Chapter 17

I'm at home with Veia. Mom and Dad prepared a little celebration, so I invited her to come over.

My Dad's helping Mom in cooking, Sun is upstairs, changing his clothes, while I'm here with Veia. Ayaw niya na umalis ako dahil nahihiya raw siya at ayaw niyang maiwan ng mag-isa. Tsk, it seems like she hasn't been coming here before.

"Sky," she's looking at somewhere when she called me, "natatakot ako," she said.

"Scared of what?" I asked, confused.

She sighed, "hindi malabong ipakilala ako ni Sun sa mga magulang niyo ngayon. Not Veia as his Twin's best friend, but Veia whom he's courting now," by just listening to her voice, she's really scared.

"They already knew it," I replied, and her eyes really turned big, "and, you don't need to be scared, they like you," I added.

"Pero, natatakot pa rin ako."

"Don't worry, Sun's here. As long as he's with you, wala kang dapat ikatakot."

And, my heart pains again! Bakit ba kasi gan'yan 'yong mga pinagsasabi ko? Sa'n ko ba 'yan nakukuha?

"Sky?"

"Lola!" I stood up and hug her so soon. "I missed you," I whispered.

"I missed you, too, Sky," she said, caressing my back. She let go from the hug and says, "congrats, hijo."

I smiled, "thank you, La," I replied, sincerely.

"Oh, hi there, Veia. It's been a long time," and she gave her a peck of a kiss on the cheek, and Veia also does the same.

"Long time no see rin po," Veia said.

"You've grown such a gorgeous lady," Lola sat down at the couch, still looking at Veia, "mayroon ka na sigurong boyfriend," she somehow pulled some joke.

Veia looked at me, and she's nervous when she said, "w-wala pa po."

"Oh, focusing on your study?" Lola asked.

"O-Opo," Veia replied.

"But, she's soon-to-be my girlfriend, La," Sun suddenly said, who just got done changing his clothes.

Lola's brow arched up, "so, you're courting your twin's best friend?" Sun nodded, "hmm, your lives evolve to this gorgeous lady. I'm fine with it, I like Veia for you, Sun," she said, smiling.

See? Everyone likes her.

"So, Veia, when are you planning to say yes to my grandson?"

"A-Ahhh, h-hindi ko pa po alam."

"Oh? But, you have the plan to say yes?"

Tsk, bakit ba tinatanong ng ganiyan ni Lola si Veia? That's somehow so private.

Veia looked at Sun, who has been smiling. Hay. "Opo," she said, staring straight to my twin's eyes.

"That's good," Lola said. "And, how about you, Sky?"

"Me?" I pointed myself.

"Yes, do you like Veia?"

I feel like I stopped breathing!! The two looked at me, and I really don't know what should I feel! Sh*t!

"La?" confusion can be seen on Sun's face.

Lola smiled, then said, "do you like Veia for your twin?"

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag! Akala ko alam ni Lola na gusto ko siya, akala ko sobrang halata na ako!!

I nodded, "yes," I answered so soon.

She just smiled, "I'm not against that you are now falling in love, it's part of being a teenager, but don't get too blinded by love, okay? Think about your study still," she said, and both of them nodded.

"Ma? Andito ka na pala," Mom said and kissed on her cheek. "Hali na kayo at ready na 'yong pagkain," she added.

Pinauna ko nang umalis ang dalawa. Sun is accompanying Veia which I usually do. Things are really changing.

I was about to follow them, but my phone suddenly beeps and an unknown number is calling me. "Hello?" I said as I hit the answer button.

"Congrats."

I feel like I became muted for a second! It's just I am not expecting that she'll call me.

"T-Thank you, Hillary," I replied.

"Alright. I just call to congratulate you. I'm gonna end this now."

"Wait. Where did you get my number?"

"I got it from the woman you secretly like," what a description, "I asked for your number when you were sent to the hospital, remember that day?"

"O-Of course. Anyway, Anong oras ka umuwi?"

"Why?"

"I looked for you earlier."

"H-Ha?"

"I wanted to say thank you. You're one of the reasons why I won, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"So?"

"A-Ah...t-thank you."

"Alright. You're welcome."

"Okay."

Sh*t! Bakit biglang naging awkward? Kasi first time ko siyang nakausap on phone? Weird.

"By the way, Sky, don't save this number. Kay Mama kasi 'to."

Eh?

"Why aren't you using your own number?"

"Ayokong may ibang nakakaalam ng cellphone number ko."

"What?"

So selfish. Tsk, tsk!

"Yeah. This is Hillary, it's no longer surprising."

I chuckled, then I said, "you're right."

"Sky, halika na," Dad said from behind. I didn't know they've been waiting for me.

"Sige na, ibababa ko na 'to," Hillary said.

"Alright."

"Congrats again. As your friend, I'm so proud of you Sky."

And, that's very heart whelming, "thank you," and after a second, she ended up the call.

I went to the dining area, smiling, "I'm sorry for keeping you wait," I uttered as I sat at the chair.

"Let's pray before we eat," Lola said and she leads the prayer.

"Congratulations, Sky!" they all said in a chorus when Lola's done praying.

"Thank you," I replied, sincerely. "Let's eat," I added.

When everyone's busy on their food, I noticed that dad suddenly looked at me, he then whispered, "I really am wanting to meet that girl, Sky."

"Po?" I asked, confused.

He smiled and said, "that girl who can make you smile like there's no tomorrow."

My brows knitted. I really don't get him. I wanted to ask him more, but he already gives his attention to my Mom.

Tsk. Kakain na nga lang ako...pero, how can I enjoy my food if I am seeing two people who are eating sweetly? Sun has been giving her food and Veia's smile says all her feelings! Halatang sobrang saya niya. Who am I to ruin that happiness?

Hay.