"I'm not in the house right now, Sari. I'm sorry but baking is just too impossible right now."

Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga ni Sariah sa kabilang linya. Nakita ko ang paglabas ni Emerald mula sa treatment room. Showing her green elastic bands, she smiled widely at me.

"Oh. I really thought we're doing it today. But it's okay, Dani. We can still do it next time, right?" Sariah softly said.

"Of course," I said. I glanced at Emerald beside me and saw that suspicious look in her eyes. "What?" I muttered. Pinandilatan ko si Emerald na patuloy pa rin sa pang-aasar.

"Huh?" Sariah asked. Tila nagulat ito sa bahagyang pagtaas ng boses ko.

I sneered at Emerald so she'd stop annoying me.

"I'm sorry, Sariah. Can we please talk later? I am in the middle of a very important conversation here," paumanhin ko.

"Oh. I guess I should end the call now. Good bye, Dani," paalam niya at tinapos na ang tawag.

I stuffed the phone inside my bag and looked at Emerald to see her still wearing that same expression. My eyebrows shot up when I saw her tilting her head and biting her lower lip.

"Ano?" I asked, annoyed.

Sa halip na sumagot ay nagngiting-aso ito at naunang maglakad.

I exasperatedly sighed and then followed her as we walked out of the clinic.

Narinig ko ang mahina niyang pagtawa nang nasa parking lot na kami.

"Stop pretending, Dani. I know you don't really like your stepsister," she said.

Marahas akong nagpakawala ng buntong-hininga pagkatapos ay bahagyang tumingala. "Yeah. She's too nosy, and bothersome."

Tumango-tango ito. "There you said it, finally. The last two weeks must have been hell for you."

Pumasok na kami ng kotse. I told her that we should just take their car when we go out. Palihim akong umalis ng bahay para maiwasan na makasama si Sariah. Mabuti naman at walang nakakaalam na lumabas ako. No one bothers to ask about me anyway. Si Papa ay halatang focused naman sa trabaho at sa bagong saltang "pamilya".

"Alam mo bang ang lakas maka-kopya ng babaeng iyon? I'm not sure if she was just being friendly to me or was trying to get into my nerves. Lahat ng mga hilig ko kinahihiligan din niya!" himutok ko at humalukiphip. Nagsalubong ang dalawang kilay ko.

"Really? Baka nagkataon lang na parehos ang mga gusto niyo," Emerald mumbled as she massaged her chin and the area of her mouth. Ayon sa kanya, masakit daw kapag kaka-adjust lang ng braces. For sure, we'd go for soft food later because of that.

Umiling ako. "Talagang ginagaya niya ako Emmie! Imagine, after niyang nalaman na favorite color ko ang yellow, she wore a yellow dress the next day. Not only that. When Papa told her he's going to buy her a laptop, she asked if she could get a yellow one."

"Oh. I can imagine you cursing at the back of your head."

"When I said I like Westlife, iyon na rin ang pinapatugtog niya," dagdag ko pa at naiinis na hinawi ang buhok ko sa isang gilid.

"Ayaw mo ba 'yon? At last may nagkakagusto na rin sa preference mo sa music. Hindi kasi tayo magkasundo sa ganyang area. You have somebody to talk with about the things that you like from now on," mahinahon nitong sambit.

"I don't like being imitated, Emerald!"

Ganoon pala ang feeling. I feel insulted when she goes way beyond what I think is already too much for me to handle. Noong una, pilit ko namang iniintindi ang panggagaya niya pero nawawalan na rin ako ng pasensya.

"Hindi malayong magugustuhan ni Sari ang mga ganoon, insan. Those things are not really hard to like. Siguro kung medyo pinipilit mo lang ako ng kaunti, malamang nag-click na rin tayo sa mga bagay-bagay."

Umiling ako. "I don't want to shove it on you, Emmie. You're just being true to yourself. Why would you pretend you like reading when you really don't? It's a waste of time."

I remember when Sariah came to me asking to borrow my books after she learned I finished a set of mysteries series.

After our graduation, Papa decided to let Sariah stay at home with me so we could bond while he and Vivian were out. Wala na akong pakialam kung saan sila nagpupunta. I guess they're preparing for the wedding. So, basically, Sariah and I are together during the day in the past two weeks. Pagkatapos mag-dinner ay ihahatid na sila ni Papa sa kanilang bahay.

But my nightmare doesn't end like that! Right after she leaves the house, she'd flood my inbox with messages. Kung hindi pa makontento ay tumatawag pa ito. The first time it happened I thought it was a normal thing but then the next ones always made me blow a fuse.

"You know I wish I have a sister," sambit ni Emerald na nagpakunot lalo ng noo ko. "Naiinggit nga ako sa'yo, eh. You have somebody to chit-chat with about everything that's going on with your life."

I don't remember wishing for one. If I could only be honest about my wishes as a child, that would be to remain as the only child in the family. Kapag sinasabi ko ito noon kay Mama at Papa ay natatawa lamang ang mga ito. The love and attention I'm getting were undivided and something I wouldn't exchange for anything.

