Xyla’s POV

I thought I’m gonna die. Akala ko yun na ang katapusan ng buhay ko. Ano bang nangyari? Bakit ba bigla ko nalang naalala yon? I thought I conquer all the fears but I didn’t. May takot parin akong nararamdaman. I sat on my bed and look on the floor. I remember that, because of that incident, hindi na nagkaroon pang muli ng family reunion ang buong Grayson. Kung hindi lang sana mga inggitera’t inggitero ang mga pinsan ko, baka kung saka-sakali, nagkasundo-sundo kaming lahat. Napalingon ako sa phone ko ng biglang magvibrate yon. I get it and open the message.

‘Ate, are you busy?’Xytee asks. I started typing.

‘Why?’ Agad naman siyang nagreply.

‘I’ll call you.’Naghintay ako agad ng tawag niya. Sinagot ko agad nung magring ang phone ko.

“May problema ka ba?”

“I just miss you Ate. Can I come there?”

“Uhh… don’t think that’s a good idea. You know, if someone sees you here, they might see you in the Acad. These boys that I’m living with, they are all studying there.”

“Is that so? I would wear contacts and wig then.” Napaisip ako.

“Make sure your wig wouldn’t be taken off on your head. These boys might mess your head and it will accidentally fall off.”

“I do have a solution for that.”

“Okay. Bring your butler but make sure that you’ll text me if you’re infront of the subdivision. I would be the one who’ll pick you up.”

“Okay Ate. Uhh… do you want me to buy something?” Hmmm… ano bang magandang ipabili kay Xytee?

“Buy me five boxes of chocolate truffles.”

“You sure Ate? Are you stressed or something?”

“Not really but, I wasn’t just the one in this house. We’re lots remember?”

“Okay, okay… I’ll buy some fruits for you too.”

“Thanks Xytee… take care. Call me pagmalapit na kayo.” I ended the call and look at the floor again and sighed. Xytee is coming. I need to fix myself. Tumayo ako’t naghilamos atsaka nagbihis. I choose to wear the white sweater that Xytee gave me and partnered it with my black shorts and I bun my hair messily. Tiningnan ko ang itsura ko. Parang nasa palasyo lang ako. I remove my contacts and wore my thick glasses. May grado ‘to dahil medyo Malabo yung mga mata ko. Sinuot ko lang yung white flip flops ko and look my reflection on the mirror.

‘Best Ate in the whole wide world.’ That was the one written on my sweater. Kinuha ko yung susi ko’t phone at umupo muna sa kama. I sighed and my phone suddenly rung.

“Ate, where here in front of the subdivision.”

“Okay, I’ll be there.” I said and ended the call. Lumabas na ako ng kwarto ko’t bumaba. I’m worried that Xytee might get mad at me. Hindi ko pa nasasabi sa kanya na okay na kami ni Belinda. Para akong wala sa sariling lumabas ng bahay.

“Xyla, sandali!” Napatingin ako sa mga tumawag sakin. I didn’t speak and wait for them to tell something.

“Where are you going? Kanina ka pa namin tinatawag.” Luhan said. Kanina pa nila ako tinatawag? Parang wala naman akong narinig.

“Sandali lang ako. Babalik din ako agad. Promise.” Sumakay na ako agad ng kotse ko at nagdrive palabas ng subdivision. Agad akong bumaba ng kotse ko’t lumipat sa kabilang daan at sinalubong ako ng yakap ni Xytee. I hug her back.

“I miss you so much Ate…” She mumbled. I was just hugging her. Paano ko ba sasabihin sa kanya? I look at her butler.

“Umuwi na po kayo. Tatawagan ko nalang kayo kapag ipapasundo ko na si Xytee. Please tell Mama and Papa that she’ll be staying with me for one week.” Napabitaw ng yakap sakin si Xytee at gulat na gulat na tumingin sakin.

“Really Ate?” Masaya niyang tanong. I smiled worriedly. Sumakay na kami ng kotse ko at nagdrive ako pabalik.

“I would love to live with you Ate. I feel so excited.” She said and I was just looking blankly. Narating na namin yung bahay at nakita kong nasa labas parin lahat except for Yaya and Bel. Bumaba ako’t kinuha yung mga binili ni Xytee atsaka narin siya bumaba ng kotse. She holds my hand and we both walk towards the boys. Tiningnan lang nila ako tapos yung kapatid ko.

“Hi, Xytee right? I’m your Kuya Xiumin.” Masayang bati sa kanya ni Xiumin. I look at Xytee and she look at me then to Xiumin.

“I don’t care.” She said and holds my hand tightly. I pressed her hand a little.

“Xytee…” I saw her rolled her eyes and heard her hissed.

