. Goodnight, Madaldal

He waves her off teasingly , unable to resist a little banter even as his thoughts remain on Sam.

He cleans up the rest of the table, glancing towards the hallway every now and then. Even though he knows Sam is probably sleeping by now, he can't shake off the thought of her being just a few rooms away.

He sighs, shaking his head at himself. He feels like a lovesick idiot, but he can't help the way his heart races when he thinks about her. With a final glance towards the hallway, he mutters to himself under his breath.
"Get it together, idiot."