Anatomy of an Heiress

Chapter 17

"Congratulations, baby boy!"

I hugged Kingsley after he received his awards and diploma. He let go of me and I saw his face turned sour after realizing what I called him. 

It's his graduation day today. Hindi pa naman tapos 'yung program but nagbibigayan na kasi ng awards so guardians and parents, students, everyone's all over. 

I laughed at his reaction and asked Asher to take a photo of us. Wala pa si Papa, susunod na lang daw s'ya dahil nagkaroon ng emergency sa kumpanya. As always.

I kissed Kingsley by the cheeks as Asher takes the picture. I heard my brother mutter a word in disgust and yet still smiled for the photo. I giggled, mocking him as I ran towards Asher who is checking the photos he took. 

"Ayos ah, ate's boy," asar ni Asher kay Kingsley habang tinitingnan ko 'yung mga picture. 

I saw Kingsley mockingly copied what Asher said and rolled his eyes. Asher laughed and put his arms around Kingsley. They asked me to take a picture of them so I did. 

"1... 2... 3!" I counted before clicking the button of the camera. Napakalikot nila kaya hindi ko alam kung may maganda kuha ba dito. They just couldn't stay still!

Nahagip ng mata ko si Akira na medyo malapit sa amin. I gestured her to come over here so I can take a photo of her and Kingsley but I think the two of them haven't resolved anything yet... Kami na lang dalawa mag-picture. 

Wala rin dito parents nila kaya si Asher lang ang kasama n'ya. 

I saw her smile small and hesitantly walked in our direction. I hugged her tightly and I think Kingsley and Asher saw who I was hugging, they suddenly stopped fooling around. I was facing them so I saw Kingsley's reaction. 

I already told Asher about what happened between Akira and my brother. He also didn't know what to do, he wanted to protect his sister and I wanted to protect her too but Kingsley... he really needed to go. Wala rin s'yang magawa.

I suggested that maybe they can work things out but Kingsley said he'll just be torturing his best friend, his first love... I think? Sana all. 

He needed to leave a week from now so he can still have time to prepare for his enrollment, there are still requirements that he needs to fix and submit. Kailangan n'ya rin makapag-adjust doon bago magpasukan kasi ibang bansa 'yun. To add, first year college s'ya, mas mahirap. 

Although he'll be accompanied by my father's relatives abroad, it's still different that he knows he has someone here that loves him. Different from the love that Papa and I can give him. 

He needs to feel secured na may babalikan s'ya dito, na may nag-iintay para sa kanya. Maliban sa amin. 

I let go of Akira and looked at Asher. He looked at Akira instead and made the atmosphere light. He asked if I can take a picture of him and his sister. Kingsley stood beside me as Akira went to Asher instead. 

I took a picture of them at hindi ako pumayag na sila lang ang may picture. Dapat kami rin ni Akira!

"Alis d'yan, 'yung tunay na kapatid naman," I joked and slapped Asher playfully as I pass him the camera. He counted one to three and we smiled. 

I wrapped my arms around her and asked Asher to take another one. 

"He'll be leaving next week," I whispered to her while still smiling. "You two should talk," I said once the picture was done and held her hands. She nodded and turned her gaze to Kingsley's direction. 

Tinawag na ulit sila so they had to go back to their assigned seats. Bumalik na rin kami sa upuan namin. 

Asher was sitting beside me kahit may area for Akira's guardians. Solo raw kasi s'ya roon, muka raw s'yang loner, eh nandito naman daw ako. Pumayag na lang din ako.