Secret
Maingay ang GC para sa planadong malaking party, and as usual, sa bahay nila Angela ang venue. There's gonna be a big party before school starts. Huling inom kuno kahit ang totoo, excuse lang 'yon para magparty talaga.
But because we are used to it yearly before the school starts again, mahirap nang putulin.
Maverick Evander:
Angela sent you an invitation?
Rade Tejano:
Yes.
Ngumuso ako nang maalala ang Halloween party. We made a mess in his Land Cruiser. Isa pa, may kaguluhan din that time habang tulog na tulog siya.
Maverick Evander:
You'd come?
Rade Tejano:
I can't fit in with your fun but I'll be there.
Maverick Evander:
You can't drink too much.
Rade Tejano:
Keep me entertain then.
I twisted my tongue against my mouth and chuckled a little. Damn. I missed the loud noise of Manila. I had fun with my summer vacation too. Medyo payapa siya kaysa sa ingay ng mga kaibigan ko.
"Kuya visit on weekends, okay?" si Jester habang tumutulong sa pag-iimpake ko.
I was relieved that he wasn't too worried now, unlike the past months, when he'd worry if I'd be away again.
"Yup." I ruffled his hair. "If something happened, what would you do?"
"I'll make sure Riri is fine, and then call Kuya right away."
I smiled while watching him fold my t-shirts messily and put them in my duffel bag. Gusto niyang makisali noong nadatnan akong nagtutupi kaya hinayaan ko na.
"Kuya Arki told me my Taekwondo session would start next month. He'd fetch me here and then we'd go to taekwondo classes. I'm excited."
I smiled languidly. "Why do you want to train for taekwondo?"
"Because I wanna protect Riri. I promised..." mahina niyang banggit kaya natawa ako ng bahagya.
"Good boy. Don't use it for violence, okay?"
Tumango agad siya. "Kuya Arki said, I should not use it for bullying. I could use it for defense, especially if someone tried to hurt me. And soon, once I'll grow up, I'll guard Riri, Kuya. I'll grow up like you and Kuya Arki. I'll be a responsible man..."
I showed my fist, which he enthusiastically bumped into mine.
"And...no more dark thoughts, Jest, please...
Communicate. Call me. Tell me anything." I reminded seriously.
He smiled and nodded. "Wala na, kuya. I won't spend too much time on my iPad since Riri needs my help to take care of Chiki."
Sobrang binibaby nga nila iyong tutang si Chiki. Para nang pinaka bunso na kahit si Riri, nagpapaka big girl na dahil kay Chiki.
"Kuya..." he looked at me hesitantly. Umawang ang labi niya, ngunit mabilis niyang itinikom at tinitigan ang tinutupi kong damit.
I crouched against my parted legs and looked at him seriously.
"Ano 'yon?"
Lumingon siya sa akin saglit ngunit binawi rin. I tilted my head and smiled.
"Ano?"
