Kabanata 1
Kabanata 1
"Ngingiti na 'yan! Ngingiti na 'yan!" the three chanted while I was seated on our couch and Mom's sitting beside me, watching them.
I remained staring at them, not wearing any smiles at all.
"Come on, pretty ghourl, sorry na!" my Dad pouted, tumango-tango naman si Zirena at Kuya Zy doon sa gilid niya na parang mga puppet.
"For what?" I asked, folding my arms on my chest, staring at them.
"Kasi..." he blinked, siniko pa si Kuya Zy na tulala.
"What?" Kuya asked.
"Bakit daw tayo nagso-sorry—"
"Zeijan Ruais..." Mom warned kaya tumikhim si Dad, pasimpleng tinulak sa pwesto ko si Zire na may kagat na chocolates.
"What?" she asked, confused, glancing at Dad who nodded at her and pointed me with his lips.
"Oh!" Zire's blue eyes widened, sumusulyap sa akin. "Masarap itong chocolates mo, Ate! Salamat ng super dami!"
Nasapo bigla ni Kuya at Dad ang noo.
"H'wag ka na pala magsalita, ganda." Dad said, gently pulling Zirena back, still munching on her chocolates.
"Sorry na talaga, pretty ghourl..." Dad pouted, "ganda kasi ng tugtog, nadala lang ako ng damdamin."
Kuya Zy laughed, nang nilingon siya ni Daddy at sinamaan ng tingin ay nanahimik ito at tumikhim bago nagseryoso.
"Oo nga, pretty ghourl. Sorry na, nadala lang kami sa damdamin, alam mo 'yon kapag may tugtog automatic na gumagalaw 'yong balakang namin?"
Suddenly, a song played on the stereo again. Napansin naming wala na si Zire sa gilid nila at nandoon na sa tapat ng player at may pinapakialaman habang nilalantakan ang pagkain.
If you wanna run away with me, I know a galaxy
And I can take you for a ride
I had a premonition that we fell into a rhythm
Where the music don't stop for life
Kuya Zy and Dad suddenly clapped.
"Shit, kagaya niyan!" Dad exclaimed at bigla gumalaw ang balakang nila ni Kuya Zy at pumalakpak, nagsisimula na namang sumayaw.
"Sorry, Sibyl. Nasa dugo na nating hindi mapipigil ang sayaw kapag may tugtog!" Kuya exclaimed, pinigil pa si Dad kunwari pero todo-bigay na sa pagsayaw nila.
You want me, I want you, baby
My sugarboo, I'm levitating
The Milky Way, we're renegading!
I heard Zire singing, habang pabalik sa harapan namin ni Mommy ay kumekembot habang inaangat sa ere ang pagkain.
"Hindi na namin kaya pigilan 'to, Ate!" she exclaimed and twerked.
"Tara, pretty! Sayaw!" Dad exclaimed, walang pakialam sa sayawan nila sa dance studio-slash-practice room ko.
Bumusangot ako, lumakas ang tawa ni Mommy sa tabi ko at inabot ang braso ko.
"Pagpasensyahan mo na ang triplets, anak." Mom whispered, chuckling at nang lingunin ko siya ay nakita ang saya sa mata niya. "They're enjoying making fun of you."
"Why?" ngumuso na ako.
"Because you rarely smile," Mom then touched my cheek, "come on, princess, smile."
"What for?" I asked and she chuckled, slowly putting my falling hair behind my ear.
"Smiling makes you more beautiful. Those three often teases you kasi palagi ka raw naka-poker face." She said.
"Hindi ba ako nagmana sa 'yo, My?" I asked at napansin kong napaisip siya.
"Hmm...well, I was once like that before." She said. "But I think it changed when I met your father." I saw her glanced at our Dad kaya sinundan ko siya ng tingin.
Kapit-kapit na ang braso ni Zire, Kuya at Dad, they are lifting their feets all together in front of the massive mirror, laughing.
I sighed. Mom did too.
Nagkatinginan kami at biglang nagkatawanan at mas lumambot ang mata niya ng marinig ang tawa ko kaya nakagat ko ang labi.
