Chapter 19
"Bukas na pala 'yong shoot ng music video mo, 'no?" I asked.
We are at the park eating street foods he just bought for us.
"Yeah. I'm sorry I can't do anything. Trust me, pinilit ko talaga 'yong manager ko na isama kita kaso hindi talaga siya pumayag. She said she doesn't want me to get awkward or distracted."
"I told you not to worry about it. It's just fine for me. Dapat ka ng masanay."
He told me the concept of his shoot. Nakinig lang ako. He even sang the song for me. I'm so happy I get to hear his song before it gets released.
Sobrang hectic ng schedule niya. I'm so happy that I get to see him the day before his shoot because after everything, it'll be the beginning of the big challenge we're about to face.
"Anyway, kamusta na kayo ni Dave?" tanong ko.
Itong si Maz, grabe magpa-cool pero pagdating ni Dave parang tanga, hindi alam ang gagawin.
"Dad and him talked. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinag-usapan nila no'ng pumunta siya sa bahay. I'm so happy he ate dinner with us. Sayang wala si Mommy no'n, wala naman siyang kinikimkim na hindi magandang pakiramdam para kay Dave."
Here he goes again, gets excited about his brother.
"I'm so happy that he's going to be a Villanueva soon. He agreed that he'll change his surname. Ate Mizee and I were so happy when he agreed."
Dave Ramos to Dave Villanueva, huh? Not bad.
Masaya akong nakikita siyang masayang nagkukwento tungkol sa kapatid niya.
"I've been planning to ask him to play basketball with me. What do you think?" dagdag pa niya.
I patted his head.
"You're so kind. I never knew you are this interested in Dave. Masaya akong may taong ganito ka-concern at interesado kay Dave." sabi ko at ngumiti sa kanya.
"I've always wanted a brother. It was a long time ago when Dad told Zee and I about having a brother. Both of us got excited and we wanted to meet him, wala na kaming maraming tanong kay Dad."
"How about, Tita?"
"She already knew about Dave before us. Hindi niya nagustuhan no'ng nalaman niyang sinubukan namin ni Mizee na makipagkita kay Dave. Mommy couldn't do anything, lumipas ang mga araw hanggang sa nasanay siya sa'min ni Mizee."
"Oo nga, pansin ko no'ng pumunta kami ni Dave sa bahay niyo no'ng graduation, wala namang nag-iba kay Tita. She welcomed Dave like how she welcomed me." sabi ko.
Yes. Dave and I went to that dinner. It took a long time before I convinced him to attend that night. Maraming iba't-ibang tao no'n. Including politicians Tito is working with.
"The most exciting part is he's calling Daddy, Papa!"
Ramdam ko ang tuwa ni Maz.
"Sabay kaming mag-e-enroll ni Dave." sabi ko.
"That's nice. Atleast I can guarantee your safety an-- Wait! You're taking LegMa like Dave?"
"Yeah. We have the same dream to become a lawyer someday." I said.
Tumango-tango siya.
"And why did you know we're taking LegMa?" I asked.
"Daddy's gonna be supporting his schooling."
Taray nitong si Dave, ah.
Mama and Papa rented a unit at the city near my school. I'm gonna be moving out there before the classes will start. Do'n sa syudad namin napagdesisyunan na mag-aaral ni Dave.
"Where is he staying?" I asked.
"At our house. We have a house there in the city." he answered.
"Taray. Daming bahay."
"Nando'n din si Ate Mizee. Do'n siya nagho-homeschool."
I nodded. I heard Ate Mizee will not pursue law after college. Pumasok siya sa showbusiness before she finished college. She's doing great with her career. Tito and Tita are fine with it.
We are silent. His arm around my shoulders and my head on his shoulder.
Maz is pretty different now. He's wearing a cap and sunglasses. Even I, is wearing a cap. Ayaw niya sanang dito kami sa labas, gusto niya sa bahay nila o namin nalang kami. May mga nakakakilala sa kanya through shoots and guestings.
"Jenim..."
"Yes?" I said as I stare at the blue clouds above us.
"When did you realized you're falling for me?" he asked.
"When you showed me that soft side of yours. Lalo na no'ng nalaman kong marunong ka pa lang ngumiti ng walang halong pag-aarte at no'ng tinulungan mo ako no'ng nag-aaway ang parents ko. I fall even harder for you each time."
I breathed.
"Siguro kung aabot ang panahon na hindi mo na ako sasaluhin, ang sakit siguro ng pagbagsak ko, because I fall for you too hard." I added.
He looked at me. "That won't happen."
I was assured when he gave me a genuine smile.
"Ikaw ba? When did you realized you're falling for me?" I asked him.
"When you unexpectedly cried during the audition, I guess. I was in denial when I first saw you. The moment where I stopped you when you cried is where I realized you moved me, that I couldn't bear to see you cry."
I looked at him staring at the blue sky.
Gago! Itago mo 'yang kilig mo, Jenim.
"I know who you are, you have a connection to the person who once caused our family trouble. I thought about rejecting you from the club as my form of revenge kaso hindi ko kaya. My parents can even forgive, pa'no na akong wala naman talagang alam sa buong nangyari noon."
Wala akong naintindihan sa pinagsasabi niya. I looked at him with curious eyes. Ano ba 'yon? Gusto ko lang naman malaman kung bakit siya nahulog sa akin para kapag dadating and panahon na ayaw niya na sa akin, gusto kong ipa-alala kung bakit siya nahulog sa akin.
Magic card.
"I know you're confused. Ipapaliwanag ko rin sa'yo ang lahat." he said.
"Hindi ko binalak na umiyak sa audition na 'yon. Out of nowhere, my tears just fell." I said.
"Siguro, kung hindi ka umiyak no'n, I think I will still be in denial up until now."
"You fell for me because of that unexpected error?" I asked.
"Yes, I was moved by that unexpected error."
^_^
