My Stepsister is Mine [Completed]

Chapter 6

Iniwasan ni Atticus si Celine the following day. Maaga itong umalis at hindi na hinintay pa ang stepsister para ihatid.

Celine ate breakfast with her Tito Leo and her mother quietly. Her mind was still thinking about what happened between her and Atticus in the secluded road last night.

"Hija, ginabi na daw kayo ng uwi ni Atticus kagabi sabi ni Manang Celia," bungad ng mommy niya.

Tumango siya. "We got lost..." pagdadahilan niya.

"Lost where?"

"May isinaradong shortcut at naligaw kami nang hindi na namin mahanap ang pabalik. Nawalan pa ng gas si Atticus kaya naghintay pa kami para masundo nina Aries, yung mga kaibigan niya."

"Oh, Aries and Yego! Anak sila ng mga kaibigan ko. Buti na lang at nasundo nila kayo kaagad. Nagmamadaling umalis si Atticus kanina dahil may mga gagawin pa daw siya sa school," balita ni Leo.

She just smiled. Or baka naman iniiwasan lang talaga niya ako... she thought to herself. Simula ng nangyari kagabi, hindi na niya maalis sa isip ang mga ginawa nila kahapon ni Atticus, how he kissed her and touched her.

She was like floating in the air sa sobrang sarap ng nadama kasama ito. How she hated herself for liking what happened! Lihim niyang pinagalitan ang sarili.

"Anyway, wala kami tonight since we're going go Baguio. May meeting ako doon at isasama ko na ang mommy mo para makapagbakasyon naman kami," balita ng stepfather niya.

"Okay po! Mag-enjoy po kayo," she said and smiled.

"May gusto ka ba, hija?" tanong nito habang kumakain.

Umiling siya. Masyado na talaga siyang naso-spoil ng Tito Leo niya. "Kailan po ang balik ninyo?"

"Sa makalawa pa, anak," sagot ni Andrea sa anak. "Don't worry! Mabilis lang iyon. Isasama sana kita kung wala ka lang eskwela."

"Ipahahatid na kita sa driver, hija."

And she went to school that morning without seeing Atticus at all.

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5PM ang dismissal niya ng araw na iyon. Kasabay niya palabas ng gate sina Alden nang mapansin niya ang isang SUV na naka-park sa harapan noon. Nakasandal doon ang antipatikong binatang kanina pa niyang hinahanap mula umaga.

Atticus... Bumilis bigla ang tibok ng puso niya ng makita itong naghihintay sa kanya.

His face was grim. Parang badtrip ito na ewan.

Nagpaalam siya sa mga kaibigan at lumapit dito. "I... I didn't know na susunduin mo ako today."

"Sakay," tipid na utos nito at pinagbuksan siya ng passenger seat.

Nakakunot ang noong sumakay siya sa sasakyan nito. And he quickly followed in the driver's seat.

"At ikaw pa ang may ganang magalit after what happened yesterday," she said.

He just looked at her and didn't answer.

"Bakit hindi ka makasagot ngayon?" Paghahamon niya.

He still remained silent.

Naguluhan na siya sa inaakto nito. It's very unusual para hindi siya patulan nito sa mga sinasabi niya. This is Atticus after all. Lagi itong may parinig o pasaring sa kanya.

His hands were clutching the steering wheel harder than usual. Gulo rin ang pagkakaayos ng neck tie sa polo uniform nito.

"Okay ka lang ba?" she asked. "You look like a storm happened."

He stared at her harder this time.

"Atticus, natatakot na ako..."

And that's when he spoke up, "You don't have to be scared. I'll be here for you whatever happens, Celine. Remember that."

Hindi niya naintindihan kung bakit bigla na lang nitong sinabi iyon. But from the looks of it, mukha namang seryoso ito. "Anong nakain mo? Ayos ka lang ba talaga?"

"We're going to the hospital."

Nagulat siya sa sinagot nito. "Why?"

He turned right and entered one of the biggest hospitals in the city. Mabilis itong nakahanap ng parking sa basement ng building na iyon.

He turned off the ignition and faced her. Hinawakan siya nito sa magkabilang balikat. And then pulled her in for a kiss.

It was hot, wanting and full of passion. Pero may kakaibang kasama iyon. May lungkot. She answered his kiss with equal passion as well. Hindi siya ganoon kasanay pang humalik but with him as her guide, she quickly learned.

And then he let go of her and looked her in the eyes. "I'm here, okay?"

"Ano bang problema, Atticus?" Kinakabahan na siya sa inaakto nito. Kanina pa itong tahimik pero parang balisa.

"We're here because... because our parents were in a car crash this afternoon on the trail to Baguio. Nahulog sa bangin ang sinasakyan nilang sasakyan. They were both rushed to the nearest hospital in Baguio. Pero parehong nauwi sa comatose. And they were brought here para mas maobserbahan ng maayos..." And he saw the color drained from her face.

"A-anong nangyari kay Mommy?"

"They both died an hour ago, baby. I'm sorry..." And he hugged her.

Gulat na gulat siya sa mga sinabi nito. "Is this a prank?" tanong niya while trying to get out of his embrace. "Tell me you're joking!" sigaw niya habang itinutulak ito.

But his grip on her was strong and firm. "I wish I was, Babe. I wish I was..."

And she cried. Habang pilit pa rin niyang itinutulak si Atticus. She cried like there was no tomorrow. It can't be. Her mom can't just leave her all of a sudden! Kakausap lamang nila kaninang umaga at nangako itong babalik ng makalawa. How can this be?

"Our parents are gone now... it's just the two of us..."

And that's how it dawned on her that even her Tito Leo is gone. Atticus' father. Tumigil siya sa pagpupumiglas sa yakap nito and looked at him. He was crying as well. But quietly.

And she clutched on to him trying to comfort him as well kahit na hindi niya alam kung paano aaluin ang sarili.

*****
Hey all,

Thanks so much for keeping in touch despite the long tiiiime that I haven't updated. Will resume writing this story again. And the latest chapter begins......

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