CHAPTER 2

"Gotcha!"

I glance to Nasya as she cheerfully shouted. She got the attention of some shop goers, yet immediately go back to their own agenda. I saw her holding a Baume et Mercier watch. It looks prime and elegant.

"Look, Sheen. I got a perfect watch for yeobo," she said happily, as if she's a little kid who got a birthday gift from her parents. She really loves calling her boyfriend, yeobo. But I kept on calling that guy, pakyu. At first, she got mad at me but I didn't mind it.

"Err... that's too expensive for that guy! Hindi naman deserve no'n," I said, disagreeing.

"You didn't like it, Sheeny? It's cute though." She used to call me on that disgusting and awful name. I hate it every time I heard that. She's using that name every time I disagree to her. At this time I won't let my superego win to my id.

"Yeah." I replied monotonously. "I have a yoga class to attend, Nasya. Mauuna na ako sa'yo, okay?"

"Wait!" She turned over the watch to the shop assistance of the store. The next thing I heard made me speechless. "I'll have it, miss." She gave her credit card to the attending lady. Then handed to her the paper bag where a gift to her not-so-ideal boyfriend was inside.

She runs towards my direction. "You really bought it, huh?" I said in an irritated tone.

"I can't let someone have it. Don't mind it, it's just a cent," she confidently replied. "Let's go!"

She grabbed my hand and pulled me as we ran. I just found myself standing in front of a fashion boutique. Nasya is Nasya after all. I can't stop her to everything she wanted to do. Besides I am just a mere asshole trying to fit myself into their family.

Her family runs a business abroad. They also owned a well-known fancy restaurant all over the country. Sometimes I couldn't help myself to get envy of what she had. Well, I am just lucky to be part of their family.

Tito and Tita are so genuine to me. After grade school, I thought I wouldn't continue my studies. Yet I was wrong.

They let me study in a spectacular university I am dreaming before. We are studying in the same university with Nasya. They allow me to take the program I really wanted. They dressed me in every special occasion I am attending. They gave me the best debut which a debutant wishes for when they turn eighteen. They gave me the comfortable life even though I am just a neglected baby when they found me.

Akala nila tito at tita ay hindi na sila magkakaanak. So they decided to adapt me. Until one day, tita got pregnant. They have been blessed with an angel, it was Nasya. Her name is Hebrew in origin and it means miracle. Isang miracle baby para sa kanila ni tito and tita si Nasya. I am two years older than Nasya.

That's why I couldn't help thinking why my parents abandoned me? Am I not a miracle for them? Maybe I am just a product of their sins before. Or I am really destined to be a neglected child.

I sometimes cursed them for being irresponsible fucking parents. Why did they allow me to live in the first place?
I woke up from a deep thought when Nasya fillip my forehead. "What are you doing there? Will you just standing there until this store closed?"

I rolled my eyes. "Do whatever you want, Nasya. Besides, wala naman akong balak na samahan ka diyan sa anniversary surprise mo do'n sa pakyung 'yon."

"Sheeny?" she said, with the I-will-kill you stare.

"Okay, Fine!" I surrender.

"You're too harsh every time you call my yeobo with that name," she said with puffed eyes.

"Hindi mo ako maloloko sa paawa mong niyan, Nasya. O siya, let me cancel my yoga class."

"Great." Nag-finger heart pa siya sa 'kin.

I call my yoga class camp to cancel my schedule. I can never escape to Nasya's favors ever. I prepared my stuffs before going to the venue Nasya prepared for her surprise anniversary. The sleeveless shift dress caught my attention. It is in the shade of black in a lightweight cashmere fabric.

I am not into fashion. I don't mind what I look. Besides it's just an anniversary surprise of Nasya to her boyfriend, pakyu. Kahit na diring-diri ako sa lalaking 'yon, mahal ko si Nasya. Kaya sususportahan ko siya kahit saan.

Siguro 'yon din ang purpose ko kung bakit ako napunta sa pamilya nila. I should act as her eldest sister.

"Are you done?" I asked impatiently. She's still busy fitting a dress for her.

Hindi talaga ako sanay sa mga ganitong lugar. Masyadong sosyal ang store na ito sa kagaya ko. I rather spent my time in my yoga class than to buy unnecessary things like this. Ang dami ko pang damit sa bahay na hindi ko pa naisusuot.