"There, you laughed. It sounded great, princess." She said kaya nahiya ako at sumandal na lang sa balikat niya.
"Mom..." I called, sighing.
"Yes?" she hummed, placing her arms around my back.
"I don't think I deserve to smile," I muttered and I felt her froze, marahang inalis niya ako sa kanyang balikat at sinulyapan.
"Why? How can you say that? Of course, you deserve to smile, princess." She said gently, touching my chin.
While staring at my mother, I can see myself in her face, para kaming kambal, nga lang, mas Ate ko siya.
"Nothing, I just..." I shrugged and gave her a small smile.
"Don't tell me..." she muttered, I saw how sadness filled her eyes kaya dali-dali akong umiling at mahinang tumawa.
"Nothing, My. I'm just being emo since I love reading tragedy novels these days." I shrugged, bumaling sa tatlo pero nanlaki lang ang mata nang makita ang ginagawa nila.
"Oh my God, that's my Tutu!" I exclaimed when I saw the three of them checking out and wearing my Tutu skirts for my ballet outfit.
"Cute! Para akong fairy!" ani Kuya Zy, kinuha pa ang remote at inikot-ikot sa ere habang tumitingkayad, patalon-talon.
"What the heck?" I hissed, "Kuya Zion!"
"Like a fairy!" Zire laughed, nagbibiro pang lumilipad gamit ang kamay niya, tawang-tawa.
"Tangek, hindi ka fairy. Manananggal ka!" Kuya Zy hissed at parang tanga silang nagtawanan doon kaya suminghap ako.
Dad was trying to wear my purple Tutu skirt kaya napasipa ako sa sahig.
"Daddy!" I screamed and he glanced at us, confused but when he saw me glaring, he smiled like an innocent boy.
"Yes, pretty?"
"Lalaki ang baywang niyan!" reklamo ko at bumusangot at si Mommy ay napapainom lang ng juice sa tabi ko, nagpipigil ng tawa.
"Palitan ko ng mga bago, mga one hundred thousand na Tutu." He said, parang wala lang na nakipagsabayan kina Zy kaya napailing na ako.
"Turuan mo kami mag-ballet, pretty!" Ani Dad at nakasimangot lang ako nang pagkaisahan na nila ako, miski si Mommy ay nakisali kaya wala na akong kawala.
My family watched when I tried teaching them the basic moves, may barre kami sa studio kapag nagpa-practice ako kaya pinahawak ko sila roon.
"Try and practice to walk with your toes." I said, showing it how it is done and made a twirl with my arms up.
"Like that—" naiwan sa ere ang boses ko nang nakanganga lang sa akin 'yong apat pagkatapos ko gawin 'yon.
"Mag-Reah-tot dance na lang pala ako," Dad commented.
"I...I'm staying in acting, I guess?" Mom muttered.
"Ayoko na pala, twerk lang sa bar kaya ko, Ate." Zire frowned and showed me her twerk.
"Uhm...buti na lang gwapo ako." Kuya Zy flashed an awkward smile kaya ngumiwi na ako sa kanilang apat.
Of course, of course...this is Zeijan Sandejas' family, I nearly forgot.
I spent the whole time, instead of practicing, watching my crazy family do their own comedy show. Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses ko ng nabuga ang iniinom ko sa mga entrada ng Dad at Kuya Zy, isama pa si Zirena na lumalantak ng gummy bears naman niya.
Naku, ang batang ito, hindi na ako magugulat kung maging diabetic kakakain ng matamis. H'wag naman sana.
I got a call from Adi later that day, saying she'll visit today since may pasalubong si Ate Crest at pinapadala sa kanya.
I waited outside our mansion when she told me she's near, I fixed my spaghetti strap and hair when I saw the car approaching.
Hindi na ako nagulat nang lumabas siya roon na may dalang mga paperbag, tumitili.
"Sib, I'm sorry!" she exclaimed, fixing her eyeglasses.
