After we ate a feast full of Hongkong Cuisine foods — according to what Sanchez explained, I secretly ended up paying the tab.
Sanchez insisted many times na siya na lang daw ang magbabayad that came into conclusion to pay on their behalf. Pero dahil nga libre ni Kuya Calli at compensation "raw" sa pinapagawa niya kay Sanchez, the President of Eastern Margaritaria Central Student Council was peacefully dismissed.
Well, I want to know kung ano ang deal sa kanila. But hey, the important thing right now is not chismis, kundi flexibility sa mga hinaharap na sitwasyon.
"Finally, I ate a right amount of food that suits my body mass." wika ni Kuya Timothy habang himas himas ang parte ng kanyang tiyan.
We are still inside the restaurant, at ang katabi ko kanina, si Kuya Timothy - for formal reference, ay nasa harapan ko habang si Calli naman ay nakaupo sa aking tabi. Nagpalit kasi sila ni kuya kanina ng upuan which is a really best decision. I hate pa naman na kumain na hindi ko kilala katabi ko.
"May pupuntahan pa ba kayo?" tanong ni Kuya Calli, and I'm sure that he is pertaining sa magpinsan. I looked away from the sight na nasa aking unahan to avoid any misunderstandings.
While we were eating, I chatted with a friend of mine via messenger from the West Colle to ask for some information.
Napag-alaman ko kasi kanina na taga Western Collette College pala itong si Timothy kaya it's advantage for me to have a tea about him especially he is related to Sheryle Fernandez, a.k.a Shawntell. Pero to be clear ah, hindi tea na pwedeng gawin pang blackmail, gawa ayun bang, information para di ako mapunta sa alanging posisyon. In short, flexibility sa situations.
"Umm. Wala naman akong agenda ngayon araw," sagot ni Timothy na pumunta ang tingin sa kanyang katabi. His cousin lowkey brushed his bangs, "I don't have too either. Except sa invitation ni Harley."
Calli cleared his throat, "What about we go to Ate Lean's Bar? Aris just texted that Theo and Sephine will be there later."
Hearing what Calli said, my eyes widened in shock as I faced him. Tama ba ang pagkaka-rinig ko?!
"Pass. Ayoko muna makita ang lalaki na 'yon."
"Come on, Tim. Kung tungkol 'yon sa away noong nakaraan na linggo, why so affected, De Vila."
My mouth hung in total shock, seeing how persistent my brother is.
They've been hanging out all this time... sa Bar?
At teka, napasama sila sa gulo?
Did Kuya Sello already know this?
"Guilt tripping, o may kapalit na sampung pabor?"
Nawala ang pokus ko sa aking plano at tuluyan ng lumingon sa kausap ni Calli. Kuya Timothy is leaning on the table while his hands are clasping - na tila ba ay nakikipag-negotiate.
Si Sanchez naman ay napapa-iling na para bang alam niya kung saan ito pupunta.
***
Eksaktong ala-sais ng umaga, my alarm clock bombarded my peaceful siesta.
Hindi ko matandaan kung saan nagtapos ang usapan nina Calli at Kuya Timothy kahapon sa loob ng restaurant, gawa the only time I went back in my right senses was the time ng magyaya na silang umuwi.
Akala ko ay may dalang sasakyan sila o kaya hihiwalay sa amin si President Sanchez gawa ng makarating kami sa way palabas ng parking area, my brows raised in astonishment. They came with us.
I have never seen Kuya Calli act like that.
Yung gala na plina-plano ng sa aking tingin ay 'partners in crimes' sila - ay natuloy.
Hinatid muna nila ako sa bahay na sobrang nagbigay sa akin ng kaba, sa takot na tumawag si Kuya Sello. Even I hate my cunning and sadistic brother, I am still in hands with him, lalo't nakakatakot magalit ang pinakamatanda naming kapatid.
Speaking of Kuya Cali, lasing ba siya kahapon o hindi?
Tumayo ako sa aking kama, at walang pakialam sa aking itsura na lumabas.
Mula sa posisyon kung saan ako ngayon nakatayo, naglakad ako sa pinakadulong bahagi ng pasilyo kung saan naroon ang kwarto ni Kuya Calli. When I reached his room, I quietly twisted the doorknob of his door.
To my surprise, it is open!
When I opened the door into the slightest opening na hindi mahahalata na bukas mula sa loob, my head tilted in confusion when I saw how his room is organized.