"Just wait a minute. I'm still choosing my dress," she replied.

Minutes passed before she went out in the fitting room. "What do you think of this dress? Does it look good for me?" It was a slinky thin-strapped midi dress that suited her godly aura. She looks dazzling and delectable in her dress.

"Hoy, Sheeny!" tawag niya.

"Can you please stop calling me by that name?" I said annoyingly.

"Answer my question then."

Kahit kailan talaga sumasakit ang ulo ko kapag kausap ko si Nasya. "That's okay."

"W-what? Just okay? I want it to be excellent, you get it?" she replied with a face of dismay.

"Edi, you look excellent."

"Sheeny!"

"Sige na. You look perfect with that dress. Okay na?" sagot ko. Alam kong kapag nagtataas na ng boses si Nasya, napipikon na siya.

"Great." I saw her face brightens with my approval. "I'll take this, miss," she said to the lady.

"Okay, ma'am."

*****

"Oh my G! You look elegant, Sheeny!"

Nabigla naman ako sa naging reaksyon ni Nasya. I am wearing the dress I bought yesterday in the boutique shop. When I look at the mirror, it doesn't appeared good in my eyes.

Besides, I am not the one who has a special occasion to attend with. In fact, I felt the awkward styling Nasya did after I wore the dress. I weren't able to fit it since I don't have plans at first to support Nasya with her gimmicks.

"Ang OA mo," sagot ko.

"Just add these accessories and you are good to go, Sheeny." Iniabot niya sa akin ang isang lalagyan ng mga alahas niya.

I wear the silver necklace and hoop earrings. I paired my dress with pastel brown peep-toe stilettos with an ankle strap. Hindi ako sanay sa ganitong hitsura. I better wear a jeans and an oversize shirt than this kikay look. Pero sa pagkakataong ito, napasuko ako ni Nasya.

"Bilisan mo na diyan bago ako mainip," reklamo ko sa kaniya.

"I'm done," she replied quickly.

Pagkatapos ng maraming kaartehan sa buhay ni Nasya ay umalis na rin kami. Nagpahatid na kami kay kuya Deo papunta sa venue. She rented a resort nearby and texted that pakyu guy to meet us there.

Nang makababa kami sa sasakyan ay nakita ko kaagad si pakyu. Mabilis namang nagyakapan ang dalawa. I am watching the most nauseous kiss I've witnessed ever. Bakit kaya hindi nandidiri si Nasya sa pakyu na 'to? Iniangat ko na lang ang tingin ko sa langit. The stars shine brightly in the middle of a peaceful darkness.

Pagkatapos nang nakasusuklam na halikan ng dalawa ay pumasok na kami. "Surprise, yeobo!" masayang bati ni Nasya kay pakyu.

"Oh! Thank you so much, love. You've made my heart flattered," sagot niya. Naiirita talaga ako sa lalaking 'to. Maang-maangan school of acting ang datingan. Alam ko namang inaasahan na rin niya ito.

Si Nasya lang talaga ang nag-e-effort sa kanilang dalawa. Buhay prinsipe naman itong pakyu na akala mo pinalaki sa ibang bansa. Kung si Nasya madali niyang mauto, pwes ako hindi.

"I'll be back, Nasya," paalam ko.

"Where are you going, Sheeny?"

"Magpapahangin lang. Ang sama kasi ng nalalanghap kong hangin dito." Sabay tingin ko kay pakyu. Nginitian niya naman ako na akala mo ikina-gwapo niya.

"Take your time, Sheen," sagot ni pakyu.

Inirapan ko siya. Kaagad akong umaliis para lumanghap ng sariwang hangin. Iniwan kong silang dalawa. I can't bear seeing longer the face of that pakyu guy. Dumeretso ako sa dalampasigan. Binati naman ako ng masarap na tunog ng tubig. Ilang oras din akong naglakad-lakad sa dalampasigan. Mabuti na lang at maliwanag ang buwan. Kahit papaano nakalimutan ko ang pakyung hitsura ng lalaking 'yon.

"Ahh!"

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad nang marinig ko na may sumigaw. Galing 'yon kung nasaan si Nasya. Anong nangyari sa kaniya?

"Si Nasya!" taranta kong sabi. Biglang lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko. "F*ck you, pakyu!" I cussed.

@phiemharc - C2