Daybreak (Project:Mystery #2) [COMPLETE]

Chapter 22: Throver's Gem (Sakura II)

Chapter 22: Throver's Gem (Sakura II)

Mare's POV
Mayra has been confined to her own room for several days because of the scene that happened during our birthday.

Finding out Mama is the new enemy... It still couldn't sink into my brain. Like, what happened?

A year ago, she is on our side, and a year passed, and she's now on Olivia's side.

What could possibly be the reason?

"Are you okay, Mare?" asked Xari with worry painted on her face.

Ever since the day of our RUINED birthday, Xari is always on my side. She is my twin sister's best friend, and I don't want to deny her —my crush, the person I like, and I guess, soon-to-be my lover.

"Mare, tell me. May bibig ka naman, 'di ba? It couldn't be turned into a zipper with just a snap, hoy!"

I glared at Xari and pouted. "You know, your jokes are really lame when it comes to the worst situations like this," I said. I sighed and looked boringly at the ground. "Ano ng gagawin ko? My sister is confined in her room so she could rest her body because of the shock she received from the sudden attack of Mom. And me? I would just stay still here until they find a lead towards where Mama is."

"I'm sure it'll be fine, Mare," she said. There was a softness in her voice and I could feel her comforting stare at me. She pulled me in a soft hug, wrapping her hand on my head while the other was on my shoulder. She puts my head on her shoulder while humming. "Be positive. May tiwala ako kay Tito Flare at Tita Fri. They once built a detective club on their school, and I'm sure na hindi nila papabayaan si Tita Mavis. I put a lot of trust in them to find her. We will bring our Hera back and take down Olivia at any cost."

"I noticed you're using Filipino words for quite some time now. Are you, perhaps, learning now?" I asked.

I felt her flinched and in an instant, she pushed me away from the hug and looked in another direction. I could see her cheeks painted tinted red with her eyes batting with hesitation and shyness.

"U-Umm... Maybe?" she said. Her eyes widened with hesitation as she looked at me.

"You're really learning Filipino words," I said and that brought an idea to my mind. I smirked at her and wiggled my eyebrows.

"W-What are you planning, Mare?"

"Well, did you know one word that could twist your tongue in Filipino?"

"Huh?" She frowned. "I still haven't reached that level yet, Mare."

"Well, you see. I'm going to teach you one word only but it is barely used in the Philippines because it is quite complicated to pronounce."

"What is it? Tell me," she said with pure determination. Hmm... Brave, I see. Pero tingnan natin if you could really pull out this tongue twister.

"Nakakapagpabagabag," I said with fast pronunciation that made her jaw drop in awe.

She frowned while raising one of her eyebrows. "Wait, what? Tell it more slowly."

"That's the tongue twister. Can you do it three times? That's the maximum," I said while still smirking like a Cheshire Cat in front of her.

She glared at me. "Mare, just tell it more slowly. I won't do it if you don't do what I just said."

"Hey, hey. Don't need to be angry," I said and laughed.

She's so cute when she's angry—Wait, what? Complimenting her in my mind isn't necessary, it is not even related to our topic right now. Stop it, Mare. Stop.