You Caught My Attention

07: Beach Please

"Dad! I'm not a child anymore." I complained just in time when Mom emerged from the kitchen.

"What's going on?" She sits beside Dad.

"Darling, hindi ba at aalis tayo next week? Hinahabilin ko lang ang anak natin kina Ian habang wala tayo." He spoke to Mom softly.

"Ah, yes. Are you sure? Would that be fine, Ian?" Mom instantly agreed. I can only face palm in my mind.

"Yes, and I'm also recommending them our beach resort sa Batangas for the upcoming graduation celebration. " Mom look perplexed.

"Of whom?" Mom looks at the three of us.

"Ate Aiah po, Tita." Ian's smile looked hesitant. I saw a hint of something in my Mom's eyes.

Hmm... What's that?

"Oh." Her tone changed, and my father seemed to notice kaya he spoke again.

"Don't worry, Darling. I trust Ian, and babae naman ang kapatid niya so we have nothing to worry about." Dad reassured Mom.

I can't find my words. How will I tell my Dad na ayaw ko sumama? Gosh, I was planning on turning him down. That will be so hecking awkward for the both of us.

And for the love of God. Dad, don't even think na magandang news na babae ang kapatid ni Ian. I want to distance myself from her pa nga dahil I'm trying not to think of how much I'm attracted to her.

T^T

Hinatid ko si Ian papunta sa car niya. When we made it to his car, he turned to me and flashed me his signature dimpled smile. 

"So...?"

"What?" I asked him, confused.

"I'm available now, what do you want to tell me earlier?" Ah. I'm contemplating whether to tell him now, or after na lang ng grad celebration.

"I forgot na." After na lang siguro. I motioned him to get in his car to end the conversation. Before he drove off, I knocked on his car window and he rolled it down.

"Thank you for everything, Ian." I gave him a peck on his left cheek. He looked surprised, and I tapped his car hood to signal him to go off. He waved his left arm before he exited our gate.

Last mo na yan, Ian.

********

Third Person's P. O. V.

Aiah just came home from school. Nagppractice na sila for baccalaureate mass dahil sa Monday na ang graduation. Nasa sala sya nakaupo nang makita niyang pumasok si Ian sa pinto ng bahay nila. Binati niya ito pero parang hindi siya narinig at mukang tanga na nakangiti ang kapatid niya habang nakahawak sa pisngi.

Nang lingonin siya nito ay ang laki ng ngiti ng kapatid niya.

"Ate Aiah, I'm close to it! She kissed me, here." Itinuro niya ang pisngi na kanina niya pang hinahawakan. Hindi mapigilang malungkot ni Aiah, alam niyang si Mikha ang tinutukoy nito. Mapait siyang ngumiti nang nag paalam ang kapatid niya para umakyat na sa kwarto.

Napabuntong hininga si Aiah.

Ako dapat yon eh.

Nakahiga si Ian habang nakahawak pa rin sa pisngi niyang hinalikan ni Mikha nang magring ang cellphone niya. Tumatawag ang nanay ni Mikha.

"Ian, pinagusapan na natin ito. Nakausap ko na rin matagal na ang Ate mo. Isinusubo ko na sa'yo ang anak ko. Siguraduhin mo na lang na hindi sila magkakalapit pa ulit ng kapatid mo. Ayokong bumalik sa pagiging abnormal ang anak ko." Turan ni Jennel.