You're Blooming the Wrong Way

Chapter Six

"Lars, guide me throughout the exams, okay?" I planted a soft kiss on my twin brother's cheek. Until now, he hasn't regain his consciousness yet. Malungkot ako, pero hindi ito ang tamang oras para pagnilayan ang buhay ko. Today is the day of my exams.

For some reason, I was feeling nauseous. Kulang ako sa tulog (dahil pinilit ko paring mag-aral kagabi kahit pinagbawalan na ako ni Hana) at hindi ako nakakain ng almusal ngayong umaga dahil sa nerbyos. I'm not smart, but I have to believe in myself! Sabi nila, minsan kailangan mo lang maniwala.

"Have faith in yourself, Lucy. Ilang linggo kayong nag-aral ni Hana para sa araw na 'to." I kept on chanting to myself as I made my way to school. I was alone today because Hana was done with their exams yesterday. Wala silang pasok ngayong araw.

Speaking of Hana, I don't know how we managed to continue studying after that incident when he told me that he's having a crush on me. It's a relief that I quickly contravened his words; I told him that he's just feeling lonely and he sees my brother on me, to which he kept quiet about.

"Hana?"

When he tilted his face to my direction, his face brightened. The flower boy was standing outside the school, not to mention that he was horribly dressed, which is unusual because he's normally neat. Sobrang gusot ng kanyang polo shirt, magkaibang pares ng tsinelas ang suot niya, at magulo rin ang kanyang buhok.

Fictional characters look good with messy hair, but it looks stupid in reality. Hana is the living proof. Binabagayan talaga ito.

"Lucy!" Napangiwi ako nang punasan ni Hana ang aking mukha at pinaypayan niya ako. "I rushed here with my bike. Alam kong tatamarin kang lumabas ng classroom mamaya para bumili ng pagkain, kaya gumawa ako ng baon mo!" Before I could even refuse, he handed the lunchbox to me. Geez, this is embarrassing.

"I suddenly want to become your daughter." I joked, then spoke in an annoyingly cute manner. "Spoil me more, Papa."

"I'll spoil you later!" He burst into laughter before tousling my hair. I pursed my lips. "No matter what happens, you have to do your best! Kapag hindi mo ipinasa 'to, uulit ka ngayong taon!" Napailing ako dahil para talaga siyang tatay ngayon.

"Are you aware that you look horrible right now?" natatawa kong tanong. "You look like a mess, Hana. Ayos ka lang ba?"

He blushed. "I was just worried, you know!"

"You worry too much. Daig mo pa ang asawa ng manganganak." I waved my hand dismissively. "Shoo. Go home. I don't need you here."

Hana glared at me. Oh, he's sulking. Since he made an effort to wake up early and to cook for me, it feels like I'm compelled to make a happy face in front of him. Ganyan siya. Gustong gusto niya kapag nakangiti ako, at naiinis siya kapag walang reakson ang mukha ko. His obsession to my face is too weird to handle.

I tightened my grasp on the straps of my knapsack. I was just about to speak when I noticed that Hana was looking-- or more like staring at my body. His eyes were glued on the upper part of my body, and he seemed to be in a daze.

Wait a minute.

"Is it just me..." I trailed, slightly hesitant. "Or you're really staring at my breasts?" Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Hana at para siyang hihimatayin sa hiya.

He immediately waved his hands.

"No, you got it all wrong!" aniya, tila maiiyak na. "I was staring at something else, Lucy! I wasn't looking at your b-breasts at all!"

Napangiti ako dahil halos mabulol siya sa sobrang hiya.

Napayuko si Hana. "Anyway, call me once your exams are done. I will... uhm, do something to you." He stated in a small voice then avoided my gaze. I wonder what could it be.