"You two have been quiet for a while. You didn't even greet each other earlier."
Pansin ni Eishel sa aming dalawa ni Eva.Nandito na kasi kaming tatlo sa mall at naglalakad na kami papunta sa bilihan ng mga gamit sa bahay.
Sumama nga talaga si Eva sa amin, ang sabi kasi ni Eishel ay nagdala lang daw ng food si Eva para may makain siya nang biglang mang-aya si Eva na sumama noong kinuwento ni Eishel na pupunta siya sa mall para bumili ng gamit.
Even though Eishel informed Eva na may kasama na siyang bibili but still, Eva insisted to come.
I simply asked Eishel if she mentioned my name na ako 'yung kasama niya but she didn't daw.
Medyo nanghinayang ako doon.
Okay.I admitted to myself na medyo umasa ako na I was the reason why she came with us.
Eishel looked at us suspiciously when we didn't reply."Did you two fight?"
"No."agarang tanggi ko.I also glanced at Eva."We just don't have anything to talk about."
"But she's your friend."tumingin din siya kay Eva bago ibalik sa akin 'yung tingin."I got it.You fought."
"We didn't."I sincerely said."Let's just drop this topic."
Napabuntong hininga si Eishel bago sumang-ayon.I diverted the topic as soon as possible as we continued to walked.Tahimik lang naman si Eva sa tabi ni Eishel, nasa gitna kasi si Eishel dahil ayaw kong tumabi kay Eva.
Baka bigla ko na lang siyang sunggaban dahil sa nakakabaliw niyang amoy—
Syempre charot lang.I'm still sane, 'no?
Atsaka hanggang ngayon ay badtrip pa rin ako sa ginawa ni Eva kagabi.I mean, I enjoyed the kissed but whenever the thought of; she kissed me just to fucking mocked me, gets my blood boil in annoyance.
Okay na sana, eh.She kissed me and I kissed her back.I thought that's her way to say sorry but I was wrong.
Araw-araw na sana ako magtatampo.
"What do you think? It's pretty, right?"
I looked at their side when I heard Eishel's voice.We were finding a sofa kasi. Tinatanong ni Eishel si Eva kung maganda ba 'yung sofang tinuturo niya ngayon sa kapatid.
Napatingin ako kay Eva na ngayon ay nakahalukipkip.
"No."Eva simply replied
"But I like the color."napanguso si Eishel."Look, it's colorful!"
"What a sore eyes."
I bit my lower lip to stifle my laugh.Iba't ibang kulay kasi 'yung naroroon kaya pati ako medyo sumakit 'yung mata.I don't know if I am just not fashionable but, I really hate colorful design.
Pwede namang isa o dalawa lang gamiting color 'di ba? Although, mayroon tayong iba't ibang mas prefer.
I fixed myself when Eva glanced at my side.When our eyes met, her eyebrow furrowed as if she was asking me why I was staring at her.
"Tiffany!"
Nalipat 'yung tingin ko kay Eishel nang bigla siyang humawak sa braso ko.Hindi ko man lang napansin na lumapit pala siya!
"Is it pretty, right?"she cutely asked as she pointed the sofa there.
"No."I couldn't help but to chuckled when she frowned."It's pretty but I just don't like the color."
"What? Seriously, what's wrong with you guys? The color is pretty!"parang batang saad niya.
"it's ugly, Eishel."singit ni Eva kaya napatingin ulit kami sa kaniya.
I swallowed because the moment our eyes met, she glared at me before she turned her gaze on her step sister.
What was that?
"Whatever!"Eishel rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms."Why am I asking your opinion, guys tho? I'll still buy it whether you like it or not."
"Then, don't ask our opinions if you'd just tantrums like that."bored na sagot naman ni Eva.
"Shut up, sis!"sinamaan niya si Eva nang tingin bago naglakad papunta sa isang saleslady doon na kanina pa kami sinusundan.
Obviously, she was going to buy that.
"What a brat."I heard Eva's mumbled.
She was crossing her arms while looking at Eishel who's busy talking with saleslady.
"Yeah, just like you."mahinang saad ko pero mukhang narinig niya.
She looked at me in confusion."I'm not a brat."
I just shrugged my shoulder, ignoring her.Ano siya, akala ba niya nakalimutan ko na 'yung ginawa niya kagabi? Manigas siya.I don't have a plan to talk to her.
