A Matter of Choice

(13) *Her Brother*

Hindi naman ako ganun kaaga nagising and neither late. Tama lang siguro. I went downstairs after kong maayos ang sarili ko.

"Mommy sisimba po kayo?" I asked nang madaanan ko sila sa living room.

"Ask your dad." I looked at dad who is currently drinking his coffee.

"Dad?"

"Baka mamaya na lang hapon."

"Okay. Ako na lang muna for this morning." I headed to the kitchen and ate my breakfast. Tapos bumalik na ako sa kwarto ko and naligo na.

I prepared myself at kinuha ko na ang sling bag ko. I was about to go down pero tumigil ako sa pinto ng room ni kuya.

I didn't knock, though. Pagkabukas ko, ayun siya, nakatalukbong pa. I sighed while thinking how much I missed him.

The moment I stepped closer to him, eksakto namang tumunog ang alarm clock niya. He was about to snooze it but I spoke.

"Gising na. The sun is already up."

Minulat niya ang mata niya at kinusot ito.

"Jazen? Why are you here? Need something?" he said while yawning.

I rolled my eyes, hindi pa rin kasi siya nabangon! Nung hindi ako umimik he went near me and place his hands on my shoulders.

"May problema ba? Look I'm really really sor----"

I hushed him. I don't want that issue to be brought up again.

"Wala akong problema." inalis ko na yung kamay niya at tumalikod.

"I'll be waiting for you downstairs. Get yourself ready, we're going to the church." I started walking.

"Saglit lang! Are you really saying na sisimba tayong dalawa? I mean the both of us? Does it mean we--" I glared at him. "Okay, okay, maliligo na." he laughingly said.

Napa-iling na lang ako sa reaction niya. He can't believe that I was actually telling him to go to the church with me!

I checked the time. 7:45 pa lang. He got himslef ready at exactly eight and we headed to my car.

"Kuya, ikaw na lang magdrive." he nodded at pumasok na kami sa loob. He started driving.

"Ano ba! You're smiling like a fool since you went downstairs! Nakahithit ka ba ha?" I asked. Kanina pa kasi siyang ngiti ng ngiti.