"Sure ma"
While waiting for his younger brother to get ready for school his mind reverberated Mr. Buenaventura's offer, thus he sighed heavily before coming up with his final decision.
"I must take it but I won't quit my job."
He flashed away those thoughts forcefully because of his hunger and went instead to his brother's room to give him notice that he was already waiting for almost fifteen minutes.
He knocked at the door two times.
"Bro come in"
"Ayooo! Please be faster I'm starving" he exclaimed.
"Wait for me bro, just a few more seconds okay? How do I look?" His brother asked curiously as he combs his hair in a different hairline.
"Today is our clubbing's day and my classmates told me earlier that I have to put on an attractive face because Abby and Eunice will join the supreme student government officers line up so give me twenty-five seconds more mmkay? Gayo begged his brother.
"Okay whatever, but be quick or I'll make fun of you in front of your crushes" Tal replied while portraying an annoyed face.
He stepped out of his brother's room with a grumpy hungry face holding his fork in his left hand and spoon in his right hand. As he went towards their small dining table, he saw his mom waiting for him and his brother to eat breakfast together. She was busy talking through her phone when she got a call from the Gu family.
"I'll give you a good service pay if you finish the laundry earlier than the expected time" the person from the other line talked.
"Sure Madam, you and your family have always been the VIPs of our laundry shop."
He heard his mother and her client's urgent call as he got closer to sitting. He took the chair opposite to her and she continued talking with Mrs. Gu.
"I heard you are raising two sons at a time? Although it is very late Orin but if your sons are willing to work for my company, I am just a call away. By the way, how did you manage to raised two sons on your own?" Mrs. Gu asked with a proud voice.
His mom pointed her index finger at the rice cooker telling Tal to serve the rice. He quietly stood up and took three plates from the dishwasher and began scooping it.
"My top-notch survival skills have understood the assignment Madam" his mom jokingly responded.
"Well, I felt proud of raising two fine young men. I have worked three jobs at a time when they were still kids. Yes, I graduated from college but that was just a vocational course, I've also planned on leaving the country to gain a higher salary but I just can't leave my boys. I'm their Mom and Dad at the same time." Mrs. Cuevas uttered
"Jeez, I have never seen such a strong woman who managed to have her kids study and be raised just as fine as their mom."
"Thank you Madam," she answered.
"Anyways, call me when my laundry is done, okay? I'll have Manong Doy get it and hand over the pay." Mrs. Gu said as she was about to go on a business trip.
"Yes, Madam sure" then their call ended.
Talin parted his lips to say something but he hauled up hurriedly when his eyes fell on the screen of his phone, it was already seven forty.
"Tsk! Gayoooooooooooooooo!" He shouted.
His brother ran quickly to the dining table looking so extra, unlike his normal school style.
"Oh my my! You are looking damn handsome my Ayo! Are you making the Mondero twins fall for you?" Mrs. Cuevas said with a flattering voice.
"Thanks Ma, I'm meeting them today at school for their campaign." He proudly told his mom like he has a special relationship with the twins.
"Jeez! I can't be late."
"I can't be late my ass, you used all of your time trying to be handsome, be like me bro EFFORTLESSLY HANDSOME. Also, what's with your hairstyle? Are you living in your 70's? You're like an old man." Tal teased his brother
"A nice cup of coffee would ease your annoyance in me bro but since you are nothing special I won't prepare you one," Gayo responded with a pissed face.
The family ate breakfast hurriedly but Tal finished up first and then, later on, Mrs. Cuevas. Gayo was still on his phone scrolling while chewing his food.
"Ayooo? Are you finished? Your brother is already outside the house. He's going to your campus with you today because he is expected to pay a quick visit to Mrs. Reyes. Please hurry up hijo. You've wasted your brother's time. You've been eating for so long. Never normalize being late Ayo. I already told you a million times about that." Mrs. Cuevas scolded her son.
Tal heard it from the outside, he sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Son I should get going, please thank Maam Reyes for giving your brother a chance." Mrs. Cuevas said as she tapped Tal's shoulder once.
He raised his brows, nodded and kissed his mother on the cheek and bid her farewell as she rushed to catch up for the bus while at the same time Gayo rushed out the door of the house not wanting to make his brother wait any longer. He was afraid that he might soon see his brother smoky-nosed glowing with rage.
"I'm so fucking dead." He spoke to himself silently.
He saw Tal waiting for him outside with a furious face. He immediately portrayed a sweet begging expression trying to please his brother telling him that if God forgives so can his brother. He was making excuses even though he knew it was really his fault for taking too long to get ready for school.
"Let us go" his brother answered sparingly.
Tal walked fastly before him while he was having a hard time catching up with his brother's long-legged steps.
"Tal you know what? I wrapped you some sandwiches so you won't be hungry for your exam today." He said, trying to make his brother calm.