"It's okay, sino naghatid sa 'yo?" I asked at bumukas ang bintana at kaagad na tumaas ang kilay ko nang makita si Ash.
"Hello, Sibyl!" he even smiled and waved and I just stared at him, nanliliit ang mata.
"Hoy, smile ka naman. Hello raw, oh!" Adi whispered pero nanatili lang akong nakatingin kay Ash.
I saw him paled a bit when he noticed my eyes.
"Ano ba 'yang tingin mo, Sibyl Timothea! Horror ba 'to?" Adi whispered. "Smile ka!"
I lifted the side of my lips, walang emosyon ang mata no'ng pilit na ngumiti kay Ash.
"I think I gotta go..." Ash cleared his throat, looking terrified. "Una na ako, Adi. 'Yong pagkain ko bukas, ah?"
"Oo na, oo na. Libre kita ng tusok-tusok!" Adi laughed and waved her hand at nang tumango sa akin si Ash ay pinanliitan ko ulit ng mata kaya nanlalaki ang mata niyang bumaling sa manibela, mabilis na pinaandar iyon paalis.
"Ikaw ang creepy mo!" Isang hampas mula kay Adi ay nilingon ko na siya.
"May gusto 'yong bestfriend mo sa 'yo." I pointed out and her eyes widened.
"W-wala nga..." she muttered, I saw her blushed kaya nanliit na ang mata ko at humalukipkip.
"Manhid ka ba?" I asked and she shook her head, inayos-ayos ang sabog na buhok.
"Hindi, harsh nito!" she rolled her eyes, "anong...anong gusto? Wala kaya! BFF ko lang 'yon—"
"Baka ikaw ang may crush?" I asked and when her eyes widened exaggeratedly ay tumaas ang kilay ko. "I knew it."
"No! Wala pa akong crush! Bata pa ako!" she screamed loudly pero tinalikuran ko lang siya, nauna na sa pagpasok sa mansyon habang todo tanggi sa akin.
"Bata, my ass..." I murmured while she's defensive behind me.
"Hindi nga—"
"Oh, si Adi-ganda!" I heard my father called.
"Hello, Tito! Tita! Good afternoon!" she greeted happily. May pasalubong po si Ate Crest! Hello, Kuya Zy, Zire!"
"Oh? Ano 'yan?" I saw my Mom smiled, inaabot ang paper bag na ibinibigay ni Adi.
Sumandal ako sa may hagdan, pinapakinggan sila habang sinusulyapan ang daliri ko.
"Hmm, these are foods. Tapos ito pong dresses, she bought it no'ng nag-breakfast siya kanina in Bangladesh." She said kaya napaangat ako ng tingin sa kanila.
Natulala si Mommy, si Dad naman ay tawang-tawa, naiiling.
"Really? Sakit na naman ulo niyan ni Kuya Raf. Lodi ko talaga 'tong si Crest-ganda." He laughed.
"Uhm, hindi po alam ni Dad, eh. Sabi ni Ate, breakfast lang pero kaya pumayag, 'di niya alam—breakfast in Bangladesh." Sagot ni Adi na parang normal lang at namilog ang mata ko at hindi na matigil ang Dad sa pagtawa niya roon, pumapalakpak pa.
Sabay kaming umakyat sa kwarto ko ni Adi, I noticed her brushing her hair kaya hinarap ko na at tinaasan ng kilay.
"Ano ba 'yang itsura mo, Adira Venice?" I hissed and she looked stunned.
"H-huh?"
"Tss..." I frowned, kinuha ko ang eyeglasses sa mata niya at napapikit siya roon. "Bakit ka nag-gaganito? Malabo na ba mata mo?"
"That's just my reading glasses, Sib." She answered, opening her eyes.
"Then, why are you wearing these?" I asked, frowning. "You looked so baggy."
"Grabe ka!" her eyes widened, "nagbabasa kasi ko ng case para sa recit bukas sa sasakyan kanina."
"Hindi ka naman nagbabasa ngayon, why are you still wearing this?" I asked.
