The following day, my sister called again and informed me that they're already here. I was feeling a bit guilty and shameful for my treatment towards her but there's still a part of me that feels resentful.

I would be lying if I say that I don't want to reconcile with her. It's just that I've been so used to in being mean and harsh towards her so now that even just the thought of being nice to her seems so weird already.

I did my usual routine and even went to the gym after my classes. Martell and I then went to this garden restaurant for dinner.

"This place is nice," I commented, then turning while opening my arms for some dramatic effect.

I inhaled the crisp air of the night and sighed contentedly. Martell and I roamed around first and I got to see different plants which I really think would amaze Vanilla.

There was also this gazebo in the middle of the perfectly manicured lawn. It was lit by fairy lights and it honestly looked like it came straight out from a fairytale.

A table for two was situated under a large tree which was also adorned with fairy lights. There were also lanterns scattered around the place and I must say, this is by far the most magical-looking garden I've ever been to.

"You like it here?" Ani Martell nang makaupo kami.

May malaking ngiti akong tumango at ipinalibot ulit ang tingin. Hindi nagtagal, dumating na rin ang pagkain namin kaya nagsimula na kaming kumain sabay kuwentuhan.

Our conversation went from our studies, to arts and fashion, then to foods and then his offer with the record label until our talk reached the topic about my sister.

"I think you should try to see her as herself and not as this evil step sister image you created in your mind," he advised with a smile while slicing the second steak we ordered.

I remained silent while reflecting with his words. I guess I've been to caught up with my fairytale fantasies that I actually told myself to see Gemini as this evil sister. It's like even though she's not that bad, since I'm an avid fan of Disney, I made her the Drizella and Anastasia to my Cinderella.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," pagsang-ayon ko at tumango-tango. "I hate to admit this but it's actually unfair on her part."

He glanced at me with what seems to be a proud smile before continuing with slicing the steak.

"Here," aniya sabay lahad ng pinggang may na-slice na na steak. "So you can eat while thinking," dagdag niya at nagsimula nang i-slice ang isa pang steak.

I smiled at his thoughtfulness. Who would've thought that he actually has this really sweet side?

Damn, you really look like someone whom I'm gonna cry my heart out for, Martell.

"I'm not imposing, though," he said, then lifting his head to meet my eyes. "It's still up to you, Axyne."

"You have a point though," I answered. "But I'm really curious on what kind of powers you have that I suddenly feel like I'm being influenced into being this nice person?"

He leaned smugly on his seat and smirked. "It simply means that I'm a good influence on you, Axyne."

Patuloy kaming kumain habang nag-uusap. Nang matapos, naglibot-libot ulit kami sa buong garden.

Sa gitna ng paglalakad namin, may tumawag sa kaniya kaya lumayo-layo siya muna. I took some selfies and some pictures of the garden while waiting for him.

"Want me to take a pic of you?" Aniya nang makabalik.

Tumango ako at saka nag-posing sa gitna ng malawak na espasyo at ang nasa likuran ko ay ang gazebo.

"Look to the side a bit and tilt your head," he instructed. He then gestured me to move and even told me to do some poses!

"Since when did you become a photographer?" I asked teasingly. Kung makapag-utos kasi siya parang nagpho-photoshoot talaga kami.

"Ngayon lang," maikli niyang sagot sabay taas ng cellphone. "At exclusive lang sa'yo."

Dahil sa narinig, bigla akong napangiti. Lumapit siya sa akin at pinakita sa akin ang litrato. Tama nga ako at nakuhanan niya ang pagngiti ko.

"Nice smile," he commented.

Siyempre, galing sa'yo 'yan!

We then took some selfies together and it seems to me that he's enjoying it. Kontento na ako sa mga litrato na nakuha namin pero nag-request pa talaga siya na sundin namin ang iba't-ibang mga poses na nakita niya raw sa internet.

Pagkatapos nun, hinatid niya na ako sa apartment. May malaking ngiti akong nag-ayos at saka natulog.

Katulad ng naplano, dumiretso ako sa ospital para bisitahin si mama Celestina. Naging busy ako nitong nakaraan at hindi na kami nakapag-kita. Balak ko ring magkuwento sa kaniya tungkol kay Martell.

Unlike my friends, mama doesn't go around trying to let everyone know whom the guy I like is.

Bago pumunta sa opisina ni mama, pumunta muna ako sa cafeteria at saka bumili ng yogurt. Habang naglalakad, may nakabungguan ako kaya natapon ang kinakain.

"Sorry!" Anang isang pamilyar na boses.

I was about to pick the container but instead, I brought my eyes to the person whom I bumped into. My eyes widened to see whom it was.

