Captive Love

i.

"Sweetie, are you done?!" sigaw ni Kuya Eios mula sa baba.

May pasok ako ngayon and my loving brother will drive me to school today. Ito na nga at pinagmamadali na ako, may pasok pa kasi siya sa kompanya namin, siya ang panganay kaya siya ang magmamanage nito habang ako naman ay 1st year college na sa kursong architecture.

"Yes po, Kuya. Pababa na ako." Pagkarating ko sa baba ay nagbeso lang ako kina Mom and Dad pati narin si Kuya at diretso na kami sa school.

"Bye Sweetie, hindi na kita masusundo mamaya dahil late na ako makakauwi. I'll just text Manong Pepoy to fetch you up, okay? Love you, bunso." he just kissed me on my forehead then bid his goodbye.

Gabi na nang makauwi ako from school. I just ate dinner then went up to my room. Mag-isa lang ako ngayon sa bahay, except sa mga maids namin.

My parents went to Russia for business matters kaninang umaga pa.

We also have companies abroad, and our main one is in Russia. That country is my father's family's homeland. Nandoon din ang iba pa naming relatives sa father side.

Dad decided to reside here when he married my Mom. My mother is a Filipina, and her family owns one of the biggest architectural firms here in the Philippines.

I was doing my nightly routine when my brother called.

"Hello, Kuya?"

"Hey Sweetie, are you home now? Kumain kana ba?"

"Yes po, I'm in my room now. And kumain na po ako. How about you? Don't starve yourself, okay? I love you, Kuya."

"Okay, sweetie. I love you too." he said before the line went dead. I just finished putting on my skin care, then I dozed off to sleep.

The morning came, and I was having breakfast with my brother. My parents are still in Russia, and they'll be staying there for a week. Kami lang ni Kuya sa bahay.

"I'm sorry, sweetie. I can't drive you today. I will run some errands this morning. Take care." I nodded and smiled. Hinalikan niya lang ako sa noo at niyakap. Pagkatapos ay tinawag na niya si Manong Pepoy, ang family driver namin, para ipahatid ako sa paaralan. I've already told them that I can drive on my own, and I'm of legal age now pero ayaw pumayag nila lalo na si Kuya at baka daw kasi mapahamak pa ako. Mas mabuti pa daw kung may maghahatid sa akin at para rin daw ma-monitor nila ako.

My day went by so fast at i-tetext ko na sana si Manong Pepoy nang tawagin ako ni Hershey, my bestfriend. Iisang school lang ang pinapasukan namin and she's taking up Business management; she's an only child, and just like Kuya Eios, she's bound to inherit their family's businesses.

"Hoy babae! Yung sinabi ko sa'yo ha! Sa sabado na 'yon, wag mong kakalimutan. Pag hindi ka talaga sumipot magkalimutan na tayo!" Eksahirada niyang sabi. I just rolled my eyes sa kaartihan at kadaldalan niya. Grabeng bunganga yan!

Sa totoo lang 'di ko talaga maintidihan kung paano kami naging magkaibigan. I like peace and silence. I'm more of an introvert than an extrovert. Si Hershey ang mahilig sa party while me, sa bahay lang talaga nagbabasa o 'di kaya ay nagpipinta.

Paiting is one of my hobbies since I was a little and as if naman papayagan ako ni Kuya magparty eh ang strikto nun pagdating sa'kin. Baby bunso pa nga kasi niya ako and I love my brother for that.

"Ang OA mo at saka 'di pa ako sure, magpapaalam pa ako kay Kuya, alam mo naman ang ugali ng isang iyon." Napabuntong hininga nalang siya dahil alam niya rin kung gaano ka overprotective si Kuya sa akin.

Marami pa kaming pinag-usapan tungkol sa kanyang nalalapit na kaarawan. Yes, birthday niya this coming Saturday na siyang kailangan kong siputin dahil sure akong magtatampo talaga 'to pag hindi ako aatend sa birthday party niya.

Kung bakit ba naman kasi sa bar pa gaganapin, eh bawal nga ako doon pero sana payagan ako ni Kuya Eios.

Maagang nag-dismiss ang panghuling prof. namin sa araw na ito kaya pupuntahan ko nalang si Kuya sa kompanya namin, mabobored lang kasi ako sa bahay and then para makapagpaalam narin for Hershey's birthday party. Tatlong araw nalang kasi before Saturday comes. Kaya sana hindi masyadong busy si Kuya.

As I got to my brother's office, I was greeted by a petite but beautiful woman, who must be his secretary. I'm pretty sure she doesn't recognize me, as this is my first time being here.

"Good morning, ma'am. What can I do for you?" She smiled politely, so I smiled back.

"I'm looking for Mr. Eios Katova. Is he inside?"

" Yes, ma'am. He's talking to someone as of the moment. Do you have any appointments?"

"I'm sorry I don't have. I can just wait here until they're done." I said and searched for a chair to sit down in, and gladly I found one, but before I could even move my feet, the door of my brother's office opened, revealing two men, one of whom is my brother.

I stilled upon seeing the unfamiliar man's face. He's attractively gorgeous. Goodness! Is he one of my brother's friends, or is he just a business partner?

They were still oblivious to my presence. They were still talking about something while I remained staring at the unfamiliar man.

He has these strong features that could swoon any woman. An olive tone complexion that complements his tall and athletic build. This man is just a sight to behold.

Napakurap-kurap ako ng marealized ang naiisip. Goodness, Am I that attracted to him for me to think such stuff?

Honestly, this is my first time admiring someone of the opposite gender.

Lumagpas na sila sa'min nang may tumatawag sa phone nung lalaki at saka ito nagpaalam kay Kuya at walang lingun-lingong umalis.

Kuya looked at my side, and he was shocked to see me standing beside his secretary. Oh, wow! My brother just ignored my presence a while ago. Akala ko ba baby bunso niya ako. Kuya pa'no na? Just kidding, lol.

"Sweetie, what brought you here? Kanina ka pa? Why didn't you come inside?" his forehead creased as glanced at his secretary before pulling me for a hug.

I checked his secretary's reaction, and she now has this confused look itching on her pretty face. Well, I can't blame her. Baka iba na ang iniisip nito, sweetie pa naman din ang tinawag ni Kuya sa akin.

"Pinauwi kami ng maaga, Kuya. And I don't wanna go home yet, so, I decided to visit you here" I once again checked the secretary's face. With her eyes widening and cheeks turning red, I realized she was thinking something else a moment ago.

She's cute. Bagay sila ni Kuya I mentally laughed at the thought.

Nako naman self, ang unprofessional masyado, nako nako.

My brother would scold me if he could just read my mind right now.