Chapter Sixty-four

Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang braso ni Chelsea gamit ang isa kong kamay habang umiiling sa kaniya rito sa loob ng infirmary. Gamit ko sa paghawak sa kaniya ang kamay kong injured-free habang naka-upo ako sa kama, ang mga paa ko ay nakalaylay lang sa baba at hindi abot ang sahig. I needed to still her firmly because she was raging.

"Bitiwan mo ako, Hanselle! Kakalbuhin ko talaga ang lalaking iyon! At talagang ang kapal ng mukha niyang magpunta rito!" halos pasigaw na sabi niya habang sinusubukan niyang kumawala sa hawak ko.

"Huwag na, Chelsea. Okay n-na ako!" I hiccuped that reached her ear. I tried so hard to stop myself from crying, luckily, after a couple of minutes, only hiccups remained. I couldn't let Chelsea out of this room or else, she would beat the hell out of James. Baka kung  anong gawin niya roon sa tao.

Okay naman na ako. Nagamot na ni nurse Chin ang paso ko sa kamay at sinabihan niya akong ipahinga na lang ang kamay ko para mas mabilis gumaling. At this rate, I didn't think I could do jobs with this hand. She also gave me medicine prescription to help me heal this burn fast.

"Hanselle…" Parehong naagaw ang atensyon namin ni Chelsea ng mahina ngunit puno ng pag-aalalang boses na iyon.

I held Chelsea's arm even tighter to keep her beside me because she started reaching for James again, seemed like ready to claw at the poor guy.

"Aba naman! Look at what you did to her, James!" singhal ni Chelsea habang galit na nakatingin kay James. Since I was holding tightly on her, she could only glare at James while pointing my burnt hand that was now properly covered with a gauze.

James ignored Chelsea and walked slowly towards us, eyes only fixed intently on me. Somehow, I could again see the old James I knew, the James I had treated once as a friend. Kaibigan pa rin naman ang tingin ko sa kaniya kaya hindi talaga ako makapaniwalang nasabi niya ang mga iyon sa akin, pero ngayon, hindi ko na alam.

I didn't know if it was him that I had lost or that it was me that he had lost.

"I'm truly sorry, Hanselle. Hindi ko s-sinasadya…" He apologetically told me in a very soft and regretful voice.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at mas humigpit ang hawak ko kay Chelsea. Sa lagay ng tingin niya kay James, sigurado akong kapag binitiwan ko siya ay hindi niya palalabasin si James ng buhay rito, pero hanggang doon lang ang kaya kong gawin para sa kay James. I didn't think I could easily forgive him after what he did.

He had ruined the only friendship I could still offer him. May chance pa sana dahil gusto ko rin namang ibalik iyong dati naming pagkakaibigan. No, I was not mad over my burnt hand, I was not that shallow, I was mad because of how he thought of me, of how he had considered his feelings just as a stupid competition.

"Okay na ako, James. Don't worry…" I blandly told him. Bumaba ako ng kamang inuupuan ko at hinarap na ang kaibigan kong nanggagalaiti pa rin. "Let's go, Chels." Bumaba ang kamay ko sa kamay ni Chelsea at hinila na siya para lagpasan si James. Hindi nakalagpas sa gilid ng mga mata ko ang pagbubuntong-hininga ni James habang yumuyuko.

I hoped, he learned from his mistakes. Competition? Kailanman ay hindi ko inakalang maiisipan niya ang ganoon.  I really hoped, I just really hoped he learned.

Matamis na nginitian ko ang kapatid ko nang masulyapan ko siyang bumababa ng abong Cadillac na huminto sa parking lot ng airport habang nakatayo ako sa isang gilid ng waiting area. Bumukas rin ang pinto ng driver's seat at lumitaw mula roon si Papang na naka-itim na coat at asul na tie.

My father immediately went to the tank and took out Holly's stuff for her. Hindi rin nakalagpas sa paningin ko ang dalawang itim na sasakyang nasa likod ng sasakyan ni Papang. Bodyguards. I really couldn't afford having someone following me and watching after me. It was safe alright but I wouldn't feel private at all.

"Ate Hanselle!" Holly giddily called me as she instantly ran towards me upon seeing me. She was prettily wearing a pink floral crop-top—sleeveless at that, black tight tattered jeans and a black wedge. May nakapalibot na itim na jacket sa baywang niya and a wayfarer was on her head, taming some strands of her hair being her ears.

