decoding the boys ✔️

52 | say it properly

While Kuya was pulling me to our house, he momentarily stopped to acknowledge Racel, "Bro, pauwi pa lang si Jacob. Take the other route. Baka magkasalubong kayo," he said bago ako hinatak ulit.

Understanding hit me cold then. Kaya pala nagmamadali at mukhang nag-aalala si Kuya Chris. He was worried about Kuya Jacob!

Racel left right away after telling me he'd call later. Pag-uwi namin sa bahay, sinundan ako ni Kuya Chris papasok ng kwarto ko.

"Kuya, I'll explain," kabado at mabilis kong sinabi.

Kuya Chris read my expression and searched my eyes. Then, his face softened a bit.

Sumandal siya sa pinto ng kwarto ko.

"Gaano na kayo katagal?" simula niya.

"Hindi pa naman po kami."

Diretso ang tingin niya sa 'kin. It wasn't a cold stare naman-more like, he was just asking for the details dahil curious siya more than anything else. Medyo nabawasan ang kabang nararamdaman ko pero hindi ko pa rin mabasa kung ano ang nasa isip niya.

"But you're dating?"

"For a while now," sagot ko.

"You didn't tell us," he said, making me flinch, but then a smile brightened his face.

"Look, okay lang 'yon. And I won't ask if he really likes you. That much is already clear to me," then his smile became reassuring. "I'm not upset, don't worry. I only acted that way dahil ayokong makita kayo ni Jacob. You know how he is."

My eyes widened a fraction. "Okay lang sa 'yo, Kuya? That I'm dating him?" tanong ko in disbelief.

"Yeah? I saw how you two looked at each other earlier and I could see the sincerity there. At isa pa, ayokong makisali sa mga gulo ni Jacob. That's his life. And it doesn't make any sense kung pati ikaw madadamay. Though I must warn you. I highly doubt Jacob will receive this in good spirit. He'll think that boy will break your heart to get even with him."

"Many people do. But it's not like that. Pinag-isipan ko rin naman 'tong mabuti. I can make my own judgments din," I explained, eager to have at least one more brother to understand me.

Kuya Chris nodded and said softly, "I know. Sino-sino na ba ang nakakaalam?"

"Sa atin? Kayo pa lang ni Kuya Travis."

His brows rose. "Alam na ni Kuya? Anong sinabi niya?"

"It's fine with him din naman daw."

"Sabagay. It's your dating life after all. We don't really have a say. Hindi ka na bata. Alam mo na ang ginagawa mo. We can only offer guidance bilang nakatatanda."

"It's really okay with you?" I asked, skeptic.

I hardly expected this. Alam ko naman na reasonable si Kuya Chris, but I honestly thought he'd be dead set against the idea of me dating Racel.

"Basta maging maingat. Sapat nang isang baby ngayon," he implied, letting out a wicked grin.

Namula ako to the tips of my hair. "What-hindi kami gano'n!"

"Talaga lang, a?" tumawa siya at tinapik ang dalawa kong balikat. "Okay, sis. I'll let you crash. He said he'll call you, 'di ba? He must be worried. Go talk."

I embraced him and reveled in the relief I was feeling. "Thank you, Kuya. Super. I really appreciate it."

"You got my full support on this one. Jacob's not gonna like it but that boy barely likes anything," he said, laughing. He kissed my head. "A'ight, goodnight."