Always and Forever (Allyse Sequel)

KABANATA 11 - Seenzoned

"And then, he just walked away, speechless." Humagalpak kami sa tawa.

"Your cousin really do know how to make your brother mad!" Tumango naman ako.

"Xavier didn't talk to me in two weeks... straight."

"What? Really? Poor guy."

"Well, I can't blame him. He hit himself hard. I didn't know I could laugh at him like it was my last. That stunt was not easy. It was his first time making his exhibition in break dancing. I'm just glad he didn't break a bone."

"Did he continue practicing?" tanong niya. Ang sarap namang kausap si boss. I'm his employee but he also have a personal interest to my brother. How thoughtful!

"Yeah. In fact, he's good at it now."

"With that talent, he can break every girl's heart-"

"Speaking of the devil." Ngisi ko habang pinagmamasdan si Xavier na papalapit sa 7-eleven. Tumingin na rin si Dave sa direksyon ni Xavier.

"That's... your brother?" Tanong niya habang sinusundan niya ng tingin ang kapatid ko.

"Mm-hmm."

Umayos na ng upo si Dave nang papalapit na si Xavier sa puwesto namin. Ngumiti ako sa nakabusangot na kapatid ko.

"Hey, brother."

"Why did you leave me there?" Tanong niya at napatingin sa kasama ko.

"Duh. You said I can do whatever I want-" kumunot ang noo ko nang naging matigas ang mukha ni Xavier sa pagkakakita niya kay Dave. Ngumiti lang si Dave.

"Hey, buddy." Ani Dave. Tumikhim ako at nakuha ko ang atensyon ni Xavier.

"Uhm, Dave, this is Xavier, my brother. Xavier, Dave, my boss." Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Xavier.

"Boss?" Tanong niya sa akin na parang hindi makapaniwala. Nanliit ang mga mata ko sa reaksyon niya.

"Yes. Wait... Do you know each other?" Tanong ko. Ngumiti ng peke si Dave. Ugh, I can easily get a load of his peretention.

"Yeah. I just don't have any idea why he doesn't know that you'll be working for me." Ani Dave. Umigting ang panga ni Xavier. What's wrong with these two?

"I know that my sister will be working for a Bradford. I just didn't know that you're that Bradford." Matalim niyang tinignan si Dave. Ngumisi lang naman siya.

"Xav!" Singhal ko. Ano ba 'to? Malaking tao ang kinakusap niya.

"Allyse, let's go home."  Hinawakan ni Xavier ang pupulsuhan ko at hinila patayo pero nagpupumiglas ako.

"Wait, Xav, I can't just-"

"It's almost midnight, Allyse!"

"What is wrong with-"

"No. It's okay. I don't mind it. Really." Ngiti ni Dave.

"Good." Sagot ni Xavier at lalo pa akong hinila palabas. Tinignan ko si Dave na nakangiti lang at nagsign ng salute bago pa ako makapasok sa sasakyan. Hindi na rin ako nakapagpaalam kay Dave.

Huminga ako nang malalim habang nilalock ni Xavier ang seatbelt ko. Halos mapatalon ako sa padabog na pagsara niya sa pinto ko. Imikot siya papunta sa driver seat at pumasok; nakabusangot pa rin at talagang wala sa mood. Ganun pa rin siya habang nasa daan kami.

"Ano bang problema, Xavier? Gosh, have you realized what you did? His father owns the company and Dave's one of the big bosses I'll be working for, for Pete's sake!" Ngumiwi ako.