Held Voluntarily

8

Marahas akong napasubsob sa kama at nasapo ang ulo. It wasn't a dream. Yesterday wasn't a dream. I really get myself a boyfriend. A Mellaleje one, even.

I sit up straight and read his message again. Umiling ako at pinatay na lang. It's just a good morning message. Duncan is so corny.

Tumayo na ako para sana maghanda na dahil ako na lang ang narito sa kwarto nang muling tumunog ang cellphone ko. Already expecting who it is, I went back to check it.

Duncan:
Baby, reply. So I know you've woken up.

Umikot ang mata ko. What the heck is this twenty-three year old guy trying to do exactly? If only I can tell the people around him how he is—they would definitely agree that it opposes his aura.

He's clingy while he looks sturdy enough not to clung but being demanding himself is actually on point though. I don't really like demanding people, pero kung bakit ko siya hinahayaan ay siguro dahil ganoon din ako sa kanya. Patas lang...

Or maybe because he's...

Saglit akong natulala. Suddenly, our moments together flashes through mind. My first kiss that made me her girlfriend. Wait, what the heck.

Mabilis akong umiling. I bit my lower lip, trying to freshen up my mind. Sumulyap ako sa aking cellphone at napahinga na lamang. Maybe, I just need a bath.

"A picnic!"

Papalapit pa lamang sa hapag ay narinig ko na ang masayang boses ni Laniah. I arched my brow when the picture of a family met my eyes. Si Xenro ay bodyguard na lang siguro.

"Good morning," I greeted.

Lalianah got interrupted in putting food on Laniah's plate, luminga siya sa akin at bumati. Laniah smiled cutely too, while tito nodded. Si Xenro ay hindi lumingon, nagpatuloy lamang sa pagkain.

I sitted beside my cousin. Sinulyapan ko ang almusal. Vegetable salad, fruits, eggs, ham and fried rice. Can it be anymore common?

"Zas," tito called my name. Luminga ako sa kanya.

"You went home late—"

"Good morning, everyone!" A familiar voice unintentionally cut off tito.

Wow. I never thought, I'd be thankful of her early in the morning.

"Hello po, ate Sandra..." Si Laniah.

Rinig ko rin na sinundan na nila iyon ng bati. I just glance at her, saglit kaming nagkatinginan pero kaswal ding binawi. I'm confident she wouldn't snitch about yesterday, 'cause that's a loser move. She knows better.

Sabay-sabay kaming nag-almusal, ang kapatid ko ay wala. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan. She can take care of herself anyway. Buong hapag ay pinag-uusapan lang nila ang request ni Laniah na picnic nang biglang bumuhos ang ulan.

"Plan is cancelled," Xenro playfully announced.

Binigyan kaagad siya nang masamang tingin ni tito, gusto kong matawa pero nang mapansin ang nakasimangot na bata ay hindi ko na naituloy.

"Iba na lang, Laniah hmm?" Lalianah  consoles her sister.

"You can instead set up tents here while you watch cartoons," Ate Sandra suggested.

"Iyon na lang," Lalianah smiled. "We'll put a lot of pillows, it's going to be cozy..."

"Yes, ate! Let's do it!"

Wow. They really give me a different definition of sisterhood. Siguro dahil na rin sa pagiging ate instinct ni Lalianah. Being the same age or at least close as your sister is like having a companion and enemy at the same time. They can't relate to us.