Bumukas ang pinto at naamoy ni Ara ang popcorn mula sa kwarto kung saan naghihintay na sa kaniya sina Belle at Sayaka. Pareho itong nakaupo sa carpeted floor.
"Akala namin nakatulog ka na, eh," sabi ni Belle na inabutan siya ng popcorn. "Sabi ni Aaron, pumasok ka sa room. Tulog na si Kanoa?"
Tumango si Ara at sumalampak na rin sa sahig. "I'm not sleepy yet. Baka mamaya na lang ako matulog or wait ko na lang si Antoinette."
"Para namang mahahawakan mo si Antoinette," umiling si Sayaka. "Sam has a lot of plans. Isa na roon ang hindi mo mahahawakan ang anak mo sa buong vacation n'yo. He missed his baby girl so much."
"Ah, akala ko ikaw na ang baby girl niya, eh," pang-aasar ni Belle na ikinatawa nilang tatlo. "But serious! There are times na hindi ko pa rin talaga ine-expect na kayong dalawa."
"Same!" Ara exclaimed. "Everytime na naiisip ko na magkakasama naman tayo before, I never saw you two as a couple. Like, grabe!"
Nag-agree si Belle sa sinabi niya. Nabanggit pa nito na madalas silang sleepover sa condo ng Kuya Sam nila dahil malaki ang mga kwarto kaya never nilang inasahan na mangyayari ito.
Ngunit pareho silang tumigil sa pagsasalita nang mapansin nilang uneasy si Sayaka. Nakayuko na lang ito, kumakain ng popcorn, at minsang titingin sa TV, pero hindi na sasagot tungkol sa mga sinasabi nila.
"Sayaka?" pagkuha ni Ara sa atensyon nito. "I'm sorry."
Umiling si Sayaka at nakagat ang ibabang labi habang nakangiti. "Be honest with me."
Belle and Ara looked at each other and nodded simultaneously. Ara didn't know why, but Sayaka's voice sounded low.
"Is it really okay with you two that I am dating your brother? Hindi ba awkward sa inyong dalawa? I want you to be honest with me kasi ayokong mapilitan lang kayo sa 'kin," sabi ni Sayaka. "Don't worry about my feelings. I'll accept anything."
Belle was quiet and Ara didn't know what was going on inside her twin sister's mind.
"Belle?" Sayaka sighed. "We never talked about this kahit na nagkakasama tayo, but I want you both to tell me the truth."
"At first, I was shocked, but it wasn't awkward at all. Shocked, but happy and I like you for my kuya," Belle assured. "Don't think about what other's would say about your relationship kahit kami pa ni Ara 'yon. We all learned the hard way and ayoko nang mauulit 'yon."
Ngumiti si Ara dahil sa sinabi ni Belle. Alam niyang siya ang tinutukoy nito dahil sa nangyari sa kanila years ago. Nanatili siyang tahimik hanggang sa tumingin si Sayaka sa kaniya.
"After all your failed relationships, Sayaka, you deserve someone who would treat you better than anyone. I was praying for you to have someone who'd love you genuinely, someone who would finally care for you, someone who'd respect you, and knowing that the answered prayer was Sam, I couldn't ask for more," Ara chuckled. "I wasn't awkward at all, Say, kasi deserve mo 'to."
Sayaka was staring at Ara and didn't say a word.
"Gusto ko lang ding maging happy si Kuya Sam. Gusto kong okay kayong dalawa. I'm actually at ease that you both have each other. Alam kong hindi ka sasaktan ni Kuya Sam and I also know that you won't hurt him," Ara held Sayaka's hand. "Remember na we always wanted to be sisters? Like sabi natin before na we're siblings with different parents?"
Tumango si Sayaka at basta na lang bumagsak ang luhang pinipigilan nito.
"Who would've thought that there's a huge possibility talaga na we'll be sisters? Sister by law!" Ara smiled widely and wiped Sayaka's tears. "Please, love our Kuya Samuel. Make him happy."
Sabay na tumingin si Sayaka at Ara kay Belle na bigla na lang humagulhol. Nagulat sila dahil para itong batang ngumangawa ngunit mas ikinagulat nilang bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto at pumasok si Aaron.
"Sweetheart?" Aaron worriedly asked. "What's happening?"
"Wala!" Belle gasped, fanning herself. "I just wanna cry kaya! Ito naman, masyadong takot. I'm okay, sweetheart."
Aaron snorted and shook his head. "Stop watching and reading emotional stories, sweetheart," then left.
Ara smiled. "When ang kasal?"
Belle shook her head and showed them the ring. "After you."
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T H E X W H Y S
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