I Was Her

Chapter 20

PEONY'S POINT OF VIEW.

I am standing in front of the mirror, looking at myself, worried. I don't know if I look weird wearing all pink, kahit pa ba sinabi ni Pen sa'kin na kahit anong suotin ko ay okay lang, duh? Ayoko naman siyang ipahiya sa mga bisita nila kaya hindi ko maiwasang mangamote.

I saw my brother walk inside my room; he's just standing there, looking at me, while his other hand is massaging on his chin, like he's thinking and checking what I'm wearing.

"You look nice." Bulalas niya.

"Really?"

"Yes, and our older brother is getting impatient waiting for you," he says, biglang naging bored face. I smile and I face him so he can see me clearly. I make a pose.

"Is this really okay, Dhaval?" I ask. He breathes, and he thumbs up.

"Yeah, Dean is waiting; hurry," he says, walking out of my room without closing the door. I frown. Why is he always like that? Buksan-buksan niya 'yung pinto tapos hindi marunong magsara!

Hindi ko maiwasang mapa buntong hininga sa mga kuya ko. 'Yung isa napaka bugnutin-laging nakakunot ang noo tapos kung hindi nakakunot, madalas nakasimangot. Tapos 'yung isa naman parang laging boring na boring sa buhay, hays!

Nagtaka pa ako sa mga kapatid ko eh isa 'rin naman ako sa kanila.

I take out my mini shoulder bag and the paper bag in my bed, walk out of my room, and go straight to the living room, where my older brother is impatiently waiting for me. Kunot noo niya akong tinignan habang nakaupo siya sa single couch.

"Okay kana?"

Ikaw okay ka pa?

Naitikom ko na lamang ang bibig ko para mapigilan ang sarili ko na matawa dahil sa kabugnutan ng kuya ko, tumango-tango ako.

"Yep!" I say, smiling.

Buntong hininga na tumayo siya.

"Double check if you forget something to bring." Aniya at naglakad na palabas ng bahay, nakangiting sumunod ako sa likod niya hanggang sa makarating kami sa kotse niya. I put my gift on the back seat.

"Text dad that we are on our way."

"Yes," I say, and he starts driving.

I unlock my phone and text my dad that I'm on my way to my best friend's house. After I texted him, I dialed Pen's number to call her, and she answered it in two rings.

"Yo?" Bungad niya, I press the loud speaker to hear her clearly.

"I'm on my way."

"Sure, call me again if you've already arrived."

"Alright, I'm nervous."

"Well, don't be. Be confident, Pen; even if you think you are weird, you are still stunning."

I didn't say a word because I don't know what to say.

Silence came between us.

"Wait, is your friend gay?"

Kunot noong napalingon ako sa kuya ko na diretso lang ang tingin sa pagmamaneho, kunot 'din ang noo niya, nag-aantay ng sagot ko.

Napataas ang dalawang kilay ko nang marinig ko ang mahinang pag tawa ni Pen. Shit! She heard him!

"She's not! My God, Dean?" Wala sa sariling bulalas ko.

"I'm not mister; I love Dick more than anyone else," Pen says.