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Chapter 08
"Take care of Rinoa, Suriel. I'll go ahead and rest," Tita Elaine announced. Matagal ang naging kwentuhan naming dalawa. Tita attempted to get her son's attention. Minsan ay sumasali siya sa usapan pero mas madalas niyang bigyan ng pansin ang phone. I also noticed him looking around with furrowed brows and when he caught me watching the guys who have been the victims of his irritation.
Nang napansin niya ako kanina ay mas lalong pumangit ang mood niya. He scoffed and even rolled his eyes at me.
Hindi ko talaga alam ano ang problema niya. Hanggang ngayon nga ay 'di ko matimbang timpla ng mood niya.
I smiled. "Thank you for inviting me, Tita. Once I go back to Cebu, susubukan ko pong imbitahan kayo. My mom's so obsessed with jewelry, too. Magkakasundo po kayo."
Buti na nga lang at may common ground kami ni Tita Elaine. She mentioned lots of high-end brands relating to jewelries. And because of my mom's fascinations, I could relate to some of her stories and opinions. Na-kuwento ko rin na minsan ay naiimbitahan ang pamilya namin sa mga fashion week sa ibang bansa.
After a few minutes, Kuya Suriel and I headed to the parking lot. His unusual silence icked me.
Hindi naman siya nagdadabog pero halatang bawal siyang biruin.
"What's the matter?" I looked at him with confusion.
"Do you wanna go somewhere else before going home?" He answered me with a question.
"Saan naman?"
"I don't know. You can suggest."
"Mall?"
Bumaling siya sa'kin. He quickly scanned my clothes.
"Are you sure? Gabi na, closing na ang mga malls, Rinoa. We can go to a park... or somewhere nicer to match your dress."
Is he asking me out?
I fished out for my phone and searched for nearby and open establishments. Malalim na kasi ang gabi at paniguradong kaunti na lang ang bukas.
"Uhm... how about Antipolo? Do you know how to get there?"
"Where exactly in Antipolo?"
Ipinakita ko sa kanya ang nakita kong location na bago lang para sa'kin at sana sa kanya.
"Cloudnine... hanging bridge," he whispered.
"Mukhang maganda naman," ani ko, medyo nangungumbinsi. Based on the shared photos I have seen on Facebook, parang mas magandang pumunta pag gabi dahil sa city lights.
"Okay, ipagpapaalam muna kita kay Rael."
"Ha? 'Di na kailangan."
"It's already quarter to 11. Paniguradong hatinggabi na kita maihahatid o kung gusto mo... pumili ka na lang ng ibang pupuntahan. You can choose a closer place."
I paused. Hindi kaya magtataka si Kuya Rael na lalabas kami ni Kuya Suriel nang ganitong oras? Would he put malice on it? Would Kuya Suriel explain?
But I want to go there...
Before I could come up with a decision, I saw Kuya Suriel searching for my brother's phone number. He glanced at me with a lifted brow.
"Ano, gusto mo ba talaga?"
I answered with a small nod then I saw him smirk while dialing my brother's number. He put the call on a loudspeaker and I immediately heard Kuya Rael's groan.
