Eighteen

Chapter 19

I watched the dust play in a streak of light streaming from a window panel above me. Dominics's playing with his PS4, like a teenager when he was supposed to be a 24-year-old male preparing to get wed – Mom.

Today was day fourteen since she'd decided not to show herself to me anymore. Not that she was obligated to, but why'd she suddenly disappear like a ghost when it was still in the middle of the year? Malayo-layo pa ang undas; inunahan na niya.

I thought this might've something to do with the incident at the club. God knew how I'd tried so hard to hold back. I would've broken that bogan's wrist if I hadn't only sensed how perturbed Camille had already been 'cause of that assshole. I was worried, I think.

Paano ko naman siya matatanong kung hindi naman kami nag-uusap sa chat kung hindi tungkol sa pagpapaturo niya. I might as well switch my career path and be her full-time teacher.

"I shouldn't have told her about the sister thing," I murmured to myself.

"Who are you thinking about, Nai? They're making you smile," Dominic teased. I pulled my lips into a taut line after noticing it, too.

"Nothing. Hey, Nic, what should I do if a girl's ignoring me? Or more like . . . ghosted me?" I turned to my stomach on his bed and propped my chin on my palm. I listed my head.

"Malay. You should know more on that page, Anais. You know me; I'm a good boy." He chuckled.

I fell on my back again and put my hands over my stomach, thinking to myself.

"What happened between you two?"

I stretched my neck back, tryna peer at Nic who was still fumbling expertly with his controller.

"Who?"

"Anais, halata ka na, e. Si Camille 'yang pinoproblema mo." I scoffed at this. Paano niya nalaman?

"'Hindi." I shook my head.

"But how come? You've been letting me in and out of your place these past few days?"

"What's that supposed to do with Camille?"

"Well, when she used to frequent your place, you wouldn't let a single soul step on your doormat. It's 'cause of her—" I rushed to him and covered his mouth before he could say more. Napasigaw tuloy siya at nabitawan ang controller. He laughed and redeemed himself from the fall after pushing me away. I walked over to the back of the couch. "And here I thought you had no feelings for her. Pero ba't gano'n, bro, ilang beses ko na siyang nahuhuling pabalik-balik sa condo mo. Akala ko nga ibang babae lang." He laughed menacingly. Naghabulan kami nang paikot-ikot sa couch.

"It's not like that!" I denied.

"Then what? Huh, Nai?"

I was about to reach him by the collar when he tripped on his feet and we both fell on the floor. Tumawa siya nang tumawa sa kalagayan naming dalawa. Slowly, I pushed myself on my knees, folding my legs at my sides on the carpet.

"Alright, alright. But for the sake of her image, she hadn't been going to my place because we had something going on. She only asked for my help in cooking," I explained. She wouldn't want unwanted ideas to form about her.

"Yes, I know her, but you're my brother, so, naturally, I know you, too. Anais, you like Camille. Stop denying it," he declared.

Tumayo ako at humiga nang patiwarik mula sa likuran ng couch. No more denying to Dominic. He'd already seen through me. Gumaya rin siya sa posisyon ko.

"Talk to her, Nai. Gusto mo, 'di ba? Mag-first move ka," sagot niya sa kanina pang pinoproblema ko. Dumagdag lang 'to sa problema.

"I like her. But that's it." That should only be all to it.