"Now, you're giving me a cold treatment."she seriously said as she walked towards me.
Napalunok ako dahil nagsisimula nanamang magrambulan 'yung mga internal organs ko habang nakatitig sa kaniya.She was looking at me seriously as she stopped when our gap is just two step away from each other.
Nanatiling tikom 'yung bibig ko, walang balak magsalita.
Bakit naman ang tagal bumalik ni Eishel?!
"Are you mute?"her brows furrowed even more when I just shook my head."Talk to me properly, Layren or else..."
Automatic na napahakbang ako ng isa palayo nang bigla siyang humakbang palapit.
"Or else what?"I stared at her with the same intensity."What are you going to do? Kiss me again?"
Natigilan naman siya dahil doon, mukhang hindi inaasahan.Oh, ano ka ngayon? Kanina ang tapang tapang mo, ah! Mapanuring tinitigan ko siya pero sinamaan niya lang ako ng tingin.
"Why? Do you want me to do it again?"she tried to tease me but I just smirked at her.
"Oh, you don't know how much I crave to your kisses." I bit my upper lip with a smile on my face. "Not only on your lips but also on your body."
Her lips parted in shock and stared at me as if she couldn't believe what I said.Her lips are moving as if she want to say something but no words came out until she closed it and just glared at me afterwards.
I mentally laughed because of her cheeks turned crimson.Siya nagsimula nito tapos magiging ganiyan reaction niya?
"I already bought it!"napatingin ako kay Eishel nang bigla niya akong akbayan, nakangiting wagi pa!"Let's— wait, why you're cheeks is red, Eva?Are you fine?"
"Y-Yeah,"napaiwas tingin si Eva at umubo nang ilang beses."Let's go.I'm hungry na."
"But I'm not yet over.I have to buy T.V, ref, table—"
"Then go, buy those things and just shut up."Eva hissed her step-sister as she glared at me when she saw me, bitting my lips to stopped myself from smiling.
Ang cute niya mainis.
"Are you mad?"Eishel curiously asked her.
"No,"she sighed heavily as if she was calming herself."I'll just wait you all at the McDo."
"McDo? Where is—"
"I know where is that."
Pagsagot ko sa kaniya dahil bigla na lang naglakad paalis 'yung ate niya.Hindi man lang nagpaalam! Napasimangot naman si Eishel dahil doon.
"I don't get her."she complained as we started to walked."Is she mad because I bought that sofa?"
"Of course not."agarang umiling ako sa kaniya.
"Then what? What's her problem?"
"I don't know,"I gulped when she glanced at me suspiciously."Let's just finish this so we can eat."
She stared at me for a while until she sighed and nodded afterwards.Ayaw ko namang sabihin sa kaniya na dahil 'yon sa mga kamanyakang sinabi ko sa kapatid niya.
Baka mag-f.o agad kami niyan.
We went around to buy everything she needs for the house. I also helped her to choose so that we could buy faster. I want to go to McDo.
Don't get me wrong ah, kanina pa kasi nagwawala 'yung mga bulate ko sa tyan dahil nga hindi ako nakakain kanina ng breakfast.
Okay, fine.
That's also because I want to see her.Pero hindi ko pa rin siya napapatawad.
Pagkatapos ni Eishel makipag-usap tungkol sa T.V niya, kung kailan ito dadating sa bahay niya ay kaagad ko na siyang hinila para makalakad na kami papunta sa McDo.Ang sabi niya ay last na 'yung TV pero mukhang may titignan pa siya kanina kung hindi ko lang hinila!
We immediately arrived at the McDo. I roamed my eyes the moment we stepped in, I was finding Eva. It didn't take long to see her sitting there alone on the side, not far from where we were standing.
She was busy with her cellphone.Nakakunot pa 'yung noo na parang may kaaway siya!
"Let's go." I pulled Eishel to Eva's side, I ignored her complaint.
"Eva." Eishel called when we stopped in front of her.
She put her phone down before she turned her gaze on us.Hindi rin nakaligtaan ng mata ko 'yung simpleng pagtingin niya sa magkahawak na kamay namin ni Eishel.
Her face went serious."I've been waiting here for almost decade."
"No one told you to wait."
I pursed my lips when she glared at me.Mahinang natawa naman si Eishel sa tabi ko.
"I'm not talking you."she was gritting her teeth.
"That's enough, people."gumitna sa amin si Eishel, tinaas pa 'yung dalawang kamay."Eva, I apologize for being late.Atleast, we're already here, right?"
