Fit the Puzzle (Azcona Cousins #3)

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Chapter 23

Masungit na umalma si Kuya Alex sa gustong mangyari ni Iverson.

"Kuya, parang ihahatid lang, e..." I told him, a bit sulking. Pinaghiwalay niya kaming dalawa.

"Hindi ka naman aalis ng Pilipinas para ihatid ka rin niya."

Masyadong masungit ang kapatid ko. He was glaring at Iverson... his friend still looked composed. 'Di ko nga alam kung naaaliw ba siya sa ginagawa ni Kuya Alex.

It was so hard for me to persuade him. His decision was final. It couldn't be bent by me!

I couldn't do anything about it. Iverson shrugged his shoulders and quietly surrendered to please my brother. In the end, he gave me a quick hug before Kuya gets mad at him. Sinenyasan niya lang din ako na tatawag siya 'pag nasa apartment na 'ko.

Tulog ako buong biyahe. Hindi rin naman kasi ako kinakausap ni Kuya Alex. He seemed fine when were still in Batangas, but when we began traveling his mood shifted again. 'Di ko alam kung ano ba talaga ang tumatakbo sa isip niya.

He helped me put my things inside the apartment. Ang bilis niyang kumilos, halos 'di na niya ako pansinin dahil nakatutok siya sa phone niya.

I got flabbergasted as the devil in me manipulated my mind to persuade me to take a peek on his phone.

Nagulat ako na kausap niya pala si Yuliya.

My brother's action was like a flash. Mabilis niyang dinampot ang phone niya sa center table.

Kumibot ang labi ko, may halong pang-aasar. "Bakit mo kausap si Yuliya?"

Umirap siya sa'kin at itinago na ang phone sa bulsa.

"She just asked something."

"What was that something?" binigyan diin ko ang bawat salitang binigkas ko.

"Ba't bigla ka naman yatang na-intriga?"

"Walang social media accounts si Yuliya... bakit biglang nagkaroon?" I asked him.

He sighed.

"If you are thinking that I'm hitting on Yuliya then you're wrong."

"Wala akong sinabi..." I told him.

My brother hissed. "Hindi mo ba alam na may Facebook page siya para sa mga ginawa niyang art commissions? I asked her to make my project, 'di naman kasi ako talented sa pagguhit."

"Totoo ba 'yan?" tuya ko pa sa kanya. He took out his phone in frustration. Binuksan niya 'yon at nag-scroll siya. He let me see their conversation to convince me.

"Naniniwala ka na?"

"Bakit ganoon mga sini-send mong emojis sa kanya?" natatawa kong pansin. I can't believe that he's capable of using multiple heart emojis! Iba-iba pa ang designs!

Maarte niyang ibinaba ang phone niya.

"Really, Zian? Pati ba naman 'yon big deal?"

Ngumisi ako. "Sumbong kita kay Iverson," natutuwa ako sa reaksyon ng kapatid ko. Halatang iritado na sa'kin.

I've decided to tease him so I can shoo him away from my apartment. Nagtagumpay naman ako sa ginawa ko. My time would be compromised if I let my Kuya stay here to bother me. Lahat na lang ng galaw ko at ni Iverson ay binabantayan niya.

Sa tingin niya ba gagawa kami ng bagay na 'di magugustuhan ng mga tao?

Dapat sa akin nga lang siya matakot, e... Brent Iverson is too tensed and too good to do bad or crazy things with me.