Paper Planes (Sandejas Siblings: Companion Book)

Kabanata 16

"Pilit na pilit ang ngiti mo, hmm?" Napalingon ako at napangiti nang makita si Floyd.

"Is it really obvious?" I asked gently, amused too because he noticed me.

"Hmm, not really." He smiled. "I just know what your real smile looks like."

I chuckled and shook my head.

"Is it because of him?" Natigilan ako at sumulyap sa kanya.

"Huh?"

"You are in love with him," he tilted his head to watch my reaction.

"K-Kanino?"

"Si Sandejas," he chuckled after concluding. Tumikhim lang ako at kinagat ang labi ko.

"I always felt that he is in love with you," napatitig ako nang magsalita siya.

"Paano?" I murmured.

"His gaze at you, iba. He's like a magnetic field for girls but he looks at them the same way, walang pinagkaiba, samantalang sa 'yo, nakikita kong nagagalit siya. He is joking around but do you know that he's checking on every boy that is interested with you?"

Kumalabog ang puso ko roon.

"I remembered him saying to me to never touch even just the tip of your hair. Kapag daw sinaktan kita o ano, hindi na ako aabutin ng araw, sasayawan pa daw niya ang libingan ko pagkatapos." Natawa siya pero ako'y nanatili lang tulala.

"I-I...just did what I have to." I murmured softly.

"Sa Harvard ba?" aniya. "Oh, that's why..." he nodded and patted my head.

"What is destined for you will always find a way back, Lena. Always." He smiled.

Sa pag-alis ni Floyd ay nagtungo ako sa mga magulang ko pero halos matulos ako sa kinauupuan nang makita ang magulang ni Ejercito na kausap sila.

My heart started beating like crazy, nakagat ko ang labi ko at nagwala ang sistema ko. I took a step faster than before, umaasang naroon siya at hindi umalis pero nawala nang makita kong ang mga magulang niya lang talaga ang narito.

I saw how startled my Mom is when she saw me approaching, I looked at Auntie Agnes and her husband.

Napansin siguro ni Auntie ang tanong sa mga mata ko kaya ngumiti siya sa akin.

"Congratulations, hija," she said softly.

I forced a smile, nang lumapit siya para yakapin ako ay niyakap ko siya pabalik at natigilan nang bumulong siya.

"He said he's proud of you," she whispered in a soft and sad tone.

A tear left my eye.

"H-He left?" I murmured. She hugged me more and sighed.

"He's on board now," aniya.

"Agnes, mauuna na muna kami sa sasakyan." I heard my mother saying, hindi na nakasagot si Auntie roon at sa halip ay si Uncle na ang sumagot.

When they left, marahang lumayo ako kay Tita. I saw her gasped when she saw my tears, hinawi niya ang luha ko at tumalon.

"Oh my God, I didn't mean to make you cry!" She exclaimed.

Napapangiti na ako pero hinawi ang luha ko.

"I-I'm alright, Auntie... I just..."

"Your son will be mad if he found out about this." I stopped when I heard his father's voice.

Nilingon ko siya at maliit na ngumiti.

"H-Hello po,"

"Congratulations, hija." He smiled at me.