"May kilala ka bang interesado sa mga libro? Nag-iisip pa rin ako hanggang ngayon kung sino ang pagbibigyan ko ng natitirang dalawang VIP passes na inabot sa akin ni Ate Ariyah,"
Hearing the voice that just spoke, napalingon ako sa may gawi ng hagdanan.
I quietly close my older brother room's na walang nangyari bago maglakad palapit sa may railings. Mula sa aking pwesto, I watched my older brother having a talk with someone from last week.
Lumabas si Manang Celia mula sa kusina na sa ibaba ng aking pwesto na may dala-dalang malamig na pitsel na sinalubong naman ni Arys.
"'Kay bait mo naman bata. Salamat na hi-natid mo si Van rito. Alam mo naman 'yan, kung hindi matatakot kay Sello, sa iyo pati kay Ruby lang 'yan matatakot."
My cousin Lowkey expressed his fluttered feelings from the compliment by scratching his naple. While me, who is overseeing the view below, left wincing.
"Para ba saan yung VIP ticket na ibinigay ni Ate Ariyah sayo na sinasabi mo?" tanong ni Kuya Calli habang nagsasalin ng tubig sa dalawang baso. Binaba ni Arys ang kubyertos na kanyang hawak hawak.
"Sa pagkakaalam ko, may Grand Book Festival na mangyayari sa November, at yung exclusive pass na yun ay para daw ma-meet yung mga authors na present tulad nina Wander Girl, Shackey Bear, at something Mad... nakalimutan ko na. Basta siya ang nagsulat ng THE TRIO's DESTINY, the movie where Islanna almost punched your cousin Sax for spoiling the new twists."
Hearing the TRIO's DESTINY, napasinghap ako sa tuwa when the idea of having a chance to meet that person flashed in my mind.
"Islanna surely lo-"
"Kuya Arys, is it MADDY HERALD, one of the famous authors who is going to make their first appearance in public?!" I babbled in pure adrenaline rush, amused by the idea of meeting Maddy Herald.
"Kanina ka pa gising?"
Ignoring my older brother's question, I rushed downstairs and sweetly gave our cousin, Arys a hug and of course, him - na muntik na akong matulak.
"Islanna, ipinagluto kita hija ng Bacon. Ika'y kumain na riyan. Maaga ata pasok nitong si Van." si Manang Celia naman mula sa Kusina. I sat next to my second favorite cousin, and asked the same question, "Kuya Arys, is it Maddy Herald, one of the famous authors who is going to make their first appearance in public?" in which I received a no malice-glance as an answer.
I blinked my eyes in a charmly manner to get the answer I really want. But before I can start to nag him gawa naasar na ako, napa-ubo siya. Tumawa si Kuya Cali na binigyan ng isang matalim na tingin.
"Mukha kang tiyanak." asar niya na nagpa-bungisngis sa aking katabi. My expression formed into a scowl.
"Kaunti na lang talaga Callisto Van. Thank me dahil hindi kita nilaglag na nag alcohol express ka." aniya, at hinarap si Arys na huminto naman.
"Nakakailang Islanna." iling niya.
"Arys naman. Minsan na lang ako magtanong sa iyo. Si Maddy Herald ba kasi 'yun?" kulit ko sa kanya at sumingit ang aking kapatid.
"Hindi niya kasi sigurado, Islanna."
"Pero kasama naman diba ang author ng TRIO's DESTINY sa book signing 'no?" This time, I received a nod. I cheerfully clasped my hands together and gradually clapped in pure happiness.
"Hyper na naman. Panigurado iiyak 'yan mamaya pagkatapos ng klase!" Kuya Calli sarcastically exclaimed. Tumayo ako para kumuha ng makakain sa mga pagkain na nakahanda sa lamesa, and before I can even sit and eat, I slightly hit my brother's arm.
"Isla!" may diin na tawag niya sa aking pangalan. Pa-kyut akong ngumiti sa kanya, at hinarap ang aming pinsan.
"Kuya Arys, pwede sa akin nalang yung dalawang ticket?" diretsong tanong ko kay Arys na nagta-takang lumingon sa akin.
'Bakit ko pa ba siya naging kapatid?'
"Bakit dalawa? Isasama mo ba ang kuya mo?" tanong niya sa akin na may halong pagka-alarma.
I shook my head nang napagtanto ko ang kanyang iniisip, "Hindi kasi ganon Kuya Arys. Hindi ko yayain crush ko na makipag date. May pagbibigyan lang ako na kakilala na alam kong fond rin sa mga libro."
"Tanong. Meron ka bang kaibigan sa school?" Napapa-iling na tanong ng aking kapatid.
