Everything Has Changed

CHAPTER 9

Francis's POV

Hearing Ate Mariz's advices just can't stop me from smiling. I didn't know na magaling pala siya sa mga bagay na 'to. Her thoughts are nice but I don't think if I can do it. It's just that... It's hard for me to not love Lea.

I know that she's my cousin but the blood that is running through her is not the same as mine. What was wrong with it?! Just darn it! Hindi naman issue noon kung mahal mo ang pinsan mo 'di ba? People nowadays are making things complicated.

"Insan, uwi na kami. Hatid mo ako dun hanggang sa sala!" Hinila naman ako ni Ate patayo at naglakad kami papunta sa sala. Pagkarating namin dun ay nadatnan namin sila Kuya Rhod at Lea na masayang nagkukwentuhan kaya naman nakaramdam ako ng konting kirot sa puso ko.

"Francis... Sige na. Okay na ako. Matulog ka na. Akyat ka na sa kwarto mo. Thanks..." Yun na lang ang sinabi sa akin ni Ate nang makita niya akong nakatulala kanila Kuya at Lea. Wala na akong nagawa kundi sundin siya. Para saan pa kung tititigan ko sila? Masasaktan lang ako.

Kilala ko si Kuya Rhod. Hindi pa siya handa para magkaroon ng girlfriend pero nagpapanic talaga ako pagdating kay Lea. Ayaw kong may makakuha sa kanya. Ako pa nga lang nahihirapan na. Sigh...

It's been 1 year since I felt this for her. Yung pakiramdam na parang lahat na lang ng sa kanya na nakikita mo e maganda. Hindi mo makayang hindi siya makita kahit isang araw lang. Gusto mo laging siya ang kausap mo. Gusto mo nasayo lang yung atensyon niya. Sa madaling salita, inlove ka.

FLASHBACK

"Anak, call your Ate Lea na sa kwarto niya. Her Mom is waiting at the sala." Tumango lang ako at nagtungo na ako sa guest room kung saan natulog si Ate. Dito kasi siya natulog dahil tinulungan niya ako sa pagrereview.

Nang makarating ako sa tapat ng guest room, kumatok ako at agad niya naman itong binuksan. I gulped. She's wearing black dress above the knees and 5 inches stilletos. Light lang ang make-up niya but she looks elegant.

"Hey Francis! Is it okay?" Umikot naman siya. Tumango na lang ako. I was really stunned with her beauty.

Naglakad siya papunta sa akin and she intertwined our arms. I don't look like I'm younger than her dahil mas matangkad ako sa kanya. Naka-heels lang siya ngayon kaya magkasing tangkad kami.

Hindi ko inalis ang tingin ko sa kanya habang pababa kami pero bigla na lamang niya akong iniwan. Aw... Nandito na pala kami sa baba. Nakita ko siyang tumakbo papunta kay Tita Carmina and they hugged each other.

"Dalaga na ang baby ko!!!" Tita pinched her rosy cheeks dahilan para magpout siya. Aw... She's cute!

"Mom! Don't call me baby anymore!"

"Oh... Sorry hun! Anyway, kamusta ang pagtuturo mo kay Francis?"

"It was fun Mom! Madali lang siyang turuan! He's a bright kid!" Aw... That word. KID. I hate being called like that. Malaki na ako but they still treat me as if I am a kid! Tss...

"Well that's good! Maybe you don't need to teach Francis na. 'Di ba hijo?" Tita and Ate Lea looked at me. What will I say? I still want to be with her. I think I'm starting to like her.

"Uh... Maybe Tita but... Ate Lea can still come her right? 'Di ba Ate?"

"Of course hijo! She can!"

"Don't worry Francis, I'll visit you naman eh. Don't miss me too much!" They both chuckled. I just gave them my shy smile and then Ate Lea walked towards me and to my surprised, she kissed me on my cheeks.

*Lab-dub* *Lab-dub* *Lab-dub*

What was that sound? Was that my heart? What's happening to me? No... This can't be. She's just my crush. Hindi na pwedeng lumagpas pa dun ang nararamdaman ko sa kanya.