Lima ang kuwarto sa bahay niya, ang isa na nasa ibaba ay para sa kasambahay. Ang kuwarto na malapit sa inookupa niya ang pinili ni Maybelle para malapit daw sa kanya. Napalingon siya nang maramdamang bumukas ang sliding door palabas ng balkonahe. Ngumiti siya ng makita si Maybelle.
"Good morning!" Bati niya dito.
"Good morning ate!" Inilapag nito ang isang tasa ng hot chocolate sa harapan niya bago naupo sa katapat niyang upuan.
"Thank you, did you sleep well?"
"Yes...ate?"
"Hmmn?"
"Thank you...for everything."
Ngumiti siya
" Sa inyong anim ikaw ang malayo ang loob sa akin, I mean..."nakita niyang ngumiti ang dalaga. "hindi kita masyadong nakakasama,well , you know what I mean." nagkibit-balikat siya."And I'm glad you ask me for help."
"And I'm very glad I did. Just a passsing thought, why didn't you tell my brother about how you feel for him?"
Muntik na niyang maibuga ang chocolate na iniinom niya nang marinig ang tanong nito.Inilapag niya ang tasa bago sumansal sa upuan.
"I've given you yesterday my first rule. While you're with me, no objection. Your brother, as a subject of our conversation is a big NO NO...that's the other one."
"No,let me rephrase that...Your feeling for my brother,as a subject of conversation is a big NO NO...deal."
"Yeah,right." She rolled her eyes,nakalimutan niyang kapatid nga pala ito ng lalaking iyon, malamang namana nito ang ugaling ayaw magpatalo. "By the way, I have a meeting sa Cainta, I'm planning of talking to your parents, mas magandang ngayon pa lang alam na nila na nandito ka sa akin para hindi sila mag-alala. Do you think nasa bahay nyo sila by 1pm?"
"Yes ate, malamang nagreready sila by that time for their 25th anniversary."
"Is it? I've totally forgotten, I haven't reviewed my calendar since thursday.Don't tell me hindi ka pupunta, that would be your parents' silver wedding anniversary."
"I don't think so."
"C'mon."
"I don't want my brother to see me. You know you can go."
"Not unless you're with me. Be prepared, we'll gate crash their party." Sabi niya bago kumindat."We don't have to be near with them as long as you're there."
Umiling-iling ito," Unbelievable! The ever prim and proper Jastine Suzzaynne Ordaza is planning about gate crashing." napangiti ito."We really don't need to."
Magsasalita pa lang sana siya para pilitin itong pumunta ng may itaas itong dalawang sobre.Nanlaki ang mata niya ng makitang invitation yon.
"We've got this, invitation 'to para sa classmates ko pero dahil hindi sila makakapunta, tayo na lang ang gagamit. If I can remember, pinadalhan ka ni daddy ng invitation the other night."
"I haven't checked my mails. I presume your brother wouldn't be at home by 1pm?
"Seven lagi ang uwi niya pero dahil my party, he might be there at four oc'lock."
"Good. You've graduated,right?"
"Yup,accountancy. I'm planning on taking my board exam this year,I still have a few months to review."
"May review center ka na bang nahanap?" Maaari niya itong ipasok sa review center na pinasukan noon ni Louisse,malapit lang iyon sa opisina niya.
"Wala pa ate, gusto ko munang maghanap ng trabaho bago yon."
"What for?"
"I just want to earn for myself. I don't want to depend myself with everything."
Napailing siya. Pareho sila ng kapatid nito,gustong independent sa maraming bagay,and to top that,mataas ang pride.
"Okay,okay." She held her hands."Hands up, give me your resume later. My secretary is resigning,ikaw na lang ang pumalit,mas convenient nga yon. I'll let you know when you may start."
"Really?"Nanlalaki ang mga mata nitong lumapit sa kanya at yumakap.
"I've always dramt of a younger sister, now I have one." What's your pla for today?"
"Unpacked and organized my new room,I think. Do I have choices?"
"I thought so. Okay,I'm going, It's already seven oc'lock. Be prepared for later." Hinalikan niya ito sa noo bago pumasok sa kabahayan.
"Take care." Narinig pa niyang pahabol na bilin ng dalaga.
