Crossroads [SC SERIES #1]

Kabanata 24: Lotus Flower

[Klare's POV]

"Sis?!" Hindi makapaniwalang sigaw ni Nhelandrie habang pinipilit na makawala mula sa pagkakagapos. Sooner, makakawala rin si Nhelandrie, to think na hindi marunong gumapos ang so-smart kong kapatid at packing tape pa ang ginamit.

"Oh, hindi pa pala ako nakapagpakilala," she laughed like an insane woman. Napakuyom ako sa palad ko nung masuyo niyang hinawakan ang panga ni Nhelandrie. My body started to get hot caused by my boiling blood as I watch their skin attached.

"I'm your girlfriend's older sister. Stephanie Elena Villegas."

"Half-sister." I corrected.

"Oh, I forgot about that."

Naging alerto ako nung biglang sumeryoso ang mukha niya. I need to be attentive, insane people are the most hard to read.

"He's a student from KPA, alam na ba ni Dad 'to? President said that you started to come late at meetings even in classes. Kahit sino makakasabi that you're really the brain of the family but I also know how to observe people. There's affection in your eyes kapag kay Mr. Aguilar ka nakatingin at pagseselos naman kapag hinawakan ko siya." Unti-unting sumilay ang ngisi sa kanyang mga labi.

President huh... Ate Steph and him are close. I was right, he sensed something suspicious about me.

"I-it's not what you think. I got to come late because Mr. Aguilar's car got some sort of machinery malfunction. I ordered him to be my driver as I am the one responsible for his punishment."

Everyone is capable of lying, and so I am. Pinanliitan niya ako ng mata, she obviously don't know what to assume.

"If I saw any evidence with my own eyes, i'm sure Dad will disown you."

"No, he won't. I'm his favorite daughter afterall, I doubt he'll do that," she gritted her teeth at bago pa niya ako sulungin ay pinigilan siya ni Nhelandrie.

"H-how did you-"

"It's just a packing tape. Ilang beses na akong magapos. Next time try using duct tape."

I pursed my lips; trying to hold back my laugh dahil sa pang-iinsulto ni Nhelandrie. Sinamaan naman siya ni Ate Steph ng tingin kaya dahan-dahan niyang binitawan ang braso nito.

"This is not yet the end, Klare." Matigas na bulong niya sa 'kin at sinadyang binangga ang balikat ko bago siya umalis ng bahay.

"Okay ka lang ba?" Nag-aalalang nilapitan ako ni Nhelandrie nung makita ang kung gaano ako naapektuhan sa pagbisita ni Ate Steph.

"Yeah," tango ko.

"I didn't know you have a sister." Kahit siya ay gulat sa nangyayari. This is what I was avoiding; dragging him into my mess.

"Sorry for that."

"Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na kapatid mo yun," natatawang kutya niya habang nakapamulsa. Napangisi naman ako sa kanyang sinabi.

"Why? Is she that dumb not to be my sister?"

"Kinda, though she's pretty hot." Napasimangot naman ako sa kasunod niyang sinabi.

"Akala ko may kasama na akong insultuhin siya. Traitor ka!"

.

[Nhelandrie's POV]

After her sister left, I got to see her genuine laugh. Like a flower that makes you stand there and wait until it blooms on its peak.

"How's the party? You didn't seem to enjoy it." Unti-unting nawala ang matatamis niyang ngiti.

"Just the usual." Tumango ako. I don't have anything enough to say. Pupunta na sana ako pabalik sa kwarto ko nung tawagin niya ako.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry." Napakunot ang noo ko. Why is she saying sorry out of the sudden?

"What's the matter?" Hinawakan ko ang balikat niya at sinilip ang kanyang mukha nung bigla itong napayuko.

"The President noticed something about us. The other side of the family will use you to get their hands on my neck as the successor of the Mallino Clan."

May kung anong pumiga sa puso ko nung makita ang halong pag-alala at pagkagulo sa kanyang mukha.

"Hey, hey, this is so not you. Your words and actions are known for its consistency, you'll be fine. Tsaka, don't underestimate me. I'm your protector, I don't care if I get involved with your issues." Pagmayabang ko pero hindi sapat yun para mawala ang kung anong umaabala sa isip niya.

"Stephanie Elena Villegas is your half-sister? What about yung Kuya mo?" I asked.

I feel like an idiot. Wala akong alam tungkol sa kanya habang siya ay ginawa ang lahat ng research para makilala ako ng buo.

I'm curious to know everything pero hindi sinagot ni Klare ang tanong ko. Nagulat na lang ako nung hinila niya ang pupulsuhan ko at nagsimulang maglakad.

"Hey, you don't need to do this." Sabi ko when we entered the only room she forbids me to enter.

"I respect your privacy, Klare."

"It's okay, i'll be happy to tell you everything you need to know," she went to the stairs and offered me her hand.

Yes, everything. I want to know everything. Kumikislap ang mga mata kong kinuha ang kanyang kamay.

Napalaglag ang panga ko nung pumasok ako sa kwarto niya. This is unexpected!

She's a girl and above all, she's the Vice President of KPA. I was expecting to see a modern type of room with cute lampshades and a girly mat pero yung kwarto niya... may mga damit na nagkalat kung saan-saan. There were even papers flying around the room. Yung maliit niyang higaan ay hindi pa nakaayos at nay isang unan pa na nakalatag sa sahig.

Some would call it dirty, a mess or they wouldn't even call it a room at all but I find it beautiful. Especially when I saw buckets of paint in a corner. There were artworks hanged on the wall and it was impressive.

May isang canvas sa isang sulok na hindi pa natatapos and I guess she's painting a flower. Natigilan ako sa na-realize ko. Lumalaki ang mga mata ko siyang tiningnan.

"What? Oh yeah, I forgot to clean it up bago kita dinala rito. I'm sorry." Nahihiya niyang kinamot ang kanyang ulo at umupo sa kanyang higaan sabay pulot ng unan niyang nalaglag.

"It's fine. At least your room doesn't smell like an ass like mine. I'm actually wondering did you paint that?" Tumabi ako ng upo sa kanya at tinuro ang hindi matapos-tapos na painting.

"Yeah, it's a lotus flower. It was inspired by some Greek Mythology that there's an island kung saan madaming lotus. Madami ang pumupunta doon because they thought it's like a heavenly perfect place. They started eating the lotus flower as a sign of respect for the island, but little did they know, kapag nakain mo na ang lotus flower, hinding-hindi ka na makakaalis sa isla and after you eat, mare-realize that the island is not perfect. It's an island of nightmare in disguise to allure the travelers." Kwento niya.

"Why did you chose to paint a lotus flower then?"

"It represents me. They thought that I have a so-perfect life like you did, but once you get to know me, you will realize that i'm an angel surviving the pit of hell."

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