Just The Way You Are
"Fair enough." Arqui read the contract and it was her opinion.
It was stated there that the farmers shall have the authority to live for as long as they want but there were certain conditions. Of course, it was still her property and she has the right to decide for the rules. They could break it and leave or they could agree and stay. They only fought for their right, what else would they want to not follow what's in the contract, an inheritance? Anyway, her rules were not that difficult to obey.
She sneered. "Yeah. And finally, I've done a great thing in my life." she said proudly while stretching her arms over the arm rest of the couch where she lied on.
"Congratulations, then." Arqui said nonchalantly as usual.
She rolled to the side to look at her sister. "And have I told you about the girl who have challenged me?"
"A girl?"
Her head bobbed. "Yes, a girl. Well, she's a farmer's daughter. The extraordinary one that dared me."
Arqui chuckled. "What the.. She's gotta be something."
"I couldn't agree more. I had a chance to talk to her but you know what? She kept on firing me with her outwit remarks. Could she be atleast thankful for my reconsideration?" she complained lying on her back again against the couch. And her mind was set at the time where Ayen was talking to her.
Ayen was indeed a tough girl and she did not know how to feel about it. Would she be annoyed because the girl knew how to mock her back which nobody dared to do so? Never before she had encountered such a witty girl. Ayen was incredible.
"Well, in your case, you lost from a bet. And it's normal that she's treating you that way. You never knew each other until that night. So expect that you will be her forever enemy. And.. you're pissing her off, I could tell." Arqui grinned.
She shrugged her shoulders.
She could not stop herself from teasing Ayen. It was like taunting words would easily escaped from her mouth and there starts an argument. Besides, she find Ayen interesting. The reason why she intendedly talked to her earlier. But it did not do any good.
Arqui might be right.
She would be her forever enemy. Ayen was probably proud of herself for winning over her and it was honestly her first time to lose a bet. Never she had ever thought that some naive girl would take away her pride.
"Heathe," Arqui snapped in.
She blinked her eyes several times to get back to reality. She spun her head towards her sister that had been clearly waiting for her attention. She kind of oblivious from daydreaming.
"Yeah?"
Arqui rolled her eyes. "I thought you didn't like her?"
"I never said I like her, either." She rolled her eyes back at her sister.
It was one thing that they hated to do to them. If other person rolled eyes at them, they would certainly punish them. But because they were sisters, they kinda not taking it big of a deal.
"You are thinking about her. I can sense that."
She scowled. "As if, Arqui. I'm not thinking about her. She's such a meanie. And besides, you know me. If I like a girl, I wouldn't deny it. I'mma show-off!"
"You're only saying that because she treaded over your ego. Trust me, sooner or later you'll realize that you like her. Or worse, love her."
Her eyes broadened. Arqui was insane to think such things. She threw her a pillow that only made her sister giggle as she dodged the cushion.
"You're such a meanie as well, Arqui. You and Ayen could make the best couple!"
Arqui just smiled unaffectedly before waving goodbye to her. She shook her head realizing how come she got affected by her statement? She shouldn't have been so defensive because Arqui would not stop teasing her to Ayen.
She pulled herself upright into a sitting position. Diverting her thoughts to the things she must do tonight. Her friends did not call her already which was unusual. They used to go out every night and if they weren't calling her, something was wrong. Anyway, she had not thought of flirting tonight. It seemed that this was not her night at all. So she basically had to think something else to do and staying in their house was the least of her choice. She'd die.
Also, she couldn't expect Arqui to be with her haunting girls to flirt with. Her sister has something worthy to do in her life while she was being a happy go lucky brat. And Arqui prefered to be with boy friends rather than girl friends which makes her sister looked like masculine type of a lesbian which wore sexy dresses. In addition to that, Arqui was a gangster. Not the low-class one because she and her boy friends were all stunning.
Coleen de Gracias from the last night was her mortal enemy. But Cole's brother was Arqui's bestfriend. She was fond with the brother but not with the sister, ever. When Arqui found out about their loathe towards each other, she also teased her that she might like Cole eventually. That's why taunting her with Ayen recently would not ever get real.
Suddenly, she got an idea!
She stood up and climb upstairs. She took her favorite denim jacket and motorcycle key. Suddenly, she seemed to be in a hurry as if she really had an important thing to get done.
On her way past the living room she saw Arqui again and noticed that she had changed her clothes. Might be going somewhere as well.
"Racing again?" Arqui asked.
She shook her head. "Nope. I have to go somewhere, Arqui."
"Oh, I just thought you need a gorgeous audience."
She chuckled. "Miss watching me burning up the racetrack?"
"Alright, let me pretend that I did not know you lose." She teased once more.
Her eyes squinted. "What the hell? Aren't you done mocking me yet?"
Arqui put her arms around her and playfully kissed her cheek. She deliberately wiped it off in irritation. Arqui was annoyingly clingy!
