The Ember and The Queen

Saturday Morning

Rain's POV

It was around 8:45 AM when Ate Riley barged into my room like she owned the damn place-like some unwanted guest with way too much energy for a Saturday.

"Rainah!!!" she half-screamed. "Bumangon ka na, may date tayo today, remember?!"

I groaned, dragging the comforter over my face like it could protect me from her chaos. "Ang early mo naman..."

"Hoy, 8 AM na. 10 AM bukas ang mall, and considering traffic and the drive, it'll take us 45 minutes from town to the city. Kaya please lang, bumangon ka na!"

Then, in her full older-sister glory, she marched to my window and yanked the blinds open like she was summoning the wrath of the sun gods.

"Ate!" I groaned louder, squinting like a vampire. "Ano ba!"

"Bilisan mo, may naghihintay na driver sa baba," she said, sounding way too smug about ruining my sleep.

"Opo," I muttered from under the covers, already mentally preparing myself to function like a normal person.

Then she said, "Magsuot ka ng something white, ha."

That got me curious. I peeked out from under the blanket. "Something white? For what?"

She just gave me that mysterious grin older sisters love to do when they're up to something. "Wag ka nang maraming tanong. Magsuot ka na lang."

I stared at her, suspicious. But fine. Whatever.

Without another word, I bolted my way to the bathroom-eyes half open, hair a mess, heart still a little heavy from last night.

Still no reply from Kai.

But maybe today... something's gonna give.

I had just finished getting ready for what I thought was going to be a cute little sister bonding date. I was in a crisp white polo, tucked in just right, and a pair of high-waisted short shorts-chill and comfy but still put together. When I stepped out, Ate Riley clapped her hands and beamed like she just won the lottery.

"Aba! Ka-perfect naman ng little girl ko!" she gushed, grinning from ear to ear like some proud stage mom. I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway.

We hopped into the van, and she gave the driver, Manong Dennis, his instructions like the bossy older sister she always is.
"Manong, detour muna tayo sa City Hall, may ide-drop lang ako kay Dad."

"Where's Mom?" I asked, glancing at her sideways.

"Campaign day ngayon, so magkasama sila." she replied nonchalantly, already texting on her phone.

I just nodded, not thinking much of it. Maybe she had to drop off papers or a speech or something-typical adulting stuff I never really paid attention to.

But the moment we pulled up at City Hall, I already felt that weird tingling in my gut. There were streamers everywhere. Campaign posters with Ate and Dad's faces were plastered on banners, lamp posts, and even some poor trees. People were bustling around with matching t-shirts, stickers, and buttons. Chaos in full bloom.

As we made our way through the hallway, Suzette, Dad's assistant, spotted us and quickly approached-too quickly, actually.

"Rain! Buti nandito ka! Eto, isuot mo muna 'to, ha?" she said with a bright smile, handing me a campaign t-shirt with Dad and Ate Riley's grinning faces on it.