Chapter 11: Sister

Strange how you can make me breathless for just a few words. Is that sorcery, love?

"Good morning, Mom," I greeted her with a smile. Hanggang ngayon ay naninibago ako sa kinikilos niya ngunit hindi ko na iyon inisip pa dahil pabor ito sa akin.

"Good morning, Red. It seems like you have a date. Hmm?" tudyo niya nang napansin ang ayos ko.

Napailing na lamang ako sa panunukso niya. I suddenly remembered that she wants to meet Magnus. Bigla ay nakaramdam ako ng kaba. I don't want him to feel bad about it. Marami pa siyang inaalala at ayoko nang dagdagan pa iyon.

"Silly. I will visit my friend's sister, Mom," I uttered.

"Alright. Bring them some cookies that I baked. They will surely love it," alok pa niya habang nilalapag sa dining table ang kaniyang mga niluto.

I nodded and smiled at her. It's saddening that Dad didn't get the chance to see Mom like this. She's really trying her best to move on from our past. He would be so happy if he saw this.

Hey, Dad! Mom is now healing. Slowly, she will eventually accept your tragedy. I hope you will guide her and make her feel loved, always.

After our peaceful breakfast, Mom and I chatted about school and her work. She opened up to me about her problems in our business. She told me how she was so stressed these past years.

Natawa ako. "Don't worry, Mom. Kapag nakapagtapos na ako, I will study our business and help you," sabi ko sa kaniya.

She let a heavy sigh. "I am sorry, Red. I know that I have been too hard on you. Now that I realized that I am so lucky to have you as my daughter... my family, let me fulfill my promise to your Dad when he died."

Nangingilid na ang luha sa kaniyang mga mata habang sinasabi iyon. Hindi ko naman napigilan ang sarili na yakapin siya nang napakahigpit. Her words made me feel free.

"I understand you, Mom. We both have our own struggles in accepting Dad's death and I know that you really had a hard time," I whispered to her, drying her tears.

Suminghot siya at lumabi. "Kanino ka ba nagmana at napaka-understanding mo? Hindi naman sa ama mo dahil seloso 'yon. Mas lalo namang hindi sa akin."

Pareho kaming natawa sa sinabi niya. It's not hard to understand everything when you have to heart to do so. I can always be someone who she needs.

"You are now free, Red."

Natigil lamang kami nang may narinig kaming busina sa labas. Sumilip naman ako at nakitang si Magnus na iyon.

"I will go ahead, Mom. Is it okay if I will be late for dinner?" nahihiya kong tanong.

She smiled and hugged me. "Sure, 'nak. Basta ipaalam mo sa akin kung pauwi ka na. Enjoy!"

I immediately saw Magnus leaning on his car when I got outside. He is wearing a plain white shirt paired with maong shorts and sneakers. I love how he carries himself even in a simple outfit. Kahit ang pabango niya ay maaakit kahit sinuman. Ang kaniyang tikas at porma ay maihahalintulad sa isang modelo.

"Pheliz disturbed my sleep early in the morning because she is so excited to see you again. Now, I'm jealous when I remembered she is the reason why you are going with me," bungad niya sa akin, nakasimangot at nagtatampo.

I chuckled and kissed him on his cheek. "Good morning."

Nanatili sa akin ang kaniyang tingin at bumukas ang bibig. Shock is written all over his face. He didn't expect my move. Even me, I can't believe I had the guts to do that. Natawa na lamang ako sa sarili at sumakay na sa loob ng kotse niya.

Tahimik lamang kami sa biyahe dahil mukhang hindi pa nakakaget-over si Magnus sa nangyari. Buong oras siyang nakangisi at pasulyap-sulyap sa akin. Ilang sandali lamang ay narating na namin ang bahay nila.
Bababa na sana ako nang pigilan niya at ikulong ako sa kaniyang mga bisig. Naestatwa ako dahil sa ginawa niyang iyon na hindi ko inaasahan. Matiim siyang nakatingin sa akin at hindi ko iyon kayang tagalan. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin ngunit hinabol niya iyon.

"W-what are you doing?" naisatinig ko nang isang hibla na lamang ang pagitan namin. Sa sobrang lapit niya, naliliyo ako sa kaniyang natural na bango. He took advantage of my weakness and kissed me on my forehead. My eyes widened because of that.

"Good morning, too," He winked at me.

I am stuck in the car until Pheliz came out and opened the door on my side.

"Ate! What are you doing here? Ayaw mo po bang pumasok sa loob?" she asked while tugging my shirt.

Umiling ako at nagpaubaya nang hilahin niya ako papasok. Ang halik na iyon ay nagpahina sa akin at tinanggalan ako ng kakayahang makapagsalita. Ramdam ko pa rin ang malalambot niyang labi na lumapat sa akin.

"Hello, Red. It's nice to see you, again. I'm sorry if Pheliz is making you uncomfortable. Nasasabik lamang siya sa babaeng kapatid. Puro kasi lalaki ang mga kapatid niya," bungad niya sa akin. Doon lamang ako natauhan kaya nakapagsalita.

"Hindi po, Tita. Nakakatuwa nga po si Pheliz, eh. Gusto ko rin naman pong magkaroon ng kapatid dahil nag-iisa lamang ako."

She smiled. "That's great. I hope you will get along well. Maiwan ko na kayo rito at marami pa akong gagawin." Bago siya umalis ay pinaalalahanan niya pa si Pheliz na huwag akong kulitin masyado. Natawa ako nang inosente lamang siyang tinignan nito.

Iginiya ako ni Pheliz sa kaniyang playroom. Maayos na nakasalansan ang kaniyang mga laruan sa dalawang cabinet. Ang iba namang hindi nagkasya ay nakalagay sa isang basket. Nakalatag ang isang malambot na mat doon at mayroong air condition.

"Here, Ate. Let's play. I'm glad that you are now here. I have someone to play with. Sila Kuya Magnus at Kuya Memphis kasi ay hindi puwede dahil boys sila. Kaya, ikaw na lang. Can you be my sister, Ate Red?" she asked innocently.

Natuwa naman ako at gusto niya akong maging Ate. I am really craving to have a sibling but Dad passed away too early.

"Of cour-"

"No," Magnus cut me off. I looked at him, frowning. Lumapit siya sa amin at pumwesto sa aking likod. Napaitlag ako nang maramdaman ang kaniyang mga braso sa aking baywang. He hugged me from the back and rested his chin on my shoulder.

He looked at me intently and whispered in my ear. "How can I marry you if you will be my sister?" And that made me breathless.