Napanganga na lang ako dahil sa sense of fashion ng kapatid ko samantalang tanging white v-neck shirt lang ang suot ko at faded denim jeans. I just wore a white converse high shoes. Tanging ang Hanoff watch na regalo sa akin ni Tita Zia lang ang hand accessory ko.

Aware ba itong kapatid ko na malamig ang klima sa Seoul?

Tinalon niya ako bigla ng yakap at langhap na langhap ko ang kaparehong flavor ng shampoo na gamit ko sa buhok niya. At this rate, obvious na obvious ang pagiging excited niya. Not that she hadn't met BTS yet. She did, of course.

Nagtungo ang kapatid ko noon sa concert ng BTS dito sa Manila. And she even had signed CDs and posters of BTS. She must have gone to some of BTS fan signing events in Manila way before when they were still holding events like that here. Ngayon kasi ay sa piling mga lugar na lang sila nagpa-fan meeting. It was because of the growing numbers of their fans and the fast improvement of their fame.

"Holly, baby. Don't you think you packed so much clothes. Dalawang linggo lang naman kayo roon," my father said as he tailed behind my sister while carrying Holly's mini stroller, color pink at that. Kasunod niya ang apat na lalaking naka-itim na polo at pare-parehong tahimik lang at nagmamasid sa paligid.

Bumitaw si Holly sa akin at nakangiting nilingon si Papang. "Thanks, Pang," ani Holly bago kinuha kay Papang ang stroller niya.

I immediately leaned onto my father and gave him a gentle hug. "I missed you, Papang." I told him. Niyakap niya ako pabalik. I even felt him softly caress my back.

It was actually very inconvenient for him to personally drive Holly here since he had a lot of works to do. I could only imagine his full-packed schedule, but then I remembered, wala nga pa lang mas hahalaga sa kanila ni Mamang kung hindi kaming magkakapatid. They could always set everything aside just for us.

"I missed you too, Hanselle," sagot niya pagkatapos ay bumitaw na.

"Actually, I'm planning to shop clothes when we get in Seoul. OMG, I'm so excited!" tuwang-tuwang sabi ni Holly.

Na-iiling na lang si Papang sa kaniya. Malamang iniisip niya kung bakit adik na adik si Holly sa BTS. I knew, he and Mamang were both thinking that.

His brows immediately crossed when his eyes diverted to my hand. "What happened to your hand, Hanselle?" puno ng pag-aalala at may kaakibat na pagtatakang tanong ni Papang. Mabilis niyang inabot ang braso ko at pinakatitigan ang naka-gauze ko pa ring kamay. Tatlong araw pa lang since the accident happened. Gusto ko nang alisin itong gauze sa kamay ko kaso masyado pang sariwa ang sunog ko sa kamay.

I was afraid it would leave a mark though.

"Ah, I accidentally burned my hand, Pang," sagot kong habang pinagmamasdan ang madilim na anyo ni Papang. The last thing I wanted to happen right now was to make my father worry about me, baka hindi na niya kami hayaang maka-alis.

"OMG, Ate! Don't tell me you were trying to cook?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Holly. She even had her wide eyes to me as if she was asking me a ridiculous thing.

I gasped at that. "Hindi ko ba puwedeng subukan?" I asked her, almost pouting.

"Anong ginagawa ni manang Bing at hinayaan ka niyang magluto, Hanselle?" medyo galit na sabi ni Papang kaya muling nabaling sa kaniya ang atensyon ko.

Oh crap, this wasn't good.

Mabilis akong umiling. "No, Pang! It's my fault. This has nothing to do with anyone, I did this to myself. But don't worry, I'm fine," sabi ko para hindi na mag-alala si Papang at baka kung anong sabihin niya kay manang Bing, madamay ko pa iyong inosenteng tao.

Lihim naman akong napabuntong-hininga nang makita kong bahagyang lumambot ang timpla ng mukha niya at maramdaman ko ang marahang paghaplos niya sa ibabaw ng gauze ko sa kamay. It moved me, to be honest. Minsan lang ako manlambing sa mga magulang ko, hindi rin ako madalas masaktan at wala naman sila sa tabi ko kaya hindi nila ako talagang naaalagan.

I knew, that was my fault, but it was seriously moving to see my father's softness for me.

"Did you already see Doctor Sanday? What did he say?" Papang asked softly, referring to our family doctor.

