Sagittarius (COMPLETE)

Sixteen

"We're home! Home sweet home!" Tasha said in a sing-song tone.

Agad kaming pinagtinginan ng iilang guest at crew na kasabay namin at maraming napailing sa akto niya, kabilang na ako na hila hila niya palabas ng cruise ship.

Hinayaan ko na lang siya dahil sabik din naman akong umuwi sa bahay. After one week, ngayon lang ulit kami dadaong dito sa Florida matapos ang mahabang round trip. I enjoyed every bits of the trip even if it's so draining to work on the kitchen the whole day. But the satisfaction when a guest complements my dish is on different level.

All the sweat and muscle cramps are worth it.

"Dederetso ka sa bahay niyo? O susunduin ka?" She poked the side of my waist. "Kinikilig na 'yan kasi makikita niya na si boyfriend sa wakas after one week!"

Napangiwi ako sa lakas ng boses niya. Mabuti na lang at Tagalog ang ginagamit niya kaya hindi kami naiintindihan ng karamihan. Nakakatanggap nga lang kami ng weird stares.

I rolled my eyes. "Boyfriend my ass. You know the real score between us, Tashmajal."

Mabilis na nangasim ang ekspresyon niya matapos kong banggitin ang pangalan niya.

"Shit, ang pangit pakingan! Tasha na lang kasi!" She stomped her foot like a kid throwing a fit to her mother.

Sinong mag-aakala na mas matanda siya sa akin ng pitong taon sa inaakto niya ngayon? She's already 35 years old but she acts like a five years old kid most of the time.

"Ang harsh mo naman sa pangalan mo, Tashmajal Pangilinan." I laughed.

"Pangit mo talaga kabonding, peste ka." Tinulak niya ako ng pabiro. "Lunurin kita diyan."

"I heard that." A manly voice interrupted.

Sabay kaming huminto ni Tasha at lumingon sa nagsalita. My eyes widened when I met his striking hazel-colored eyes with blue flecks on them. The corner of his lips shot up when he saw me looking at him while beaming.

"Macarios!" I excitedly call him.

Mabilis na nawala ang ngiti niya at napalitan ng simangot. Humagalpak ako ng tawa ng samaan niya ako ng tingin habang papalapit siya sa kinatatayuan namin ni Tasha.

"I told you to not call me that, Cheska."

I snicker and look at him and Tasha on my side. "What's with the two of you hating your whole name? There's nothing wrong with it, come on!"

"You can only say that because your name is very pretty, Francheska Elise Calliope Miranda Al Gala." Tasha bumped my shoulder in a friendly manner.

Tumango si Rios bilang pagsang-ayon sa sinabi ni Tasha. I protrude my lips a bit and I snorted. "You don't need to state my whole name, you know."

Umirap lang si Tasha. "You called me by my name too. Patas na tayo."

"Whatever."

Natawa si Tasha at pabiro akong tinapik sa gilid ng dibdib ko. "Anyway, mauuna na ako bago ko pa kayo makitang maglandian." Binitawan niya ako at kinuha ang bagahe niya sa attendant na nakasunod sa amin. "See you after your one month vacation, Cheska! Don't forget to invite me to your wedding, or I'll gate crash on your oh so huge mansion. Adios!"

I smiled and wave my hand back as she walk away from us towards her car parked on the side walk. Hinintay ko munang maka-alis ng tuluyan si Tasha bago ko hinarap si Rios.

"How's Dad?" I immediately asked him.

His expression got into serious mode instantly. "He's with Francine. He went to the headquarters with her twice this week and I wasn't able to stop him because I don't have the right to."