Wicked Hearts

Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Dating

Did I just come up with the worse possible idea out there? I don't know. But I knew the moment it slipped out of my mouth, I had to take responsibility for it.

"You— what?" Ate Sarah stuttered in so much confusion.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa bukalya ng bulaklak. This is not right. I should be anything but upset. I just admitted that Ulrich was dating me, I should be happy, right?

"I am dating Ulrich Delgado..."

I have no idea how will I explain it to Ulrich, but right now I need to make my sister believe in me first. I am dating Ulrich, that's it.

"Hindi ba tinanong na kita noong isang araw tungkol diyan?" I could her frustration in every word she said. "Todo tanggi ka sa 'kin, Riza."

"A-am I not allowed to date anyone?"

Or just him?

"N-no. No, baby sis. Hindi sa gano'n." She jerked her head. Nilapitan niya ako at hinawakan ang kamay kong may hawak sa bulaklak. "You just had me surprised. But... I am happy for you."

Smile, Riza. You have to smile now.

"I-I've never dated anyone before, Ate Sarah. Sorry kasi tinago ko sa 'yo. I have no idea how it works. I thought..."

"It's fine, Riza. I understand."

Nangilid ang luha sa kanyang mga mata. Kinuha niya ang bulaklak sa kamay ko at pinatong muna 'yon sa lamesa. Saka niya ako hinila sa sala at inupo sa sofa. Hinarap niya ako.

"So..." she smiled. "Do you like him, too?"

"Crush..." Bigla akong nahiya pagkasabi ko no'n.

Marahan na tumawa si Ate Sarah. Inayos niya sa likod ng tainga ko ang ilang hibla ng buhok na kumawala. Hindi naglaho ang banayad na ngiti sa kanyang labi.

"I hope you know that I always want the best for you, Riza. Kung saan ka masaya... roon din ako. I will always support you no matter what."

I teared up, this time for some genuine reason. I love my sister so much, and it's killing me that I need to do this. I have to take away her happiness for my own sanity.

"Invite him to come over next time," she proposed.

My eyes broadened. "Ate! We are just dating!"

"She's dating my baby sister. What do you mean 'just'?"

"I-I'm not even sure if I also like him..." Well, if having a crush means I also like him, maybe I do. But I don't think so. I just really admire him.

Mas lumakas ang pagtawa ni Ate Sarah. "Huwag ako, Riza. Alam mo kung bakit nagtatampo ako sa 'yo? Kasi parang ang saya-saya mo tapos hindi mo man lang maikwento sa akin."

Naramdaman kong pinisil ni Ate Sarah ang pisngi ko. Napasimangot ako kahit na sa totoo lang ay kinakabahan na ako. Mukhang napaniwala ko na si Ate Sarah. Ang problema ay kung paano ko ito ipapaliwanag kay Ulrich.

"Ah. Basta. Imbitahan mo siya minsan dito, Riza. We will just have some casual conversations. Medyo hindi ko pa kasi nakakausap ang lalaking 'yon. I need to make sure my sister is in good hands."

"We are just dating, Ate! Hindi pa naman kami!"

"Naku, naku. I've been there, Riza. Alam ko kung saan 'yan papunta."

Hindi na lang ako kumibo. Wala naman itong patutunguhan. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung ano na ang susunod na hakbang ang gagawin ko.

Kinabukasan ay tumambay lang ako sa bahay at gano'n din si Ate Sarah. We spent the whole day together. Nanuod kami ng movies, kumanta sa karaoke at nag-usap tungkol sa iba't ibang bagay. Maghapon din akong inasar ni Ate Sarah tungkol kay Ulrich. Sa sobrang tuwa namin ay hindi man lang namin nagawang hawakan ang cell phone namin.