I shook my head as I sighed. "There was really no need for it, Pang. I had this checked up na po. I think we need to go inside." I hid my bandaged hand behind me the moment my father let it go. Itinuro ko ang loob ng airport dahil may flight kaming kailangang habulin.

My father sighed in defeat. He then nodded in resignation. "Alright, alright. Pumasok na kayo. Mag-iingat kayo roon," ani Papang saka sulyap muli sa akin. "Hanselle, take care of your sister. Seriously, you two should take care of yourselves there. Mag-enjoy kayo roon. Don't forget to call when you get there. You don't want your mother go paranoid, right?" mahabang paalala ni Papang bago niya kami hinayaan nang makapasok sa loob ng airport.

We both gave him kisses and hugs as we bid him goodbye, nodding to all his reminders. I didn't forget to tell my father not to mention anything about my hand to my mother. She would really go paranoid about this little injury.

Holly and I waited for almost two hours at the boarding area before we heard our flight being called. Tanghali na kaya baka mga hapon na kami makarating sa Incheon. Before we boarded, I called Aly first. I told her I was coming to Korea, of course I didn't forget to mention my sister. Sinabi kong sa kanila kami tutuloy ng kapatid ko, makatipid man lang kami pareho plus miss ko na rin sila.

Tuwang-tuwa si Aly nang malaman na darating ako. Sinabi niyang maaga siyang uuwi para makapaghanda, sinabi rin niyang tatawagan niya sina Em at Evah para ipaalam. Natapos ang tawag dahil marami raw tao sa Bunnies ngayon, she apologized to me but I told her that it was okay.

Pareho kaming nakatulog ni Holly buong oras sa biyahe. This would be my sister's very first out of the country trip and I couldn't believe she was being comfortable in the plane. The first time I rode a plane, I felt nauseous.

"OMG ATE! Nakikita ko lang itong Incheon International Airport sa mga videos and I can't believe I'm here! Dito madalas mag-runway ang BTS showing their airport fashions!" Holly screamed the moment we arrived at the arrival area of Incheon Airport. She left her stroller and ran around the wide area, ignoring at all that we were in a crowded and foreign place.

Napangiti ako dahil sa inaasal niya. I was happy that she was liking this. Hinawakan ko ang stroller niya since tanging backpack lang naman ang dala ko para maglakad na at sundan siya. I didn't really have a sense of direction, it would take more time for me to memorize routes, so I decided we take a cab. I still remembered the village and the address of the house though, it was in Seoul. Kapag nakita ko na ang street ay paniguradong malalaman ko na ang daan.

"Ate, let me pick the hotel," ani Holly habang nasa loob kami ng taxi at busy siya sa pagkalikot sa phone niya.

"Hindi tayo mag-ho-hotel, Holly. Tutuloy tayo sa dati kong tinitirhan noon," sagot ko sa kaniya habang nakatingin sa harap. Balik Korea na ako. There was really this feeling, I didn't know if this was nostalgia or euphoria, the feeling of overwhelming happiness because once again, I was here again in this country.

The feeling again of having to breathe the same air Jimin was breathing… it was euphorically nostalgic. I would probably find this feeling again and again.

"Huh? So we won't be staying in a hotel?!" Holly's voice slightly raised that made me look at her. Hindi makapaniwalang nakatitig sa siya sa akin, dismayadong-dismayado ang mukha. Kung hindi ko lang siya kilala, iisipin kong naiiyak na siya.

"May problema ba roon?" takang tanong ko sa kaniya.

"Pero one of my to-dos here is to stay in a hotel in Seoul!" She pouted at me.

I rolled my eyes. "You can just drop off that one. Mas mabuti nang makatipid tayo sa accommodation. Isa pa, matutuwa ka kapag na-meet mo ang mga kaibigan ko," sabi ko sa kaniya.

Umirap na lang siya at hindi na muling umimik. I didn't know she had plans and I was sorry for ruining it. Nasisiguro ko namang mag-e-enjoy siya e. I couldn't imagine what would happen if my sister met my friends.

I smiled as the cab stopped in a lane of a familiar street. Ang pamilyar na dumpling house ay naroon pa rin sa may kanto. Madalas kaming mag-take out ni Aly roon at sa bahay namin pagsasaluhan lahat. It was just a snack house and was opened 24/7. May mga mesa sa labas para sa mga customers na wala nang mapuwestuhan sa loob. Big umbrellas were outside too to keep the tables caved.

