Losing To Win (Lost Series #1) | Completed

Chapter 15

Felicie

Tila yata naka-ukit na ang ngiti sa'king labi. Tatlong araw lang ang hiningi niya sa'kin, ngunit sobrang kasiyahan na ang ibinalik niya.

Hindi niya ako binigo sa sinasabi niyang bonding. It wasn't romantic though. He didn't bring me to fancy restaurants, to breath-taking places or what. We didn't watch movies together, play arcade games and attend concerts like what I had assumed. But still, he managed to make it a special one.

I would be forever grateful for it.

“Ate, ate! Tara na po, magsisimula na ang Sunday service!” Agad hinila ni Faith ang aking kamay, matapos kong kuhanan ng litrato ang Sunflower sa labas ng foundation.

Bagaman wala na ang kaniyang buhok, lumulutang pa rin ang ganda niya sa suot niyang puting bestida.

Nang makapasok kami sa loob ay naroon ang bawat magulang ng mga bata. Agad tumakbo palayo sa'kin si Faith nang makita ang kaniyang ina sa loob. Halos lahat nang makakakita sa'kin ay nginingitian ako, na tila walang problemang iniinda, na tila walang malulubhang sakit ang mga anak nila.

They were all happy, and this time,someone's happiness wasn't making me envious anymore. The smiles on their faces were radiating and it reached my heart, causing it to be filled with so much joy.

Agad kumaway sa'kin si Windel mula sa unahan nang makita ako. She was with his Kuya, who was now looking at me.

Nang makalapit ako sa kanila ay agad akong niyakap ni Windel, na tumayo pa sa pagkakaupo. “Wow Ate! You look so pretty!” Then she withdrew herself from our hug and looked up at me. “I want to be like you po when I grow up.” She smiled widely. “Ate Allyson is pretty naman, kaya lang she's always nagging and she' so loud————”

“Windel,” seryosong pagtawag sa kaniya ni Win. Hindi ko napigilang mapangiti nang ngumuso si Windel sa kaniya at tila hindi alam ang pagkakamali. “Why? I'm being honest lang naman a.”

Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Windel saka tinignan si Win. “Hayaan mo na, may point siya.” Then I looked at Windel and winked at her. “It's okay. I don't like her too.” Because of that, she smiled widely and clapped. Napailing na lamang si Win sa'min saka napasuklay ng buhok.

Nagtabi sa upuan si Windel at isang bata na gaya ni Faith, ay wala na ring buhok. Kami naman ni Win ang magkatabi.  Habang masayang nag-uusap ang dalawang bata, napatingin ako sa kaniya na seryosong nakatingin sa unahan.

“Thank you,” mahinang sambit ko kung kaya't napatingin siya sa'kin. “I'm really happy, I really do.”

Hindi nakaiwas sa'king paningin ang pamumula ng kaniyang tainga, na mahina kong kinatawa. “It's okay.” Then he gulped. “Y-You look beautiful on that dress.” I pressed my lips together upon hearing his comment.

I felt like I was blushing, so I averted my eyes from him and tucked the loose strands of my hair in my ear.

And up until we did praise and worship, my smile remained.

—————

“On what time will you be there?” Aeia asked while we two were sitting on the benches, waiting for our friends to come.

“Pagkatapos ng klase. I do not want to make it obvious that I'm going through medications. Sasamahan daw ako ni Win since wala naman siyang trabaho ngayon.”

She released a deep sigh and took a look at the trees in front us. “Bakit hindi mo pa sabihin kay Aeiou?”

“Aeia. . .” I looked at her. “Alam mong hindi ko pa kaya. I'm sorry, I know what you feel, trust me. Kung magagalit ka sa'kin okay lang, he's your twin after all. It's just that———”