Switched

Chapter 2

In a place where everything seemed so beautiful yet so painful at the same time, me and my sister finally had the audicity to have our own little sleep over. Matagal na kaming natutulog sa isang kwarto whenever na merong isa samin ay masama ang loob. It's become a habit to the point na kinahiligan ko nalang minsan na I would pop my head into her bed tapos biglang tatalon sa higaan niya. Just from the way she responds on my soothing actions, I can somewhat read her own thoughts. Kambal ko siya, halata kapag may bumabagabag sa isipan niya. Sa simpleng mga sarkastikong sagot at kunwaring galit na behavior, masyadong napaghahalataan ko nalang.
I tried not to look back at my own thoughts as Aurielle started to pack for her bag in the incoming school day tomorrow.

"Make sure to write everything you can that the teacher will say. Di ako makakahabol kung wala ka man lang masusulat," paalala ko sakanya habang pinaplantsa ko ang kanyang uniporme.

As I reached for the iron to stroke one last time on her blouse, I can feel the rim of the setting sun complimenting the iris of one of my oceanic eyes.

"Aurielle.." Tawag ko sakanya.

"Hm?" Napatingin siya sakin habang nakataas ang pareho niyang kilay.

"Ano pala ang gagawin natin dito?" Tanong ko sakanya habang nakaturo sa isa kong mata na nagniningning ng asul.

Heterochromia has been stuck with me since I was born, unfortunately.
Winds blew through our open window as a deafening silence emerged between the two of us. Nang mapabuntong hininga ako, bigla akong tinapunan ni Aurielle ng maliit na kahon, snickering as she leans her back onto the wall of her room.

"Buksan mo," she ordered, binuksan ko naman ng mabilisan at napasinghap ako sa nilalaman nito. Contact Lens.

"Para sakin ba to?" Tanong ko sakanya, napairap naman siya at umiling.

"Hindi, sakin yan. Kailangan ko yata ng contact lens kahit pareho na itim ang mga mata ko eh," sagot niya. I squeeled in excitement and jumped over to her, hugging her tightly as I giggled.

"Eeeeeekkk! Thank you thank you thank you!" I shouted in glee.

"Ok ok enough na! Get off of me," she shouted, pushing me off of her as she tried to stand up. Nakaupo pa rin ako sa sahig habang nakatingin sa nakasaradong kahon na binigay niya sakin kanina.

"Kaylan mo pa to binili?" Tanong ko sakanya, plugging off the iron to keep it from burning her uniform, OUR uniform.

"Kahapon lang, after nung sinabi ni mama tungkol sa schedule natin, naisipan kong galawin muna ang ipon ko para makatulong sayo," I pouted at her response and pulled her in for a hug.

"Awww ang sweet naman ng twinnie ko," sagot ko naman sakaniya in which she answered with a grunt. "Kanina ka pa yakap ng yakap, nakakainis na ha?"

My gaze hesitated for a moment as I settled the box beside me. "Pano kung mahalata tayo?" Tanong ko sakanya. I shivered despite the warm weather, getting caught gave me chills through my spine. Ano nalang gagawin namin after that? "And we're using only one name. Yours. Pano ako makakapasok sa college nyan?" Tanong ko sakanya na ikinabit balikat niya lang.

"Tinanong ko na rin yan kay mama, di niya nalang ako sinagot," ani niya kaya napahiga na lamang ako sa kama. Pano 'to? I looked at the box of my contact lens at napangiti nalang ako. Binili niya yata to kanina habang bumibili kami ng school appliances.

"At saan ka naman pupunta? We need to find uniforms," tawag ko kay Aurielle habang nakatingin sa tailor na nagtatahi. May mga nakalagay nang mga uniform sa mga rack, size nalang ang kailangan para makapili na agad. "May bibilhin lang. Kailangan eh," sagot niya sakin and ran off. Preferably she's going to eat again.

