9:45 AM
I opened my eyes as the streak of sunlight hit my face. Hindi ko alam pero I feel like it would be a good day for me.
“Miss Annika, nandito na po si Miss Saabreena.” Sabi ni Manang Trining sabay katok sa pinto ng room ko.
“Lagot.” I mumbled. I immediately stood up from my bed. “Manang, pakisabi kay Saab na mag-aayos lang ako. Five minutes.”
I immediately took a shower. Usually, isang oras akong naliligo, but since nakalimutan kong may-usapan pala kami ni Saab, kailangan kong magmadali. 20 minutes would be enough. Nag-patuyo na agad ako tapos nag-bihis. As I walked out my bathroom, nakita ko na si Saab, nakahilata sa kama ko.
“Wow, five minutes mo parang isang oras ah.” She commented.
“Sorry na. Nakalimutan ko kasing may usapan pala tayo eh.” I said.
She rolled her eyes. “Tss, ganyan ka naman eh.”
I chuckled as I fixed my hair. “Sorry na nga kasi.”
“Teka nga pala.” She mumbled. “Manang told me na parang ewan ka daw nung umuwi ka kagabi. What happened?”
I froze in my position. My heart started beating crazily. Ewan, pero pag-naaalala ko yung nangyari kagabi, feeling ko sobrang pula ng mukha ko.
“Hey, Niks! Ano na?” she asked. “Mag-kwento ka naman.”
“Ha?” I mumbled. “Wa-wala wala.”
Her brows furrowed. “Sinungaling.”
After fixing my hair, I faced her. “Kung ayaw mong mawalan ng model, wag mo akong kulitin.”
“Hmph! Selfish.” she grumpily stood up from my bed. “Sa baba lang ako.”
I nodded. “I’ll just pack my things. Give me five minutes.”
She rolled her eyes. “No. I’ll give you ten. Ang bagal mo pa namang gumalaw.”
She left my room. I immediately packed my stuffs. Papunta kami sa beach house ng family namin – I mean, ng family nila Saab. She asked me to be her model para daw sa photography class niya. Bagong hilig niya eh. Ewan ko bas a batang yun, kung ano ano na lang ang gustong gawin.
I went out my room and made my way down the staircase. I spotted my brother – my half brother, si Gab, kausap niya si Saab.
“Gab, why don’t you come with us.” Sabi ni Saab. “It would be great! Mag-model ka na rin for me! Please!”
I walked towards them. Gab looked at me sharply.
“Ayoko.” He said without breaking his sharp gaze to me.
“Sus! Ang arte mo.” Reklamo ni Saab. “Sige na Gab please, for your ate. Please.”
Kumunot ang noo ni Gab. He looked at her. “Eew. Mahiya ka nga Saab. One year lang ang tanda mo sa akin.”
“Kahit na no!” she argued. “Kay dapat mag-ate ka sa amin ni Annika.”
She shifted her gaze to me. “Di ba Niks?”
He looked at me once again then back to Saab. “Sa’yo, pwede pa siguro, pero sa kanya. No way.”
He walked out from the house. I was left stunned. Kahit ilang beses na niyang ginawagawa yun sa akin, I never get used to it. Masakit pa rin.
“Hoy Gabriel! Where’s your manners?! Gab!” sigaw ni Saab.
I held her arm. “Okay lang yun Saab. Sanay na ako sa kapatid kong yun.”
But the truth is. Hindi ako masanay-sanay.
She looked at me worriedly. “Wag kang pumayag na ginaganun ka nung kapatid mo.”
“Hindi naman kapatid yung tingin niya sa akin eh.” I said and looked down.
Gab sees me as a rival. He sees me as someone who broke his family. Dahil anak ako ng dad niya sa ibang babae.
“That’s my point Niks! He should respect you.” I said. “Kapatid ka pa rin niya, sa ayaw man o sa gusto niya.”
I gave her a faint smile. “I guess that will just come. Hayaan muna natin siya.”
--
“OMG Niks! You’re so pretty!” sabi ni Saab while she’s looking through all the photos she took.
We just finished the shoot. Nangawit nga ang panga ko sa kaka-ngiti. I’ve been modeling for Saab. Lahat na siguro ng projects niya, ako yung subject.
“Sinasabi mo lang yan kasi ikaw yung kumuha ng picture.” I mumbled.
She looked at me sharply. “You should’ve said thank you, it would be better appreciated.”
I chuckled. “Oo na. Ang galing mo. Gumanda ako sa pictures na kuha mo.”
She rolled her eyes. “Anyway, maiba nga ako. You owe me something Niks. May hindi ka pa sinasabi sa akin.”
“What?” I played dumbed.
“What happened last night?” she asked. “Anong meron?”
Natigilan ako. Naalala ko ulit yung nangyari kagabi.
“I want to be someone you’ll consider as a friend” he said then chuckled. “Friend lang muna ngayon.. pero liligawan din kita, soon.”
Kumunot ang noo ko. I felt my blood rushing to my face. Malamig ang atmosphere, pero I started sweating. Natetense ako.
Lasing ba tong lalaking to?
“Uh,” I mumbled as I looked away.
Taxi. I need a taxi.
“Look Annika,” he said. “I’m serious.”
My heart started to beat irregularly. I gathered all my guts and faced him.
“Ah, Jeric..” I paused.
I heaved out a heavy sigh. “Good night.”
I immediately ran to the taxi na huminto sa gilid. Buti nalang may bumaba. I rushed to get in the taxi. I can no longer stay there. I can no longer stay there with him. It’s giving me a weird feeling.
I don’t even know if it was real or just a dream. Basta ang alam ko, I should just shrug it off.
“Niks.” Saab called.
I looked at her. “So, mind sharing your thoughts?”
I shook my head and stood up. “Wag kang chismosa Saab. Tara na! Let’s finish this.”
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Harrowww!! Sorry for the late update hehehe forgive me.
And yes! Gab, Saab, and Annika are related. magulo yung family tree nila eh, basta ganun related sila. heeeheee. I suggest you read One Shot and The Last Shot. It's kinda connected with this story kasi eh. yun lang
Whatcha think about this chappy?
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