What's this Between Us?

XXXII

STORME SWEVEN

"Alam mo, uso mag bayad." Sabi ni Raven at naupo sa tapat ko. I'm at her cafe. May branch kase sya malapit sa school.

"Para saan pa at naging kapatid kita? Perks of being the sister of the owner." Sabi ko bago sya kinindatan at muling nag basa nang hawak kong libro.

"What are you reading anyways?" She asked bago inangat ang libro ko para mabasa nya yung title "The Intelegent Investor?" Basa nya sa title "You're interested in investment?"

"Yep. And I already did." Sabi ko sakanya "I put my money on stocks. Sana maging maganda ang kalabasan, cross fingers, yayaman ako."

"Tss.. Katamaran mo talaga. You should dream bigger. Build your own business. Hindi yung naghihitay ka sa kita nang iba." Sabi nya habang tila disappointed na umiiling

"I will. In the future. Sa ngayon ay eto muna. And besides, kikita ka parin naman dito. So basically it's still a business. And it's way more convenient way of earning money."

"Fine. Sabi mo e." she said with a shrug "But anyways. Are you sure na hindi ka sasama kila Mama? You know, gusto ka nyang makasama at makilala pa."

Umiling ako bago uminom nang frappe "Ayokong malayo kina Nanay." Sabi ko sakanya pero naningkit lang ang mga mata nya

"Ayaw mong malayo kina Nanay o ayaw mong malayo sakanya?"

"What? Sinong sya— ah.. Nope. She's not part of my decision." sabi ko at nagiwas nang tingin. I know it's stupid but I still want to wait for her.

"Alam mo, ikaw ang pinaka shunga sa lahat nang nakilala ko. Bakit ba ipinagpipilitan mo ang sarili mo sakanya?"

"I'm not. Tumahimik ka nga." Sabi ko at muling nagbasa

"Sis, you're smart, beautiful, kind and etc. Don't settle for less. Know your worth. Hindi ang kagaya nyang confused ang nababagay sayo dahil masasaktan ka lang. A girl like her is just screaming heartaches. I know those type." She said as if naranasan nya na.

"Did you..?"

"Nope. Let's not go there." Sabi nya kaya naningkit ang mga mata ko. Something is fishy.

"What?! Wala nga!" Tanggi nya kaya mas lalo akong na curious.

"Tumigil ka." Sabi nya bago ako binato nang tissue sa mukha bago naiinis na umalis.

I just laugh at her reaction. "Malalaman ko din yan Sissy!" Sigaw ko sakanya but she just gave me a middle finger habang nakatalikod at naglalakad paalis.

—

"Hey! That is mine you know." Sabi ko kay Mam Laine nang itago nya sa likod nya yung ballpen ko. She's one of my close professors pero may pagka childish talaga sya. tsk.

"Akin nalang please?" Pa cute na sabi nya I but I don't care

"What? No! That's one my favourite pen!" Sabi ko at pilit inaabot ang pen ko sakanya. That's a fountain pen for goodness sake's! Mahal yun!

"Oh common! Every pen is your favourite." She said while rolling her eyes at me

"Isa!" Banta ko sakanya pero ngumisi lang sya.