"Why are you wearing like that, Yaz?" tanong ni Yezlee sa akin nang makababa na ako sa sala.
I don't see anything wrong with my clothes. Nakapanlalaki naman ako ah?
"Does it look obvious?" I asked. Pero bago pa makasagot si Yez ay tinawag na kami ni Dad.
"Are you guys ready---woah. Sino sa inyo si Yezlee?" natatawang tanong ni Dad.
"Make a guess Dad." biro ko at ginaya ang boses ni Yezlee.
"Stop fooling around, Bree. Change your clothes. You're not supposed to wear guy clothes pag magkasama kayo ni Lee." sabi ni Mom.
Ugh. Damn, I totally forgot. Nasanay na kasi ako na panlalaki ang suot ko.
I immediately complied and went upstairs. I wore ladies clothes and a face mask, covering my mouth and nose.
Nadala na kasi kami dati ni Yezlee when we were 12 years old. Magkasama kaming dalawa na pumunta sa mall at nakapanglalaki ako na damit. We were so immersed na hindi malamang babae ako and totally forgot about seeing Yezlee with a guy that looks like him. Nagka-issue tuloy na may kakambal si Yezlee na lalaki. Buti nalang at naagapan agad nila Mommy so the issue didn't turn wild.
Pagdating ko sa sala ay wala na sila. Nauna na ata sa kotse. Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako at hindi masyadong nagdamdam.
"Sis, tabi tayo sa backseat!" salubong sa akin ni Yez sa may driveway. Paalis na ang van pero nasa labas pa rin siya at naghintay.
Stupid, ang init-init eh. He could have just waited inside. Masisira ang balat nya, artista pa naman.
Hindi nalang ako nagsalita at pumwesto sa likod. Agad namang pumasok si Yez at sinara ang pinto ng kotse.
"Buckle up." sabi ni Dad at nagsimulang magdrive.
I got mixed up emotions. I am looking forward to what will happen today but at the same time, I don't want something to happen today. Nakakatakot mahuli. Mas safe kung nasa bahay lang ako.
"Sis, do you have a guess where will we be going?" tanong ni Yezlee. I just shook my head and wore earphones. Nanahimik naman si Yezlee at hindi na ako kinulit.
Hindi ko namalayang nakatulog pala ako. Paggising ko, nakatigil na ang kotse at nagbababa na ng gamit sina Dad at Yez.
Oh damn!
Napabalikwas ako palabas ng kotse nang makita ko yung mga gamit na binababa nina Dad mula sa car trunk.
It's bows and arrows! My favorite!
Ah no, it's our family's favorite.
A little smirk escaped from my mouth.
"Why don't we have a bet little Sis?" tanong ni Yezlee pagkadating namin sa archery field.
Napatingin ako sa kanya pero busy siya sa pag-aayos ng gear nya.
"Kapag natalo mo ako, you can ask me a favor. But if I won, you have to replace me for a week. Deal?" tanong ni Yezlee sa akin but this time, nakatayo na siya sa harapan ko.
"We only have three shots each." I simply answered, indirectly agreeing to the bet.
I only have one wish that I want him to fulfill and that is...a secret for now.
"Seems like you two are having a game. Well, kakain muna kami ng Mommy niyo sa loob. Have fun." sabi ni Dad at iginaya si Mom paalis.
Sinuot ko na rin ang gears ko at pumili ng pwesto. Three shots. I just need to perfect those.
It's been a while since naglaro kami ni Yezlee ng archery kaya hindi ko alam kung gaano kalaki ang improvement niya.
I won't lose. Ayokong palitan siya ng isang linggo because I hate his current movie project.
"You go first." sabi ko sa kanya at nagstretching muna.
He just returned a smirk at umasinta.
Then he released the string...
Sabay kaming napalingon sa LCD monitor kung saan makikita yung board.
9 ang score. Not bad huh?
"How's that Sis?" tanong nya sakin at ngumisi.
"My turn." sabi ko at umasinta.
This is too easy.
Then I released the arrow...
Perfect!
Nagpatuloy pa ang laro hanggang sa last shot ko na. Natapos na ni Yez ang three shots nya with a score, 9, 10, 8.
While mine is 10 and 8.
I need to perfect the last shot, or else, magiging tie o matatalo ako.
I heaved a sigh to release my nervousness. Ayoko talagang palitan siya!
"Just shoot Sis. Then, well played." nakangisi nyang sabi.
Ugh, Yezlee!
I pulled the string along with the arrow and aimed at the bull's-eye while focusing my vision on it.
Then I released the string.
If I knew that this game will shake my peaceful life, I shouldn't have played this in the first place.