SONDER (Girls like girls)

15

"Hi."

ZOE's POV

"Ah, H-hello.." Tumayo ako at nakipagshake hands sakanya. Natawa sya, her dimple right beside her right lip showed up.

"So.. What are you doing here?" Sabay kaming umupo sa sofa. Ang lapit namin sa isa't isa, I can smell her minty breath and vanilla scent. Wowowoah.

"Ah!" I almost forgot. "Gusto ko lang pakita yung pictures that you took. Na-edit ko na kasi."

Ako kasi nag-edit ng mga pictures para sa Perf task. I volunteered, nakakahiya naman kasi. Parang wala akong tinulong. I soooo hate freeloaders, and I hate being one. The only thing i love is free load. Anudaw?

"Really? Ang bilis, ah." She smiles at me. Tumama yung sunlight sa mukha nya at nag twinkle mata nya. Humaygad!

"Ang ganda pala ng eyes mo?" I blurt out.

She blushes. "Weh, talaga?"

"Oo nga." Natawa kaming dalawa. Ang gaan talaga ng loob ko dito. Wohoho. Although akala ko galit sya saakin at first. Atsaka, di sya mukhang approachable. I thought she was a total badass, too. You can't blame me, minsan ba naman eh papasok ng recess time na tapos minsan madalas tulog sa class. That's why medyo kinabahan ako when I found out na groupmate ko sya.

But it turned out she was really nice. Something about her made me feel different. Parang ang lapit ng loob ko sakanya. I think para kaming..... sisters or bestfriends. Okay ang feeler ko ha? wahahaha! Kapal muks lang, may Nica na to noh.

May gf pa. Aheh. It's oki. Open minded naman ako sa ganyan although i'm straight. Ya know.. I think a guy can protect me better and... yun lang. Medyo di ko lang talaga maimagine sarili ko with a girl mga bes. Wahu!

"Wait, ano gusto mo food?" tanong nya. Her accent is still noticeable even when she speaks in taglish. And medyo halata naman sa itsura nya na may lahi. Pointed nose, almost hazel eyes, rosy cheeks... Kainggit. Bwisit.

"Anything." I answer. To be honest, gutom na ako and I want lasagna ☹️ but still, nakakahiya!

"Atchi!" Nagulat ako ng may sumigaw. I try to find where it came from and saw a little boy, naka sando and basketball shorts. Oh my dee! Resurrect me! Sobrang cute!

My eyes widened and if it's even possible, twinkled. He is one of the cutest kids i've ever seen! He walked toward us, his round, deep brown eyes staring at me with confusion.

"Ah, hehehe." Jack laughs awkwardly. "Zee, this is–"

"Hello baby! I'm Ate Zoe!" I extend my right hand. He stares at me the same way for a few seconds then shakes my hand. I clench my jaw. Pakshit! Ang kyot ng kamay!

Pigil na pigil akong wag pisilin 'to and kagatin pisngi niya.

"Uh.. I'm just gonna get you something to eat." Jack stands up. Tumingin ako sakanya and she looks at me with confusion. Narealize ko itsura ko and so tinry kong mag maintain ng straight face, sabay bitaw sa cutie na kamay ni kiddo.

Umalis na si Jack to get food. Ngumiti ako. Masosolo ko din, yes.

"What's your name? You're so cute naman!"

"Z.. Ih... Ih" He spells out his name.

"Grabe ang cute!" I say. I really love to say what I think out loud. This is why I like being around with children... We can always both blurt out nonsense and innocent things together. Haha!

"Tenchu." He smiles at me. He got whisker dimples on both cheeks. Grabe na itu. This is cuter than his ate.

"I'm Ate Zoe. Ayie! We almost have the same name ah!"

"Woahh," Amaze na amaze nyang sabi. I chuckle.

I reached in for a hug. I close my eyes. "Aww," cute na cute kong sabi. Grabe na talaga itu. I feel like i'm hugging a large marshmallow.

"H– woah!"

I opened my eyes and natawa ko sa itsura ni Jacquelin. "Sakin na s'ya." nag smirk ako. Yes pak.

"Zee, ate said you eat na daw.." Papalit palit ang tingin nya saaming dalawa.

The baby boy released from my grip and tumakbo papunta sa kitchen. Wahu, look at that lil steps. look at that lil feet go. 😭

"Huy!" Gulat nya sakin. Tumawa nanaman sya as she placed the food at the coffee table sa harap ko.

"Panira ng moment! Joke!" Kasi you know... Jokes are half meant.

Umiling sya. "Ikaw, hilig mo umiling. You're so done with life bez. But ok same. I'm just trying to survive this shiiii." I say, whispering the last word. I don't want Zee to hear, worst case scenario is pagbalik ko dito, (ay tarush! babalik talaga si ate!) I'll hear baby boy call me "shīt!" NoOooOo, I don't wanna be Ate Shīt.

She squints her eyes at me. "Hoy. Ano ka nagbabasa ng font size 2?" Parang ano toh. Kakain na nga ako.

She laughs. "Baliw. Here, kain ka na."

I reach for the plate na may pasta. Kinuha din nya 'yon.

I look at her and hinila ko yung plate forcefully. Akin naman to eh. Mmmm this is good stuff.

Umiling sya habang natatawa. "God, you hungry beast."

"Ano?" Sabi ko habang hinihigop yung isang noodle. k lang yan. "I'm not beast. Ahm, i'm hungry beauty."

Tawa sya ng tawa. "Nonsense mo."

"Pasok ka sa buhay ko, para everything will make sense na." kindat ko sakanya.