Serendipity (Thalassophile)

Three

Krislene, together with her Sister, Kristene, spent their two-month vacation in Newark, mainly at their parents' house. Hindi nila ito normally ginagawa. But this time, she insisted her Sister to spend their vacation in Newark. As for the reason? She wanted her Sister to heal and to give time to herself. Alam nya ang hirap at sakit na pinagdadaanan nito dahil nga sa feelings nito para kay Vincien. And she's hoping in that two months, kahit paano ay nakapag-isip-isip na ito or rather, maayos na ang pakiramdam nito, especially her Sister's heart.

Of course, their brother, Vaughn is also with them. Pero two-times itong umuwi ng Pilipinas para asikasuhin ang kompanya doon.

Bukas na ang uwi nila dahil sa susunod na linggo, pasukan na nilang dalawa. She's an incoming 3rd year student and her Sister is a graduating student. Though magkaiba sila ng University na pinapasukan. But if possible, she's planning on transferring to Montfort University next year para doon grumaduate, if only her subjects will be credited. But if not, maybe sa current University na pinapasukan nya na lang. It still depends.

Typical day, she was in the middle of watching a K-drama when her phone rang. Like the usual, she answered it without looking who's calling her.

"Yep?"

"Krislene."

She sighed. "Kuya V."

Yep. It's Vincien. The truth is, everyday, not even missing a single day, Vincien calls her just to ask about her Sister Kristene. Like how is she, or if her Sister is eating right, and so on. In short, he wanted to be updated about her Sister's whearabouts.

Honestly, naawa sya dito but at the same time, naiinis pa rin dahil kitang-kita naman nyang nahihirapan ito dahil ang kapatid pa rin naman nya ang gusto nito, pero ayaw pa rin makipaghiwalay sa current girlfriend nya.

Yes. Vincien Santillan has feelings for her Sister, Kristene. Halatang-halata naman diba? It's not just about being best of friends. But there's more to that.

"How's everyone doing?" Vincien asked that made her chuckle.

"Everyone's doing fine Kuya V. Pero sure ka ba talagang in general ang gusto mo tanungin? O kamusta na si Ate K, you mean?"

And voila! She hit it right as Vincien went silent for a couple of seconds. Then she heard him sigh. See? In denial pa kasi.

With that, she decided to ask him a question that will answer everything that is happening between her Sister and Vincien.

"Kuya V."

"Yes?"

"Mahal mo pa ba si Ate K?"

There you go. She asked directly. Sya na kasi ang nahihirapan sa sitwasyon ng dalawa. Even though she knows the answer already, but she just wanted to hear it directly from him.

"W-What?"

She rolled her eyes as if Vincien can see her. "Kuya V. Alam ko na yung sagot sa tanong ko, matagal na. I just want it to hear from you. Kaya nga may 'pa' sa tanong ko. So, answer me, mahal mo pa ba si Ate K?"

It took Vincien some time before he manage to answer, "I-I don't know. Honestly, I'm confused. I thought I can forget about her by loving someone but... but—"

"Well, now is the right time to know what you really feel for my Sister. I can see that you're somehow slipping. Kuya V, ako na magsasabi sayo, nahihirapan ka na. Why don't you make things right this time? Let go of the other one and woo someone if that's what your heart and mind wants. Kasi pansin ko, it's not just your mind that's controlling your emotion. It's both your mind and heart."

And again, Vincien went silent. Looks like once again she hit everything right. And she's hoping that it'll open not just his eyes, but also his heart and mind.