Splendiferous (Legazpi #1)

Twenty-three

23.

"You look very happy," Arlszent commented when I sat down beside him on the sand. "I've never seen you smile like that."

"Because I've never felt this way before," I threw him a wider smile.

"Is that really you, Leigne?" pabalang nitong tanong. "Jesus, you're being cheesy."

"What? But it's true!" giit ko sa kanya at pilit pinipigilang kumawala ang isang tawa.

After Xerxes flattered me a while ago, he didn't give me a chance to reply and he just claimed my lips. We shared a short yet passionate kiss before we decided to go back to the villa since it's already evening.

It took us a few minutes to head back there because right after we left Avalon at the barnyard, we only walked from the rancho going here at the villa. Lance's sister, Jacqueline, smacked Xerxes' cheek because we both didn't inform them that we'll take hours out of the villa which made them all worried.

"You're really serious with that dude," matunog na ngumiti si Arlszent. "Be happy, ate."

"Wow, ate," I chuckled. "Huling beses mo akong tinawag niyan… never."

He let out a cackle before shaking his head. "Because you're such a crybaby. Tsaka ako naman ang unang lumabas kay mom, ako dapat tinatawag mong kuya 'no."

"Ha-ha, patawa ka," I sarcastically said and rolled my eyes but he just laughed at my sarcasm.

"Really, I want you to be happy," bawi niya. "Stay happy."

"What's with the sudden sweet-talk, Zent?" I kid.

"We're getting older, sister. We're now responsible of our choices in life," seryoso niyang saad bagama't nakangiti. "I just don't want you ending up like mom, miserable when it comes to romance."

My heart melted upon hearing those things from my own brother. He's not the sweet type when it comes to me and yet he still gets to show his love for me through simple words and actions.

He's kinda like Xerxes, a very annoying type of brother. But deep inside, he cares for me more than he cares for himself. Growing up, he served not only as my brother, but he also stood up to be my father.

"Sabi na, love mo talaga ako, Zent," biro ko sa kanya.

"I do, twin because I'm your fucking brother," he chuckled. "If you're just gonna end up having a heartbreak, then better stay single and love me instead because I won't hurt you. It's very disgusting on my part but that's the truth."

"Hey, twins! Stop the drama!" Mauve spat. "Ilang oras na lang November 22 na, let's start this party!"

Nadala na rito ang mga pagkain namin pati na rin ang mga inumin. Hindi naman iyon puro alak at meron pa rin kahit papaano na tubig at juice dahil mayroon kaming mga kasama na bata pa, kabilang na doon si Jacqueline na 15 years old pa lamang ngunit kung mag-isip ay parang ka-edad na namin siya.

May dinala rin dito ang mga tauhan ng mga Salvador na malaking speaker para may tugtog kami at pupwedeng makasayaw na kung titignan ay parang nasa bar lang rin ang selebrasyon namin.

"Fuck you, Vennice! May bata, paltan mo 'yan!" Rengell hissed at Mauve while covering the ears of a little boy.

"Bakit, Renj? Favorite mo iyan," malakas na tumawa si Mauve at pinalitan ang kantang pinatugtog bago humarap sa girlfriend ni Rengell. "Girl, buksan mo minsan phone niyan. Puro kalaswaan ang laman!"