Stolen Heart

Kabanata 22

Phoenix

I looked at Kennedy and Quiana while taking a dip on the pool. They are laughing at each other and telling stories. I remember how Kennedy doesn't like Francine.

"Kuya! I hate your girlfriend!" she shouted when she arrived.

"What?" tanong ko.

Nakita ko kung paano pakisamahan ni Francine lahat ng pamilya ko- which I don't like. Gusto ko kasi iyon normal lang. Ayaw ko iyong nagpapakitang tao para pasado siya sa pamilya ko.

"I was having fun with my friends! Tapos pinauwi niya ako! Seriously? Hindi ko siya kapatid kaya wala siyang rights pauwiin ako kanina at ang mga kasama ko!" namumula na ito sa inis.

"I'll talk to her, Kenny."

"Of course you would! And tell her next time! Wag siyang makialam sa mga trip ko sa buhay kasi hindi ko siya gusto!"

I told Francine how many times na wag na lang pansinin ang mga ginagawa ni Kennedy sa kanya pero sabi niya ay wala naman daw iyon sa kanya.

"Kennedy! Stop it!" sigaw ko sa kapatid ko ng nakauwi ito.

She is a spoiled brat at alam ko na ayaw niyang pinagbabawalan siya. Gusto niya lahat ng gusto niya ay makukuha niya.

"Ano?"

"Could you please stop rolling your eyes at Francine every time you see her?!"

Francine told me how many times. Pero hinahayaan ko na lang muna at ganoon rin siya. I like how she understands my sister and how she deals with it.

"Bakit?! I told you! I hate her! Kahit maging wife mo siya, I will continue to pest her here! She always interfere in my whereabouts! Nakakainis, kuya!"

But when she met Quiana, she was really amazed. Ilang beses niya akong tinanong about Quiana's designs. Sabi niya idol niya daw ito dahil kahit fashion designer ay hindi ganoon ka OA mag damit.

Anong hindi?! Gusto ko itapon lahat ng damit ng mga babaeng iyon! Short shorts? Midriff? Seriously? Hindi pwede sa akin yan!

Every night I sleep, si Quiana lang tumakakbo sa isip ko. Kahit magkasama na kami ulit ni Francine, aming lakad ni Quiana ang naiisip ko. The way she made a face everytime I tell her such things.

"Why are you smiling?" Francine asked.

"Huh?"

"You're smiling..."

I am? I am just thinking at Quiana.

Looking at her car outside of the church really breaking my heart. Ilang beses akong sinabihan ni daddy kung gaano kasakit ang iwan ka ng taong mahal mo. He felt so much pain before too everytime mommy is not on his side and leaving or pushing him. Now I understand my dad, sobrang sakit pala talaga.

I am torn between getting inside her car or do the right thing. I want Quiana and I will be having a right relationship. Kung hahayaan kong ganito, mananatiling mali ito. And I am not raised in that way. I need to correct the mistake I made.

"Phoenix... Please.. Baby...." I closed my eyes.

She is pleading like there is no tomorrow. What the hell are you doing baby?

I saw how her car ran fast. Sobrang bilis ang pagtakbo niya at napamura na lang ako.

Quiana naman. Wag kang ganyan.