A Better World With You

Chapter 3

"Kuya Benj!" Bati ko sa kanya habang kumakaway mula sa malayo. Ang dali niya lang makita dahil hindi naman siya tago. Nakatayo lang siya sa may mismong entrance ng lobby at kumakaway na rin pabalik sa akin.

"Nicole! I'm glad you came." He said while smiling at me. To be honest, this guy is a literal sunshine. Whenever you see him, you see rays of light surrounding him. Ang linis at ang bait kasing tingnan ni kuya Benj at sobrang dali lang kausapin. May pagkakataon nga rin na minsan na mahihirapan kang magpaliwanag pero ginagawa niyang madali at malinaw.

"Why would I ditch a good person like you? You never ditched our plans so I am just returning the favor. So going straight to the point, what about your bandmate? That one bandmate na palaging pinaliligiran ng gulo." I directly said and that made him laugh. Perhaps, he cannot escape the truth that he has one bandmate that always love to make trouble. However, with years of being with his time, I know he is already used to it.

"You really like going straight to the point, but are you good with a sandwich first?" Medyo natawa naman ako kasi nagmukha akong atat doon. Nasanay lang din kasi ako na laging straight to the point dahil sa sobrang daming gawain. Medyo nag-alinlangan pa ako sa pagtanggap ng alok niya kasi kakakain ko lang pero tinanggap ko pa rin sa huli kasi naisip ko na hindi ko nga pala naubos 'yung Carbonara na nabili ko kanina. Besides, the sandwich is also too hard to resist because it has many stuffing inside.

"Paborito ko 'yan kasi ginawa iyan ni Chiara para sa akin." Sabi niya at habang tinitingnan si kuya na masarap na kumakain ng tinapay, nararamdaman ko ang kilig at saya sa kaniyang mga mata.Nakalimutan ko na may girlfriend si kuya at napakaswerte siguro nila sa isa't isa.

"How many years are you with her, Kuya?" I asked all of the sudden.

"Six years and counting, George." He answered with pride and I smiled genuinely when I heard it. They must be really taking care of each other for six years and it's wholesome. I'm glad he has someone like that, he truly much deserves it.

"By the way, thank you for accepting my invitation and for letting the other members know. It really made my sister happy." Dagdag ko pa. I have to take the opportunity because I never got the chance to thank him after the party. Madalas kasi siyang wala at ang tanging nakikita ko lang ay ang mga makukulit niyang mga alaga. Pero I understand naman kung bakit siya ganoon. Malay mo sobrang dami niya ring ginagawa or keeping in-touch with his girlfriend. I shouldn't mind the business he is up to.

"You're welcome. By the way,  kamusta nga pala ang relasyon niyo ng bunsong kapatid mo? Napansin ko kasi na medyo naging malungkot ka noong may sinabi ang kapatid mo sa iyo nang kinuhanan kayo ng picture." Hindi ko inaasahan na napansin niya iyon. I tried my best to keep a blank face so that others will not be able to see of what I feel but looks like he's very keen with his surroundings.

I pursed my lips and think of how should I start this one. It is kind of personal pero kung siya lang din naman ang makikinig, I think it is fine to let him know. He has been a brother to me for two years ever since Chris and I became best friends at ayaw ko rin naman itong ipagdamot sa taong gusto rin naman akong damayan.

"My relationship with my little sister is something far from close. We just put a show during her birthday so that everyone will not notice that there is hatred inside the family but unfortunately, I miscalculated that one because you caught us." I said with a little bit of humor in my tone the reason why kuya Benj laughed at my explanation. I was about to tell more but a sign to stop was lifted as soon as someone texted kuya Benj through his phone.

"I'll just get the coffee. Kindly wait for me. This won't take long." Kuya Benj informed and I just nodded. He immediately stood up and walked with haste. As I tend to wait, I decided to position myself comfortably and open my phone. Instagram has always been my go to social media so I would never think twice to visit it first.