"Uh, nakalimutan ko tanggalin?" she gave me a cute smile and I rolled my eyes, naglakad ng muli at tumawa siya.
"Sungit naman ni Sib!" She exclaimed, kumapit sa braso ko nang maabutan ako kaya napailing na.
"Because I kept on telling you to take care of yourself, look at your face!" I hissed, glancing at her eyes. "Look at that horrible eyebags! Que horror!"
"May exam kasi kami this week, nonstop kaya tulog ko, puro stop." She joked but I only rolled my eyes.
"Aayusan kita ngayon," I muttered and she gasped.
"Sib! Baka naman...baka p'wede nating pag-usapan 'to—" I stared at her coldly, without muttering any word and she gulped and nodded.
"S-sabi ko nga," she said. "G-gusto ko...gusto ko 'yong red lipstick, ah?"
I nodded, walang-imik na sinama siya sa kwarto ko.
Good girl, Adi.
She's almost crying while I'm combing her hair.
"Dahan-dahan!" she growled.
"What? Maraming sabit ang buhok mo tapos dahan-dahan?" I hissed, "kasalanan ko bang mahirap suklayin?"
"Eh..." she whined, "okay na kasi, kwentuhan na lang tayo! Bakit mo pa ako mi-make-up-pan?"
"You said yes to me, right?" I asked, "let me remind you na hindi ka pumunta sa rehearsal?"
Her lips protruded, she nodded and sighed.
"Oo nga, sorry na..." she said and I smirked when she let me do what I want to do with her hair.
"After shampoo, you should use conditioner for your hair, Adi. Mukhang walang moisture. Tignan mo 'yang mukha mo? Bakit madami ka na namang pimple? 'Di ba sinabi ko ng—"
"Eh, nakakalimutan ko mag-skin care. Madaming arte, Sibyl." Reklamo niya, "'yong isang routine siguro ng skin care, naka-two pages na ako sa hand-outs ko."
I glared at her, her eyes widened and pretended to zip her mouth.
"U-uh, well..."
"Use facial mask," I reminded, lifting my comb while lecturing. "Let it stay for five to ten minutes para matanggal ang dead skin."
"Parehas kayo ni Ate," reklamo niya. "Minsan nagigising kami ng alas-tres ng madaling-araw nila Mommy dahil sa sigaw."
My forehead creased, "oh, why?"
"She's still awake at three A.M! Kaka-online shopping niya, tapos nagugutom, bababa sa kusina ng naka-facial mask na puti with mahabang damit! Sakto bababa rin si Kuya or si Dad tapos makikita siyang gano'n kaya sigawan sila sa gulat!"
I hid a smile and she's sighing, "para akong magkaka-heart attack sa gulat tapos si Ate lang pala."
"But worth it naman, look at Ate Crest—she's glowing!" I answered, "super soft ng skin, ganda pa ng kutis kasi inaalagaan niya, eh, ikaw? Anong oras ka na natutulog tapos wala ka pang ayos? Tignan mo 'yang eyebags mo, 'yang pimple mo tapos itong buhok mong..."
"Mong?" ngiwi niya.
"Buhok mong hideout ng masamang elemento," I hissed and she almost cried when I started combing her hair again.
"Have mercy on me!" she exclaimed but I showed her nothing, tuwang-tuwa pa sa loob-loob nang makitang umayos ang buhok niya.
My week was like that, puno lang ng sama ng loob sa irita sa mga staff na kasama at rehearsal kasama si Teresa na walang araw na hindi maninira ng mood.
Well, I know my day is usually gloomy and quiet. It may seem odd and sad for some people but that's my definition of peace.
I received a message from my boyfriend, James, he's a well-known artist. Medyo matagal na siya sa industriya at matunog ang pangalan. We were seen eating in a resto before and rumors came and sayang ang publicity sa career ko kaya pumayag ako nang sabihin niya sa aking mas maganda kung mag-boyfriend na kami.
I am planning to be like Mom, I wanna try acting and the publicity of this relationship will help me rose in stardom, hindi lang sa dancing pati na rin sa showbiz.
