In Every Hues

Chapter 23

Court

"Van?" katok ko sa kwarto ng kapatid ko.

I wanted to check up on her. She's really busy in school, so am I. But I want to spend some time with her. Sabado naman, eh.

I also need to get out, or my thoughts would ruin me. Kasi kapag mag-isa ako, maraming pumapasok sa isip ko.

I don't want to think about it. I want to distract myself, not to destruct myself.

"Po?" she shouted. "Come in, Kuya!"

I opened the door and saw that she's drawing something in her iPad. Nakadapa siya sa kama at naka-pambahay.

Her room is all pink and glitters. I squinted my eyes since the pink shade is too sharp. Kapag lumaki siya, mare-realize niya na mas maganda ang light colors sa mata!

Bihis na bihis ako. Nakasuot ako ng pink shirt at black pants. Tapos itim na Adidas flip flops na kabibili ko lang sa online shop.

"You busy?" I sat beside her.

"Nope, why?" She raised her head to look at me, her hands holding the gadget lousily.

"Labas tayo?"

"I'm too lazy..." she grunted and closed her iPad.

I guess, I have to say the magic word.

"Libre ko."

Napabalikwas siya ng bangon. I chuckled and raised my head at her when she stood on her bed, grinning from ear to ear.

"Okay! Bihis lang ako. Out now!" She pointed the door.

"Bilisan mo, iiwan kita kapag naging pagong ka." I chuckled and went outside her room.

Matapos magpaalam kina Lola ay sa kotse na ako naghintay. Vanna was in her pink shirt and denim short, partnered with her white shoes when she went out. Her black hair was in a ponytail.

"Where are we going, Kuya?" tanong niya nang makapasok pagkatapos kong buksan ang pinto mula sa loob.

"Saan mo ba gusto?" I turned on the engine and maneuvered the car.

"Mall? I wanted to buy art materials."

"Sure..." I glanced at her. "You okay with your school? How's the third quarter so far?"

She pouted. "It's so mahirap! Yung math talaga, Kuya! I wanted to be an accountant someday, I want money! Pero ang math!"

I chuckled at her rants. "Math isn't learned in one night. Kailangan mong magtyaga, Van..."

"I know, that's why I'm studying everyday! But I still couldn't get it. Why can't I have your brain? You're fast in drawing, too!"

"Hmm..." Saglit akong nag-isip. "Since I don't have any hobbies, madalang lang din akong lumabas, I mostly invest my time in it. Nasanay lang ang kamay ko..."

"Yeah, I noticed that you're not into going in bars anymore. Ever since August or September?"

Cute. She noticed that, huh?

"Noong December, nagbar kami..."

Fuck! Naaalala ko na naman!

I gritted my teeth and sped up the vehicle. I shouldn't have said it! Binabalewala ko na nga ang bigat, bakit ko pa binungkal ang nananahimik na topic!

"You still haven't found a girlfriend, Kuya? You should find a girlfriend now."

"Nah..." Umiling ako.

Hindi nga ako makaahon sa isa. Bakit pa maghahanap, kung pwede namang siya?

"Whatever, your loss!" irap niya na ikinatawa ko.