"Love-" I was about to say something to Ethan but stopped when I realized what I just said. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang lumingon si Ethan sa 'kin. And his eyes widened as well. Of course, we're both shocked! He obviously heard what I just called him. Magkatabi lang naman kaming dalawa. Umawang ang labi nito at nagtatanong ang mga mata. "Did... did you just call me 'love'?" He asked, amused. I bit my lower lip. I didn't know what to say again! Pasmado talaga ang bibig ko at kung anu ano na lang ang lumalabas mula dito! Palaging nadudulas, eh. "I mean-" Umiwas ako ng tingin nang mapansing sumeryoso ang mukha nito. I'm never ready to talk about 'this' yet. Para akong kakapusan ng hininga kapag pag-uusapan namin ang relasyon namin or whatever. Kasi alam ko na kung saan 'to patungo, eh! As I said, I don't want to commit myself to Ethan for now. And I don't to disappoint or hurt him in any way. "Alam mo bang ilang beses ko nang pinangarap na tawagin mo rin ako ng ganoon, Zephyrine?"
"That wasn't your fault, okay? It was mine. I'm sorry." Ethan said repeatedly even if he didn't need to. "Let's stop putting the blame on ourselves, please. And stop apologizing. We just slept—that's all. Mom was just overreacting. Didn't know she had that attitude." Napailing na lang ako.Seriously? Siya talaga magdidikta sa aming dalawa na gawin nang official ang relasyon namin ni Ethan? That sounded so weird for me."Still... ako ang lalaki. I should've known that it would put you in the bad side."I rolled my eyes. "Duh? As if sleeping together is that big of a deal. We didn't even kiss. Inaantok na nga tayo pareho kagabi. OA talaga ng mom ko, for real. Don't worry about it that much. We won't rush things the way she wanted us to."He let out a deep sigh before nodding. He looked so stressed out about what happened. Mom's pressuring him, too. I wasn't mad at her, I was just pissed. Kaya nga kami umalis agad after breakfast. I didn't want to hear mom's opinions about Ethan and I an
I guess love can actually drive us insane. It's terrifiying at most times. I could attest that."She's still not answering her phone?" Ethan asked while driving the car to the cafe where my sister frequent. At least that's what her friends told me over the phone a while back.I puckered my lips as I shook my head. I also couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh. It's been hours since my sister went missing in action. And we still couldn't track her. Pero hindi naman ako susuko sa paghahanap sa kanya. Kaya lang ay pagod na talaga ako sa ngayon. I felt like my body's about to give up any moment from now, but I didn't make it obvious to Ethan. Alam kong pagod na rin siya. The least I could do is to not stress him out more. Kahit na hindi ako sure kung anong ginagawa ko ngayon. Kasi sa totoo lang, hindi naman na dapat nandito si Ethan. This has nothing to do with him. And yet he's here—to help me find my sister. I heard him heave a deep breath as well. He then carefully pulled over near a
After the reconciliation with my sister, I called our parents to come over. I did not expect them to come right away. But they really did. Nagulat na lang ako na wala pang isang oras ay nakarating na sila sa rest house na kung saan kasalukuyang tumutuloy si Aye Zafie. Mom was hysterically sobbing as she tightly hugged Ate Zafie, apologizing for her shortcomings all over again. Dad was silently watching them but I know better. He's breaking down deep inside but he just wouldn't show it off.They were both worried for my sister. We all are. My heart tugged at the sight of them embracing one another as I stood from afar. I couldn't help but break into a small smile as I watch my little family slowly getting back together. I've longed for this ever since. Despite all the issues, the disappointments, the hatred, and the betrayals... I've always found my way to them. I've learned how to forgive my parents especially my mother who had made my teenage life worse than it could have been. T
