Aaron
I froze for a second, my mind blanking out. Oh shit, how the hell does my little sister know?
Napakamot ako ng ulo, scrambling to find an answer. "W-where did you get that idea, Dezza?"
I stood up from my bed, pacing around the room like it would help me think faster. It took her a second to reply.
"From someone," she finally said, her voice quiet but probing.
Damn. Last night si Kakashi ang gumigisa sa akin, ngayon kapatid ko naman. I mean, what's unclear about me saying I like him? Is it not convincing when it comes from me?
"From someone? Baby, you shouldn't believe everything people tell you," I said, trying to brush off her question.
But of course, this kid wasn't going to let me off that easily.
"So, you're saying Kuya Kakashi is lying?" she shot back, her voice suddenly turning sharp, like she caught me in a trap. I could almost picture her, leaning against a wall, hands on her hips, giving me that 'wag-ka-ng-mag-deny look.
"Kakashi?" tanong ko, kunot na kunot ang noo, nagkukunwaring inosente.
Pero kinakabahan na talaga ako, gago. He actually told her? Kakashi talked to my little sister? Kailan? Paano? Hindi naman siya pumunta sa bahay kagabi, di ba?
"Kuya Kakashi told me, Kuya," sabi niya, puno ng confidence ang boses.
Oh, that's why they're whispering to each other like they got mysterious agendas.
Napalunok ako. "Anong... anong sinabi niya, baby?"
"Tss, tss, Kuya," tugon niya. Halos ma-imagine ko na si Dezza sa harap ko, nagtaas pa siguro ng kilay, at ready-ing ready na akong litisin.
Kilala ko na 'to eh. She's always like this - sweet and innocent on the outside, pero para talagang mini-mom. Bossy, matalino, at may pagka-demanding pa.
Kaugaling-kaugali ni Kakashi. No wonder agad silang nagkasundo.
"Kuya, I promised Kuya Kakashi I wouldn't tell you what we talked about," she started, her voice all serious like she was telling a big secret. Then, she paused, like she was thinking really hard. "But... he kinda seemed upset, Kuya. He said you like him... but you're acting weird about it. Like... do you even like him, or are you just... pretending?"
Her words hit me hard. Damn, even my little sister seemed to know more about Kakashi's feelings than I did.
Bumuntong-hininga ako, huminto sa pag-iikot sa loob ng dorm ko, at pumasok sa bathroom. Ipinatong ko ang mga siko ko sa sink at tumingin sa repleksyon ko sa salamin.
"Baby," sabi ko, pero saglit na natigilan.
Tang ina, kinakabahan na naman ako. Parang bumabalik 'yung lamig na naramdaman ko kahapon matapos kong mag-confess kay Kakashi.
"Yes, I'm being truthful," I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I like him."
There was a brief pause on the other end before Dezza let out a loud, high-pitched squeal.
"Shhhh! Baby, don't be too loud!" bulong ko, habang napapalinga sa paligid, na parang may makakarinig ng sigaw ng kapatid ko sa phone.
"I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!" excited na sigaw niya.
"Baby, quiet! Mom might hear yo- what did you mean, 'I knew it'?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady while my brain was going into panic mode.
"I knew it 'cause you look bagay! Like, super bagay!" she squealed, full of excitement.