"I'll be off for a week. I bet you'll gonna miss me teasing you."
She was halted and turned to her, surprised. "Where are you going?"
"Davao. I have an important thing to do with the CLL, that's all."
"Davao?! It's too far! What the hell are you gonna do there?"
Arqui patted her with a laugh. "Just have to sort things out. You know me."
"And why should it be that far?"
"Has our mother just arrived?" Arqui was not being serious, she kept on giggling as she asked questions. "Don't worry, what's the sense of being twins if you failed to feel I'm not okay?"
Before she could respond again, Arqui turned back to her in an instant. She just shrugged it off. Although she was worried but Arqui was old enough to take care of herself. Her twin sister honestly gets into trouble and solves it all alone, so why did she have to worry?
She went to the garage to get her big bike. When they both at the driveway, she honked her horn to signal Arqui she was going. They headed the opposite directions. Unlike the way she drove the car, she's more careful carrying a motorcycle since the day she had witnessed a live motorcycle accident. Both of the driver and his passenger's demeanor were unimaginable. She never wished to die with a mangled body nor smashed face. But still, being a racer was already in her blood and she's too stubborn to stop it. Anyhow, racing was a different case. Atleast for her.
She arrived at the place more than an hour. A smile curled on her lips when she caught the people having a good time. Singing at the top of their lungs to be exact. She glanced at her wristwatch and got amused knowing that it was almost late yet everyone was still up during that hour.
Normally, people in their town fall asleep at eight in the evening. Too early, right? Because they also need to get up early to run their errands.
Everyone was too busy to even hear the sound of her motorcycle.
With her helmet between her arm and hip, she walked towards them. The sound from what she presumed was coming from a guitar abruptly stopped. Almost all of them turned heads to her. But what she instantly noticed was the girl who was holding a guitar. They both stared at each other.
She can play guitar..
She honestly did not know how to greet everybody more especially seeing Ayen's very intimidating look.
"Uhm.. G-good evening, Señorita. You don't seem lost, do you?" A woman stuttered as she greeted her and broke the silence.
She averted her eyes from Ayen to take notice of the woman. "Good evening. Did I disturb your.. uhm, happenings?"
A man in his mid-40's stood up, brushing off his hands in the air. "N-no, Señorita. We're just having fun like we used to."
She nodded. "I see. I'm just passing by to check something here. But I'll be off right away." She lied. Even if it was against her will, she spun around to walk away, just a little drama to support the lie and convince them.
To be honest, she was praying that somebody would speak up and make her stay. Gew steps more when her prayer was answered. She couldn't be more happy. Once again, she turned to them faking a curious look on her face.
"Could you stay a little longer, Señorita. Have fun with us." Another old man suggested. "Well, if it's not too much to ask from you. We know, you are a busy person. We did not want to ruin your schedule. But we'll be glad if you join us, take this as our thank you for reconsidering our proposal."
She looked around at everyone, trying to read their facial expressions. What made her convinced was seeing all of them liking the idea of her to stay. However, it did not escape from her sight the displease painted on Ayen's face.
But as a courtesy to the elderly, most especially, to piss Ayen off, she nodded accepting their invitation.
People cheered like it was something great. She gaily sat down on the space provided by one of the farmers on long bamboo chair. There she noticed that she was actually facing Ayen which was good. She could see how pissed was Ayen off and trying to leave if it was not only for the girl beside her.
"Señorita, have you tried our coconut vodka?" aksed the lady whom she thought was on her early-twenties.
She smiled and gently shook her head. "Not yet. But I want to try it."
"Of course, Señorita!" The lady blurted before she poured the coconut wine in a shot glass.
"Enough with the courtesy. Just call me Heathe." She reminded them with politeness. She did not want to be called Señorirta unless it's necessary.
The lady which she found cute. "Uhmm.."
"It's okay." she giggled. "Can I try it now?"
The lady served her the drink. Without further hesitation, she straighted it up. Her mouth was snapped shut keeping the drink inside. At young age, she was alraedy used to drinking hard drinks. But what she had at the moment was new to her taste. It had a strong tang at first which made her cringe but would leave a sweet aftertaste. She blew a heavy breath.
Everyone was looking at her with amusement. They could be waiting for her comment about the coconut vodka. She beamed at them. And they were all cheered in triumph when she raised her glass asking for another shot! As if it was an immense achievement.
"Luscious!" she blurted.
Some even clapped as if she did a world record. It was absurd but she enjoyed the moment.
"Ayen, play another song for us!" Commanded by the older man who had invited her a while ago.
Ayen was actually gaping at them but she could see that she did not like what was happening. She couldn't help that everyone liked her except that girl. And because she's fond of picking on her, she would slightly be a good girl for the meantime.
"Miss, can I make a request?" She said as she kept herself not to laugh.
Ayen grunt leaving her no choice.
"Bruno Mars', Just the way you are."
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