Unintentional Attraction

Twenty-Eight: Dwayne Kenzie Alvera

*A Dwayne Kenzie Alvera special chapter.

It was before lunchtime when they all arrived at their mother's side residence in Cubao. His mother's parents were living there. Now, they were too,

Dwayne's sisters greeted their grandparents with excitement. After all, it was an advantage to them, especially for Caila since her work is near the metro. Mari on the other hand is quite the same kasi hindi na gano'n ka-layo ang byahe niya papunta at pauwi from her school.

I don't know if it's the same kay Dwayne...

"I missed my Apos!" Halik ng grandmother nila sa pisngi ng mga ito. "Dwayne!" Huling niyakap at bineso ang apo na si Dwayne.

But all he gave was a timid, "I missed you and lolo too, lola" Bagama't niyakap niya ito, pansin pa'rin ng kaniyang lola na there is something off kay Dwayne. 

Paanong hindi malalaman eh paboritong apo ang bunsong lalaki, kaya kilalang kilala ito ng kaniyang lolo at lola.

Pinalampas niya ito at binigyan na lamang ng tapik sa balikat ang apo at saka inayang kumain ng tanghalian ang pamilya.

Night came and everyone was settled in sa mga kwarto nila to rest. 

Meanwhile, Dwayne was out in the balcony. Balconies have been his thing for a while now, lalo pa dito, where he has the view of Quezon City at night.

Natagpuan siya dito ng kaniyang lolo. Carrying a can of beer at hand at marahan itong idinikit sa may bandang braso ni Dwayne who was lost in thought. Napa-iktad ito sa biglaang malamig na pakiramdam sa kaniyang braso. 

"Lolo naman eh," Bahagya itong natawa kasabay ng kaniyang lolo na sinamahan siya sa balkonahe. 

"Sa sobrang lalim ng iniisip mo, hindi mo na ako naramdaman na dumating" Sabay inom nito sa can of beer na hawak niya. "Ano ang problema ng apo ko?"

Napa-singhap si Dwayne nang marinig ito. Tila hindi pa'rin makapaniwala ang apo kung gaano siya ka kilala ng kaniyang lolo at lola. "I hate that you know me so well, lo" 

"Aba siyempre, ano pa at paborito kitang apo?" Napalingon ito sa paligid at saka sumenyas ng hintuturo sa ibabaw ng labi, senyas na huwag maingay. "huwag mo nalang sabihin na sinabi ko iyon," pag tawa ng matanda.

"Nako, nako, ikaw talaga!" Pag sulpot ng lola ni Dwayne sa likuran nilang dalawa na may dalang tart na nakalagay pa sa salangan ng oven. "Kapag ikaw narinig na naman ng anak mo, lalo na ng apo mong si Mari ay nako. Magtatampu-tampuhan na naman iyon sa'yo," She ruffles her grandchild's hair once she reaches them.

"Kaya nga sumenyas ako na huwag maingay," Sabay lagok ulit nito sa beer na hawak.

Dwayne was lead to the balcony's chair and table set, where the tarts and his can of beer is sitting. Naupo silang tatlo sa upuan niyon at saka muling nag kwentuhan.