S U A D E L A

26

TW: Mention of abortion
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Breakfast.

Suadela suppressed her smile when she saw Luan's message with a photo of his breakfast.

Mula nang ihatid siya nito kagabi ay dire-diretso na ang pag-uusap nila sa Messenger through video call and chat. Sa katunayan ay nakatulugan na nga niya ito kaninang madaling araw sa chat.

"My, I really think she has a boyfriend."

Suadela raised her head and saw both Evangeline and Soteria were watching her. Their mom was frowning, while her sister raised an eyebrow. Suadela cleared her throat, put down her phone, and started eating.

"Hindi raw kayo tumuloy sa sleepover sabi ng ate ninyo," basag ni Evangeline sa katahimikan bago isinubo ang kutsarang hawak.

"Kegh!" sabay na nahirinan sila Suadela at Soteria na kapwa may kanin sa mga bibig.

Evangeline arched her brow and looked at her twins.

"Girls, kahit kailan ay hindi naman ako naghigpit sa inyo, diba?"

Both Suadela and Soteria eyed their mother.

"Could you tell me again our rules?"

"Always practice safe sex." Soteria cited.

"And never do drugs," Suadela added.

"Good. I'm not asking a lot, right? You're already in legal age and should know your limitations by now. So, I hope you're doing your fair share. Maliwanag ba?"

"Yes, My." The twins chorused.

Sa totoo lang, cool ang ina nila sa lahat ng bagay basta hindi makakasama sakanila. Suportado sila nito. Kung tutuusin ay mas istrikto pa si Hedone sakanila kumpara dito. Maraming bawal at rules at parating nakakontra ang ate nila. In character masyado sa pagiging panganay at madalas mas nanay pang umasta sa mommy nila.

Suadela shook her head at the thought and drank water.

"So, may boyfriend ka na ba, Ela?"

"Kegh! Klegh! Mommy!" Suadela hollered at Evangeline with a flushed face and teary eyes.

"Bakit? Nagtatanong lang naman ako. Bawal ba?"

She exhaled and replied in a low voice. "Wala po akong boyfriend."

Luan and she might already be okay but they hadn't talked about their relationship yet. He promised to make it up to her and that was it. They were basically back where they left off, only that they were sweeter and closer than before.

"Paano pa-hard to get yung lalaki niya, My."

Matalim na tinignan niya si Soteria na ipinagkibit-balikat lang nito. Ang mga komento nitong wala sa hulog ang dahilan kung bakit siya nagigisa ng ina nila ngayon!

"Pa-hard to get ba si Castor? Parang hindi naman—"

"Huh?" Suadela and Soteria questioningly looked at Evangeline.

"Yung classmate mong lalaki na madalas dito. Yung kabembangan mo."

"My!" Suadela shrieked with a horrified look while Soteria bursted into laughter.

"What? That's how you call it nowadays, diba? Sex. Bembang. They're the same."

Suadela sighed. "Hindi ko boyfriend si Castor."

Their mom just nodded, dropping the topic.

After a long silence, Suadela bit the tip of her tongue and looked up at Evangeline.