“Nice meeting you Kuya Xiu-Xiu.” Napangiti naman si Xiumin. Binigay ko sa kanya yung isang basket ng prutas at yung limang box ng truffles.

“Don’t eat all those truffles. Two of that was for my Ate Lala and the remaining was all yours. Don’t take the fruits because it’s for my Ate Lala also.” They all frown. Hinila ko nalang papasok si Xytee at pumasok narin sila. I took a seat on the sofa and she sit beside me. Nakatingin lang samin yung iba.

“Do we have dirt on our face?” Ang sungit ng kapatid ko. Parang batang ako. Iniwas nalang nilang lahat ang mga tingin nila’t nanood ng TV.

“Did you eat already Xytee?” I asked and she shook her head.

“What do you want to eat?”

“I want beef broccoli.”

“Do you know that your Kuya Kyungsoo has a good cooking?” I said and she furrowed her brows.

“Kyung?”

“I’m your Kuya Kyungsoo Xytee.” Nakangiting sabi sa kanya ni Kyungsoo. Bigla akong binulungan ni Xytee.

“He has big eyes.”She said and I giggled a little.

“Yeah… his eyes were adorable.”

“And I love it.” We both said and the others eyed on us.

“Let me introduce them to you Xytee.”

“This is your Kuya Chanyeol. *I pointed Chanyeol whose sitting beside me* And the one sitting next to you is your Kuya Sehun. That was your Kuya Luhan.” I pointed out Luhan whose sitting at the floor with Lay.

“He’s beautiful for a guy.” She whispered and I nods.

“The one sitting next to him was your Kuya Lay. He was our doctor here.” Tinuro ko pa yung iba at tumango-tango lang si Xytee. Tumayo na ako pero sumunod lang si Xytee. Dumiretso akong kusina para ipagluto siya. Tahimik lang siya’t nakatitig sa ginagawa ko.

“How was school Xytee?”

“Same as before.”

“How ‘bout your grades?”

“Still high like before.”

“How ‘bout your Kuya Xylo and Xylene?”

“Better than before I guess.”

“What about Mama and Papa?”

“Still busy as always.”

“How ‘bout you?”

“Of course, still gorgeous as you are.” I smiled half. Nagpatuloy lang ako sa pagluluto hanggang matapos ko na. Ipinaghanda ko na siya and she sit at Luhan’s chair. I sat beside her and accompany her eating. Bigla namang dumating yung iba at umupo lang at tiningnan kami.

“You can get some truffles and eat if you want.” I said still eating. Tumayo naman si Xiumin at pag dating niya, may dala na siyang isang box ng truffles.

“How ‘bout you Ate? How was your stay here?” She asked still continue eating.

“Better.”

“What about Belinda? Does she disturb you?” Napahinto ako sa pagkain at nagkatinginan kaming lahat.

“Actually…”

“Xyl, anong gusto niyong ulam para mamay---” Napalingon kaming lahat sa likod at nakita ang napahinto’t gulat na gulat na si Belinda.

“Xy-Xytee…” I look at Xytee and she’s looking furiously at Bel.

“Excuse me. Nawalan na ako ng gana.” Xytee soon stood up so do I. I hold her arms and turn her to look at me.

“Xytee… I need to tell you something.”

“Ate, if you’ll only going to say that you’ve forgiven that woman, then there’s nothing to talk about.” I gulped by what she said. I looked at Belinda who’s looking sadly at me.

“Xytee listen… I and Bel were in good terms now. I’ve forgiven her. You should too.” I said but she yanked my hand away.

“Is that how easy as it is Ate Lala? You almost died didn’t you? Because of this woman.” She said pointing out to Bel.

“And don’t forget that she’s one of the reasons why Papa and you were not in good terms back then.” She’s mad. Kung nag-aapoy lang ang mga mata, panigurado akong kanina pa ako nasunog sa mga mata niya.

“Xytee it’s been a long time. I know that pain can’t be lessen that easily but you need to learn how to forgive. You should forgive your Ate Bel like what I did.”

“No Ate. Even you did, I wouldn’t. What if you were dead that time? How would I suppose to have you as my Ate right now? She’s not even worth for forgiveness.” She said and walk away. I look at Bel and tears flow from her eyes.

“I’ll talk to her.” I said and followed Xytee upstairs.

Tao’s POV

Woah, woah, woah… what was that? She’s acting like a little Xyla.

“Bel, you okay?” Kris asks and we both walk near her. She nods but tears still escaped from her eyes.

“I just can’t take that Xytee’s still mad at me and I understand her if she can’t forgive me.” Kris hugs her and she broke out. Looks like we are meeting another Xyla version 2.0