Disobedience

Chapter 42: Anyone and Anything

Elijah

"K-Kuya Dominic, okay ka lang po?" Mela asked my brother as we both stood by a fishball vendor cart here at the side of the campus. Dom's security detail's surrounding the parameter discreetly, as well as a couple of black Cadillacs parked on the side of the road blending with Mela's presidential protective detail. After I got my wound taken care of by my baby, I received a text from my brother—actually, it was a picture of a cup full of fish balls and some kikiams and the bastard even typed, "Gusto mo? Libre ko."

And so, here I am standing next to him with a bruised face now wearing a black sweatshirt with my basketball jersey, the weight of my white gold chain resting behind the fabric. His white dress shirt is also crumpled and he also has steri-strips on his bruised cheeks and cut nose.

We both have clear cups of street food in our hands while the sun sets in the sky like we just didn't beat each other up an hour ago. This basically sums up our brotherly relationship.

"Yeah. " Malamig na sabi sa nakatayong babae. She was wearing a long skirt with a patterned blouse, it was the kind of style you would see women wear in a church not a school. A simple backpack hangs on her shoulder while she hugs a brown Manila envelope.

I poked another fishball from the sea of oil in a hot pan. Yamsuan, who is behind the counter and cooking the food for us, only shook his head. Donkey-Dom bought the vendor's products three times its worth, so we can have the whole stall by ourselves for a minute. Kuya Vendor's already at home with his kids, Yamsuan will deliver his cart when we finish here.

"What are you doing here? You should be in your sixth block right now, the hospitality management class, right?"

Huh, the motherfúcker knows her schedule. Ngingiti-ngiti akong ngumuya ng fishball.

"O-Opo pero p-paano niyo po nalaman, Kuya Dominic?" She innocently asked.

I snorted and I almost choked on the fishball when I saw his blue eyes widened in panic and he had the audacity to look at me, asking me to save him. I just shrugged and ate more fish balls. 

"Y-Your mother and I talked about your classes. I wanted to know the difference between the tourism classes in the states versus here ... .and I-I just happen to remember now.." He cleared his throat and gave me a side glare. "Go back to class, kid. Cutting classes is not worth it."

"H-Hindi naman po ako nagka-cutting class. Maaga po kaming pinalabas ni prof a-and h-hindi po ako bata, Kuya Dominic. Eighteen na po ako." The girl blushed.

"Yep, he knows, Mela. I bet he was counting down on the days you were gonna be legally an adult—-ow, fúck was that for!" I grunted when he gave me a hard back slap on my side.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

Napalunok si Mela habang namumula.

"P-Pinapabigay po ni Mama ito...... tungkol daw po sa bagong program." She casually said like her mom isn't the President of the Philippines. She started handing him the brown Manila envelope and when their fingers briefly touched, Dom quickly pulled his hand away like he had just touched a hot pot or more like he felt a spark because Mela's reaction was the same.

"Let your mom know I said thank you."

"Okay po."

"Please don't use 'po' on me, I don't think I am that old."

I snorted and I wanted to say something again but he glared at me.

"Oh, okay p-po—I mean opo—-yes." She stuttered and she turned and quickly walked back to the black SUV, where a woman wearing a pantsuit opened the door for her.