"Ano tingin mo sa akin, absolute introvert. Remember, I'm an extrovert in an introvert's clothing. Syempre, meron!" pagmamalaki ko.
"What about let's call Sello. Mahirap na. The sliest among us is this tiyanak."
"Ha!?" I was dumbfounded upon hearing Arys' words. Nakisakay ba siya sa trip ni Kuya Calli?
"I HATE ALL OF YOU!"
"Shhh... the call is ringing. Marinig ka ni Kuya Sello."
I am about to throw hands dahil sa ginawa nilang pang-aasar when Kuya Arys hushed me. Kahit mainit ang ulo ko, I calmed down, at may halong gigil na kumain.
After seconds of ringing that can be heard in this quiet atmosphere, my mouth formed into pout as soon we heard Kuya Sello answering the call.
"What is with this 1 am call, Arys?"
Napatingin sa akin ang dalawa kong kasama. I raised a brow, "May kailangan ba kayo sa akin?" I asked them, annoyed. Both laughed for no reason, and before Kuya Sello voice spoke, nanguna na mismo ang aking pinsan.
"Do you know someone named Elliot Arevalo in the Entertainment your Tita Laurie's holding?"
"The one who subbed me in EASTERN - Robinzen Elliot Arevalo. Yes - teka, kasama mo ba si Islanna"
"You hit the jackpot Kuya!" tawa ni Calli na lumingon pa sa akin.
"May hangover pa rin ba kayo?"
"Wala na, 'di naman kami nag alcohol express as what Islanna says earlier."
"Naka-ilan ka na sa akin Calire Ivan. Ikaw ang una kong dadalhin talaga sa probinsya pag-uwi ko."
"Bakit ako? Dapat si Islanna, Kuya Sello. Look, Ate Ariyah gave Arys a ticket for the upcoming Book and Writer's fest, and this sly sister of yours is already imagining a scene na yayain niya si Robin. Can't tell whether she joined the Music Club for her or to see - Aray! kuya nangangagat na naman!"
"Kuya Sello, umuwi ka na nga dito. At saka for the correction, I never liked Robin gawa sino ba naman magkakagusto sa lalaking isnobero?" depensa ko sa aking sarili.
Nagkatinginan ang dalawa bago magsihagalpakan ng pagtawa.
"Did you record it, Arys?" Kuya Calli asked, and Arys nodded na sinundan naman ng pag-aray when I hit his shoulder.
"Fine. Fine. Kung tungkol lang 'to sa alak at kay Mr. Arevalo. Ako na ang mag e-end ng call. Basta tell them Arys, kapag may marinig pa ako sa mga kalokohan nila, parehas ko silang ililipat sa probinsya, and let Lolo Tope decide their fate."
Minding my own business, I delightfully chewed the bacon na kaha-hain palang ni Manang Celia nang mapansin ko na biglang tumahimik ang mga kuya ko.
"Ba't kayo biglang tumahimik? Ansaya saya niyo kaya kanina." sarkastiko kong puna sa kanila at kumuha uli ng isang strip ng bacon.
Nagulat ako ng makita ko silang namumutla when I adjusted my view sidewards. With the fork that I'm using, I poked Kuya Arys.
"Buhay pa pala si Lolo Tope,"
Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanyang sinabi, "Lolo Tope, diba namatay na siya noong isang taon?" kampante na tanong ko na agad naman napalitan ng pagkadismaya when Arys shook his head.
"It was Lolo Tope's twin, Lolo Tobal," he glanced at Calli na bumalik sa kanyang upuan, "our Lolo Tope is still alive and waiting for Sello to bring you two back to him to kick some senses. Tanong. Payag ka ba 'non, Ivan?" he continued, leaving sarcastic remarks to the end.
Life from 10 years ago suddenly flushed in my mind.
Lolo Tope is the father of my Papa and Tita Maria, the mother of Arys. When he died, it is like a fresh air to breath for Calli and I, moving forward from the total torture he brought. Unlike how he treated Ate Ariyah and Arys, Lolo Tope liked us to be hard workers and always wanted to give us an experience of the bitter reality of being a parentless sibling.
Luckily, after almost a year of leaving us to that Farm, Tita Laurie brought us in again together with Kuya Sello who just graduated highschool, and then, she hired Manang Celia - who until today treated us like her own children.
Though sometimes, her choice of menu and cooking is kind of you know...
"FUCK MY LIFE. I HATE YOU IGNATIUS!"
Bumagsak ang aking balikat, realizing we were fooled plus the ideas that rumbles inside my mind.
"Still holding grudges. Confirmed."
#
aiberu