Ilang metrong lakaran na lang mula rito ay makakarating na kami sa bahay. Bukas ang mga street lights for the villagers dahil maggagabi na rin at nanunoot na sa katawan ko ang lamig na hatid ng panggabing hangin ng Seoul.

"Wow, houses in Korea are really like this, huh?" namamanghang sabi ni Holly habang pinagmamasdan ang buong paligid. "They all look the same!" she exclaimed.

I sighed silently. I couldn't argue with her though because she was right. Halos magkakahawig nga lang ang hitsura ng mga kabahayan dito sa village na ito. Not totally same with all matters but I could say that this village had only one architecture who designed all the houses.

"Let's go, Holly. We still need to a walk a distance," sabi ko sa kaniya. Hindi naman na siya nagreklamo at tahimik na sumunod na sa akin. I guessed she was still filling up her eyes with all the things she could see here in Seoul. I might add, we both loved Korea.

Since madalas ay mga seven ng gabi ang uwi noong tatlo, then I guessed they were still out. We would need to wait here outside since the clock just ticked at six. Ayaw ko namang istorbohin si Aly para sabihing dumating na kami dahil alam kong busy siya.

Our house's security wasn't something that only needed a code. Kung gaanon ang kaso ay puwede na akong pumasok, ngunit keys ang gamit naming apat. I surrendered my key to them when I left. So in the end, we just stayed at the house's porch and waited for them. Parating na ang mga iyon panigurado.

"Ate, dito ba talaga tayo tutuloy? Are you sure you lived here? Is this even a house?" My sister had been saying nonsense things for about a minute now. Naka-upo siya sa stroller niya habang nanatili akong nakatayo.

I was already wearing my mint thick jacket and a white bonnet, protecting myself from the freezing cold of the night. She wore a wedge so maybe her feet were already aching. She was also already wearing the black jacket on her waist a while ago. November na kaya malamig na ang klima rito sa Korea.

Nilingon ko siya nang matapos ang pag-uusap namin ni Papang. I called him to say that we arrived safe. Kailangan kong gawin iyon para sa ikatatahimik nila ni Mamang lalo na at dalawa kami ni Holly ang narito ngayon. Muli nila akong pinayuhan na mag-ingat at bantayang mabuti si Holly.

Next, I called Chelsea. She had been ringing me. I was sure she wanted to know if we arrived here safe.

"This is a house, Holly. Hindi mo ba alam na ito ang pinaka-komportableng lugar na napuntahan ko rito sa Seoul? So stop saying nonsense stuff about this house." I firmly told her while holding my phone.

"Duh, there are lots of nice hotels here. Why would you want me to stay here?" She rolled her eyes, showing me how expensive of a brat she was.

That was Horisse Liana Ursula, that was my sister for all of you. She was a luxury herself, the perfect definition of luxury. She got all things that screamed luxury. She was my opposite. Alam niya kasi kung saan siya nababagay. She knew she had money so she was spending them pretty good… pretty good.

Tsk, tsk. My parents had spoiled her pretty bad though.

"Didn't I tell you we need to cut our budget short? At saka may mga kaibigan ako rito. You really need to act properly in front of them or else, I'll leave you here alone," banta ko sa kaniya habang pinanlalakihan siya ng mga mata.

She glared at me as she opened her mouth to say something but then closed her mouth before pouting. She even stomped her feet hard, though she knew, I couldn't do that. I couldn't leave her here alone.

Sa tingin ko, hindi mabubuhay si Holly na ako ang kasama. She wouldn't last a day living with me because I would cut all of her caprices. Matututo siyang magtipid kapag ako ang nakasama niya. But I knew, my parents wouldn't let that happen. Hays, what should I do with my sister? And my parents?

Nagkausap kami saglit ni Chelsea. She said she was with my brother. Kaya kahit na gusto niya pang patagalin ang pag-uusap namin, matapos kong sabihin sa kaniya na maayos kaming nakarating ay tinapos ko na ang tawag.

"HANSELLE!"

Matapos ang ilang minutong paghihintay ay dumating rin sa wakas si Aly. She was wearing a brown furry long coat that hid her inner clothes, may suot siyang gloves at naka-brown boots at may nakasabit na sling bag sa kanang balikat niya. She immediately ran towards me.

"OMG, YOU'RE REALLY HERE!" she screamed, thread of cold smoke coming out from her mouth. Nakatitig siya sa akin na para bang hindi siya makapaniwalang nakikita niya ako.

