"Bakit kayo magkasama?” Kuya June directed to the point.
I explained everything from Gab’s proposal that eventually leading to Thomas bringing me home tonight. I also told him that Thomas will drive us to Pampanga.
“Ano? Nakalimutan mo na ba lahat ng nangyari noon? Bakit parang ang bilis mo namang lumabot Ara,” Kuya scolded.
“I’m not doing anything,” I said. I tried to convince myself that I’ve acted naturally these days.
“Talaga lang ha? Baka nakalimutan mo kung panu ka niloko ng lalaking yun, kung panu ka umiyak pagkatapos ng ginawa niya,” Kuya said forcefully. He’s trying his best to control his voice so he won’t wake Ty up.
“Kuya…” I didn’t know how to explain my thoughts.
“Well, ipapaalala ko sayo,” he said. He sat in front of me. “Ara, niloko ka niya. Matapos ka niyang sigaw-sigawan, naghanap siya ng ibang babae para ipakita sayo na kayang-kaya ka niyang palitan ng ganun kadali lang. Umuwi ka ng Pampanga at lumuha ng isang dagat. At iniwan ka niya sa ere.”
“Kuya that’s not the whole story,” I said.
“Well, I don’t care! That’s how I know the story. I saw my only sister dry herself out because of crying for some guy. Ara, hindi lang din ikaw ang nahirapan noon. Kami rin, si Mama at si Papa. Hindi ka namin mapatahan, mapakain, mapalabas ng kwarto mo. We saw how you suffered. At kung hindi mo alam, pati si Mama hindi rin makatulog ng mga panahong yun,” Kuya reminded.
“Ara lumayo ka na noon, kinaya mo ng wala siya. Hindi mo na siya kailangan pa ngayon, pero bakit parang bumabalik na naman,” he said almost exasperated.
I didn’t know what to say so I busied my eyes looking at the floor.
“Ara, ayaw ko lang na makita kang ganun. Please. Just please think about it a million times before you go into something. Think about yourself and your son,” Kuya said.
I looked at my older brother. He looks so determined and firm. In a spur of a moment, I stood up and hug him. We’re not the showy kind of siblings but we always got each other’s back.
“Don’t worry Kuya. Ty and I will be fine. I promise.” I said
***
I am currently making a sandwich for the trip later. Mahaba-haba rin kasi yung biyahe. I already packed the other things that we will need last night. Ty and I are going to Pampanga at ihahatid kami ni Thomas. The conversation with Kuya last night was put aside but not forgotten. I think I really needed that reminder. I will try my best not to fall into the trap again but I am not closing my doors for a civil relationship. After all, Thomas and I have something that will have to bind us, maybe not romantically, forever.
“Tyrone, are you done? Hurry! Tito Thomas will be here any minute,” I called. Kuya June already went to a breakfast meeting kaya wala na siya dito.
“Finish!” Tyrone came in running. He is already dressed for the trip with a hat and his bag on his back.
“Very good. Now, you sit on the living room and open the door for Tito Thomas when he arrives,” I ordered.
My son immediately nodded and went hopping out of the kitchen. Excited kasi yun.
I’m done with the sandwiches. So I turned to cleaning the apples. Mahilig kasi sa apples si Tyrone. After I’m done with the food, I went to change my shirt. Nakaligo na ko kanina pa. Few more moments I heard Tyrone shouting.
“Babe! Tito Thomas is here!” he said.
I put on my shoes and went out of the room. Thomas was wearing a comfortable green v-neck shirt and khaki shorts. Ang simple pero bakit ang extra hot nito ngayon. Ai palagi pala. Urhg. Erase. Erase. What am I thinking?