We're together for months now but that thing is, I don't like a nagger. Not really. They're annoying.
Ayaw ko ng maingay, that's why I don't like kids. I am not even planning to have kids in the future because their noise annoys me. Walang pinagkaiba iyon sa pagiging demanding ni James.
I don't like clingy men, they're irritating. I don't even like talkative people—except for my family, of course. Ang ingay lang no'ng triplets na 'yon na sina Dad, Zire at Kuya ang kayang tiisin ng tainga ko.
I rarely come to get togethers, lalo na kapag wala si Adi. Hindi naman sa KJ, feeling ko kasi wala akong ambag na kwento, samantalang ang mga pinsan ko'y unstoppable ang kwento tapos ako taganuod at tango lang.
I wasn't like this before, just that, life happens and I prefer being alone now. Mas magandang ako lang, at least walang nasasaktang tao dahil sa akin.
"Is it true na break na kayo ni James, Miss Sibyl?" Paparazzis blocked the exit when they saw me going done the stairs.
Tumaas ang kilay ko roon at bumaling kay Rey.
"What are they saying?" I asked Rey na mukha ring walang alam.
"Hindi ko alam," he answered, confused too kaya hindi na ako umimik at hinawi ang buhok ko.
Halos mapapikit ako sa damit ng flash ng camera pagkalabas ko sa building.
"Miss Sibyl! What can you say about the issue? Totoo bang nagde-date si James at Teresa?" tanong nilang tuloy-tuloy.
The fuck?
I almost screamed in irritation when they began questioning me same questions all over again, nonstop. Pakiramdam ko'y sasabog na ang ulo ko sa tanong nila.
"Miss Sibyl! Miss Sibyl!" they called again and again.
"Miss Sibyl—"
"What?!" I exclaimed loudly and the place were suddenly filled with silence, napanganga ang mga reporter at tumikhim si Rey at pasimple akong kinalabit at doon ko lang natantong tumaas ang boses ko.
Slowly, I stood straight, removing the frown on my forehead and gave them a sweet smile.
"I'm sorry, I was just shock, what?" I asked in a softest voice and I saw no one is trying to speak, mukhang natatakot.
"It's okay, you can ask Miss Sibyl." Ani Rey at may isang nagtangkang magtaas ng kamay kaya tinawag ni Rey.
"Yes?" I asked and smiled gently.
"Uh, we heard rumors, Miss. Totoo bang break na kayo ni James? Is Teresa dating him now?" he asked and it made me feel annoyed.
Teresa again, hindi ba natatahimik ang babaeng 'to?
"Oh, that's fake news." I said, "James and I...we're doing good. In fact, we just had our dinner date last night." I pretended.
They nodded, ngumiti ako sa bawat camera na tumututok sa akin, in-enjoy ang atensyon ng madla kung hindi lang may sumigaw na isa.
"Si Miss Teresa!" he exclaimed at wala pang ilang saglit ay nagsitakbuhan na sila sa pwesto ni Teresa na kunwari'y nagulat pang siya ang sinusugod ng tao.
"Totoo bang nagdi-date kayo ni James, Miss?"
"Oh, ano ba...nakakahiya..." she chuckled lowly and I frowned.
"Let's go, Rey." Irita kong sabi at tahimik na inalalayan ako ng mga kasama at ng mga guards para makapasok sa loob ng sasakyan.
"Alcohol?" aniya at inilahad sa akin kaya ipinakita ko ang kamay ko at iritadong nilinisan ang kamay.
"Sa mansyon na po ba, Ma'am?" ani ng driver at tinapunan ko lang siya ng tingin at tinaasan ng kilay.
"Sa mansyon na tayo," sagot ni Rey kaya tumango ang huli.
"Let's go to the drive thru first," I said coldly. "I want some iced coffee."
Habang nasa biyahe, pinakalma ko ang sarili sa pag-inom ng ice coffee, when we reached our mansion, tahimik akong lumabas, binati ng mga guard pero hindi ako umimik at sumimsim lang ng kape, ang hand bag ay nasa siko.
