Enticed by Miranda Jadeite

Chapter 23

Enticed by Miranda Jadeite

Chapter 23

Hindi ko mapigilang mamangha sa magarbong suot ni Ate Amanda. It would be nice for me to wear or make something like that.

"This looks so expensive." Pinanliitan ako ng mata ni Ate habang sinusuri ang regalo ko sa kanya.

"Nope. Did you like it? Axel helped me on getting that one." Kinuha ko sa kamay niya ang barrette at kinabit sa kanyang buhok.

"Of course, I like it. It's from you."

Napangiti ako nang bumagay sa ayos at kulay ng kanyang buhok ang ipit. "It's so pretty."

Nakanguso siya at pinanonood ang reaksiyon ko mula sa aking repleksiyon sa salamin. Natawa ako sa kanya. "What?"

"Don't spend your money on things... like this. You should use it on yourself."

"You sound like you hate my gift." Humalukipkip ako. "I don't know what to buy for you. I felt so happy when I received the same thing as a gift. I thought... you'll be happy with it, that's why I bought it."

"You got it wrong. I'm so happy with it, I'm just saying you're not supposed to buy your Ate an expensive thing from your own money. I'm happy but I feel so bad. Hindi pa nga kita nareregaluhan ng ganito kamahal."

"I don't feel bad about it." Nakakunot ang noo ko sa kanya. "You don't have to buy me things, Ate."

"Babawi ako sa 'yo." Hinipo niya ang barrette at nginitian ako. "Thank you so much for this."

"Welcome, birthday girl." Tinapik ko siya at lumabas na nang kanyang kuwarto. I fixed the thin strap of my sequined dress before I started walking towards the elevator. I must save the seat beside Tita Jade so I won't have to interact that much with my cousins.

Maraming bumati sa akin na kakilala pero nginitian ko lang sila at tinanggihan ang pag-anyaya nila para makipag-usap kahit saglit. I rushed to where Tita Jade is.

"That's my seat." I tapped Andrei's shoulder. Lumingon siya sa akin at tumayo para ilahad ang upuan sa akin.

"You should join our table, you know." Maikli niyang sabi sa akin at inaya na ang kanyang kapatid para lumipat sa kanilang lamesa. Sinundan ko sila nang tingin hanggang sa makarating sila sa lamesa.

"Oh, we see each other again, Miranda. You're really beautiful." Lumuwa ang mata ko nang mapagtanto kung sino ang kasama namin sa lamesa nina Tita Jade. What the fuck? I smiled at her.

"It's nice to see you po." Magalang kong tugon sa medyo may edad na babae.

"You still remember me?" Nilagay niya ang palad sa kanyang dibdib at sobrang tamis ng ngiting iginawad sa akin. Tumango ako sa kanya. "How about my nephews? They're invited here too."

"Yeah, I remember them. Malik, Mavy, and Scott." Banggit ko sa pangalan noong tatlong lalaki. I excluded Callant because he's out of my sight.

"That's so nice." Kinumpas niya ang kanyang kamay kay Tita Jade para agawin ang atensiyon nito. "Is your niece allowed to date?"

Humalakhak si Tita Jade bago bumaling sa akin. "It depends, Sheena. Kung may magustuhan ang pamangkin ko, hindi naman namin pagbabawalan. She's free to do anything she wants as long as it won't harm her."

"If that so..." bumaling siya sa akin, kitang-kita ko ang pag-iling ng tatlo niyang pamangkin. "Puwedeng isa sa mga pamangkin ko? I'll help you... I'll set you up. I would be really nice if one of them date you."

Bigla kong naalala si Callant. Does that count? "I'm really sorry but-"

"She's too young for things like that." Napatigil ako sa kalagitnaan ng pagsasalita nang may nagsabi noon. Sabay-sabay kaming lumingon sa nagsalita, at hindi ako nagulat na si Callant iyon. Inukopa niya ang silyang ginamit ni Jack kanina, na nasa tabi ko lang!