"I still waited here for almost three hours, Eishel."she looks annoyed.
Napabuntong hininga naman 'yung isa."That's why we want to apologize—"
"Just... Shut up."napabuntong hininga si Eva bago tumayo."I'll just go to get my order."
Hindi pa kami nakakapagsalita nang maglakad na siya papunta sa counter.Umawang 'yung labi ko sa gulat, wala talaga siyang manner 'no?
"She's being like that again."mahinang saad ni Eishel.
"What a brat."I mumbled as I turned my gaze on Eishel."Are you fine? Sorry for that."
"That's okay.I've used to her behavior."ngumiti siya nang maliit."Don't worry."
I sighed heavily."Okay....I'll just be the one who will order our food.What do you want?"
"Anything."sagot niya bago umupo sa upuan."Ah, I'm tired.I'll just lookout our table."
"Okay.Wait me here."
Naglakad ako papunta sa counter, nakita ko pa si Eva doon na nakapila at mukhang naiinip na.She glanced at me when she noticed my presence behind her back.
"You shouldn't have done that."I mumbled while looking straightly on her eyes."That's not our fault if we're late—"
"Oh, really? Maybe the reason why you two took so long is because you're flirting with each other." she mocked as a smirk formed on her lips.
I looked at her in disbelief."What are you talking about?"
"Why? I know, that's the reason why you sided with her earlier."
I was stunned by what she said. Where did she get those things?
"Are you high? We're not flirting." I firmly said and glared at her. "We're just friends-"
"Don't fool me, Layren.She has a resemblance of me so it's not possible to like—"
"Don't put a malice on our closeness."inis na pagputol ko sa dapat na sasabihin niya."Even though you both have almost the same face, she's still not you, Eva."
Hindi naman siya kaagad nakasagot doon.I don't know but I saw a red tint on her cheeks before she averted her gaze.Hindi niya ako pinansin at basta na lang nag-order na parang walang nangyari.
I sighed because my heart beat is pounding so hard inside my chest.Ang lakas niyang pagbintangan ako na pwede akong magkagusto sa kapatid niya eh, masyadong hype 'yung puso ko sa kaniya.
Tahimik kaming naglakad pabalik sa table pagkatapos naming mag-order.Hindi na nagtanong si Eishel dahil pati silang magkapatid ay mukhang may tampohan pa rin dahil sa naging sagutan kanina.
Kaya ang ending, naging awkward 'yung table namin.Like, as in! Sobrang tahimik na tunog lang ng kubyertos 'yung maririnig.
"Let's watch a movie!"
I broke the silence after we left the fast food. They both looked at me in confusion, but Eva immediately looked away.
"That's a good idea!" Eishel smiled and held my arm. "What are the shows today?"
"I don't know," I scratched my head while laughing shyly. "Well, let's see and maybe something is good!"
"Okay!"
Napatingin kami kay Eva nang bigla siyang tumikhim.
"You can come."I gave her a small smile.
"Uh, I..."she doesn't know what to say."I guess, I should g—"
"You should come."Eishel seriously cut her off."You don't have anything to do, right?"
"Yeah.."
"Then, come with us."she gave Eva an assuring smile."Don't worry, I already forgive you for being rude earlier."
Napasimangot naman si Eva dahil doon."I'm not rude."
"Yeah, whatever."she jokingly rolled her eyes as she wrapped her hand around Eva's arm."Let's watch together!"
"But I didn't agree—"
I immediately cut her off."Yes, let's go! I missed watching movies!"
Eva glared at me but I just smiled at her.Wala siyang nagawa kung hindi sumunod sa amin dahil hinihila rin siya ni Eishel.Mukha pa nga siyang nalugi!
'Yung movie na Scream lang 'yung available ngayon kaya no choice kung hindi iyon 'yung panoorin.Well, sa akin okay lang naman pero si Eishel kasi ayaw niya ng mga horror pero pumayag din naman.Hindi naman siya ganoon nakakatakot, napanood ko na kasi 'yan.
There were still a few minutes before the movie started so we bought something to eat after we bought the ticket. We immediately walked inside.
I immediately sat in my seat so that Eva and Eishel could pass. I frowned when I saw that Eishel sat not next to me but on the other side, there was a vacancy between us.
"Why are you sitting there?" I couldn't stop asking.
