Dear Mr. Otaku (Completed)

Seis

Lahat ng antok ko nawala. It's been so long since I last heard her voice. Nang magbalik ako ay pinagbawalan akong kausapin siya. Then nalaman ko na lang na pinag-aral siya ni Lolo sa boarding school abroad.

"Angela, where are you? How's Kuya?" The line was silent for a while na akala ko ay naputol na ito. "I missed you, squirt."

"Usotsuki..."

"Angela! Angela--" pero patay na ang linya. Shit. So nakabalik na pala siya. I texted Kuya Andrew's number hoping na sumagot siya kung nasaan na sila. I tried Aria-nee's number next.

Ilang beses nang nag-ring bago may sumagot. "Hello, Aria-nee?"

"Adrian?" Shit. It's her Dad. "Hi Tito Arthur," I managed to say. Ibig sabihin kinonfiscate nila ang phone ni Aria. "Is Aria still up?"

"I'm sorry my daughter is already asleep. Is this urgent?" Pinakiramdaman ko kung may kakaiba sa boses ni Tito Arthur pero mukhang wala naman. His tone even seemed happy.

"Um, I just want to talk to her about something but it's okay. I'll call again tomorrow."

"Okay, good night Adrian."

"Yeah, sorry for disturbing your sleep."

I sat in silence contemplating what I could do next. After a while I decided to dial the one person I know can help me. It's midday in his part of the world.

"Addie?"

"Hi Kuya Ali, can you help me track this number?"

...oOo...oOo...oOo...

Inabutan ko ng isang can ng Heineken si Kuya Andrew. Naupo kami sa veranda ng aking unit habang pinapanood ang mga naglalarong ilaw sa mga building. It took almost a whole day for my lawyers to get him out of jail after he trespassed and tried to get Aria out of their house. I feel absolutely guilty. Hindi rin nakatulong yung fact na galit pa rin sa akin si Angela.

Maaga akong umuwi nang malaman kong nakalabas na si Kuya.

"Thanks A.D." He drank deeply from the can. Hindi ko siya sinabayan dahil hindi ko naman ugali ang uminom. Wine with dinner pa siguro, mga isa o dalawang baso pero never more than that.

"We have to be careful from now on Aniki." I sighed. More problems on top of my pile of problems. Pero hindi ko kayang pabayaan si Kuya na ganito. He might be a playboy, pero alam kong kay Ate Aria lang siya naging seryoso. His flings were more of because he couldn't get who he wanted.

"I need to get her out of there. I can't let her marry Montecillo."

"Aniki," I started. "You have a restraining order of 200 meters."

"If it was Dianne, would you stand by it?"

"Of course not."

"See? See?" He drank the rest of his beer in one long gulp. Inabutan ko siya ng isa pa.

"If who is me?" Napalingon ako sa boses ni koi. Ni hindi ko namalayang dumating na pala siya. I stood up and welcomed her with a hug.

"Hmp, kahapon hindi mo ako nireplyan." She pouted at me. "Kahit isang text wala."

"Sorry koi." I tightened my hold on her. "Sorry. The office gave me absolute hell."

"Lagi naman e."

Mukhang malaki nga ang tampo ni Dianne. I know I've already missed so many of our little get-togethers. Dati nakakapag-lunch or merienda kami ng sabay araw-araw pero the last two weeks ay ni hindi kami nagkita.

"You are letting the company run you and not the other way around." She sighed. Well, tama siya.

"Hi sweetie," Kuya Andrew greeted her with a wave of his beer bottle. He took a long look at her. "Addie look what cha doin' to your sweetie? Sige agawin ko 'yan." He laughed like a maniac and I threw him a glare.