Never Have Love At All (Las Mujeres Fuertes Series #1)

CHAPTER 37

Masama ang tingin ko kay Vern habang pangisi-ngisi lang siya sa akin. Mabuti nalang at hindi siya madalas magbiro dahil nakakaloka ang mga trip niya. Parang ano kasi! I almost had a heart attack! Naiisip ko palang na nadatnan kami ni Tita Beth sa ganong ayos alam ko na na back to zero na naman kami ni Tita. Pakiramdam ko sa tuwing nakikita niya kaming magkasama ng anak niya, nababawasan 'yung pagmamahal niya sa akin.

And, I don't want that to happen. I want to earn her trust again. Kasi mahal ko si Tita. Mahal ko 'yung pamilya namin.

"Ewan ko sa'yo, Vern." Inirapan ko siya.

He chuckled and came closer to hug me. "Sorry na, Ate. Of course, I'll give you a heads up if Mom will come."

I pouted my lips. Alam ko naman. He's on our side as always. Pero ang aking lang, Mama niya parin 'yun. For sure, ramdam ni Tita na naka-suporta sa amin si Vern. 

"Let's just eat," Ryle uttered. "Brunch, Vern?"

"No, I'm fine. Aalis narin ako," aniya habang inaayos ang magulo niyang buhok. "Mom asked me to bring these. Uuwi narin ako." Itinuro niya ang dalawang paper bag na dala.

"Ano ba 'to?" Usisa ko.

"Cake and muffins? I'm not sure." Vern replied. "Kuya, you know the deal."

Napanguso ako dahil wala akong alam sa pinag-uusapan nila. Ryle gestured me to sit and start eating. Sa amoy palang nang pagkain ay gutom na gutom na ako. We didn't get a proper dinner last night and wala rin kaming proper breakfast today kaya iba talaga 'yung gutom ko.

"You can have my whole place... But please, girls can't spend night there." Ryle stated while eyeing his brother.

My eyes widened. Girls? What was that?

"What are you guys talking about?" I asked, confused.

"For college, Ate. Kay Kuya ako titira kasi mas convenient. Sa ULS ako. And, around July ko siguro sisimulang dalin 'yung mga importanteng gamit ko sa unit ni Kuya." Ani Vern at matalim na binalingan ang kapatid. "Seriously, Kuya. I don't have a girlfriend."

"As of now." Ryle uttered some fact.

"Tigilan niyo nga 'yan," Saway ko sa kanila. "Vern, you can date naman pero dapat 'wag magpapabaya."

"Yeah. I know, Ate." He agreed and kiss the side of my head.

"You sure about your course now?" Ryle asked.

I stopped eating while intently waiting for Vern's response. He never open up for the profession he wants to be in the future. Kahit ataa noong nag-a-apply na siya sa mga universities hindi siya nag-k-kwento sa kinuha niyang course. But I have faith on him, sure that he'll ace whatever it is. Kinuha na ata ni Vern lahat ng talino ni Daddy. He graduated as class salutatorian last April. Kahit hindi mukhang studious grabe ang mga grades.

"Yeah. Finally gathered all of my will to pursue that. It will take a time but it's worth it," He admitted, half smiling. "I'll be taking nursing as my pre-med course."

"Really? Oh my gosh, so we have a future MD pala!" I said in surprise.

Vern smirked and get himself a glass of water. "Baka ma jinx, Ate. Pero sana... Kahit RN muna."

"Of course, you can!" Pagsuporta ko sa kanya. "Nandito lang kami for you, Doc."

"Law of attraction," Vern slightly nodded. "By the way, what do you mean na I can have your whole place, Kuya? Saan ka titira?" Usisa ni Vern.

"Here." Ryle answered.

"What?" Naguguluhan kong tanong. "Hoy! Bakit 'di ko alam?"

"That's why I'm telling you now," Ryle smirked. "Vern needs a lot of time to be alone. Sa med school maraming readings and stuffs kaya mas mabuting dito nalang ako."