My eyes then went down to her belly and the word "shock" is an understatement to what I'm currently feeling.

"Gemini?!" Gulat kong sambit sa kapatid, hindi makapaniwala na nandito siya.

"For the first time, you didn't say my name with disgust," she said in an amused tone.

"Sorry," sabi ko sa mababang boses at saka napatingin sa gilid, hindi alam kung saan ibabaling ang mga mata.

Natahimik ang kapatid kaya binalik ko ang tingin sa kaniya. Nakanganga siya at naestatwa sa kinatatayuan.

I snapped my fingers in front of her and raised a brow. Bumalik na rin naman siya sa wisyo at napailing-iling na lang sa sarili.

"Aish, this pregnancy is making me hallucinate," she whispered to herself while looking down at her belly before bringing her eyes back to me. "So, how are you?"

I was about to give her my usual mean reply but the conversation I had with Martell replayed in my mind. I really have no idea what's with that guy that I suddenly have this part in my mind that tells me to think before I speak.

It's like there's this miniature Martell with angel wings and a halo on my shoulder who's whispering to me to be nice while on my other shoulder is a miniature of myself that tells me to do the opposite.

"I'm good, you?" Iyon lang ang nakaya kong sabihin dahil naiilang pa rin ako sa kapatid.

Kung noon, ayaw ko siyang kausapin dahil naiirita ako sa kaniya, ngayon naman, hindi ko siya makausap dahil sa kahihiyan ng pagtrato ko sa kaniya.

Natahimik siya ulit at malaki ang mga mata akong tinitigan na parang hindi makapaniwala sa narinig.

"I'm not hearing things," bulong niya ulit sa sarili habang hinahaplos ang tiyan.

Napakamot na lang ako ng ulo at napayuko. Hindi ko alam kung paano dapat kumilos kaya pipiliin ko na lang manahimik.

"I owe you a yogurt," she said, breaking the silence between us.

I didn't know what to reply so I just chose to nod. We walked to the cafeteria in silence and sat on the farthest table.

Nagtinginan lang kami ng kapatid at tatayo pa sana pero pinigilan ko siya. Nagulat siya sa ginawa ko pero sinenyasan ko siyang maghintay at ako naman ay bumili ng pagkain para sa aming dalawa.

We ate in silence but I can feel her stares at me. I'm sure that she's wondering on why I'm acting like this. She probably thinks that I'm not her sister or I ate something that miraculously made me act this way.

I closed my eyes, gathering all my courage before facing her. "I, uh, I'm sorry, Gemini."

Her eyes widened again and choke on her food. I rushed to her side to help but she gestured me to stay put.

"What's happening, Galaxy?" 

Napangiwi ako nang marinig ang pangalan dahil iyon ang nakasanayan kong gawin tuwing tinatawag niya ako sa palayaw.

"Are you sorry because I'm pregnant? Is it pity?" She spoke again with calculating eyes. "You don't have to be."

I shook my head and looked down, suddenly finding my fingers interesting. "It's not that. I, uh, realized... I mean, someone made me realize that I've been so unfair towards you."

Muli ko siyang tinitigan at sinubukang huwag alisin ang tingin sa kaniya. My sister has a smile on her face but her eyes looked sad. I also just noticed the close resemblance between us.

Ngayon ko lang siya natingnan nang ganito kahaba at hindi ko mapigilang mapaisip kung ano nga ba ang pumasok sa ulo ko at inaway ko siya nang inaway.

We've been living with each other since birth but I barely know her. And it's my fault because I was blinded with resentment.

And now that I'm thinking about this, I just realized that it's not Gemini whom I dislike. It's our father. It just so happens that I directed it to my sister because she always made the effort to get close to me. Sinuklian ko ang pagsisikap niyang maging mabuting kapatid sa akin ng kasamaan.

"I'm sorry," I said again. "I'm sorry for directing my anger for our father and my bitterness towards you. I was envious of the attention they showered you with and I felt bad because I always feel outcasted but then it's not your fault. Hindi mo kasalanang anak ako sa labas at hindi mo kasalanan na wala ako ng klase ng pamilya na gusto ko kaya pasensya na kung ikaw ang sinisi ko."

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako nakakuha ng lakas para masabi ang mga iyon. Nakakahiyang aminin ang mga pagkakamali ko at ang mga nararamdaman ko. Wala na akong mukha na maihaharap sa kapatid pagkatapos nito.

Hiyang-hiya ako sa mga aksyon ko at gusto ko na lang batukan ang sarili. It was immature of me for blaming her for my misery and even worse of me for trying to make her miserable as well.

