Enticed by Miranda Jadeite

Chapter 11

Enticed by Miranda Jadeite

Chapter 11

"Are you really okay? You don't seem fine at all." Sinapo ng aking nakatatandang kapatid ang aking noo.  Iniwas ko ang mukha ko at pinigilan ang pagsunod ng kanyang kamay.

"I'm fine. I just didn't get enough sleep last night." Walang gana kong sagot.

It's Saturday and I woke up very early than usual. Nagising ako na mahapdi ang sikmura dahil hindi nakakain ng mabuti kagabi. I was in our kitchen, savoring my ham and cheese when Ate Amanda went in. Kukuha lang sana siya ng tubig kaso ay napatigil nang makita ako. I know, she will think that something's wrong and will ask me the same question over and over again until she grew tired of it.

"Are you sure? Nothing's bothering you?" I averted my gaze from her eyes and nodded. Ngumuso siya, ang alon-alon niyang buhok ay gumalaw kasabay ng kanyang pagtango.

Tinapik niya ang aking balikat at aalis na sana kaso kasabay noong ay ang pagpasok ng mga pinsan kong maiingay.

"Good morning!" Maligayang bati ni Ate sa kanila. I don't have energy to face them so I just continued on eating.

"May himala, aga atang nagising, ah?" Pang-aasar sa akin ni Jack. Ginulo niya ang buhok ko at kumuha ng isang hiwa ng ham mula sa aking mangkok. I sighed and tried to fix my hair but Kuya Cassi  did the same.

I almost groaned in frustration, I just stopped myself because Kuya Art already pushed them away just to kiss my temple. "Morning, Miranda."

Simpleng ngiti lang ang ginawad ko sa kanya bago pinagpatuloy ang pagkain. Their exchange of greetings went on and on. Lalong umingay nang bumaba si Kuya at dumating sina Tita Yssa. Finally! Bumaba ako mula sa high chair at sinalubong si Yra ng yakap at halik sa pisngi.

Pumanhik kami sa aking kuwarto dahil wala rin naman kaming ibang pagkakaabalahan. Sina Kuya at ang iba naming pinsan na lalaki ay naliligo na sa pool. Ang dalawang nakatatandang kapatid kong babae ay parehong abala sa pag-aaral, ang mga nakababatang kapatid naman ay naglalaro.

Yra started with her rants about her mother and older brother. Pinagalitan daw siya ni Tita dahil sinumbong ni Kuya Regan na may boyfriend. I don't know why she finds it annoying, I find it sweet. Clearly, they're showing how they care for her.

"If you were in my place, you won't like it, too. Sobrang higpit, minsan nakakasakal na."

"Don't you think they're right?" I cringed my nose as I tried to voice out my thoughts.

"Pati ba naman ikaw kumakampi na sa kanila? Miranda, it's really annoying and frustrating." Nanlalaki ang mga matang sabi niya na akala mo pinaparamdam sa akin ang inis at pagkabigo.

"I was just saying. Malay mo may nakikita pala silang mali kaya ka nila pinagbabawalan."

"Kung ano man iyong mali na 'yon, sa kanila 'yon, hindi sa akin. They expect me to be pure until marriage, that's what they want. But I want experience."

"Experience?" Nakangiwi kong tanong sa kanya. Tama naman sina Tita! Ano bang pumasok sa ulo ng babaeng 'to at balak pang maghahanap pa ng experience?

"Experience sa relationship, ang boring naman kung hihintayin ko pang makasal bago ako makaranas ng mga bagay-bagay. And I know what you're thinking, that's not it!"

"What?" Kumunot ang noo ko sa bintang niya sa akin. Medyo nahiya lang nang mapagtanto ang tinutukoy niya. "I wasn't thinking about that, Yra!"

She made a face and crossed her arms. "Basta! Hindi ko hihiwalayan si William, ang guwapo at ang astig kaya no'n!"