But now, I'm going to have one. My life had never been so peaceful since she came.

"Nariyan naman si Emman. A brother is much cooler than a sister," I said in attempt to debunk what she just said.

Sumagi din siguro sa isip ko noon na magkaroon ng kapatid, pero dapat lalake.

"Hindi mo sure yarn. Emmanuel is troublesome for a nine-year old kid. Lagi nalang kaming tumatanggap ng love letter galing sa school," nababagot na usal niya.

"I'm sure Emman would soon get past that stage. Magugulat ka nalang may girlfriend na 'yan."

"Wag naman sana. Sobrang bata pa niya." She knocked on the door of the car's window.

Tumawa ako. "Nagsalita ang matanda na gustong makasal kay Joaquin Juarez."

Mahina niyang tinampal ang braso ko. "Oh my gosh. Why would you say that out of the blue? Halata namang ayaw mo siya para sa'kin."

"Oo. Kasi hindi kayo bagay," walang alinlangang sabi ko.

"Ouch!" She hit her chest with her clenched fist and acted like she was in pain. "Can't you be more straightforward?"

"Last na 'yon ha!" I warned her. "No more stalking. We could do better than that. I won't go with you if you plan to tag me along again."

"Then maybe I should ask Sari instead. Siguro magkakasundo kami ng stepsister mo."

Siguro nga tama siya. Magkakasundo nga siguro sila. Napailing na lamang ako sa labis na pagkadismaya.

We spent more than an hour in the restaurant before we went home. Matapos akong ihatid ni Emerald, diretso akong tumungo sa kusina. Naabutan kong nagluluto doon si Vivian, kasama ang dalawang kasambahay.

She turned around and looked surprised to see me watching them. Nilibot ko ang paningin pero hindi ko makita si Sariah. Don't tell me she was sulking after we postponed the baking session we agreed to do today?

"I hope you won't mind me invading your kitchen, Dani," Vivian said, smiling. "I am cooking your favorite meal."

Umiling ako. "I don't mind. I'm sure you'll take good care of all of Mom's belongings. Anyway, I can't join you for dinner. I've already eaten outside," pilit kong pina-casual ang boses.

"Oh. Really?" laglag ang balikat nito nang tumingin ulit sa akin. "I should set some aside for you to eat later."

"No, thanks. Don't bother. I'm not going to eat it. It will surely end up in a trash bin."

"O-Okay."

I left the kitchen, smirking. I didn't want her to think that they're welcome in the family. Up until now, I still don't understand how Papa knew these people. I never heard them talk about it. When we gathered for dinner, Sariah used to monopolize the conversation. From there, I found out she's about to enter college just like me.

Matanda lamang ako sa kanya ng dalawang buwan.

"Dani!" umalingawngaw ang boses ni Sariah nang makita akong palabas ng kusina. "It's good to see you again," sabi nito nang makalapit siya sa akin.

Ugh! We just met last night. Doesn't she have anything else to say?

"Yeah. I'm sorry we needed to cancel it," tukoy ko sa napagkasunduan naming gawin ngayong araw.

Speaking of it, I didn't even know why I agreed to that! Natagpuan ko nalang ang sariling tumatango nang magsuhestiyon siyang gawin namin iyon. I don't want to even think about it, but it annoys me to think that she wants to learn baking because I like doing it.

Tipid itong ngumiti bago seryosong nagsalita. "It's okay. I thought I would get really bored all afternoon not doing anything. Maybe it was meant to be canceled so I can have the time to think about what I really want to do in life."

"Huh? What do you mean?" tanong ko. I'm surprised that she suddenly talked about something so serious.

She sighed before raising her head. "I've decided on what course to take. I'm taking BS Nursing."

"Are you sure about that?"

Tumango-tango ito. "I've never been so sure in my life until now. I think the course fits for me."

I scoffed. "Okay? What made you say that?"

"Because Leandro said so." Namula ang pisngi niya.

"Leandro?"

She nodded. "Oh. A friend back in Tierra Blanca."

Hindi na ako nag-usisa pa. I guess I shouldn't pry further. I'm not interested in knowing more about her.

She told me they lived in Tierra Blanca before moving to the city. I suddenly miss Lola Erlinda at the mention of the place. It's been months since the last time I saw her.

Tumungo ako sa kwarto ko at naligo muna bago nagbihis ng pantulog. Mabuti naman at hindi ako pinatawag para sa hapunan. Vivian must have told Papa I'm not going to eat with them.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto para kumuha ng tubig sa kusina. Nabungaran kong naglalaro ng sungka si Papa at Sariah sa sala. They were sitting on the floor while Vivian was watching them.

I tried to not make some noise as I walked back to my room. The scene was just too much to take.

Papa and I used to play it together before.

Nahiga ulit ako sa kama at pinakalma ang sarili. Naramdaman ko ang bahagyang panunubig sa gilid ng mga mata ko. Mabilis kong pinalis iyon.

I was not brought up to just cry over a shallow matter.

