The Last Rule

Chapter 2 - Used to it

Finally! I swear, I want to jump and scream because at last tapos na ang hell week and simula na ng vacation. Pero honestly, wala na akong energy. I felt like my soul left my body.

"Sola! Sama ka na, let's go sa Vana's. Deserve natin mag-party!" rinig kong tawag ng mga classmates ko. Matagal na nilang plan 'yon, after exam bar hopping. Pero hell no. Loud music, sweaty crowd, night out? Sorry, not my thing.

I shook my head. They already know the answer pero they still try every single time.

"Matuto ka namang mag-enjoy, girl!" sabat pa ng isa. I just smiled politely, shook my head ulit, and walked away.

Not my cup of tea. People think kapag hindi ka sumasama sa night outs, KJ ka agad. But honestly? Fun has different forms. Just because I don't do your kind of fun doesn't mean I don't have fun at all. I just have my own way of doing it.

I sat down in a bench in front of our building and was about to call Papa para magpasundo but he already texted me.

Papa: I can'y fetch we had an emergency meeting. Your brother will fetch you.

I felt my head throbbed even more after reading his text, napayakap nalang ako sa bag ko and rested my forehead in my bag na yakap-yakap ko. 

Right now, I looked like a total mess. My head throbbed from lack of sleep and the fact that I hadn't been eating properly for days.

I took a bath earlier, but I skipped my usual routines. My face was completely bare, no makeup at all. My hair was tangled and dry because I forgot to use conditioner, and honestly, I think I even forgot to brush it. My skin was pale, dark circles bloomed under my eyes, my breakout season had arrived, my outfit wasn't my usual polished one, and worst of all, I felt like I was about to have a fever.

"What's taking him so long?" I muttered, massaging my temples. Then I remembered Papa's test: "Your brother." Which probably means Kuya Astro. Friday night kasi, and usually si Kuya Calli uuwi pa lang from the province. If it's Astro... well, good luck to me. Hopefully he'll be nice since I'm sick.

Beep! Beep!

Ugh. Wrong idea to sit near the road. My head hurts even more with all the noise.

"Hey."

I looked up when someone touched my head and to my surprise...

"Kuya Calli!" My eyes instantly brightened. Kanina pa pala siya 'yong bumubusina. And when I saw his face, I just wanted to hug him. Honestly, I was this close to bursting into tears. Life as a student? Nakakapagod. Nakaka-drain.

"What happened to you?" he asked as soon as I got inside his car. I didn't hug him anymore kasi baka I'd cry in public. Nakakahiya.

"Hell week." That's all I said. He patted my head twice, then gently rubbed my back. And just like that, the tears I've been holding back finally fell.

"Kuya, I'm so tired..." I sobbed quietly. He didn't need me to explain. He just knew. Even when I couldn't form words, he understood. That's just how we are. We share this bond, this connection na parang kahit hindi kami magsalita, alam namin ang isa't isa.

When I finally calmed down, dun ko lang napansin na iba na pala ang dinadaanan namin. We weren't going home. But the one thing I noticed? He never stopped rubbing my back during the entire ride. He only removed his hand kapag kailangan niyang mag-shift gears or hold the wheel. He stopped only when we parked at my favorite fast food place.

"Fix yourself. Let's get you your favorite food." He handed me tissues before stepping out. And ako, I took a deep breath, wiped my tears, and followed him inside Jollibee.

I saw him still on the counter kaya ako na ang naghanap ng mauupuan namin. When he was walking towards our table with a tray in his hand, i can see some girls from other table who are eyeing him.

Kuya Calli is literally Mama and Papa's perfect mix. He has Papa's height, face shape, and sharp nose, pero Mama's soft brown eyes and lips. Meanwhile, Kuya Astro is Papa's carbon copy, with dark eyes, thicker brows, thicker lips. Honestly, mas makapal pa kilay niya kesa sa akin. Unfair.

While I'm Mama's mini-me. Kaya siguro Papa is so protective.

Sometimes, I think... who needs a boyfriend when I already have my brothers? Kuya Calli gives me comfort and security, while Kuya Astro, kahit annoying, makes life fun. A boyfriend can take care of you, yes, but can also give you problems. My brothers? They already give me both, minus the heartbreak.

"One Jolly Spaghetti with Chickenjoy and Coke Float for my Queenie!" Kuya Calli teased, placing the tray down.

I laughed softly and dug in. He didn't bombard me with questions. He just let me eat, watched me like I was his baby, and made sure I was okay. Simple lang, but that meal plus his presence already made me feel better. Even my feverish state eased up after he gave me medicine on the way home.

"Sweet, kain na." That's the last thing I heard before I fell asleep on the couch when we got home.

When I woke up, I told Mama we already ate. "Sabi ng Kuya mo may iinumin ka pa ulit," she reminded me about the meds.

The house was lively again. Full of players scattered everywhere, some were outside drinking, others in the living room watching TV.

"Ano, Queenie? Injured!" one of them teased when they saw me. I just rolled my eyes and sat with them.

"Aww!"

"Farewell to you my friend, we'll see each other again!"

"What's going on?" I whispered to Wil beside me.

"Farewell speech," he chuckled, pointing at Kuya Kriz who was now holding a beer.

Kuya Kriz gave his heartfelt speech, thanking everyone and Coach, my Papa. Everyone listened, some with real emotions, others clearly trying not to laugh. He was one of the best players, the tallest, the sure-shot MVP. Losing him would be a huge change for the team. Kahit ako ay malulungkot because isa siya sa mga inaabangan ko and chini-cheer every game. He's so kind and his wife's cookies are the best, 'yon ang mamimiss ko!

"I hope na mag-enjoy kayo sa bawat game at more wins sa team! Soriano, Kriztan Team Captain #31. Signing out. Bukas ay birthday namin ng anak ko, pumunta kayong lahat ah!"

When his speech ended, everyone cheered, raised their drinks, and celebrated.

"Sola, picturan mo kami!"

"Okay, compress!"

I smiled. I was so used to this already. My gallery is 60% filled with their pictures and videos. It's my role in this team not just to cheer, but to capture memories. And honestly? I didn't mind at all. I'm used to it.

"Click!"