regardless | jordi gdl

Chapter One

Reina's POV

"Tapos ka na ba diyan? Patrick needs this rubber shoes today," Tinignan ko naman si Mama nang sabihin iyon kay Kuya Tio na nakaupo sa mesa habang may binabasa sa phone at kumakain. Kuya Tio looks at Mom before gesturing her to hold on.

I shake my head and continue watching on the tv. It's been 2 days since I saw him sa Omegle. Francine and Yna wants to know how and what happened but I couldn't open up to them na siya 'yung tinutukoy at kinekwento ko na naging crush ko for 4 years and rejected me instantly. Hindi nila alam ang full details and I don't want to share it to them yet.

His shock face is still fresh in my head and I couldn't seem to understand why I reacted like that.

"Reina, hindi ka ba uuwi ng apartment mo today? Wala ka bang klase bukas?" Tanong ng tatay ko na kakalabas lang galing banyo. "I have. I'll be leaving later. I have to take the cab kasi flat 'yung isang gulong ng kotse ko," saad ko sakaniya.

"Then go with your Kuya Tio. Mama already packed the things you needed and Kuya Tio will only give your Kuya something in España," My Dad said. Umiling ako and look back at Kuya Tio na patuloy parin na kumakain.

"Out of the way ang Katipunan, Pa," saad ko and click the remote to change the channel. "Just get ready and we'll leave in 10 minutes," muli akong napalingon at tapos na si Kuya Tio kumain. Papa smiles and tap my head. I groan and frustratedly walks up to my room to get ready.

Nag paalam na kami kina Mama and Papa at inayos ko na ang upo ko. "Kuya, can you drop me first?" saad ko. Kuya Tio looks at me before shaking his head. "Patrick's been shouting at me on the phone as if he's the older one, kaya siya ang uunahin ko," he said. Tumango na lang ako at tumingin sa labas.

Kuya Tio already graduated from La Salle 5 years ago. He took up Civil Engineering and is under a really huge company. Nagulat nga ako nang makita siya na nasa bahay din noong friday eh, 'cause he barely goes home.

The second one, Kuya Patrick, is in his 4th year and taking up Business Management. He's also part of UST's Volleyball Team kaya inutusan niya kami na dalhin sakaniya 'yung isang rubber shoes niya.

Ako naman, I'm taking up English Literature. Wala pa akong plano after I graduate but I hope to be a billionaire in the future. Mangangarap na nga lang ako, dapat sapat-sapatin ko na.

"Reina, do you have a boyfriend?" My brother asks out of the blue. I side eyed him before shaking my head.

"Then, do you do blind dates?"

"Huh?" Lutang na tanong ko. His face is plainly looking at the road as if what he just asked is not bizarre. "Kuya? Mamatay ka na ba?" Tanong ko. He glares at me before making a sound using his tongue.

The last time I checked, hindi siya interesado sa love life ko at kung mas may protective saakin, si Kuya Patrick 'yon.

"Nevermind," he says. Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata at dahan-dahan na lumayo. Mukhang lutang nga ata.

Nang makarating sa Espeña ay tinawagan muna ni Kuya si Kuya Patrick. "Patrick, get your shoes sa parking. Kailangan ko pa na ihatid si Reina sa Katipunan," seryosong sabi niya.

"Can you drop it sa gym? Hindi kasi kami pinapaalis ni Coach," nag tinginan kami pareho ni Kuya Tio. Napahawak ito sa sintedo niya at napahinga ako nang malalim dahil sa sinabi niya.

Stepping in this premises was my limit. I know na rito siya pumapasok and there's a chance na makikita ko siya, but going out? At sa gym pa? This was not in my plan. Akala ko mag stay lang dito sa kotse, kukunin ni Kuya Patrick sapatos niya and we'll leave.