Ocean of Feathers

Chapter 79

The short story is dedicated to Wenelene Cerio. Thank you for helping me during the muting days!

Chapter 79

He's my childhood friend. He's my knight in shining armor, my savior and my hero. Simula pa lang ng bata ako ay nariyan na si Roy sa tabi ko. I like him so much that I wished to spend my whole life with him.

But how is it going to happen if he's just treating me like a little sister?

"Wenelene, ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sa 'yo na huwag ka nang sumama sa mga kaibigan mong iyon. Have you heard about Cherie? She's not a good example for you."

"How? Did she try to hit on you? Your friends? Bakit ganyan mo i-judge iyong tao? She's my friend and I knew her well than you."

"But I knew you too well than her. You're easily to—"

I stepped forward to meet his eyes. Mas inangat ko pa ang mga mata ko para higit na mas malapit ang mukha namin sa isa't isa.

"Too well, Mr. Roy De Vera? You sure?"

I've been trying to convey to you that I like you so much, but I have this feeling that you keep dodging it.

Am I not pretty enough for you? Am I too dumb for you since you're the Mr. Hot popular genius of our campus? Bakit hindi mo ako tingnan sa paraang gusto ko, Roy?

That were my thoughts, but I couldn't say it in front of him. Because I am tired of his indirect rejection.

Siya ang nag-iwas ng tingin sa akin. "Just listen to me, Wenelene."

I rolled my eyes. "I hate you."

I turned my back and walked away from him.

Halos isang linggo na kaming hindi nag-uusap ni Roy. Our fight last week wasn't really a big deal for me, but I used it as an opportunity to cover up my hate for him. Sa lahat-lahat.

Buong akala ko ay tatagal pa ng ilang linggo ang away namin pero nang kinaumagahan na wala kaming pasok, I saw him inside our dinning room with my family, eating casually as usual.

"Hey, Wenelene." He greeted me with his wide smile.

Inirapan ko lang siya pero tumawa lang siya sa akin. "Why are you here?"

"I am asking you for a date."

Madalas niya iyong sabihin sa harapan ng mga magulang ko. It should have given me butterflies in my stomach, pero iba naman kasi ang ibig sabihin niyon sa aming dalawa. Friendly date or worst siblings' date.

"I am busy. I have assignments. You should ask Wellena." Close din naman kasi sila ng little sister ko. But she's six years younger than me.

Hindi ako tumabi sa kanya at diretso akong umupo. I silently ate my breakfast without glancing at him. Pero ramdam ko ang nakasunod niyang mga mata sa akin.

"What?" iritadong tanong ko sa kanya.

"Mukhang basted ka na sa anak ko, Roy." Ani ni Daddy na agad nagpalingon sa akin sa kanya.

"Dad, what?"

My mom giggled. Narinig ko rin ang nagmamadaling yabag ni Wellena mula sa hagdan hanggang sa pawisan na siyang makarating sa kusina.

Nalilito akong sumulyap kay Roy na nagkakamot ng ulo.

"I'm sorry if I've been trying to—" ipinilig niya ang ulo niya. "I mean... your Dad said that it should be study first... so I waited until you reached your 4th year. I know... it is still months before we graduate, but I really want to date you."

Umawang ang bibig ko sa naririnig ko.

"W-What?"

Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin ko kay Roy at Daddy.

"It's okay now. This man already proved himself. And I like him, matalinong bata..." sabi ni Daddy.

What the hell? So, all this time... it wasn't me but my parents? Sila ang unang nililigawan nitong si Roy!?

"So... can we date, Wenelene? I like you since we were kids."