Falling in Love With My Brother

Chapter 7

After eating lunch, I wandered out of the house. May isang malaking puno ng mangga sa likurang parte ng bakuran. I remember when I was a kid back then, I used to climb this tree to get mangoes. I was told not climb because I might fall or get myself into accident but as little kid, I'm careless and hard-headed.

Sa aming magkakapatid, I feel like I'm the only different. They were all gifted with brilliance and skills. Si kuya Tyler at kuya Waylon ay natural na matatalino, ganun din si Sam. Even at a very young age, he can easily master technical subjects. In fact, he reads books related to physics and chemistry. He's precocious, I suppose. Kuya Waylon is also great in arts like painting. He earns lots of money through selling his works. Minsan nang nasali sa isang auction ang painting niya. Kuya Tyler on the other hand is skillful in automotive designing. Different companies and organizations were lining up to buy his designs. Nakatanggap din siya ng iba't-ibang offers mula sa mga ito. After all, he can be a great asset for every company.

Sometimes, I can't help but feel envious of my older brothers because they're capable of living independently even without the help of our parents. Life has been too kind for them and their future is already promising. Lahat ng bagay na mayroon sila ngayon ay bunga ng pagsisikap nila. Sa madaling salita, they're the pride of the family. I have no choice but to match myself with their skills that I sometimes feel pressured. I have to prove myself and to everyone around that I'm worthy too. Lalo pa't maraming tao ang walang ibang magawa kundi ang manghusga ng kapwa, kahit kadugo mo pa.

But no matter how hard I try, I still find it difficult to fit in. I'm not as smart nor talented as my brothers. In fact, without kuya Waylon's help, I won't be able to get high scores in my exam. In contrast to them, I'm dependent.

I shook my head, trying to get rid of the sudden thoughts that gives me stress.

Tumingala ako at pinagmasdan ang malaking puno ng mangga. It's structure and appearance have made no changes at all. Kagaya parin ito mula ng huli ko itong iniwan.

I looked around and realized na ako lang mag-isa dito, lahat sila ay nasa loob ng bahay. Wala naman sigurong magagalit kung sakaling akyatin ko 'tong puno, diba? After all, it's unlike before and I'm no longer a kid. I've grown and I can totally handle myself.

Hinubad ko ang suot kong sandals. I left it on the ground and I started climbing the tree. Target ko talagang makakuha ng maraming hilaw na mangga ngayon. It's my favorite! Lalo na kapag may bagoong.

A satisfied smile crept on my face after climbing the tree successfully. Nakalapat ang magkabila kong paa sa malaki at matibay na sanga at nakahawak ako sa katawan ng puno bilang suporta.

"What the f*ck are you doing up there!?"

Kung hindi siguro ako nakasuporta sa puno ay malamang na nahulog ako dahil sa gulat. I looked down and I saw kuya Tyler looking so darkly pissed while gawking up at me.

"Ginulat mo ako! Paano kung nahulog ako!?"

"Talagang mahuhulog ka kapag hindi ka pa bumaba diyan! Nakapalda ka pa naman, I can see your underwear from here."

Busangot ang mukha ko siyang binalikan ng tingin sa baba. Nakapamewang na siya ngayon at salubong ang kilay habang nakatingala parin sa akin.

"That's absurd, duh! I have shorts on!"

Nakapalda nga ako pero totoong may shorts ako sa loob. Siguradong iniinis niya lang ako kaya niya nasabi iyon. Hindi naman ako tanga para hindi magsuot ng shorts.

"Bumaba ka na diyan."

"Teka lang, aabutin ko lang yung mangga sa banda ro'n."

Akmang lilipat na sana ako sa kabilang sanga nang muli siyang nagsalita.

"Bababa ka o aakyatin kita diyan?"

I can almost sense impatience from his voice. Sumimangot ako dahil alam kong wala akong mapagpipilian. Because I tell you, my brother fulfills his words with action.

"Bababa na!" napipilitan kong saad.

Masama ang tingin ko sa kanya nang makababa ako mula sa puno. Inalalayan niya pa ako sa pagbaba.

He playfully poked my nose. "I don't know what to do with you, silly. You haven't changed at all, you're still the same childish girl I knew way back."

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin dahil nakaramdam ako ng pag-iinit sa pisngi.

"How is that childish? Gusto ko lang namang kumain ng mangga ah. Masama iyon?"

"If that's the case, you should've told me so that I can get it for you."

"I can do it naman eh." I reasoned

"The greatest effort should always be done by a man for a woman." he said while staring intently at me.

Umawang ang bibig ko matapos marinig ang sinabi niya. I was a bit moved by his statement. "Ano ulit yung sinabi mo, kuya?"

Tumaas ang kilay niya nag-iwas ng tingin. "Tss..."

Napangisi ako nang pilyo. "Yan siguro yung palagi mong sinasabi sa mga babae mo, noh?"

Kunot ang noo niya at biglang natahimik.

Tumango-tango ako. "But I'm gonna admit, it was heart moving. Every woman would definitely fall for that."

I rolled my eyes after that because I suddenly felt bitter for all the girls who used to be his girlfriend or fling or whatever you call it. I don't even know why.

"Just to let you know, I don't play around anymore." seryoso niyang sabi

I looked at him, stunned. "What?"

He licked his lips and I saw hesitation written on his face. "I don't play with girls anymore. I'm done with it."

May nakapa akong sinseridad sa boses niya. And the way he delivered his words, I know he's telling the truth.

"Really?" tanging nasabi ko. I felt joy inside me but I chose not to show it.

Mas lumambot ang ekspresyon sa kanya mukha saka siya marahang tumango.

"But... why the sudden change?" I asked after a few seconds.

"Because I don't want you to hate me." seryoso niyang sabi.

"I-I don't hate you."

Ngumiti siya nang mapait. "Remember when you confronted me of how you dislike my behavior as a playboy? That day, I've come to realize that you're starting to think of me as an assh*le, and I don't want that. I don't want you to think the worst of me when I want you to find the best in me."

"K-Kuya..." tanging lumabas sa bibig ko.

His jaw clenched looking irritated and I don't know why.

"Kumuha ka ng basket sa loob." aniya matapos ang ilang sandali.

I was confused at first. "Huh?"

"Ikukuha kita ng mangga."

Napakurap-kurap ako at doon lang natauhan. "Oh! Of course!"