Every New Beginning Counts

Chapter 14

Nilingon ni Ara sina Antoinette at Belle na nagkukulitan sa kama habang nanonood ng cartoons. Hindi naman daw kasi ito busy dahil tapos na ang exams kaya mangungulit naman sa kanilang mag-ina.

"Since you've met your dad, I can now see the resemblance!" Tumingin si Belle kay Ara na sumama ang tingin. "True naman, Barbara. I really thought she looks like us lang, pero I now see Kanoa sa kaniya. Grabe."

Umiling si Ara at humarap ulit sa salamin. Naglagay lang siya ng kaunting blush on, nude lipsticks, at inipitan lang ang buhok. Mahigpit na mahigpit para hindi siya mahirapan kay Antoinette.

"Parang I don't wanna come na," ani Belle at ipinikit ang mga mata. "Can I pass na lang? Kaya n'yo naman na ni Kanoa mag-mall, right? You're both grown up and you both don't need a chaperone naman na."

"But . . ." Humarap si Ara sa kakambal niya. "I still feel uncomfortable kapag us lang."

"Kailangan mo nang masanay," Belle stuck her tongue out. "What if one day, bigla n'yong maisipan na to fix na lang the relationship? Alam mo . . ."

Ara frowned when Belle got up and sat on the side of the bed. "What?" she asked and pouted. "You promised."

"I know I promised and I'm sorry that I have to break it." Tumayo si Belle at pumuwesto sa likuran ni Ara. Hinaplos-haplos ang buhok ng kakambal habang parehong nakatingin sa salamin. "But I think you both needed this time naman. You'll get things for Antoinette, you're both okay naman and talking, and I know there's still awkwardness, but until when?"

Tahimik si Ara na nakatingin kay Belle.

"I don't know your plans. You told me naman na you both admitted na you love each other. I get that it's gonna be hard for you both. The trauma, the past, everything . . . the trust issues, I get it. Pero do you guys have plans ba to be together?" Belle asked.

Ara lightly shook her head because it was true. "I seriously don't know yet. We haven't talked abo—"

"Kasi you're both running away from it! Ayaw n'yong pag-usapan kaya both of you are clueless! To be honest, walang mangyayari if you'll just do that," umiling si Belle. "But then again, you do you. Kayong dalawa lang naman ang makakapag-ayos niyan."

Nanatiling nakatitig si Ara sa sarili niya dahil may katotohanan ang sinabi ni Belle. Tinatakbukan niya ang sitwasyon nila ni Kanoa dahil natatakot siya sa magiging result ng magiging pag-uusap nila.

"I won't change my mind, tho. You should go with Kanoa, kayong tatlo lang. Try it," Belle smiled widely. "This is your first date na kayo lang, right?"

"This isn't a date!" protesta ni Ara. "We're just gonna buy stuff for Antoinette. That's it. Sama ka na kasi!"

Umiling si Belle at kumportableng nahiga sa kama niya. "Hindi ba ikaw naaawa sa 'kin? I just completed my midterms. My head hurts pa 'tapos may research paper pa akong iniisip. Puwede bang this day is my day off naman from life?"

Ara pouted trying to convince her twin to come with her, but Belle repeatedly declined. Wala na rin siyang nagawa kung hindi ang hayaan itong kumportableng mahiga at manood sa kwarto niya.

Napag-usapan nila ni Kanoa noong gabi pa lang na sasakyan na lang nito ang gagamitin nila. Nakabihis naman na sila ni Antoinette at maayos na ang dadalhin niyang baby bag kaya nag-message na siya na ready na sila. Nagulat pa siya nang sabihin ni Kanoa na nasa lobby na ito, pero hindi nagsabi sa kaniya.

Paglabas ng elevator, nakita kaagad niya si Kanoa na nakaupo sa sofa ng lobby. Nakita kaagad siya nito kaya sinalubong siya at kinuha si Antoinette na buhat niya.

"You could've called me!" Ara shook her head.

Kanoa widely smiled making Ara's heart thump. It wasn't expected and she hated the feeling, but she also missed it.