It's just been two years since Mom died. I've never moved on from that. I'm afraid I'll ever see the day I can say I've moved on.

Masakit pa rin ang pagkawala niya but then... Papa is now ready for a fresh start. How on earth did he do that?

Sariah:

I never got to say good bye, Dani. Mama told me you're tired and went to sleep already. Rest well. See you tomorrow.

The message only fueled the fire that's starting to build up within me. I balled my fist and clenched my jaw as I imagined them snatching away everything I used to have.

Kaysa magpakain pa ako sa inis na nagbabadyang lumukob sa akin, mas pinili kong matulog na lamang habang yakap ang litrato naming dalawa ni Mama.

"Bakit parang namumugto ang mga mata mo? Did you cry all night?" pansin ni Emerald habang pinapasadahan ng tingin ang mukha ko.

Agad siyang naparito sa bahay pagkatapos kong sabihin sa kanyang dito na lamang kami magpaplano ng surprise birthday celebration ng mommy niya. Tita Fe is turning 40 years old.

Napag-usapan namin kagabi ni Emerald na dito nalang sa bahay magplano para hindi ko na proproblemahin ang araw na ito na makasama si Sariah. I can't look down on that girl for this one. I believe she has the decency to not intervene in the planning we're making.

"I did not. Siguro dahil kulang lang ako sa tulog kaya parang mapapagkamalang namumugto," dahilan ko pa na lalong nagpakunot sa noon niya. She's not buying it and to avoid any question leading to another questions, I immediately held out a paper and a pen to her.

"I am not convinced," she said, shaking her head. Then she blew out her cheeks and focused her eyes on the paper and started listing down things.

Hindi ko nalang pinansin ang sinabi niya. Pinulupot ko ang tuwalya sa buhok ko pagkatapos kong umupo sa bakanteng silya. Mataman siyang naglilista na hindi man lang ako tinatapunan ng tingin at kinakausap. I know that if she's like this, she prefers to not be disturbed unless she speaks first.

Iniwan ko siya pansamantala sa kwarto at tumungo akong kusina para maghanda ng meryenda namin ni Emerald. Diosana offered to do it for me when she saw me preparing at the kitchen but I politely declined. Things like this can be easily done and maids won't be there all the time to attend to my needs.

"Kaya mo na?" ani Diosana habang pinapanood akong magtimpla ng juice.

Parang gusto kong mainis sa tinuran niya ngunit hindi ko naman siya masisisi sa iniisip. Lahat ng kailangan ko inaasikaso nila.

"This is so easy, Diosana," I uttered and laughed a little. "This is not my first time to make juice."

Alinlangan siyang ngumiti at sinikap na hindi tumingin sa hinahalo ko. Looking at her reaction made me think something is wrong with what I'm doing.

Tumigil ako sa paghalo at nilagay ang isang kamay sa beywang bago ko siya hinarap.

"Kaya ko na nga ito," pilit ko. I want to make her believe me that I'm capable of doing simple tasks I'm sure I have learned from watching them.

"Okay. Sabi mo, eh," sabi niya na tila kumbinsido na. "Pero sa susunod itimpla mo muna sa kaunting tubig ang powder bago mo lagyan ng maraming tubig."

I looked at the pitcher then I stirred the juice in it. I finally understood what she meant. May mga namilog na powder na mahirap nang tunawin kahit na anong halo.

I let out a sigh before looking at her."Whatever," mataray kong sabi.

Diosana smirked in triumph. Parang masaya pa ito sa nalamang medyo palpak na naman ang ginawa ko. Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin. Maaasahan ko naman si Diosana kapag kailangan ko ang tulong niya.

Sigurado akong hindi magrereklamo si Emerald sa juice na hinanda ko.

Palabas ako ng kusina nang makasalubong si Papa.

"Papa..."

"Vivian and Sari will be living here from now on, Dani," walang emosyong saad ni Papa. He was telling me like I couldn't say 'no' at all. Nilagpasan lamang niya ako at nag-utos kay Diosana na maghanda ng meryenda.

Nabato ako sa kinatatayuan. Nanginginig man ang mga kamay ay sinikap kong humakbang.

Sa labas, nakita kong nakapark ang sasakyan ni Vivian. May mga maleta din akong nakita sa sala.

Mabilis kong tinungo ang kwarto. Nadatnan kong nagtatawanan sina Emerald at Sariah nang pumasok ako.

"Nice idea, Sari. You could be a great event organizer!" puri ni Emerald at saka naglista. Matamis na ngiti ang naging tugon ni Sari sa kanya.

Nilapag ko ang hinanda kong meryenda sa bedside table. Sabay silang bumaling sa akin nang mamalayang nasa loob na ako.

"Dani!" excited na salubong sa akin ni Sariah. She stood up and went to me. "I'm excited to share a room with you!"

"Who told you that?!" Hindi maikakaila ang matinding pagkayamot sa boses ko.

But Sariah was slow-witted to even notice that. I turned to see her smiling widely at me.

My eyes drifted to the corner of my room. Nakita kong nakahilera na nga ang mga gamit niya doon.

It can't be.