I simply flashed a smile at her as she ran away to a nearby store. Di ko na binasa ang pangalan kase pumasok na ako sa tailoring shop. Pinagmasdan ko ang uniform ng bagong paaralan namin ni Aurielle at napatawa ako ng konti sa hitsura ng uniporme para sa mga lalake. PINK. Everything was pink. I traced my fingers along the skirt's hem, admiring its checkered features together with the coat. The little ribbon touched the uniform with glam and grace, blending and complimenting its feminine shades. Mas pinasimple nga lang dahil sa long sleeve na pang ilalim.

I must say, the dean and principal has quite a classy taste for their students. Imbes sa simpleng t shirt na pang ilalim para sa lalake, ginawa nilang turtle neck. Good luck nalang kapag mainit ang panahon. I laughed at my own thoughts while feeling the cottony texture of the fabric. "Manang, pwede po bang tingnan ang mga size neto?" Tanong ko sa matandang babae na nagtatahi. Napatigil siya at tumayo bago kumuha ng dalawang pares ng uniform. "Eto, small at medium, magpili nalang kayo dito sa dalawa, pwede niyong ipacostumize kung gusto niyong sakto talaga," sagot niya bago bumalik sa pagtatahi.

"Kaya ko naman itong icostumize sa bahay.. Madali lang ito," I whispered to myself. Unfortunately sikip ang small at masyadong malaki ang medium kaya yung medium nalang ang pinili ko para kahit ilang toneladang friend chicken pa ang kainin ni Aurielle, pwede pa hanggang next year. Hindi naman yun tumataba eh. Binayadan ko na ang uniform at nakita ko na rin si Aurielle na may dala dalang isaw. I crumpled my nose at the sight of her food at napailing. "Hindi ka ba nasasawa diyan?" Tanong ko na ikinadulot ng kanyang pagtawa. "Hindi, bakit? Hindi ka rin nasasawa sa ramen burger mo diba?" Sagot niya.

"Hoy Aquilla, tapos na ako sa pagprepare. Bumalik ka na sa kwarto mo," Aurielle nudged my shoulder which made me grunt. "But I don't want to. Can I sleep in here again?" Tanong ko habang nakayakap sa mga binti niya, nakaupo pa rin kase ako sa sahig. "Eh ano nalang silbi ng kwarto mo? Decoration? Ganun? Sige palit nalang tayo ng kwarto, sabagay mas marami ang bintana dun kesa dito," I grunted and pushed myself to stand as I folded my arms across my chest. "Fine fine, basta promise mo bukas susulatin mo lahat ng ilelecture ha?" Paalala ko sakanya.

"Babaita, puro introduce yourself yan lahat kaya wag kang umasa na may lesson agad agad, sa second day yan," sagot niya. Pumalakpak ako at hinalikan ang kaniyang pisngi. "Eww yuck, stop that na!" Napahagikgik ako at tumakbo na papasok sa kwarto ko habang tumatawa.

I entered my room and took a deep breathe, enjoying the scent of my anime figurines that was on my cabinets and stuffed plushies that was practically all over my bed. Masyadong nagcontradict ang taste namin ni Aurielle kaya we badly needed different rooms. Mine had splashes of pink, white and blue. Mas marami din na bintana kase I love the sunlight despite my introverted personality. Kailangan ko kase yung lighting dahil sa pagdrawing. And speaking of them, I have a drawer dedicated to all of my art.

Tumalon ako patungo sa aking kama at ngumiti. And slowly but surely, felt tears racing down my cheeks. "Just a little more time.." I whispered yet again before closing my eyes, forcing myself to sleep.

ㄴHello everyone, it is I~ everything_ordinary. I have always wanted to make a story with Laurent and finally, nangyare na! I hope you guys enjoy it to the max and I shall sprinkle everyone with rosewater as a goodluck for reading the next chapters. Laurent and I will take turns on writing every chapter~ good daaaaay! ㄱ