"I'm sorry because I wanted to made you feel miserable as well," I added, still not taking my eyes off her even though I'm on the verge of crying.

If there are tears of pain and tears of joy, what I'm about to have are tears of humiliation.

Ayaw ko mang aminin, gumaan ang loob ko. I find asking apologies humiliating because first, I'd have to admit to myself that I made a mistake and I have to admit it to the person whom I did wrong as well. What's worse is that I would then feel weird, guilty and shameful but at the same time, free.

She shook her head and smiled. Then reaching for my hand. "You're making me cry! Please tell me this isn't a prank."

I shook my head, then laughing a little. I didn't expect this kind of response from her but I'm glad that she's not mad. I'm glad that she's not like me.

Pinatabi niya ako sa kaniya at saka ako niyakap. It's weird because we're hugging each other from the side because we're both sitting and also because it would be hard for us because of her baby bump. It's also weird that she's hugging me because this is the first time I allowed her to do such.

As much as I don't want to admit this, I'm actually relieved that we're in this state. It's nice to be embraced by her even though we're in an unusual position.

"Aren't you gonna ask me on how you can make it up to me?"

Nagulat ako sa tanong ng kapatid. Hindi ko man siya palaging tinitingnan at kinakausap, inoobserbahan ko naman siya. At isa sa mga alam ko tungkol sa kaniya ay hindi siya pala-hingi.

Though I'm surprised, I still asked her. I feel like it would also be better if I do something for her because I also want to make it up for the years I treated her badly. Alam kong hindi ko na mababawi ang mga pinanggagawa ko noon pero gusto kong bumawi.

"Call me ate," aniya. "Pwede ring sis."

Tumango ako sa kaniyang request at napailing na lang. Tama nga ako at hindi siya pala-hingi. Kung meron man, katulad iyon ng hiningi niya sa akin.

After we finished eating, I invited her to my apartment. Saka ko na lang bibisitahin si mama at ipapakilala ko rin sa kaniya ang kapatid.

My sister didn't tell me anything about her pregnancy except for the fact that she's seven months pregnant and that she plans to give birth here. I can sense that she wanted to tell me more but I didn't urge her. I do not know how to be a sister but I guess I should treat her the way I treat my friends since they're like my sisters too. But maybe just add a little more respect for Gemini.

"You said someone made you realize that you've been unfair to me," she said, then sitting on the couch. "Whoever that person is, he or she is a good one."

I smiled, then sitting beside her. I should really thank Martell for this because if it wasn't for him, I'm sure that I would've lashed out on my sister when we bumped into each other earlier.

"How'd you say so?"

"Hmm..." she caressed her belly and glanced at me. "Because that person made you reflect on your actions which also made you apologize. That person just made you want to do what you did and it's like the good influence just rubbed off on you."

Bago pa ako makapag-isip ng isasagot, nagsalita ulit siya.

"That person was also gentle with you and didn't force you to do anything because you're the type of person who'll do the opposite of what you're told. It seems to me that you apologized in your own will," she added, then turning to me with a proud smile. "Whoever that person is, he or she is good for you."

"You really think so?"

Alam kong seryoso ang kapatid pero hindi ko pa rin mapigilan ang sarili na kiligin lalo na nang sinabi niya na mabuti ang taong iyon para sa akin.

If the person we're talking about is someone else, I probably wouldn't make a big deal out of this. But since it's Martell, my avid-fan-of-destiny-and-fairytales self is rejoicing.

"Mhmm..." tumayo siya at saka naglibot-libot sa aking unit habang ako naman ay naiwang nag-iisip habang sinusundan ng tingin ang kapatid.

"What do you think of a pregnancy photoshoot?" Tanong ko sa kapatid. Mukhang nagulat ko pa siya sa tanong at naestatwa na naman sa kinatatayuan. "I'll organize everything."

"Really?" Aniya sa hindi makapaniwalang tono at bumalik na sa tabi ko. "You'll do such for me?"

Tumango ako at hindi na napigilan ang mga ngiti. Pinahiran ko ang gilid ng kaniyang mga mata dahil mukhang naiyak pa siya dahil sa offer ko.

Niyakap niya ako ngunit mahirap iyon dahil sa malaki niyang tiyan. Sabay kaming natawa at napailing na lang.

I offered to let her stay for the night and she happily agreed. I let her use the bathroom first while I was left thinking on what I should prepare for dinner.

I really want to make it up for Gemini and knowing her, she'll appreciate it more if I exert effort. I feel like it's gonna take a lot of work but I really don't mind.

