POSSESSIVE 24: Ream Oliveros

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 7

"ARE YOU certain about this, Kuya?" Rhett and Ream were having breakfast in one of Rhett's favorite restaurants and Rhett couldn't help commenting this after hearing what his brother planned to do now that he was back. "Aren't you taking it too fast? I mean, I get it, you like her, but isn't it, I don't know..." Rhett shrugged with a frown. "Too fast? Ilang beses mo pa lang siyang nakikita mula nang makilala mo siya sa Bali? Three? Four? Ni hindi nga kayo nagkakausap pa nang maayos mula nang makita mo siya ulit."

Kumunot ang noo ni Ream sa kapatid. "What's too fast?"

"You! And this woman, Syl! I'm sorry, Kuya, but I'm feeling skeptical about this."

"Oh." Ream calmly sipped his coffee and answered while placing the cup back on the table. "How is it too fast? I mean, I saw her in Bali, I'm attracted to her, and I like her. Isn't that enough?"

Rhett blew out a loud breath. "It's not about you liking her, it's about you, being...smitten, like you're in love or something!"

Ream frowned at his brother. "In love? Who?"

"You!"

"I am?" patanong na sagot ni Ream.

"Yes!" Rhett exclaimed. "I mean, you're willing to move heaven and earth just to help her. If that's not love, then what is?"

"Rhett, do you have to be in love to help a woman who's hurting and in pain?"

Natigilan si Rhett sa tanong ng kapatid. "I...I—I don't know. Don't you?"

Ream sighed and shook his head. "I like Syl. I tried to forget her, but nothing happened, as you know. I still like her; I'm attracted to her and I'm willing to help because she's the woman I like, and she needs help. Plain and simple."

"So...you're not in love with her?"

Ream shrugged. "I honestly don't know." Humilig si Ream sa likod ng kinauupuan. "I just want to help her. I want to see her happy—like when we were in Bali. She was smiling back then while we were talking, and I liked it. I want to see that smile again. I want to see that Syl. What's so bad about wanting that?"

Gulong-gulo na tinitigan ni Rhett ang nakakatandang kapatid. He didn't know what to call his brother at that moment—pure, or just plain ignorant when it came to love and liking someone? But maybe his brother just adored that woman and wanted her to be happy. Maybe it was not that complicated. And maybe this will fade away after his brother helped Syl. His brother had always been nice, after all.

"I thought you were in love with her because you said you can't move on."

Ream shrugged. "I like her."

Rhett sighed. "Kuya, magkaiba ang like sa love."

Ream shrugged again. "I know, and as of now, I like her. I like her to the point that I can't forget about her."

"That like will turn into love if you continue seeing her and helping her. Feelings develop overtime, Kuya."

Ream shrugged like it was not a big deal. "Then so be it. I saw and learned from my friends' experiences. Shit happens when you try to fight it, so, whatever. What will happen will happen, I guess."

"Are you not even scared at all?"

"Scared? Hmm. I'm not there yet. I'm busy thinking of ways to help her and what words to say to convince her to accept my help. It's more important to me than anything—more important than my 'like' for her. Rhett, you didn't see what I saw. It was too much—too dark and just bad. You saw Mom when your dad abused her. We were still kids back then. We couldn't do anything to save Mom. But now, I'm old enough to save someone. And this someone is the woman I'm attracted to. Of course I will move heaven and earth to help her. Isn't that normal? To make sure that the person you like is happy and safe?"