My Ideal Guy (Cambridge Academy Series 2)

Chapter 49: Leave

Kyla's.

"Nice to meet you, hija," agad na bati sa'kin ni Tita Minerva nang paupuin ako sa engrandeng sofa ng sala nila.

There are cup of teas in the center table at agad na kumuha ng isa si Tita para humigop ng kape.

"Nice to meet you too, uhh…" I hesitated whether to call her "Ma'am" or "Tita" since she is the principal of Cambridge Academy.

Mukhang nahalata niya ang pag-alinlangan ko kaya ibinaba niya ang kape sa mesa at pinunasan ang kaniyang bibig gamit ang handkerchief niya. "Just call me Tita. Nasa bahay naman tayo at wala sa school," pati ang pag-tawa niya, puno ng kasosyalan.

Jake who was sitting beside me, held my waist. "She's Kyla, mom."

Biglang nawala ang ngiti sa labi ng mama niya at napatingin sa'kin. "Wait. You're Kylie's sister?" duda niyang tanong.

Nag-karera naman sa mabilis na pagtibok ang puso ko. Kung kilala ni Tita Minerva si Kylie, malamang na alam niya ring pamangkin niya ito. The confused look on her face says it all.

I shut my eyes tightly but still forced myself to smile. I nodded and acted normal. "Yes, Tita. Kylie's my sister," and I gathered my courage to ask this question that's been bothering me since earlier. "H-how did you know… Kylie po?" I smiled a little.

Mahigpit na rin siguro ang pagkakahawak ko sa aking gown, wishing that she won't tell me that… Jake and I are really cousins!

But Jake must've notice my shaking hands so he held it. Hindi ba siya nahihiya na ang clingy niya sa harap ng Mama niya?

His mom saw it but she only smiled. "I know Kylie and I know you too. Hindi kasi nababanggit ni Jake na Kyla pala ang pangalan ng babaeng ipapakilala niya sa'kin," he gave me a warm smile at medyo gumaan ang pakiramdam ko doon. "Kylie is my niece…"

Napa-singhap ako at agad kong binawi ang kamay ko kay Jake. Here it goes… the truth. I am trying to brace myself but my breathing just quickened. Sinubukan kong bagalan ang pag-hinga ko at nagawa ko lamang iyon nang hinawakan ni Tita ang kamay ko suot ang matamis niyang ngiti.

"I am happy that you changed, Kyla."

My eyebrows creased. Hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi niya dahil ngayon lang naman kami nagkita at hindi naman kami close sa school. I didn't answer and waited for her to continue.

"You don't treat Kylie as your real sister before. Palagi mo siyang tinataboy at inaaway. You must be confuse right now but I always check on Kylie when she was still a kid kaya nakita ko na rin pati ang paglaki mo. And, ngayon na lumaki na kayo, may nakita akong pagbabago sa pagsasama niyo. It makes me happy, really," she smiled more. "Tinuturing mo na siguro talagang tunay na kapatid si Kylie na hindi mo na naisip na magkaiba kayo ng nanay."

That realization hit me. And, embarassment spread through my system. Halata siguro ang gulat sa mukha ko ngayon na parang ibinulalas lang sa harap ko na ampon ang kapatid ko kahit hindi naman. Na parang ito ang first time na narinig ko na magkaiba kami ng nanay ni Kylie.

Tita Minerva chuckled because of my expression on my face. "You must be really worried that maybe you're my niece as well and Jake is your cousin," she shooked her head as if convincing me to dismiss my thought. "Kylie's mom is my sister," she paused when my mouth formed into an "O".

"Oh, that's why…" hindi ko napigilan ang mabulalas iyon.

Tama si Tita Minerva. Totoong nakalimutan ko ang katotohanan na magkaiba nga pala kami ng nanay ni Kylie. Maaaring ang relatives ko from my mother side ay hindi niya kamag-anak. Same goes with her mom… I am not connected with her mom's relatives and Jake happened to be one of them.