The Vagabond Princess [Wainwright Series 1]

VAGABOND 31: Codhille's Tactics

KHANARIE

That boy is dead. How dare he kept this from me.

"Arizs likes you a lot, li'l sis." I slipped into my little sister's room and smirk, thinking how I would grind that Arizs into a human pretzel after seeing him kissing my sister on the forehead.

"Okay ka lang ba? Mukang may nakita kang multo?" Pagpipigil kong sumabog na tanong kay Khally. Parang gusto ko na sundan si Arizs sa labas ng bintana. Masasakal ko na talaga siya.

"Ate Khana..." Alangan nitong tawag sa pangalan ko kaya napabuntonghininga ako sa isip ko.

Bahala na riyan. Mamaya na si Arizs sa akin.

"Give me a hug," I invited her into a bear hug. She ran in to my arms and embrace her.

Oh, I miss this little angel of mine. Such a light feeling having her in my arms. "I miss you all."

"We miss you, too," she pull away and giggle. "Tagal mong kausapin kami, a? Nakakatampo ka po. Hahaha!"

"Pasensiya na. Dinaan ako sa maraming kwento ni Ate Khei mo. Ang daldal pala niya kapag buntis. Noong andito naman ako ay hindi siya ganoon."

"Hahaha. Kahit naman po noong umaalis kayo ay hindi siya palasalita. Saka lang naman siya naging ganiyan noong makilala niya na si Kuya Kohlen at pakasalan ito."

"Oh, is that true?" I taunt her to get more stories.

Tumango naman siya. "They are much attached to the hip. Kuya Kohlen is the opposite of Ate Khei. The perfect match to my workaholic ate."

I laugh along with her as I remembered those two a while ago not letting go of each other's hands. Kung ano mang gayuma ang mayroon si Kohlen upang mahulog si Kheilanie sa kaniya, ay minsan ko ito pasasalamatan. At least nakikita ko kung gaano nito kamahal ang kambal ko, at kung gaano ito napabuti ang kalusugan niya.

How does it feel to be that loved?

I stop short and watch my little girl giggle.

What could have happened if I did not return? Would they be this happier?

Would Khally end up loving Codhille instead?

Would I be a ghost and witness all of these connected strings that are attached to one another?

I wonder how that would have been.

"Did you love him?" I ask her out of the blue.

I am curious if she happened to fall for Codhille before Arizs.

She paused for a while before answering, "Hay nako! Kung alam mo lang, Ate Khana! Sobra kong mahal si—"

I suddenly pulled her into another tight hug. Stopping the words to cut through my ears. Hurting me more than enough. "I'm sorry, Khally," I apologized and pulled away. "I'll be selfish. I love Codhille so much."

"What?" Naguguluhan niyang tanong. "Ate, you—"

"Shh! Sige na,pahinga ka na." I hush her again. "Pumunta pala ako rito upang ipaalam sana saiyo na isasama ko si Arizs sa isang misyon. Pero inunahan na pala ako nglalaking iyon. Hahaha!" I patted her head and smile. "Anyways! I'll be going,too," pagpapaalam ko at iniwan na siyang mag-isa sa kaniyang silid. 

🗡🗡🗡

"Codhille, you are using my little sister as bait," I gritted my teeth in annoyance.

"I know."

Parang may pumutok na ugat sa utak ko kaya binilisan ko paglakad ko paakyat sa kwarto nina Khally at Viera matapos ang aming diskurso na naman.