The Heart and Seoul Search

Chapter Eleven

I can't believe my brother's here. Alam kong dadating ang panahong pupuntahan niya ako dito sa Philippines but not this soon.

"Why are you here, Kuy-- I mean, Jeffrey? That sounds weird. Tss."

"Are you not happy with me being here?" nakataas ang kilay na tanong niya. He's teasing again.

"Of course I love that you're here. Hindi na ako masyadong mag-iisa dito sa condo ko," malapad na ngiti kong sabi.

Sumeryoso ang aura niya kaya ginapangan ako ng kaba sa aking dibdib. "I'm getting my own place, sweetheart."

Matagal kong prinoseso ang sinabi niya. "W-what?"

"While I'm in the Philippines, I will stay at my own place which of course you will have an access to."

Lalong kumunot ang noo ko. "Why? Why can't you just stay here instead? I like having you here."

Huminga siya ng malalim at umupo sa tabi ko. "While I'm here, no one can know were siblings. That is why--"

"That is why you told me not to call you Kuya. Is that it? B-bakit? Ano ba talaga ang ipinunta mo dito Kuya?"

Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang braso ko at tiningnan sa mata. "Listen, I need you to cooperate with me--"

Pinutol ko ang sinasabi niya. "You want me to cooperate? Then tell me! I don't want to make this issue bigger Kuya."

"Fine. I'm here to make sure you are okay. I'm here to make sure no one is flirting with you." I rolled my eyes. Of course, you already knew. "I am here to keep an eye on you my dear sister."

Geez. "You're creepy Kuya," tumawa kaming dalawa. I don't know why but I feel better knowing the reason why he's here.

"Goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow, princess." Hinalikan niya lang ang noo ko at umalis na.

Kinabukasan ay hinatid ako ni Kuya sa school. Naka-open roof ang kotse niya kaya naman napaka-agaw pansin namin. Hmm. Something smells really fishy.

"Kuya, sinadya mo bang i-open 'to para makita ng lahat na may something tayo?" Tanong ko sa kanya saka tinaasan niya lang ako ng kilay. "Oh my gosh, you are so creepy! That's friggin' incest!" Tumawa ako saka pinalo ang braso niya.

Kinurot niya ang ilong ko at tumawa na rin siya. "Kadiri ka. But yes, that's the plan," sabi niya at pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata. "Just so you know, someone is coming here soon," he winked at me at lumabas na siya ng kotse para pagbuksan ako ng pinto.

Nakakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. Who could that be? Bago pa ako nakalabas ng tuliyan ay may lumapit na sa amin at pinalo si Kuya sa braso.

"Oh my god! You left me at the condo! You creepy man! You said you'll wait for me remember?" She said pouting at pinalo ulit ang braso ni Kuya.

Tinakpan naman agad ni Kuya ang bibig ni Kate dahil pinagtitingnan na kami ng mga tao.

"I forgot alright?" Sabi ni Kuya sa matigas ng Inggles. "I'm sorry. I'll treat you guys at lunch." Hinalikan niya ako sa noo at pisngi samantalang tinapik niya lang si Kate sa balikat saka pumasok sa kanyang kotse at pinaharurot ang sasakyan palabas.

Kate sighed. "Why is he sooo gorgeous? It is so not fair!"

Tumawa lang ako at nagbeso kami. "You're such a weirdo, sis." Umangkla ako sa braso niya saka sabay na kaming pumasok sa buliding para sa first class namin.

"I called him kanina saying na sabay ako papuntang school. He said he'll wait at your room but when I got there, no one's around!" Maktol niya.

"Galit ka na nyan?" I teased and she blushed. "Oh my gosh, you still have dibs on Jeffrey!"

"Oh shut up! We're just friends and we're in a---"

"Hey Caleigh, who's that guy? He is sooo hot!" Sabi ni Kristel.

"Yeah, and I love his car and abs," sabi naman ni Monique.

"Can you intro-seduce us to him?" Sabi ni Mona.

"Oh my god, kilabutan nga kayong tatlo!" Sabi ni Kate saka ako hinila palayo sa mga babae.

"You are so harsh!" Sabi ko saka pinalo ang braso niya.

Bigla naman niyang sinuntok ang braso ko. "Aw!" I scowled at her.

"Juicy hoodie. No punch back,"she winked. May dumaan kasing babaeng naka-hoodie at naka-matching jogging pants. We giggled at the game we once made back in California.

"You are so lame, sis." Sabi kong tumatawa. "I already forgot that game."