Eva, who was about to sit next to me, stopped. Eishel looked at me curiously.
"Why? My seat is here." kunot noong sagot niya.
I bit my lower lip in nervousness because they were both staring at me.
"Uh..."
"We can exchange seats, Eishel." Eva interrupted us.
She glanced at me without emotion on her eyes before turning her gaze to her step-sister. I gulped the lump in my throat.
Omygod.Wrong move.
"What? But—"
"No need!" I cut Eishel off as I immediately pulled Eva to sit next to me." The movie is about to start."
Eishel just shrugged her shoulders before focusing her eyes on the front.'Yung katabi ko naman ay halos hindi na gumagalaw sa kinauupuan niya.
I looked at her in confusion.What's her problem? Nilagay ko muna 'yung popcorn at drinks niya sa gilid niya.Tapos ko na kasi ilagay 'yung akin.
"Are you okay?"nag-aalalang tanong ko dahil parang hindi na siya humihinga."You can breath.Our oxygen is free."
She frowned because of that.Umayos na rin siya nang upo bago ako balingan ng tingin.
"Do you want to seat next to Eishel, right?"she lowly asked."Why did you suddenly pulled me to sit?"
"Why? Don't you want to be seated next to me?"
"You're the one who doesn't want to be seated next to me, Layren."
That was a statement.
We both looked at each other intently. No one wanted to lose until the place suddenly became silent. I looked away to see what had happened. The movie had already started.
Hindi na kami nagkibuan pagkatapos non.Pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasan na sulyapan siya na ngayon ay naka-poker face lang habang tutok na tutok 'yung tingin sa screen.Even though there was a shocking scene, she still had no emotions unlike Eishel that almost broke my eardrum from her screamed.
"Why do you keep glancing at me?" she asked lowly when our eyes met for the nth times.
I looked away."Nothing.."
Paano ba naman, I'd rather watch her face than the movie. Mas maganda pa siya kaysa sa pelikula.
I forced myself not to look at her. I just focused my full attention on the front until the movie ended.
"Omygod! It's not that scary but it was shocking!"pagrereklamo ni Eishel nang maglakad na kami palabas.
I glanced at Eva pero napaiwas din kaagad nang makitang nakatitig siya sa akin.
"Yeah.You hurt my ear so bad because of your scream."I teasingly replied.
She frowned because of that."That's why the title of the movie is 'Scream' is because to make the viewers' scream."
"But you're overreacting too much."
"Oh, shut up." she smacked my arm when I laughed.
I stopped teasing her when her phone suddenly rang, signaling that someone was calling. Her phone had been ringing for a while but she ignored it.
"Can you answer it? It might be important." I said when she was about to decline again.
Nakita ko namang number lang 'yung na sa screen niya.Napabuntong hininga siya bago magpaalam na sasagutin 'yon.
Nakatitig lang ako sa kaniya nang maglakad na siya palayo.
"Are you going home?"rinig kong tanong ni Eva.
I glanced at her."I don't know.How about you?"
"I'll go na.I just want to bid my goodbye on Eishel."
Napakuyom 'yung kamay ko nang marinig na uuwi na siya.
"Could you... Stay for a while?"I mumbled while staring at her eyes.
Her brows furrowed."Why?"
"I..."I bit my lower lip to hid my nervousness."I want to go to the roofdeck."
"Why?"
"Because I want to go there?"
Sumimangot siya."There's nothing special on there."
It would be special kung ikaw 'yung makakasama ko doon.
I was about to reply nang makitang nagmamadaling pumunta si Eishel sa amin.Halata rin 'yung inis sa mukha niya pero pinilit pa rin niyang ngumiti.
"I'm sorry, guys but I have to go."
"Why?"Eva seriously asked her.
"I have to take care of something."paliwanag niya bago ako halikan sa pisngi at pagkatapos ay sa pisngi naman ni Eva."I really have to go."
Nagmamadaling naglakad siya paalis habang ako ay gulat pa rin dahil sa kiss na ginawa niya.Kahit na sa pisngi lang 'yon!
I put my hand on my cheek.Why... Why I feel nothing? Kumpara sa kissed na binigay sa akin ni Eva dati sa cheek.
"Reminiscing something?"
Natauhan ako nang marinig ang malamig na boses na 'yon.Shit! Napapikit ako para pakalmahin 'yung dibdib ko dahil nagsisimula nanamang kumabog 'yon ng malakas.