I immediately realized na may tao sa bahay pagkarating, pagkalakad ko pa lang ay nakita ko si Dad sa may garden na may kausap na matangkad na lalaki.
Didiretso na sana ako papasok pero nakita ako ni Dad at kinawayan kaya wala akong choice kung hindi ngumiti at kumaway.
"Hi, pretty ghourl! Come here!" he called and I walked towards them.
Hindi tumitingin sa lalaking kausap niya ay humalik ako sa pisngi ni Dad at yumakap.
"How's your day, princess?" he asked.
"Great," malamya kong sabi at napatawa siya at inakbayan ako para magulo ang buhok.
"Good to hear that, anyway..." he started off at napapansin ko ang tingin ng kausap niya sa akin pero ni hindi ko tinapunan ng tingin kahit saglit, I remained sipping on my coffee, iginagalaw pa ang lagayan para tumunog ang yelo sa loob.
"This is my daughter, Sibyl Timothea. She's a ballerina." I heard the proud tone on his voice kaya tumaas ang kilay ko at lihim na napangiti.
Dad's really proud, I'm pleased.
"Anak, Sibyl..." Dad called kaya nag-angat na ako ng tingin sa kanya.
"Yes?"
"I want you to meet Sol..." he said with a smile, referring to the man kaya unti-unti kong binalingan ang lalaki sa harap.
He's wearing a plain black shirt and maong jacket and pants. I noticed a gold chain on his neck and when I saw his face, my brow raised.
Probably a probinsyano.
He looks rugged, has almond shape black eyes na nagiging kulay brown noong tinamaan ng ilaw. He has Roman-shaped nose, red lips with few stubbles on his chin. His face resembled that of celebrities with heart-shaped face.
Hmm...'di naman ka-gwapuhan. Saks lang.
He's tall and lean, looking clean like his haircut, his stance told me he's probably athletic or a hard-worker, dumagdag pa ang morenong kulay ng balat.
"Gwapo ba, Miss?" he suddenly asked, followed by a smirk kaya umawang ang labi ko.
"Excuse me?" I asked coldly.
Narinig ko ang tawa ni Dad, ngumisi rin ng bahagya ang lalaki at bumaling kay Dad, naiiling.
"Sorry, Sir. Masyadong seryoso kasi itong si Miss Sibyl." He said and Dad nodded, tapping his back.
"Ganyan talaga iyan, mana sa maganda kong Misis." Dad answered and the man glanced at me, his black eyes looking aggressive a bit playful which instantly annoyed me.
"Joke lang, Miss." Sagot niya at ngumiti sa akin, inilalahad ang kamay.
"Solomon Aecen Alejo." He introduced. "Sol na lang..."
His name made me frown, what an old name.
Nakalahad ang kamay niya, ako nama'y nakatitig lang sa mukha niya tahimik na sumisimsim ng kape, walang imik.
"Sibyl...he's introducing himself to you." Dad whispered kaya napatango ako, inangat ang kamay ng bahagya at inilapit sa kanya.
I know he's expecting a full handshake but before he could even grasp my palm, hinawakan ko lang ang dulo ng daliri niya na kunwaring nag-ha-handshake at mabilis na binitawan.
Natulala siya kaya tumikhim ako.
"Okay." I said coldly and before he could even say something, I turned my back on them, walking directly inside the house, ginagalaw ang lagayan ng kape para mag-ingay ang yelo.
I spent my whole time sleeping inside my room, siguro ganitong oras nasa studio ako para mag-practice pero wala ako sa mood, isa pa, may taong 'di ko kilala. I don't know how to react if ever makakasalubong ko sila.
I checked my social media, I saw the article about me sa issue kay James. I saw how it was mentioned her na tinaasan ko sila ng boses and all and it's annoying, lalo na no'ng nakita kong inaaway ako sa comment section.
I saw some of my supporters defending me and that's okay, somehow.
I checked the likes and it's 9.8K and when I searched for other articles and saw Teresa, I was annoyed. Her interview got 10K likes! What the hell?
