A Gamble For Love

Chapter Three

Nasa library siya sa oras na 'yun para maghanap ng librong babasahin niya, he stopped next to the bookshelves and carefully looked at the titles of the books. He had just finished class and he had an hour off so he went straight here, alam niya na karamihan ay may klase ng oras na 'to kaya mangilan-ngilan lamang ang mga narito. And he was right, he can count the students here reading or doing their homework.

Minsan siyang pumunta rito sa oras na 11:30 a.m para humanap ng babasahin ay sumakit ang ulo niya dahil puno ang library at may mga nagbubulungan pa. Pumunta pa siya sa may sulok at nagbabakasakaling hindi niya maririnig ang bulungan nila ngunit mas lalo yatang parang sasabog ang kanyang utak sa narinig na mga ungol at anasan sa may likod ng isang shelf. Even though he couldn't see what they were doing he immediately guessed it with the noises they were just making. He was so irritated, annoyed and pissed that he left the library with a darkened face. How did they dare to do this inside the library? They're not even ashamed of themselves to do that 'thing'. Marami naman na puwede nilang puntahan na lugar para sa ganoong bagay.

After that incident, he has chosen this time because very few people come here and he never heard strange and ambiguous noise again.

He was about to pull out a book when he heard his younger sister's voice, a hint of sullenness and unhappiness in her tone. His curiosity aroused and perked up his ears to listen to her.

“I really hate him! Nakakatampo talaga si Kuya, minsan ko na nga lang siya lambingin ay ang sungit pa rin niya,” she bursted out.

His forehead wrinkled. He's the reason why she's gloomy and throwing a tantrums? Is it because he didn't say 'yes' to her favor.

“I'm really curious, bakit pati sa inyo na pamilya niya ay gano’n ang trato niya, harsh and cold.”

“I don't know! All I know is he's a cold-blooded, cold-hearted and hateful person!” she grunted full of bitterness.

His eyes droop and he twitches his lips, he was aware of everything they said about him but he did not expect to hear the same words from his sister's own mouth. Well, he was not offended by what he heard but he felt a bit of guilt for turning her down.

Tahimik na umikot siya para puntahan ang kapatid at ang kanyang kausap. The woman paled seeing him emerge from the other side of the bookshelves, she is the one who is facing the side from where he came from.

“J-Jane—” bulong ng babae at atubling inginuso siya. His sister's back stiffened.

Nang huminto siya sa likod ng kapatid ay dahan-dahan siyang humarap sa kanya. She nervously look at him, eyes full of fear like she just saw a ghost. He glance at the other girl, under his chilly stare, the girl shuddered and step back.

“I—Iwan ko muna kayo!” she hurriedly said and quickly turned her hills and leave.

Hindi siya pinansin ni Jane dahil nanginginig pa siya sa takot sa pagkabisto niya sa sinabi niya. She's gripping the hem of her blouse tightly and her hands are already white because of tense.

She swallowed hard. “I—I… I'm just upset and—and I didn't mean all of those. G-Gusto ko lang naman, Kuya, na m-maglabas ng sama ng loob dahil sa p-pagtanggi mo sa favor na hinihingi ko,” she stuttered as she explained to him.

He pursed his lips into a thin line while looking at his sister's ghastly and frightened face. But still, disappointment and dismay never left her eyes. After a moment, he sighed and reluctantly said, “alright!”

Her face brightened. Joy and happiness filled her beautiful face when she heard what he said. Unbeknownst to her, she cheerfully hold his hand and her eyes twinkled. “Wala na pong bawian 'yan, Kuya!”

Tumango siya at binawi ang kamay . “Kailan ba ang party?”

“Sa Saturday, Kuya.” She giggles as if forgetting that she's afraid of him.

“Then, just tell me what to do so I don't look funny there,” mababa ang tonong bigkas niya.

“Okay!! Thank you, Kuya!” she happily said.

He nodded his head.

DAYS passed by in a blink of an eye and Saturday arrive. Sa kanilang bahay gaganapin ang party kaya naging busy na ang mga kasambahay nila para ayusin sa likod ng kanilang malaking bahay. Maaga pa lang ay inaayusan siya ng kapatid sa kanyang kuwarto. Sinimulan nitong lagyan siya ng make-up, pagkatapos ay inilagay sa mata niya ang contact lens na emerald-green ang kulay at inayos sa ulo niya ang wig na kulay red. Ilang ulit siyang kumurap dahil hindi siya sanay sa paggamit ng contact lens. And when he saw the costume he was going to wear, he scowl at his sister and didn't hide his displeasure. 

Tumabingi ang ngiti ni Jane. “M-May cloak naman upang matakpan ang chest area,” mahinang bigkas ni Jane.

Isang white double-breasted uniform double as lab coat ang costume at may kasamang kulay navy blue cloak na mayroong dalawang maluwag na mga panel sa harap na may naka-link na concave sided diamonds.

“Whatever!” he snorted.

Hindi na niya hinubad ang suot na shorts at tanging ang t-shirt lang ang hinubad niya bago isinuot ang costume. Tinulungan siya ng kapatid pagkatapos ay ipinaharap siya sa malaking salamin. Nalukot ang mukha niya pagkakita sa sarili sa salamin. The one standing in front of the mirror is strikingly beautiful, he have a pair of arched eyebrows, pouting lips and elegantly straight nose. He felt strange knowing that the person he's looking at is his own self, so if he's a woman he'll look like this.

“Y-You're so beautiful!” usal ni Jane na nakamasid sa kanya. “Very beautiful!”

His face went cold and glared at her. She hurriedly shut her mouth. Hindi na niya muling tinignan ang sarili sa salamin at humakbang. Umupo siya sa silya at tinignan ang  kulay brown na boots. He felt relieved that he would not wear sandals. Inabot niya iyon at isinuot, he move his feet and sighed. Never did he imagined that time would come when he will wear women's clothing.

“Sabay tayong lalabas mamaya, Kuya. Hintayin mo ako at mag-aayos din ako ng sarili ko!” she said excitedly at nagmamadaling lumabas ng kuwarto niya.

He massaged his temple and closed his eyes tightly. Hindi pa siya lumalabas ng kuwarto ay sumasakit na ang ulo niya. Can he still hold up tonight if he'll meet his sister's friends? Puwede pa kaya siyang mag-back out at hindi na lumabas?

“Damn!!” he murmured.

Halos tatlumpong minuto siyang naghintay sa kapatid bago siya makarinig ng katok at bumukas ang pinto. She is wearing a cocktail red dress and a black pump 3 inches sandals. Her hair is perfectly and neatly tied in a side bun style.

“L-Let's go, nasa labas na ang mga kaibigan ko,” atubling bigkas niya.

Dahan-dahan siyang tumayo at sumunod sa kanya. Sa tanang buhay niya ay ngayon lang siya biglang tinablan ng kaba. He clenched his hand and tightened his jaw. Habang pababa sila at malapit na siyang magpakita sa kanila ay namamawis ang palad niya.

What the hell is going on with him? How come he felt so agitated and nervous?

Heck! Hindi pa man siya nakakalabas ay gusto niya na magsising pumayag siya.