Smitten Series: Book One to Eight

6 - Kiss and Like

Thistle looked shyly at her brother because of what he saw last night. They are in front of the dining table now, the family is complete, but you can feel that there is an invisible wall between them. Thistle and Slate parents are not really close to them. They only buy things but that's it. Their parents usually didn't celebrate some occasions with them, even on their birthday, graduation and even Christmas, they weren't at home.

Slate finished eating first and stood up.  He gave Thistle a nod before going to his room. His Dad finished eating and left the kitchen, too.

Tahimik lang silang kumakain ng kanyang Mom, nang matapos na si Thistle ay nanatiling nakaupo siya sa upuan.

"Are you not going to your room yet?" Her mother spoke. Her voice is sweet but full of authority.

"I'm going to, Mom... I just..." Thistle feel bad leaving her mom alone in the dining room. So that's why she's still in her seat.

"Don't mind me, Thistle. You can go."

Umiling si Thistle at napayuko, kahit na walang oras ang kanyang Mom sa kaniya, and gano'n din ang kanyang Dad, 'di 'yon reason para iwanan mag-isa ang kanyang Mom sa dining area.

Her mom sighed and finished the food quickly. Nang matapos ay niyaya na si Thistle na lumabas ng dining room. Ang ibang katulong naman ay kumilos para linisin ang lamesa.

Thistle hurriedly went to her room; she still can't handle her mom's presence especially when she is close to her. Thistle picked up the phone that was on her bed and opened the Messenger App. Mitch left her a message, saying they can meet at Enzo's bar at eight o'clock in the evening— and that bar is where Slate and his friends usually go to.

At kung nando'n ang kapatid niya kagabi, it means nando'n din si Saint Adonis. Pinilig ni Thistle ang ulo pakanan, why is she thinking about Saint? She's a tomboy for Pete's sake!

Kinalibutan siya agad at sunod-sunod na umiling.

She immediately replied to Mitch.

Thistle: okay, let's meet there. :)

Yayain ko na lang kaya sina Joseph?

Agad ding siyang nagchat sa mga kaibigan pero may lakad ang dalawa mamayang gabi. Si Maki ay pupuntang Pasig sasamahan ang Tatay niyo at si Josephine ay may service mamayang gabi.

Okay, mamayang gabi, ako mag-isa kasama si Mitch.

Kinilig si Thistle sa iniisip niya ngayon. Sana lang 'di gaya ng ibang nakilala niya noong college itong si Mitchelle, na madaling bumigay kapag nakakita na ng gwapo.

Around seven o'clock at night, Thistle was already dressed, this time wearing a beige vest with a white shirt inside. She even wore beige cargo pants that she just bought at the TikTok shop when they went on sale. After getting a perfume and a watch, she immediately went outside of her room. Nakasalubong pa niya si Slate na bihis na bihis din ngayon.

"Where are you going?"

"At Enzo's bar." Thistle smiled at her brother. "Do'n din ba punta mo, Kuya? Pasabay na ako!"

"Ah, no, may pupuntahan ako ngayon pero I can drive you there. C'mon." Slate started walking downstairs, kasunod niya lang si Thistle.

"At saan ka pupunta?" na curious si Thistle. Hindi mahilig si Slate magpunta sa kung saan-saan. Shop, bahay at bar ang lagi nitong pinupuntahan.

Imbis na sagutin si Thistle, ginulo na lamang nito ang buhok niya.

"Kuya!"

Slate laughed at her. "Nakaayos ka naman. May pinopormahan ka ba, huh? And about your tattoo, is it real?"