decoding the boys ✔️

19 - surprise || edited

After that conversation with my brother, mas lalo ko lang na-confirm na tama lang ang decision ko na umiwas sa kanya.

Kahit paano ko tingnan, there was no way Kuya Jacob would take it lightly if he found out I got myself involved with Racel Gutierez.

If he found out I had a crush on the very guy they told me to avoid . . .

Iniisip ko pa lang ang sasabihin niya, kinakabahan na 'ko.

My shoulders were heavy as I climbed down the stairs. Katatapos lang namin mag-usap ni Lhyle. Dapat susunduin niya 'ko para sabay kaming magpunta sa Intramuros, but I told him to pick Hiro up instead.

I joined my brothers in the dining room for breakfast after I got myself some water. Umupo ako sa pagitan nina Kuya Travis at Kuya Chris.

"Where you off to?" Kuya Jacob asked, eyeing my clothes. "You don't have classes today, 'di ba?"

"May photoshoot si Hiro now. We'll help her out for her entry sa fash."

"Ah, sasali pala siya? Goodluck kamo."

Mm. My brother wasn't acting any differently. Sabi ni Kuya Andrei, nainis daw but I couldn't see any trace of anger in him at all.

He wasn't planning to tell me? Na alam na niya?

Minsan nagugulat din talaga ako sa mga kapatid ko. I thought I knew them pero minsan, 'di ko pa rin sila mabasa.

"My next match is three days from now," Kuya Jacob told Kuya Andrei. "Pustahan ulit."

Kuya Andrei smirked. "You think you can win again?"

"Gago. Isa pa lang olats namin this round."

As usual, basketball ang pinag-uusapan ng dalawa. Kung sino ang matatalo ngayon, magiging taya na naman sa mga bar sessions nila. But that's only if the bets were light. The last time Kuya Jacob lost, ilang linggo niyang hindi nagamit ang Ferrari at X-box niya dahil 'yon ang pinusta niya. Those had been the worst weeks of his life. Heck, he'd been miserable.

"Fine. But don't cry if you lose again."

Maya-maya pa, nakisali na rin sina Kuya Travis at Kuya Chris sa hamon ni Kuya. Pinusta ni Kuya Jacob ang motor niya. Si Kuya Andrei naman, yung flyboard niya. Audio system kay Kuya Travis at airsoft rifle naman kay Kuya Chris.

They were betting again how much points he could put in this game.

Wow. Kung sino man ang mananalo sa pustahan na 'to, mukhang magiging masaya buong taon.

Lahat sila, biglang bumaling sa 'kin. Ako lang kasi ang hindi nakikisali at busy lang sa pagkain ko ng breakfast.

"Sali ka, Jav," yaya ni Kuya Chris.

Napangiwi ako. The last bet I joined wasn't a good memory for me. Plus, may class ako sa next match niya.

"Pass ako."

Kuya Jacob frowned, his way of whining. "Sumali ka na."

The way those upturned eyes pleaded me almost made me cave in. Almost. May kasalanan ako sa kanya e. Malamang ito lang ang paraan para makabawi ako. Pero holy shit. Ayokong mawala ang mga gadgets ko. I didn't have much, hindi tulad nila!

"Pass talaga, Kuya."

Nagkunot lang siya ng noo sa 'kin. "You're no fun."

"Isali n'yo na sina Nick. Mas marami, mas maganda," hirit ni Kuya Travis. Nakangisi ang mukha niya at may naglalarong kislap sa mga mata.

On rare moments naman na lalabas ang kapilyuhan ni Kuya, sa ganitong paraan pa.

"Sige. 'Yan pang sina Gian. Papatusin niya 'to. Gunggong na 'yon," natatawang sagot ni Kuya Jacob.