You're Blooming the Wrong Way

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"Good morning, Sachi."

I was grinning from ear to ear when I woke up the next day. For some reason, I was excited to get up today. I stared at the goldfish affectionately as it fed on the food I gave. This is actually the first time that I had a pet fish. I look forward on taking care of it!

From a distance, Lars watched me with a disgusted look on his face. "Why are you looking at the fish as if it came from your own womb? Anak mo, ha? Anak mo? Kailan ka pa naging isda?"

"Sachi is my daughter." I replied as a matter of fact.

"Sinong ama?"

I frowned. "Ha? Isn't it obvious? Haru, of course."

My twin brother faked a shudder. "Weirdos!"

Iniwan na niya ako at pinabayaan na lang niya akong lambingin ang isda. I giggled when Sachi followed after the finger that I traced outside the fishbowl. Ang cute! Sinusundan niya iyong daliri ko!

When I realized that I looked like an idiot just now, I blushed.

"Haru, that dork. His weirdness is contagious!" I clicked my tongue in dismay. I'm such a moron! Bakit ako bumubungisngis dito at nakikipaglaro sa isang isda? Para akong gago!

It was still an early Saturday. We have no classes, so Haru and I agreed to go on a date. When I looked outside the window, the weather was nice. Despite today being a weekend, the street seems to be as busy as the usual. May mga nakikita parin akong papasok sa kanilang mga trabaho at maingay din sa labas.

Shortly, Haru arrived at our house when I was done preparing. Sa halip na ako ang unang batiin, natawa ako dahil dumerecho siya kay Sachi. He knelt down on his knees to take a closer look inside the fishbowl. Ngumiti siya nang malapad.

"Good morning, baby girl!" He happily greeted the fish. When Sachi turned to the other direction, Haru gaped. "Uwah! It seems like she loves her Mommy more than me!" He shot me a horrified look.

I also crouched down beside him. "Is that so?"

"Look, she's not even greeting me!" Haru crossed his arms and pouted. "I feel so betrayed. What did you do to her, Lucy?"

I only smiled to him as a response. Natulala naman si Haru sa akin at napakurap ako dahil bigla siyang namula. "W-What's with that smile? You're so pretty. It's bad for the heart." Haru isolated himself in a corner and did an inhale-exhale exercise.

Natawa na lang ako at hinayaan ko na lang si Haru. Tumingin ako sa aming alagang isda. "I think Sachi feels lonely. Should we buy another goldfish as her companion?" I suggested.

"I refuse! She's too young to have a boyfriend!" Haru answered, seeming like a real father. "I'm not ready to be a grandfather yet!"

"But she needs to experience love."

"It's too early for that! Let her grow by herself!" He insisted with a pout. "Hmph. If anything, her suitors should pass by me first!"

Magkatabi kaming lumuhod ni Haru at pinagmasdan namin ang isda. Once again, I traced my finger outside the fishbowl, and our lovely daughter followed after it. Natahimik kami pareho ni Haru at sinundan namin ng tingin si Sachi. Sabay kaming namula.

"S-So cute!" Haru gasped. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa.

I pointed his face. "You're blushing."

"Wha-- So are you, Lucy!"

I was just about to reply when somebody threw a bottle on us. Pareho kaming napadaing ni Haru at napalingon kami kay Lars na hindi maipinta ang mukha. "Quit blushing over a fish! What kind of stupid conversation is that?!" bulyaw niya at muli kaming binato.