Pitch of the Nimbus (Cloud Series #2)

Nimbus 12

Chapter 12
FRAME

"Doreen..."

"Yes?" I looked up to my sister.

Kinagat niya ang labi niya, nagsusupil ng malawak na ngiti. Hindi rin niya napigilan iyon. She smiled so wide her lips was about to tear.

"Sojin wants to take me out this Friday night," she said, smiling so wide. "I told him about my grades and he congratulated me. I'm so happy, Doreen!"

I gave her a sweet smile. Wala na talagang mas gaganda pa sa ngiti niya. Her happiness soothes me so bad. It makes me want to live more so I can keep giving her the happiness she deserves.

"Enjoy your date."

"I will!"

Ngumiti ako. Somewhere within me is unwell but I am happy. I know I am genuinely happy for my sister. She's doing very well these past days and as an older sister, it was the most priceless gift I ever received. Crushing and liking Sojin do her good. I'd like to never deprive her that happiness so I'll do everything.

I refused to text Sojin even when he told me the last time that I should text even once in a day. He's constantly texting me now pero dahil sa paparating nilang date ni Daria, hindi ko na siya tinext muna.

"Ano? Hinarass mo raw 'yong babae roon! Kayong mga kabataan ngayon, ang hilig magwalwal! Nanggugulo pa! Sa presento kayo magpaliwanag!"

Papalabas ako ng coffee shop at may dalang take-out nang madatnan ang iilang pulis sa labas ng isang bar. Madalas na pinupuntahan ni Daria ang bar na iyon kasama ang mga kaibigan niya. Mabuti na lang hindi na nagbabar ngayon ang kapatid ko. May riot pa yata.

"Nagdulot 'yang mga 'yan ng riot sa kabilang baryo kaya sinugod dito at nagbugbugan! Tangina, nadamay pa ang mga anak ko! Ikulong niyo 'yang mga yan!" turo ng isang ginang sa mga kabataang hatak-hatak na ng mga pulis papasok sa patrol.

"Ano daw bang nangyari?"

"Kilala 'yang grupong 'yan na mga walwalera't walwalero. Nawawala sa huwisyo kapag lasing! Hindi ko nga alam bakit hindi pa nakukulong 'yang mga 'yan! Ang daming krimeng ginawa! Baka nga pumapatay 'yan e, hindi lang nahuli!"

Natigilan ako at kinilabutan sa narinig. Nakakatakot naman 'yon. Ang babata pa nila. Umalis na lang ako, hindi na kayang makinig pa usapang iyon. It scares me a little.

When Friday came, I helped Daria with her clothes. She wants so bad to be presentable for Sojin kaya tinulungan ko. And now, she looks so pretty with her light green dress. I smiled upon seeing her looking nervous now, as if she's getting married.

"Why are you nervous? Magaan kasama si Sojin."

"I want to impress him. I want to look pretty." she said and sighed. "Bagay ba?"

"Of course. You're super lovely, Daria. Be confident, okay? Men dig that."

Ngumiti siya at gayon na lamang ang gulat ko nang bigla niya akong niyakap.

"Thank you! Wish me luck!"

My lips were parted for a while, heart is beating so fast in shock. Halos hindi pa ako makabawi nang nagpaalam siyang aalis na at hinatid ko hanggang sa labas.

My sister just smiled and hugged me! Wow! I suddenly want to cry!

Sobrang saya ko tuloy habang hinihintay siya sa gabing iyon. In the morning, I was suprised because she talks a lot about their date. It was not so her. She's looks extra happy.

"We talked a lot of interesting things. We clicked last night. And I was so happy because he's asking everything about me like he was interested! Hindi na nagtanong ng iba pa at tungkol lang talaga sa akin!" she cheered.