“Bago yang kotse mo ha. Please lang huwag mong gasgasan agad.” Paalala ni Seulgi sa pinsan. Wala pang isang araw yung kotse ni Wendy since they got it released from the auto dealer. Magkatabing naka-park ang Jeep ni Seulgi at ang bagong Prius ni Wendy while waiting for their dates. Five ng hapon ang usapan pero almost thirty minutes nang late ang magkapatid.

“I’m not too worried about that. Mas worried ako kasi first time kong makikita si Lolo after all these years.” Napatingin si Wendy sa sapatos niya. She cannot seem to face Seulgi with this one. There’s a reason why she and her parents migrated to Canada.

“Lolo doesn’t hate you Wendz.” Pag-aassure ni Seulgi sa pinsan. She knew there’s a feud between her mom and his tito.

“I wouldn’t blame them if they do.” Wendy let out a deep sigh. Her dad was once a prosecutor like Seulgi’s mother. Tired of the pressure, he decided to move away for good, leaving the burden with Seulgi’s mom.

“It would’ve been much better if you took me with you.” Seulgi patted her cousin dearly.

“Kung pwede lang Seulgi. Kung pwede lang talaga.” Napakalaking pagsisisi ni Wendy na iniwan nila si Seulgi. She knew how lonely her cousin was kahit noong nasa Pilipinas pa sila. She cannot even imagine how hard it was for Seulgi when they went away. But then, looking back, she couldn’t have done anything as a kid. And now that she’s older, she decided to pursue her studies in the Philippines as an opportunity to make up for the lost time with her cousin.

“Basta, whatever my mom says, just don’t talk. That’s an advice you’ll thank me later for.” It’s how Seulgi survived all these years. Oo na lang siya ng oo sa lahat ng gusto ng mommy niya. There are times when she cannot take it all in because the bars of expectation just got higher lalo na she’s taking the footsteps of being a lawyer.

Biglang lumabas ng bahay ang magkapatid. They’re equally mesmerizing as they should be.

Natulala si Seulgi sa itsura ni Joy. She has seen her best friend in an evening gown before, kung counted man ang prom. But this, she agrees that Joy has indeed grown into a fine young lady. She quickly retracted her stare upon realizing Wendy is just beside her. She shifted her gaze to Irene, and man. She really got distracted.

Wendy was smiling sheepishly. Parang nainlove siya lalo sa ayos ni Joy.

“Wow, bago kotse mo?” Tanong ni Joy sa date.

“Yeah, Seulgi helped me pick it.” Sagot ni Wendy. She’s still awestruck.

“Joy, ikaw na bahala dyan kay Wendy ha. Ikaw magnavigate ng Waze!” Tawag ni Seulgi sa best friend. It’s kinda awkward doing this. Parang ang hirap umarteng normal lang sila uli ni Joy. Not after the confession with matching kiss sa kanya last time. It’s etched on her mind. And every time she reminds herself about it, it hurts really bad knowing that acting on her feelings would be a crime.

“Oo! Akong bahala.” Tipid na sagot ni Joy at pumasok na sa bagong puting kotse. Nakita na naman niya kung paano tumingin si Seulgi sa ate niya. Gusto niyang aminin na nagseselos siya, pero on what grounds? Wala namang sila, never naging sila, at never magiging sila.

Nauna na sila Wendy magdrive. Seulgi opened the door for Irene.

“Gentlewoman naman pala.” Asar niya kay Seulgi pagkaupo niya sa shotgun seat.

“I always am. Hindi mo lang siguro napapansin.” Seulgi shrugged as she readied the engine.

“Napapansin ko!” Sigaw ni Irene. “Hindi ka naman mabiro.” Patuloy na pang-aasar niya dito. Lately, she’s really comfortable with Seulgi. To the point na, joking around is an everyday staple for her.

—-

“Wendy!” Tawag ng lolo nila pagkarating na pagkarating pa lang nila sa venue.

Seulgi noticed a lot of big names among the crowd. This party isn’t the typical celebration one would say. Nag-mano lang siya sa lolo niya to let him know she’s also there and then she went with the Maria sisters at naghanap ng table. Hinayaan lang nila si Wendy to catch up with the birthday celebrant.

May mga ilang tinanguan si Irene sa mga guests. Yung iba, nakikilala niya sa mga shoots. She watched at how Seulgi looks very