The Girl Who Cannot Write Love Stories ✓

3: Manifestations

Akala ni Quinn ay magigising siya sa mga halik ng nakababatang kapatid kagaya ng nakasanayan. But this time, it is different.

Napabalikwas siya ng bangon. It's rather a dog licking her face. Her eyes widened in horrification. Then, panic kicks in.

They do not own a dog! At bakit natutulog siya sa inflatable mattress—

"Good morning, Adanna!" She rubs her eyes. She finds the enthusiasm overwhelming for an early morning. Gusto niya pang matulog. Mahihiga pa siya muli nang mayroong mapagtanto.

She sits up straight with bulging eyes.

So last night... last night was not a dream.

She blinks numerous times until Jae manifests in front of her eyes. Galing ito sa kusina, may suot na apron at hawak na spatula. "Breakfast is ready."

Amanda, who is sitting across her on her inflatable mattress, jolts out of her seat. She quickly follows her brother. Sumunod din ang aso nilang papillon breed. Habang siya naman ay naiwan nakatulala sa kawalan– her mind cannot process everything.

What the hell is happening?

Gusto niya pang bumalik sa pagtulog. This must be a fcking dream.

**

"Is this for real?" Tanong ni Quinn sa sarili. Her mind is not playing tricks on her— no, it is!

"Wait. Sila ba talaga si Amanda and Jae? Their parents are Amara and Jonathan. Their surname is also Evans. Tapos Jae is a photographer..." She barges into the kitchen having a monologue. But the words spewing out of her mouth get more ridiculous as she carries on. Natigilan sa pagsubo si Amanda.

"Is she down this bad?" Amanda nudges Jae. Napa-iling na lang ang lalaki kahit naaalibadbaran kay Quinn.

"I'm sorry." Napasapo si Quinn sa noo niya nang mapansing nakatingin sa kaniya ang magkapatid. Her temples are pulsing. Pakiramdam niya ang braincells niya ay katulad ng mga mini-spongebob wherein the files have caught fire and everything is in haywire.

"Uhm, may nakita ba kayong notebook? Kailangan ko na kasi talaga umuwi." Gosh, she cannot be slacking off right now. She still has a deadline to meet. The time is ticking like a freaking bomb.

Napatikhim si Jae. "At least have breakfast first."

"But—"

"No buts in this flat, Quinn. Mamaya mo na hanapin 'yon," he motions for her to take a seat. "Please."

Para siyang nabinggi sa sinabi ni Jae. Kinilabutan siya nang marinig ang pangalan niya mula rito.

Is this really the Jae from my imagination?

"Come join us, sis."

Napabuntong hininga siya. They're so persistent, no? Wala siyang magawa kung hindi sumalo sa kanilang dalawa. Totoo naman sila, hindi ba? They're not just a figment of her imagination. Hindi naman tumatagos ang ilaw sa balat nila.

Pinagmasdan niyang kumain ang dalawa. Their beauty is ethereal. Hindi niya ito kaagad napansin kagabi at ngayon ay malaya siyang panoorin ang mga kasama. They both have fair skin. Amanda has a small pointed nose, full lips, well-groomed brows with an oval-shaped face and delicate jawline.

Jae, on the other hand, has a well-defined nose and strong jawline with angular face. Both have a very dark brown eyes. Kung maamo at expressive ang mukha ni Amanda, madalas stoic naman ang datingan ng mga tingin ng binata. Quinn cannot even spot pores on their faces. Parang nilulok ng isang magaling na iskulptor into perfection.

"Totoo ba talaga kayo?" She blurts out. Disbelief plaster on their faces. The two cannot be more bewildered.

"I... I must be lost," she says to herself. "Masyado na ba akong napapraning para mapanaginipan ko kayo nang gan'to?" She laughs dreary. Tiinampal-tampal niya ang mukha niya.