Wicked Hearts

Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Silly and Dummy

Ulrich willingly drove me home.

I just congratulated Jessie through a text message. Si Camila naman ay walang message sa akin kaya ako na ang naunang mag-text sa kanya. I also congratulated her for hosting the pageant successfully.

I had fun tonight, pero sumakit bigla ang ulo ko.

A date with Mr. Delgado? Really, Ate Sarah?

Naabutan ko sa sala si Ate Sarah. Nanunuod siya ng movie habang kumakain ng pop corn. Bumilog ang kanyang mga mata nang makita ako.

I should have greeted her like always. Pero hindi ako kumibo.

"Riza!" She stood up as soon as she noticed me. Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. Mukha siyang gulat na gulat sa hitsura ko. "Oh, my God. You look so gorgeous!"

Lumunok ako. I need to play it cool... again.

"I really love this dress, Ate!"

Hindi man halata pero nanginig ang mga labi ko.

"Hindi mo naman sinabing balak mong suotin 'yan ngayon!" Nilapitan niya ako. Hinawakan niya ang mga balikat ko at inikot ako para mas matingnan niya ang bawat anggulo. "Damn. Rizza. You are... stunning."

Pilit na tumawa na lang ako.

Same, Ate Sarah. You are so gorgeous just to be a mistress!

Napansin kong nangingilid ang luha sa mga mata ni Ate Sarah. Nabahala ako.

"Why, Ate Sarah?"

She shook her head.

"You just remind me so much of our mother. You look... exactly like her." She gently caressed my cheeks. "I wish she could see you right now. You look... so happy, baby sis."

That's honestly right. Lately, I've been happy. There were times that I still felt worried about what's going on around but... I was also happy.

"I'm happy for you, Riza..." The sincerity in her eyes says it all.

Why is she so good at pretending?

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I should be happy for her, too. Dahil sa wakas ay parang hinahayaan niya na uli ang sarili niyang bumigay sa pag-ibig. Pero... hindi ko kaya.

I am not proud that my sister is in an illicit affair.

Matapos no'n ay pumasok na ako sa kwarto para magpalit ng damit. Napag-usapan namin ni Ulrich na magkikita sa malapit na coffee shop. We will talk about our plans for tomorrow.

Date huh?

I've never dated anyone before. But I don't see that as a problem. Hindi namang totoong date ang gagawin namin ni Ulrich. It's planned.

After changing my clothes, I stood in front of the mirror. I decided to wear my mustard shirt and denim shorts. Syempre, ang pabirito kong sandals. Ginamit ko ang sling shoulder bag ko.

"Oh? Aalis ka?" puna ni Ate nung pumasok siya sa kwarto ko para kunin ang dress na sinuot ko.

"Nag-aya lang si Cams, Ate," ngiti ko habang nagsusuklay.

She folded my brown dress and hang it on her arms. Hindi ko kasi alam kung paano labhan 'yung mga gano'ng dress at ayoko namang masira ko 'yon kaya siya lagi ang naglalaba nito.

"Wait. May pera ka pa ba—"

"Meron pa naman, Ate," putol ko sa kanya. "Libre kasi ang lunch ko kaya hindi ako gaanong gumastos. Perks of being the SSG Secretary."