I was in the middle of searching on what foods are safe for pregnant women when the doorbell rang.

"Martell!"

He was leaning on the door so when I opened it, he literally fell. Good thing that I was able to catch him.

"Oops, I fell," aniya at natatawa pa sa nangyari.

Ako naman, sinubukang patayuin siya dahil hindi ko nakayanan ang bigat niya.

I always daydreamed about such thing happening— I would have this "fall" and my prince charming would catch me and then we'd stare at each other's eyes and it would be the beginning of our love story.

That certain imagination of mine is so vivid in my mind and I always prepared myself for such that every time I'm about to fall, I wouldn't hold onto anything because my mind is always expecting that someone would catch me.

And those times when I thought that someone would catch me, nobody did so instead of experiencing my fairytale, I ended up with bruises.

Ngayon naman, nangyari nga iyon pero kabaliktaran naman. Imbes na ako ang saluhin, ako iyong sumalo kay Martell. At imbes na mag-eye contact kami, pinaayos ko siya ng tayo dahil nabigatan ako.

Maybe next time. Anang isang boses sa isipan ko.

"Hey, Axyne," Martell greeted with a boyish smile. He messed with his hair and showed me a paper bag.

Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na ilang paper bags na ang natanggap ko kay Martell. Kaunti na lang talaga at iisipin ko nang may naka-stock siya ng mga iyon.

Pinapasok ko siya at sakto naman ang paglabas ng kapatid mula sa kwarto ko.

The two stared at each other and I saw how Martell opened his mouth as if he was about to greet her. He had his usual curious look while his eyes went back and forth between my sister and I.

"Gemini—" I paused when I remembered her request. "Ate, rather... this is Martell." My future boyfriend.

Napangisi ako sa naisip na ikinalito naman ng dalawa. They gave me a weird look and shook their heads before shaking each other's hands.

They exchanged pleasantries but there was something odd with Martell's expression. It seems to me that he has something in his mind that's bothering him.

Bumalik sa kwarto ko si Gemini kaya naiwan kaming dalawa ni Martell. He gave me the paper bag and I sat on the couch to open it.

"Where did you get this?" I asked, surprised to see an identical teddy bear of my Nana.

"I, uhm... had it made," aniya, mukhang nahihiya. "Do you like it? If you don't—"

Hindi ko na siya pinatapos at niyakap na siya. I felt him stiffen and that's when I realized what I did. Akmang lalayo na sana ako pero ipinalibot niya ang kaniyang braso sa baywang ko kaya nanatili kami sa ganoong posisyon.

"Thank you," I said in almost a whisper.

His embrace is warm and comfortable and I don't mind staying in such position. The only thing I'm worried about is that he might feel my pounding heartbeat. Baka malaman niya pa kung gaano ako kabaliw sa kaniya.

"Dagdag pogi points 'to sa'yo, Martell," sabi ko sabay tawa.

"I'm pretty sure I have lots of it already," aniya at natawa na rin sabay gulo ng buhok ko.

Hindi na rin naman nagtagal si Martell dahil may pupuntahan pa raw siya. Ako naman, tumakbo papuntang kwarto para makuwentuhan ang kapatid.

Dahil sa nararamdaman, huli ko nang napagtanto na nagkukuwentuhan kami ng kapatid. This is the first time we had a "sister talk" like what most siblings do and I'm honestly having all these overwhelming emotions and I feel like my heart is gonna burst!

"Aww! Look at you," ani Gemini. "But hey, I must admit, that's so nice of him to give you such."

May malaking ngiti akong tumango at saka niyakap ang binigay ni Martell. Hindi ko pa alam kung anong itatawag ko sa kaniya pero basta hindi Nana ang gagamitin kong pangalan.

It really looked identical with Nana and the only difference is that this one has a small pocket sewn in front of it. And of course, it doesn't look worn out.

Nahiga ako sa kama at saka kinuwentuhan siya tungkol sa amin ni Martell. Sinabihan ko rin siya na si Martell ang tinutukoy ko na nagpa-realize sa akin na mali ang pagtrato ko sa kaniya.

"He's a God-sent, don't you think?" Anang kapatid habang hinahaplos ang tiyan.

Tumango ako at saka kinuha ang phone. Balak ko sanang ayain ang kapatid na mag-selfie at saka iyon i-post sa Twitter ngunit may isang litrato akong nakita at bigla kong pinagsisisihan na binuksan ko pa ang phone.

"Or maybe not," I replied.

Napabangon si Gemini sa gulat at kunot-noo akong tinitigan. I scoffed and shook my head, then showing her the picture of Martell and Irene... kissing.