"Aly! Kamusta na?" nakangiting tanong ko sa kaniya. I widely opened my arms to embrace her. Niyakap din niya ako pabalik.

"I'm fine! Kanina ka pa? I'm sorry, sinabi kong maaga akong uuwi kaso na-late si Moira, alam mo namang siya ang karelyebo ko sa shift, 'di ba? I'm very so—" Aly immediately halted when her eyes found my sister who was just looking at us with a ridiculous look, her arms were crossed in front of her chest. She really needed to act good. "Oh, who's this munchkin?" Aly then asked confusedly pointing at my sister who was now raising her one brow.

"Munchkin?" Holly immediately reacted, her face deteriorated as she huffed. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mga mata dahil sa inaasal niya ngunit inirapan niya lang ako. This brat!

"Ah, Aly. She's my sister. I did mention to you that I'm with her," sagot ko kay Aly. "She's Holly."

"Holly…" Tinawag ko si Holly. She just blandly turned to me, uninterested and still very irritated. "She's Aly. She's one of my friends here. You should call her, Ate Aly," sabi ko sa tonong kailangan niyang sundin ang sinasabi ko habang pinanlalakihan pa rin siya ng mga mata.

I knew my sister, she wasn't actually very easy to get comfortable with. Hindi naman siya aloof at unapproachable na tulad ko pero nakakaloka naman kasi ang ugali niya. Don't get me wrong, mabait ang kapatid ko, brat lang talaga.

Bumuntong-hininga si Holly. "Hi, Ate Aly," she greeted Aly. She didn't forget to check Aly's appearance though.

Medyo napangiti ako. At least, that was a nice shot.

"Oh, hi Holly! Naku, we should get inside first! Gosh, ang lamig! Sorry to keep you waiting!" ani Aly at binuksan na ang pinto para makapasok kami.

Hindi ko napigilang magpakawala ng malalim na buntong-hininga nang maramdaman ko ang init na hatid ng bahay pagpasok namin. Sobrang lamig sa labas.

"Maupo muna kayo! I'll just get you something to drink!" Itinuro sa amin ni Aly ang pamilyar na couch na nasa pamilyar na sala set.

Wala pa ring pinagbago ang bahay. It was still the same just like how I left this house months ago. I remembered us crowding in this living room while watching some Korean Dramas or shows, I remembered us eating snacks here and I remembered us talking random things here if we were on our days off.

Nakaka-miss pala talaga.

Naupo kami ni Holly sa sofa habang si Aly ay nagtungo na sa kusina. Busy ang mga mata ni Holly sa pagtitingin sa paligid. Inabala ko naman ang mga mata ko sa phone ko at nakita kong may mensahe si Jimin. He was just asking me if I already ate dinner.

"She's brands," Holly suddenly said out of the blue. Nilingon ko siya para lang makitang nakangisi siya. "You're not befriending low-life people after all," aniya.

"Holly! I said stop saying nonsense things! Kailan ka pa natutong mang-degrade ng ibang tao? You don't choose your friends, Holly," inis na pangangaral ko sa kaniya dahil hindi ko nagugustuhan ang mga lumalabas sa bibig niya. Mabilis akong nagtipa ng reply kay Jimin. Mukhang hindi sila busy sa mga oras na ito dahil nakakapag-text pa siya.

"I'm just telling the truth, Ate Hanselle. Take your life as an example. All of your friends are all rich, sila Ate Erian, Ate Nivi at Ate Cale, 'di ba?" aniya, mentioning my college friends. Kilala niya ang mga ito dahil iisang school lang naman ang pinapasukan namin noong highschool pa ako habang nasa gradeschool siya.

Of course, they were my friends, but not exactly how I was friends with Aly, Evah and Em and Chelsea. Those friends she was talking about were only there if they wanted to shop which was I was not really interested with since my mother got us our personal shopper but they were still my friends.

"They're my friends, yes, but we're only friends if they have new clothes. If they have new trend brands. Sila Aly… ah, nevermind. You'll never understand me anyway." Umiling-iling na lang ako para ipakita sa kaniyang napapagod na akong kausapin siya at wala namang point pa kung ipapakita ko sa kaniya dahil komplikado.

She crossed her legs and leaned on the back rest of the couch. Hindi ko mapigilang mapakunot-noo habang ngumunguso siya na para bang hindi niya nakukuha ang sinasabi ko. "That's the fun of having friends with the same rate as you, Ate. Y'all have the same interests. Take my life as an example." Patuloy pa rin siya sa pagsasalita. She flipped her shoulder length Brazilian hair and busied herself with her small pouch bag. Inilabas niya mula roon ang phone niya.

