Sana Pwede Pa

Kabanata 26

"Ate Xy, I really missed you," Johanna said while holding her Ate Xyrine's hand.

Kung kanina ay halatang nabigla pa si Xyrine, ngayon naman ay mukhang nakabawi na ito. Agad siyang sumagot sa bata, "Ate Xy missed you too, baby." She leveled her body towards Hannah's head so that she can talk to the kid properly.

Walang nagawa sina Jennifer at Michael kundi lumapit nalang din sa kinaroroonan nina Xyrine at Hanna.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Dominic at mukhang nagkaintindihan din naman kami gamit ang aming mga tingin. We, too, walked towards Xyrine and Jennifer.

"You done with your lunch, Ate?" tanong uli ng bata sa Ate niya. "We're going to the arcade. You wanna come with us?"

I feel like Hannah's idea is actually a good one. Matagal nadin kasi kaming hindi nagkakasama ni Xyrine. Tsaka gusto ko din namang ibalik ang pagkakaibigan namin gaya ng dati. Pero ewan ko ba bakit parang iba ata ang nararamdaman nitong sina Dominic. They looked worried after hearing what Hanna said.

"I'm sorry, baby," Xyrine answered after a moment. "Ate needs to go back to school na. We actually have an exam and Ate Xy still needs to study."

I noticed the sigh of relief from Dom, Jen and Mike; but that's in contrast with Hannah's expression. She looked sad.

"We're with Ate Sab right now so I thought that would be more enjoyable but I can't force you, Ate, 'cause your exam is more important. I guess there's still next time."

Kanina ko pa tinitingnan si Xyrine, umaasang titingnan niya din ako at ngingitian.

"Thank you for understanding Ate, baby. Pa'no? We'll go na?"

Hanna forced herself to nod.

Xyrine patted Hanna's head for the last time then she looked towards Jen and Mike. "I'll go, guys." Sunod ay napatingin din siya sa 'min ni Dominic nang mabilisan. "I'll go. Bye."

I nodded to recognize her goodbye. Pagkatapos ay naglakad na nga sila paalis ng mga kaibigan niya.

"Hanna, let's go na." Jen extended her hand to her sister so that the latter can hold her.

"I'm sad that Ate Xy can't come with us."

"Hanna, you heard her, right? She still has an exam and she needs to study. You know that Ate Xyrine's course is so demanding of time, right?"

Hanna pouted again and then nodded.

Ilang sandali pa ay nagpatuloy na kami ng paglalakad papuntang arcade.

We played many games. We played basketball, computer games, dance revo, and the claw machine. What's good is that Michael got a plushie from the claw machine and he gave it to Jennifer. Syempre kilig na kilig naman ang babaitang 'to. I can't help myself from smiling while seeing the two of them being happy together.

"Ate, you really are good at dancing," Hanna said while here I am, following the dance steps that are flashing in the screen. Sa akin nadin ngayon ang tingin nina Dominic, Jen at Michael.

"Yeah, I actually envy you, Sab. You're literally good at everything," Jen added.

"You said it right," hinihingal kong wika. "I'm just good with things but I don't standout at all."

"That's a lie. Wherever they will put you, you still standout. I guess that's what lead Kuya to--"

Hindi ko narinig ang huli niyang sinabi kasi hininaan nito ang boses niya pero narinig ko nalang si Dominic na umaangal na sa kaniya. "Titigil ka o papauwiin kita?"