Sunsets and August

12

"So, paano kayo nagkakilala?" Tanong ni Kuya kay Caleb. 

Caleb's the one driving my car and dalawa kami dito sa likod ng fiancée ni Kuya. 

Yes, fiancée. I was dumbfounded when he announced that Ate Kaye is his fiancée. The revelation caught me off guard, and I struggled to process the news. 

"It was quite... unexpected," Caleb began, glancing at me in the rearview mirror before continuing. "We almost fought because of her favorite drink." I kicked the back of his seat at narinig ko ang tawa ni Kuya. 

"What? Dutch mill ba? Na naman?" Natatawang sinabi ni Kuya. Nasa passenger seat siya at talagang tumingin pa sa'kin sa likod na parang inaasar ako. 

"Yes. I'm surprised that your sister made the first move," Caleb added with a playful glance in the rearview mirror. 

"Hindi ah! That's the last drink sa fridge at uhaw na talaga ako that time kaya kinapalan ko na 'yung mukha ko para makuha 'yon." I said, defending myself. 

"We've been taking things slow," Caleb continued, his tone growing more serious. "We want to make sure this is right for both of us, and we respect each other's boundaries."

Kuya nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Okay. But remember, Xan needs to finish her studies. Our parents are strict, and they won't let her be in a relationship until she's a lawyer."

"Understood, Sir" Caleb replied, glancing at Kuya. "I'll make sure Xan will prioritize her studies. We won't do anything to jeopardize that."

"Cut the 'sir', I sound old kapag tinatawag ako niyan." sabi ni Kuya na ikinatawa ko. 

Sumilip naman ako sa bintana at nakita kong nakasunod sa'min sina Joaquin at Bea. Kuya knew Bea naman na because he developed a little crush on my friend before noong bata pa kami pero tumigil rin siya sa pagkakagusto kay Bea nung sinabi ng kaibigan ko na hindi niya type ang kuya ko. 

Akala ko nga magiging awkward sila sa isa't isa kanina. They just greeted each other casually. Mas nagmukha pa silang magkapatid kaysa sa'ming dalawa ni Kuya. 

"Alam ba nila Mom and Dad?" Natauhan ako sa tanong ni Kuya. Umiling ako at napabuntong hininga. Eto na nga ba ang sinasabi ko. Kung takot ako sa mga magulang ko, mas takot ako  kay Kuya.

"I'll tell them soon—"

"Are you sure about that?"

"No..."

"Then, no. Ayoko na matulad ka sa'kin, Xanrille. Just keep it a secret for now."  Kuya looked back at me, his eyes concerned and softening. "I promise to keep your relationship status a secret from Mom and Dad, but you need to be careful, Xan. You know how they are."

"Thank you, Kuya," I said, feeling a wave of relief. "I promise we'll be careful."

Marami pang tinanong si Kuya tungkol sa'min at nag-advice pa siya tungkol sa mga adult stuff! Nahihiya tuloy ako magsalita dahil sa kapatid ko! 

"And now, it's your turn," I said, shifting the focus dahil kanina pa niya kami tinatanong. "How did you and Ate Kaye meet?"

Kuya Kenshin looked back and smiled at Ate Kaye, who was sitting beside me. "Our parents won't be happy about this, but I proposed to Kaye without their knowledge. We met through our family business. She was an employee, and we just clicked. The rest is history."

Ate Kaye, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. "I'm half Filipina and half Japanese. I used to work for your family's company, and that's how your Kuya and I met. We've been through a lot together, and I couldn't be happier."