Rings & Bullet

Chapter 11

Esmee Celestino

“How's food?”

I looked at Rayos Del Sol and smiled. “Delicious.”

“Do you want to drink some wine later? May mini bar ako rito. There's a secret passage at the living room. Want to see it?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Sama ako.” ani Ericka. “I also want to drink some wine.”

'Di sumagot si Rayos Del Sol kaya lihim akong napangiti. He wants to have time with me but since her sister is here, 'di niya ako masosolo.

“I bought some snacks for you Ericka. Hope you like it, sorry I forgot.” kung kailan tapos na kami kumain saka ko lang naibigay. Naging aware kasi ako lalo sa lalaking nasa tabi ko and it his fault that I forgot to give it to his sister. And of course, 'di niya 'yon alam.

“Oh, thank you! Wow, there's also chocolates! I like chocolates!”

“Good to hear that.” that's a relief, akala ko maarte siya at mapili, buti eh hindi and she looks nice naman. Her face is so small, 'di ko pa nakikita ang mama nila pero mukhang do'n siya nakamana ng mukha. Unlike this guy beside me, his face is like his father, carbon copy kung tawagin.

“Uuwi ka pa ba?” pagtatanong ni Rayos Del Sol kaya napunta sa kanya ang atensyon ko. “You can stay here, we have some room prepared for you.... kung gusto mo lang naman, but if you don't want to, that's fine with... us.”

Instead of answering his question, I ask him instead. “Gusto mo bang umuwi ako ngayon?”

His eyes searched for my face and the corner of his lips rose a bit. “No.” he breathed.

“Okay.”

“What do you mean ‘okay’? You're staying here for tonight?” I can sense excitement to his voice.

“Yup. It's just one night.”

Tumango-tango siya at mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti. Mgsasalita pa sana siya nang pangunahan siya ni Ericka.

“You two look so sweet and in love. Just like mom and dad, who still love each other so much.”

Love?

Nagkatitigan lang kami ni Rayos Del Sol, sinisink-in ko pa rin ang sinabi ng kanyang kapatid. Am I looking at him like I'm in love with him or something? Because that's... that's hard to believe.

Am I really in love with him? How? And why? And.. really?

I'm questioning myself right now because it is too early for me  to fall in love.

Rayos Del Sol cleared his throat at tumayo na. “Let's go to my mini bar.” nilahad niya ang kanyang kamay sa harap ko at wala sa sariling tinanggap iyon.

“Wait, piktyuran ko kayo.”

“Huh?”

“I said picture, duh! Umayos ka kuya, dali! Put your left hand to Esmee's shoulder!” sinunod ni Rayos Del Sol ang sinabi ng kapatid. 'Di ako mapakali tuloy at para akong nakukuryente. He still hold my right hand and intertwined his fingers to mine. I feel like I'm blushing right now. “And you two, smile!”

'Di ko alam kung maayos ba ang ngiti ko sa camera pero wala na akong pakialam do'n. I can feel his warmth on my hand and it does matter to me.

Nakatatlong kuha ng litrato sa'min si Ericka bago kami magpunta sa mini bar ni Rayos Del Sol.

“Hey, E, send it to my Viber, okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah.” tumingin sa'kin si Ericka. “I-sesend ko rin ba sa'yo, Esmee?”