I Could Fall

Chapter Ten

The next morning, I woke up too early while the time passed annoyingly slow.

Maaga pa lang ay namili na ako ng isusuot. I chose the white sleeveless turtleneck, boyfriend ripped jeans, and white sneakers that my mother bought for me when we were shopping. I don't wanna overdress but I want to dress up nicely just in case...

I have so much time that I even decided to put on a small amount of makeup. I brushed my eyebrows, applied mascara and blush. For my lips, I used a nude lipstick and some gloss.

Nang sumapit na ang lunch time ay bumaba na ako. Hindi na naghintay na ipatawag sa maid. Mom and Dad was already there but I was more surprised to see Ate Lavie who was seating beside Kuya Xavi. Hindi ko maalala ang huling beses na pumunta si Ate Lavie sa bahay namin. She's been so busy with college.

"Ate Lavie," I called.

Lumingon silang lahat sa akin. Ate Lavie's eyes widened upon seeing me. Tumayo siya para salubungin ako.

"Little Hyon, I missed you!" she happily stated and hugged me briefly before releasing me. "Wow. You look so beautiful... and not so little anymore. Dalagang-dalaga ka na talaga."

I blushed a little. "Thanks, Ate."

Naglakad kami papunta sa dining table. I sat beside my mother who was proudly looking at me.

"You finally wore the clothes that I bought you!" she said.

"She's even wearing makeup. May date ata?" Kuya Xavi teased.

Nag-init ang mukha ko. God. I hate being the center of attention!

"I don't have a date, Kuya!"

"Stop it, X. May group project sila ni Dashiel kasama ng ibang kaklase. Right, Hyon?" Ate Lavie sweetly defended my honor.

"Oh? Why is she so dressed up then? Nandoon siguro ang crush?" patuloy na pang-aasar ni Kuya Xavi.

Hindi ko na nakayanan ang pagkahiya. Tinakpan ko ang mukha ko. Mas lalo namang tumawa si Kuya Xavi.

"See? It's true," my brother amusingly said.

"Kaninong bahay ulit 'yon?" tanong ni Daddy. Now, he looks a little bothered. Kasalanan 'to ni Kuya Xavi!

"He's a transferee, Dad. Si Atticus Santiesteban po," sagot ko.

"Santiesteban?" sumeryoso na ang mapang-asar na boses ni Kuya. "Kapatid ba 'yan ni Alister?"

I think I might have blushed at the mention of his name. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin kay Kuya at nagpanggap na abala sa paglagay ng pagkain sa aking pinggan.

"Uh... Yes, Kuya."

"Okay. Let me remind you that you're only sixteen..." Kuya Xavi started. Napatingin ako sa kanya dahil doon. Tumigil na siya sa pagkain at deretso ang tingin sa akin. He's very serious right now!

"I know, Kuya!" nahihiyang sabi ko.

"Oh, don't be so strict, Xavi. I was sixteen when I had my first boyfriend," Mommy scolded my brother.

"And you're proud of that, hmm?" si Daddy naman ngayon ang sumali. Mukhang nanghahamon sa tono ng boses. Oh, God. This is a disaster.

"No!" Mommy exclaimed. "I'm just saying that it's normal to go on dates and be curious at her age. She's already sixteen. She's not a kid anymore."