"Ah, don't talk to me with that kind of mindset. Manahimik ka na lang diyan," saway ko sa kaniya. Ibinalik ko ang atensyon sa phone ko ngunit wala pa ring reply mula kay Jimin.

Bakit ko nga ba ipipilit sa kaniya ang kung anong mindset mayroon ako gayong hindi naman siya namumuhay kung paano ako namuhay noon habang nag-aaral pa ako? Our lives had big differences. Kung ako, noong college ay nahihirapan sa pag-ba-budget ng allowances ko, siya naman ay gastos kung gastos. When I was just barely having signature clothes before, then she was all but brands now.

There were so many instances before where I was always being forced to use my parents cards because I had rich friends who spent lavishly for their whims. They were always dragging me to some famous stores to shop, while my sister was willingly spending money with her friends.

Luckily, nakikinig pa rin siya sa akin.

Bumalik na si Aly sa sala dala ang isang tray na may dalawang mug ng sa tantiya ko ay hot chocolate at ilang cookies. Wala pa rin sina Evah at Em. Naiintindihan ko si Evah dahil madalas iyon mag-overtime, but Em was unusually late tonight.

"Where's Em? Late na ah?" tanong ko kay Aly habang inaabot sa kapatid ko ang isang mug ng hot chocolate matapos kong magpasalamat.

"You won't believe this. A talent scout noticed her while she was playing at the theatre. They invited her to audition on their company and the witch really slayed on her field. They gave her a contract. Hanselle, artistang tunay na si Mutya!" tuwang-tuwang balita sa akin ni Aly habang pumapalakpak sa single couch na inuupuan niya. She was truly happy for Em. I was not surprised though. Em was a talented girl. Noon pa man ay inaasahan ko nang malayo ang mararating niya kung seseryosohin niya ang pag-arte.

Actually, she was much better than those actresses nowadays. Ang iba kasi ay talagang ganda lang ang puhunan. My friend, Em was a total package. She had the beauty and the talent, though there was this one thing I was worried about her. Naalala kong hindi tumatanggap ng kissing scenes ang babaeng iyon. That would really come out as a hindrance in her career. She needed to think about it.

"Hindi na nakakagulat iyon, Aly. Ang galing kaya umarte ni Em. I hope she starts her debut as soon as possible. I can't wait!" nakangiti kong sagot. I just let my sister eat silently. Hindi niya kailangang makisali sa mga ganitong usapan.

Tumango-tango si Aly. Itinuro niya sa akin isa pang mug ng hot chocolate sa tray dahil napansin niya yatang hindi ko pa ito ginagalaw. Tumango ako sa kaniya.

"She will. As for now, HIT Entertainment is planning a debut for her. They're keeping her low-profiled for now since the company wants to give her a real debut. Mas maganda nga namang masurpresa ang mga viewers," aniya.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. Em really hit it big! I expected her career to boost, but HIT Entertainment was an entirely different thing.

"Did you just say HIT?" I asked, confused. Napa-ayos ako ng upo dahil talagang hindi biro ang HIT Entertainment.

"Yes. Em is now a talent of HIT," sagot niya habang tumatango-tango.

HIT was the number one entertainment company here in Korea. They were known for scouting talented artists. Ang lahat ng mga talents nila ay may mga malalaki ng pangalan dito sa Korea.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Aly. "I'm so happy for her!" I exclaimed.

"WE ARE!" she said with the same happy tone and we both laughed. Binitiwan ko na siya pagkatapos at inayos ang sarili sa sofa.

"Ah nga pala, alam ba ng boyfriend mo na nandito ka sa Seoul? Magkikita ba kayong dalawa? You know, I want to see Taehyung," she said as she grinned, not really aware of the situation she just put me in.

My eyes widened at her remark. Dahan-dahan kong nilingon ang kapatid ko na ngayon ay nakatitig sa akin habang nasa mga labi niya ang mug, kunot ang noo at nagtatanong ang mga mata. I then turned to Aly. Pinandilatan ko siya ngunit mukhang hindi niya nakukuha ang gusto kong sabihin dahil nagpatuloy lang siya.

"They're having a fan meeting here," dagdag pa ni Aly.

I face-palmed. That would only confuse my sister more… or suspect.