Chapter 15
"Did you invite your friends, Ailani?"
Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Kuya Aidan na nag-aayos ng polo sa harap ko. He looks dashing in his dark blue long sleeve polo and dark pants. It's a private party and held at our house but he's almost dressed-to-kill.
"Hindi," I said and put down my phone.
"Bakit?" Kumunot ang kaniyang noo, ngayon ay ang cuffs na ang inaayos niya.
"It's not my birthday." I shrugged. "Isa pa, you have a large social circle, it's enough."
Tinitigan niya ako bago bumuntong hininga at tinapos ang pag-aayos. Hindi pa umuuwi si Mommy since overtime siya pero nakaayos na lahat dahil pinili nilang magpa-catering na lang. They have cleared the patio too for their liquor party, while dinner is served inside.
This is what they get for gaining Mommy's trust. They can almost do whatever they want because it's certain their academic standing is firm. It's either they stay on top or get higher. This is just the second time my brothers celebrated their birthdays at home with their friends. Madalas kasi ay family dinner lang at lalabas na sila kasama ang mga kaibigan.
Kuya Aidan went downstairs when some of their guests started to arrive. I stayed in the hallway, jadedly sitting on the mahogany bench. Tanaw ko ang living roo namin kung saan may iilang bisita na. Ngumuso ako at saglit nagsisi na hindi ako nag-imbita kahit man lang mga kaibigan ko mula sa dati kong pinapasukan.
Napalingon ako sa kanan nang marinig na bumukas ang kwarto ni Kuya Aiden. He was wearing a white dress shirt which is in contrast with his twin. Pareho silang naka-itim na pantalon. Inaayos niya ang kaniyang buhok nang mapalingon siya sa gawi ko.
I took a deep breath and smiled a little at him. Nanatiling seryoso ang tingin niya sa akin. I pursed my lips and cleared my throat.
"Happy birthday, Den." Ngumiti ako.
His jaw moved and I saw his chest puffed. He rubbed his hand on his neck and nodded at me.
"Thank you." He said softly, gentler than his way of responding before.
I was still trying to come up with a better apology in my head when his twin called him downstairs. Nilingon niya ito at tumango bago bumaling ulit sa akin.
"Hindi ka bababa?" Tanong niya.
"Hihintayin ko si Hayes." I replied.
Kumunot ang kaniyang noo pero kalaunan ay tumango rin bago bumaba. I know some of my brothers' friends but not close enough to socialize with them. Si Hayes lang yata ang sa tingin ko'y makakahalubilo ko mamaya. Aniya ay paalis pa lang raw siya sa bahay nila. It's a bit far from here and he'd take the public transport.
Mas lalong dumami ang bisita paglipas ng oras. Nagkulong ako sa kwarto until Hayes called, informing me that he just arrived. Inayos ko ang puff sleeves ng suot kong sky blue na long sleeve blouse bago lumabas ng kwarto.
It was noisy, with echoes of laughter and a rebound of mixed voices on the wall, it made me apprehensive for a little. I was greeted by those people who know me and I got a curious look from the people who don't. Pero mukhang naliwanagan din naman sila nang mapagmasdan ako. I possess my brothers' eyes and lips and I am also tall like them.
"Ailani, bakit ka lumipat? Sayang naman 'yong title mo sa SPUP." Ngumisi si Jordan sa akin.
He is also from SPUP but he transferred two years before. Ngumiti lang ako sa kaniya at nagkibit ng balikat. Hindi ako nagtagal sa grupo nila para hanapin si Hayes. Lumabas ako ng bahay at naabutan ang iba pang bisita sa patio kung saan maraming upuan at lamesa. I saw Kuya Aiden with Malik and two other guys.
