Fervent Keeper (FK Series #3)

Kabanata 3

A week has already passed. My brother hasn't still told me the story of what happened. I did not push through on asking him. If he chose to keep it, I respect it.

"We need more respondents." Napatingin ako kay Tine, our group leader for our thesis.

"Ilan na ba uli?" I asked to confirm.

"30," she replied. Iminasahe niya ang kanyang ulo. Sa amin, siya itong halos nagpupuyat dahil ilang beses na-revise ang Chapter One namin. I looked at the papers for the surveys. We needed 100 respondents. Nag-ikot na kami nakaraan. Most of the graduating students were busy. Kaya 'yung mga lower year levels ang hiningan namin. Our thesis is about the Impacts of Technology on Mass Communication to the public. Since our topic could cover wide range of opinions from different students, we decided to ask for hundred respondents. I called my brother, asking him to help me find more students.

"Easy," he told me. Nakangisi pa ito. Of course, my brother is the team captain. He'd easily garner students' attention. So after handling him the papers, wala pang tatlong oras ay na-dessiminate na namin kaagad 'yung surveys. Naibalik naman pagkatapos.

"Thanks, bro."

He smiled at me. Nagpaalam na siya pagkatapos dahil may practice raw ito.

"Finally!" Tine exclaimed. "Buti na lang nand'yan kapatid mo."

I smiled at her.

"Alam mo kung hindi lang talaga first year ang kapatid mo e, baka ako na gumawa ng first move. Grabe ang hot!"

Natawa ako. "Ken has someone he's dating now."

I wasn't sure if that was okay to tell it to her but it wasn't a secret anyways. His friends also were aware but he haven't formally introduced her to me. I was just waiting for my brother. If he wanted to date someone, who was I to stop him?

She beamed. "Really?"

Tumango ako.

"That's sad but okay lang naman. I wasn't hurt that much. Crush ko lang siya ng slight."

I laughed.

Actually, most of the people I encountered would always tell me how they admired my younger brother. Lalo na sa mga ka-batch ko, kesyo nanghihinayang dahil mas bata raw ito. Sabi raw nila, dapat siya na lang ang Kuya. I wasn't that offended to be honest.

But this stigma of falling in love with younger men felt like a crime. Of course, it has to be on the right age. Most of the women today would want to fall for someone older and more mature but others feel disgusted if it's the other way around.

Seriously, double standards everywhere!

If love hits you, go grab it. Wow. Coming from me who haven't had a partner. I almost laughed at myself with these thoughts.

"Seriously, hindi ko talaga gusto or what 'yung kapatid mo, ha."

"Wala naman akong sinasabi."

"Your friend."

I looked at her, confused. "Who?"

"Neo," she answered. "I actually like him." Namula naman ang pisngi niya. "But don't tell him. Nakakahiya."

I suddenly got worried. "Wag na ro'n, Tine. Magkagusto ka na sa ibang guy, wag lang sa kanya. He doesn't know how to commit. Mabilis magsawa 'yon. He'll just end up breaking your heart."

Tine stared at me with her disbelief look.

"Maniwala ka sa'kin. I know my friend better."

I felt awkward all of a sudden so I told her I would buy drinks at the cafeteria.