"Dapat mas marami ang akin!" I hissed, annoyed. I stood from my bed, put on a simple make up and natural looking tint and messed with my hair a bit, muling humihiga sa kama at nag-selfie.
SibylTimothea: Just woke up! Tired from dancing.
I watched for it as it gathered thousands of likes in just five minutes, may posts kaagad tungkol sa selfie akong nakita sa timeline at napangiti nang makitang puro papuri ang comments nila.
That's good.
When I got bored, sumilip ako sa may garden at nang makitang walang tao ay nagdesisyon ng bumaba para magpahangin.
Nasaan na kaya ang bisita ni Dad? Baka umalis na? I hope so.
I checked on the flowers, kaagad na nahuli ng mata ko ang dalawang salagubang na nahuli ni Zire at Kuya Zy at napailing ako, walang takot na kinuha ang isa at ipinalakad sa palad ko.
"Hey there, cute thing." I said gently, touching its back.
Marahan akong naupo sa bench doon, nilalaro ang salagubang habang nagpapahangin nang makarinig ng yapak.
"Hello, p'wedeng makiupo?" I almost rolled my eyes when I saw the man earlier.
I looked at him and then raised my brow, pinapakitang ayaw ko ng istorbo pero naupo na siya kaagad.
"Kakapagod ang byahe." Reklamo niya, hindi ako umimik, itinago ko sa palad ko ang salagubang at walang reaksyon na tumitig sa mga halaman ni Mommy. "Galing kasi akong Sta. Monica." Baling niya sa akin.
"Ah..." I answered, plastic na tumango.
"Sabi nga ni Sir sa chopper na lang para mabilis pero nakakahiya kasi kaya nag-bus na lang papunta rito. Medyo matagal pero mas sanay kasi ako sa biyahe kapag gano'n." Kwento niya.
Oh, come on...it's so loud.
"Ikaw si Sibyl, 'di ba?" he asked, his manly voice sounded friendly. "Ako si Sol—"
"Yes, I know, Sir." I answered back, glancing at him. "You told me that earlier."
"Ah, akala ko kasi nakalimutan mo—"
"I have a sharp memory, no need to remind me twice." I said and he nodded, moistening his lower lip.
"Saan—gago! Salagubang!" he suddenly exclaimed and stood, may pinagpag siya sa sarili at nanatili akong nakatingin at mukhang natanto niya iyon kaya kumurap siya at tumikhim.
"Sorry..." he cleared his throat, sitting on the bench upon fixing his shirt. "Hindi ako takot."
My brow raised but then, I didn't say anything.
He even looked around, checking on the salagubang and when he saw nothing, he stared again at me, his gentle black eyes smiled too when he did.
"I'm Sol..." he started off and offered his hand again kaya nagsalubong na ang kilay ko.
"Paulit-ulit?" I asked boredly and he chuckled, umiling at mas inilahad sa akin ang kamay.
"Wala, gusto ko lang makipagkilala. 'Di mo kasi tinanggap ng maayos ang kamay ko kanina kaya uulitin ko nang uulitin." Sagot niya, "hello, Sibyl, I'm Sol."
I am annoyed alright, what a big mouth for a man!
"Sige na, tanggapin mo na." Aniya, "sige ka, 'di ako titigil."
Hindi ako sumagot, may naiisip bigla. Mas kinuyom ko ang palad ko at kinagat ang labi.
"I'm Sol." Ngisi niya, "I'm Sol—"
"Nice to meet you, Solomon." I said, accepted his hand and he was all smiles and I watched how it faded when he saw the salagubang from my palm walking from mine to his arm.
"Puta!" he groaned and then stood abruptly, sumigaw siya at tumakbo. Lumipad ang salagubang mula sa braso niya papunta sa leeg niya kaya mas nagmura siya.
"Sir Zeijan!" he exclaimed, running and my brow raised, watching him running around me like a freak.
"Idiot!" I exclaimed, a soft, genuine laugh left my lips pero nang na-realized ang pagtawa ay biglang nag-poker face.
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