TBSW BOOK 2 : SUMMER PARADISE

28

" Travis, may gathering daw bukas sa school. Sabi nila pumunta daw tayo"

Napalingon naman ako kay Tres na nagsalita nalang bigla habang hawak yong phone niya. Nandito lang kami sa may salas namin tumambay.  " Okay. How about the others? " " Pupunta rin sila " Tumango lang ako and back to contacting Crystal. Madami na rin akong na e send na message sa kaniya to answer my calls.

" Hello, everyone " I lifted my head at napatingin sa dumating. It's Eliza. My cousin. Lumapit ito samin at bumeso at yumakap.  She's pretty as always.  Matapos niya kami yakapin ay ngumiti ito samin ni Tres. Sofia isn't here right now.

" Eliza, kailangan ka pa nakauwi ? You look beautiful"

Sabi ni Tres kaya Eliza giggles. Simula noon dumadalaw nalang sila Eliza samin kasi sa States sila ngayon nakatira but they have a house here also. Doon din ito nag-aaral and kasabay lang namin ito. Ilang years na rin simula lumpias simula bata kami.

" Thank you Tres, this is now my fashion"

At umikot pa ito dahilan para lumipad yong above the knee niyang dress na open sa likod. Napa-iling nalang ako. Yes, di nag kukuya samin minsan yan pero ilang buwan lang kasi agwat namin ni Tres sa kaniya.

" It's pretty but don't expose your body much. You don't have to try harder to attract Eliza. Hey, we are still your older brothers, so listen "

" Yes Kuya Tres, I understand naman. But I live in the US and most people are liberated and I am somehow adapting their lifestyle. How they get dressed is one "

Napa-iling nalang si Tres. We can't blame her tho but maganda naman body niya specially her face. Nag mo modeling din kasi siya.

"How's life here anyway?  New update about love life ? Where's Sofia ? I thought it was summer "

Umupo na ito sa tabi ni Tres at tinawag nalang namin yong katulong namin na mag handa ng snacks para makakain itong pinsan namin.

" Life's been good lately. No new, still her. "

Sabi ni Tres at sumandal nalang sa sofa namin. Nakikinig nalang ako sa kanila pagkatapos ko sila masdan. There's a lot to catch up on Eliza kasi ilang years din ito bago makakadalaw kasi busy din sa school.

"  You never really found Ate Ashley? That's sad but I'm happy you're good now Tres "

Malungkot na saad ni Eliza kay Tres. Nag-uusap lang sila habang ako ay nakapikit nalang talaga at nakikinig di ko na nga masyadong maiintindihan yong pinag-uusap nila kasi yong isip ko busy kay Crystal. Ba't kasi ayaw ako sagotin kahit isa period man lang na reply sa text ?

" Kuya Travis, how about you? Tres told me you already loved a girl. That's new but what happened? "

Napatingin naman ako sa kaniya at di ko namalayan napag usapan na pala nila ako. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako.

" I don't know. She might regret it already. Na naging kami. It's been days but still no answer "

" Really? Then win her again. Don't just sit here, go after her. You know sometimes girls are just waiting for their man to prove something for reassurance. "

"Woah. Teka, may jowa ka na ba Elizabeth Zaires ? "

Seryoso kong tanong sa kaniya. Natawa namana siya sa pag banggit ko ng buong pangalan niya.

" I don't have but I do have an ex, kaso after that breakup I still hope he'll chase me but nah, so here I am breathing the freedom. You know Travis, life isn't the same once you've fallen in love. Hahanapin mo na yon always sa mga tao and you'll be lonely if you can't find that. That's why we date people for that because we wanted to feel special to someone. Who always checks on us. To care for us. To love us unconditionally "

Napatitig lang talaga ako sa kaniya na nginitian niya lang. I heard Tres heave a deep sigh. Naka relate. Everyone could relate.

" Hearing you looked like you've learned a lot from that relationship. Do you still missed that guy ? "

Umupo naman ito ng maayos at kumagat ng cookie. Inubos niya muna yong hawak niya bago sumagot.

" I learned a lot talaga Kuya. First heartbreak yon eh, lesson talaga.  Kailangan mo kasi matoto para pag may dumating ulit you know to yourself you can handle it right. But girls are sensitive so more likely mas emotional sila "

" I know but she's been ignoring me for days after noong biglaang announcement na kami yong anak nila Mom doon. Di ko alam anong tumatakbo sa isip niya. God, I badly miss her. "

Napahilamos nalang ako sa mukha ko. Di rin kami maka punta pabalik doon kasi yong reporters daw ayaw maniwala na wala na kami doon at nagbabakasali daw ito sa bahay nila Mom for interview.

" Kuya, as you guys talked and described Crystal I can say she's not bad or someone who takes advantage of you guys.  I think she's distancing herself because she knows her place. She might not want to see you now but I'm sure miss ka na non sobra.  She's trying to hold her feelings maybe because she's handling tough situation alone kaya nasanay sya how to be brave and chose it that way over her feelings "

May point din sinasabi ni Eliza samin eh.

" What should I do ? Ayaw ko mamilit naman "

" Sure thing na ayaw mo naman talaga mamilit but you have to at least try to win her back. To trust you na pag sumugal ba siya na pumasok sa mundo natin magiging okay ba siya ? Show some assurance na you badly want her and will do everything in your power to protect her like how your Dad do it to your Mom.  You know, mahirap saumpisa lalo na pag yong babaeng yon sanay lumaban na siya lang.  So win her. Show it to her at wagka masyado mag expose using your money baka ma offend lang siya lalo na pag di siya golddigger. No no talaga "

I smiled and thanked Eliza. Advice is all I ever needed.
Nag kwentohan pa kami at nagtawanan. Na miss din namin itong pinsan namin. I'll do everything para lang matanggap ako ni Crystal. Gusto ko siya kahit magkaiba status namin sa buhay.