Fit the Puzzle (Azcona Cousins #3)

22

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Chapter 22

My lips were formed in a concave slope. Kuya Alex prohibited me from seeing Iverson during the holidays. Noong kasagsagan ng Pasko at Bagong Taon ay hanggang text at tawagan lang kaming dalawa. Iverson doesn't want me to know his deal with my brother.

He just told me that he can handle the situation.

Syempre maniniwala akong kaya niya, dapat kaya niya talaga.

Now that holidays are over, I asked him if we can go on a date. Medyo natagalan pa nga ang sagot niya dahil kailangan daw niyang humingi ng permiso sa kapatid ko.

I was so annoyed at that time but I couldn't voice my annoyance because my parents would also have a hunch.

Ipinangako ni Kuya Alex na hindi niya sasabihin kina Mama at Papa basta mayroon niyang supervision. Pumayag naman ako kahit 'di ko makuha ang gusto niyang i-punto.

Sumimangot ulit ako nang mapansin ko si Kuya sa kabilang clothing shop na kunwaring naghahanap ng jeans. I was asking Iverson a while ago if he wanted to buy a couple shirts. Subtle lang naman 'yong design. The shirt has a pale pink pocket and the buyer may ask for a custom initial embroidery on the pocket.

Hindi na namin tinuloy ang pagbili dahil ramdam namin ang pagsunod ni Kuya Alex.

Mahinang tumawa ang kasama ko.

"This is so awkward. Can we just go to the arcade and have a little fun?"

"Do you play?"

"Of course... a bit," ngiwi niya.

"Basketball?"

"I just know the basics."

My lips stretched into a small grin. "How about we play a claw machine?"

Tumaas ang kilay niya. May pumasadang reaksyon na mabilis na kumupas.

"Ayaw mo? Madali lang 'yon!"

"I don't want to be compared to Adriel, Zian."

Umirap ako at niyakag na siya para lumakad. Pinahihirapan niya pa 'ko dahil ayaw niyang magpahila. He was like throwing tantrum while we were walking!

I thought he was going to cast me a deadly glare but he pouted instead.

This was the first time I saw him pouting.

"You do know that Kuya is following us, right?"

"So?"

"Mandidiri 'yon sa inaakto mo ngayon sa'kin."

He shrugged. Siya naman ngayon ang humila sa'kin. Patago niyang pinagsiklop ang kamay naming dalawa. Madali niyang nagawa 'yon dahil nakasuot siya ng jacket. Sakto pa nga dahil parehong black ang damit namin.

And because I am not really a fan of wearing jeans, I wore a white high waisted denim shorts and chunky sandals to give me some height. My hair was in a high ponytail and I left some curl details on the sides for style.

Actually, the first thing that Iverson did when we met earlier was to shower me sweet and genuine praises on how good I look today. Hindi naman 'yon iba sa'kin dahil sa tuwing may oras ako para mangulit ay nagse-send ako sa kanya ng get-up ko. I randomly send him pictures of me.

Iverson would always send me a meme or a reply like this: can I be yours, ma'am?

Tinatawanan ko na lang ang ganoong reply niya, 'di naman kasi kailangan pang itanong ang ganoong bagay!