"Erin? I'm going out with my friends today." I heard Ate Zaf said from outside my bedroom.I pouted as I continued to draw myself on my sketchbook. Hindi ako sumagot kaya narinig ko na naman ulit ang boses ni Ate."Erin, alam kong naririnig mo 'ko. Huwag ka na'ng magtampo. I'll buy you your favorite Pepero pag-uwi ko," she said that made me smile."Okay po!" I shouted back and I heard her groaned to which I just laughed.I locked myself inside my room the whole day while my sister's out with her friends. Nagpapahatid na lang ako ng pagkain sa helper namin tuwing meal time na. My favorite pasta was delivered to me as well after I asked my sister to order it for me para 'yon na lang ang meryenda ko.Kumakain lang ako habang nags-scroll sa P*******t. I was looking for new makeup and outfit ideas. Gusto ko kasing ibang look ko na naman ang makikita ng mga inggitera kong school mates ngayong pasukan. Last year, I went for the hot chic look. And I'm planning to go for the classy look this ye
"Erin, come on! Make it fast, you're wasting our time." My sister shouted from downstairs. "Yes, coming!" I shouted back while putting on my sweater. "God, mahuhuli tayo sa flight natin dahil sa 'yo!" Sigaw na naman ni Ate Zaf. There's no need for her to shout kaya. At nakakairita na rin ang boses niya. "Iiwan na talaga kita, Zephyrine. Ang bagal mo talaga kumilos. " Naiinis na si Ate kaya bumaba na ako. Papunta na kami sa airport pero ang ingay pa rin ni Ate habang panay ang tingin sa relo niya. Pinapagalitan pa ako kasi nga ang bagal ko kumilos. Kung mahuhuli raw kami sa flight namin, iiwan niya talaga dito sa Manila. God, nakakairita eh paulit ulit lang naman ang sinasabi niya! "Ate, pwede bang manahimik ka muna? You're ruining our day. Umagang umaga sinisira mo ang mood ko. Chill ka lang, okay?" I told her. "Chill? Look at the time, it's almost ten! Alas onse ang flight natin!" Inis niyang hinagis sa direksyon ko ang travel pillow na hawak niya. "
My sister and I decided to go shopping the day after. We thought of buying gifts for Nana and Jam. I can't choose what to buy for Jam. Nakabili na kami ng mga damit at bag para kay Nana. Bumili rin si Ate Zaf ng dress and shoes for Jam. Pero wala pa rin akong maisip na gift for her!"Bagay kay Jam 'to." Itinuro ni Ate Zaf ang kulay pink na relo. It's so cute!"Omg, yes! I'll buy this for her." Pumila na kami ni Ate papunta sa counter para bayaran ang mga pinamili namin. Kaso nga lang, ang haba ng pila."God, bakit ba ang daming tao? Kailan pa kaya tayo makakaraos dito." Inis akong napapadyak. Pet peeve ko kasi ang pagpipila ng matagal."Marami talagang tao kasi nasa mall ka, Erin. Wala ka sa bundok.""I know. You don't have to talk about mountains. You're so random." I rolled my eyes.Hindi na nagsalita si Ate. When I looked at h
"Hey." A voice said behind me.I looked over my shoulder and saw my sister. "Ate Zaf." I gave her a small smile."I'm sorry about earlier, sissy." She said softly.I just nodded. Wala lang naman talaga 'yon sa 'kin. She was just stating the fact. And it's a good thing that she did not tolerated my behavior earlier.My sister sat down beside me. Nasa terrace kasi ako ng bahay nila Jam, pinapanood ang paglubog ng araw. This has been a habit of mine ever since bata ako. I love to watch the sunset."You never watched the sunset with me before. Ngayon lang." I smiled bitterly while remembering our childhood days. Naalala ko na umiyak ako ng umiyak noon dahil ayaw niya akong samahan sa seashore para manood ng sunset. Mas maganda kasi panoorin ang sunset kapag nasa tabing-dagat ka. Nagtampo ako sa kanya ng ilang araw no'n. I was really upset that time.