Hold Onto You (Book 3 of You Trilogy)

Kabanata 29

"Stop it, Esme."

Nakauwi na kami't lahat, hindi niya parin ako tinantanan. Wala na siyang ibang bukambibig ngayon kundi si Joshua.

Lalo lang sumasakit ang ulo ko sa mga pinagsasasabi niya.

"Tapos eto pa, he graduated with high honors, sis. At jusme, BAR topnotcher din pala! Ulitin ko lang. BAR fucking topnotcher-"

"Mouth, Mommy." Kia intervened.

I reached for the large white pillow beside Esme. I covered it on my face as I close my eyes. My head is throbbing so bad, from the back of it to my temple and forehead. It felt as if I was wearing a very tight hat.

"Esme, please. I'm not feeling well. Saka nalang natin pag-usapan." pakiusap ko.

"Kia, anak. Lumabas ka muna. Mag-uusap lang kami ni Tita." kausap niya kay Kia.

"But Tita doesn't want you here too, Mommy. I think it'd be the best for her if we both leave."

That made me smile a bit.

Naku. Buti pa talaga itong si Kia, considerate na bata.

"Reverse psychology ang tawag sa ginagawa ni Tita mo, baby. Kunwari hindi gusto pero ang totoo ay gusto niya, okay?

"Let's just go, Mommy."

"Don't order me like that, Kia, ha."

"I'm okay, baby. Don't worry too much about Tita." segunda ko.

Pinanatili kong nakapikit ang mata kaya hindi ko siya nakikita pero naiimagine ko na ang cute niyang pagnguso.

"Okay po. Sorry, 'my."

When the kid left, Esme continued praising Joshua. Like she has never seen someone as successful as him like before.

I admit that I am also floored by Josh's achievements to the extent that I couldn't process all of it in a day. Kaya nga lang, literal na masama talaga ang pakiramdam ko para pagtuonan iyon masyado ng pansin. And my sister just couldn't get it.

"You should be more aggressive, Sky! A bachelor like him could have whoever he wants anytime! At pustahan, marami ang naghahabol sa kanya! Kaya naku. Huwag babagal-bagal at sumali na sa pila!"

"You know I'm not like that, Esme."

"I know! But, girl, you must take your shot!"

"Teka lang naman. Bakit? May sinabi na ba akong gusto ko siya?" iritado kong tanong.

"At sige nga! Sabihin mong hindi!" hamon niya.

I lazily rolled my eyes behind the pillows. Of course, I couldn't say it.

"Huwag mo sabihing may nagustuhan ka na sa Kansas? Last time I checked, basted lahat ng manliligaw mo, ah? May bago ba? Hindi mo ba ako inupdate? Ha? Skyler?!"

"Wala. But Oliver's still on it." pag-amin ko.

Isinubsob ko lalo ang mukha ko sa unan.

"Talaga? Eh naka-tatlong reject ka na roon, di ba? Matibay, kung ganoon?" kumalma siya.

"We're friends."

Oliver never fails to message me every day. Walang palya, lalo na nang makarating ako rito sa Pinas. Kahit na bilang lang sa daliri ang replies ko, nagtitiyaga parin siya.

"Friends my ass. Do you like him already?"

"Platonically."

"Then why are you still communicating with him? Pinapapaasa mo lang, Sky. You're well aware of that, yes?"