You're Blooming the Wrong Way

Chapter Thirty-Four

I was still in my bed when I heard some people gathering inside my room. Their whispers woke me up from my deep slumber, thus I was forced to groggily open my eyes. I glanced over the wall clock. It was only five in the morning, and even the sun isn't up yet.

"What the fuck?" I cursed under my breath when I saw Hana in my room, smiling softly beside my bed. "What are you doing here?"

I realized that both my mother and my twin were also present in the room. Lahat sila'y nakatingin sa akin, animo'y kanina pa inaabangan ang pagbangon ko. I shot them a puzzled look.

"Rise and shine, bitch!" Lars exclaimed. I grunted when he threw an ice tube to my face. "You're going to the Land of the Rising Sun!"

Kailangan ba talaga niya akong batuhin?

Wala pa ako sa huwisyo kaya hindi ko agad naintindihan ang mga sinabi niya. I was in no mood to entertain them yet, so I shoved the three of them aside. "Get out of here. Mga walang pakundangan."

Mom stopped me from going back to sleep. "You need to prepare."

"Prepare for what, Mom?" I hissed. "It's Saturday! I wanna sleep!"

"You're going to Japan with me." Hana interrupted, to which my jaw dropped. For a moment, I was at a loss. My brain couldn't process the idea that I will accompany him to Japan today.

Wait. I will go to Japan today? How come? Why?

"Tulig ka ba? Telling me out of nowhere that I'm going overseas with you... Anong akala mo sa Japan, nandiyan lang sa kabilang kanto?" I growled, flashing an exasperated glare at him.

He chuckled. "I already bought our tickets, Lucy. Your passport is all good as well. Ipinaalam na rin kita." pagmamalaki niya.

"Have a safe trip!" Mom chirped as she waved her hand to me.

"Bilis na, lumayas ka na! Nakakainit ng ulo 'yang mukha mo!" banat naman ni Lars at muli akong binato ng ice tube.

"Cut it out, will you? Nagsasayang ka ng yelo!" reklamo ko at pakiramdam ko'y sasabog na ang ulo ko sa sobrang inis. "Anyway, why are you deciding on my behalf? I didn't even consent to it!"

Hana gaped. "Ayaw mo ba, Lucy?"

"Hindi naman sa ayaw ko, pero biglaan kasi masyado!"

"Ang dami mo namang arte." My brother clicked his tongue. "Kung ayaw mo, si Mom na lang ang sasama kay Hana!" asik niya.

My mother seemed to take it seriously. Her face suddenly paled as she looked at Lars. "Bakit ako, anak?" kabado niyang tanong.

I scoffed. "That doesn't make sense!"

"Kaya nga bumangon ka na diyan. Ang dami mong kuda!" Lars retorted before turning to our mother. His face softened. "It was only a joke, Mom. Huwag kang kabahan." My brother assured.

Oh, it was such a noisy morning.

In the end, I still joined Hana in his trip. I was informed that we will only stay in Japan for three days. Our flight was exactly ten in the morning, but we had to be in the boarding area by eight. If I'm not mistaken, it takes four hours from here to Japan. That is, by plane.

"What's the occasion this time, Hana?" I curiously inquired while waiting for our flight. Isinara niya ang librong binabasa niya.

"I want you to meet someone."

Tinanong ko siya kung sino, pero isang maliit na ngiti lamang ang isinagot niya sa akin. Hindi ko na lang siya kinulit tungkol doon.

Anyway, it was the most unproductive four hours of my life. Literal na kumain at natulog lang ako buong biyahe. I woke up a few times, only to find Hana still reading on his seat.