"Eva.."I slowly turned my gaze on her.I couldn't help but to gulped when her burning gaze met mine."Ev—hoy!"
Napaawang 'yung labi ko nang bigla na lang siyang naglakad paalis.What the fudge? Anong nangyari doon? Nagtatakang sinundan ko siya pero hindi ko mahabol dahil ang laki ba naman ng hakbang niya! Ang bilis pa maglakad!
"Eva!"I shouted her name nang makalabas na siya ng mall.
No choice kung hindi tumakbo para lang maabutan siya.Bakit naman kasi ang liit ko!? Ang liit tuloy ng hakbang ko! Pagkalabas ng mall ay kaagad na tumama sa akin 'yung malamig na simoy ng hangin.
Hindi namin napansin na gabi na pala.Hindi ko lang alam kung anong oras na.
Mas binilisan ko 'yung pagtakbo nang makitang pumapara na siya ng taxi.Hindi ko na pinansin 'yung mga taong napapatingin sa gawi ko.
She was about to get inside the taxi when I immediately held her arm and pulled me closer.Kaagad na tumama 'yung katawan niya sa akin.
"Back off."tinulak niya ako nang mahina at samaan ng tingin."What do you want?"
Pinakalma ko muna 'yung sarili dahil napagod ako doon.Grabe ba naman kasi 'yung hakbang!
I gulped the lump in my throat."I called your name multiple times."
"I told you, I'm going home."
Tatalikod na sana siya nang hawakan ko 'yung braso niya.She glared at me but I don't give a damn about that.
"What's your problem? Why are you acting like that?"nagtatakang tanong ko.
She bit her lower lip as she run her fingers through her hair dahil masyadong mahangin dito sa labas.
But dude, ang hot niya doon.
"Bitaw."inis na saad niya nang hindi ko bitawan 'yung braso niya."Layren—"
"Are you... Jealous?"I seriously cut her off.
Gulat na napatitig naman siya sa akin.Alam ko namang impossible 'yon pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang umasa na baka nga... Baka nga nagseselos siya dahil sa ginawang paghalik ni Eishel sa pisngi ko.
Pero sa pisngi lang naman 'yon!
"What are you talking about!?"she hissed in disbelief at padarag na hinila 'yung braso palayo sa akin.
I stay my neutral face while staring straightly on her eyes.
"I like her.."
Dumilim naman 'yung mukha niya dahil doon kaya hindi ko maiwasang mapalunok.
She's scary.... But still hot tho.
"S-She looks like you.."pagpapatuloy ko, hindi pinansin 'yung masamang titig niya sa akin."Anytime pwede akong mahulog sa kaniya—"
"Shut up!"galit na saad niya at tatalikod na sana nang hawakan ko 'yung wrist niya."What still do you want? You like her, right? Edi doon ka na!"
"Why are you acting like a jealous girlfriend?"I calmly asked."Don't you want me to like her?"
"It's your choice, Layren."she's trying to calm herself."Wala akong magagawa—"
"I repeat, don't you want me to like her?"seryosong tanong ko.
"I said—"
"Just answer my goddamn questi—"
"Fuck—fine! Yes! I don't want you to like someone else aside from me! I want you all by myself! Only mine!"
Napapikit siya pagkatapos sabihin ang mga katagang 'yon.Kita ko pa ang pagpula ng pisngi niya habang pinapakalma 'yung sarili.Her breathe was heavy.
Habang ako ay gulat na nakatitig sa mukha niya.I'm fucking shocked! Hindi ko alam kung ano 'yung i-rereact ko pero ramdam ko 'yung pagwawala ng mga internal organs ko dahil sa mga sinabi niya.
Kinikilig ba ako?
"I'm possessive, Layren.."minulat niya 'yung mata niya at seryosong tumitig sa akin."So stop letting other women or men to touch you."
Binato niya sa mukha ko 'yung panyo niya at basta na lang pumasok sa loob ng taxi.Umalis kaagad 'yon habang ako ay nakatulala lang sa kanila.
Like, what.the.fudge.
Hindi niya sinabing gusto niya ako o nagseselos siya pero tangina! Hindi ko pa rin maiwasang matuwa dahil sa mga sinabi niya.
I didn't realize that I was smiling like a dumb.Tinignan ko 'yung panyo niya at tumawa ng mahina.
Akala ko ba magmomove on na ako? Bakit kinikilig pa rin ako!?