Send Me In Orbit

Butterflies

Claire couldn't pinpoint exactly when it happened. It seemed to happen gradually and all at once at the same time.

After the Prom, the school year went by really quick. Before Claire knew it, the entire family was headed to New York for a vacation and to get Kuya CJ settled in at his dorm. It was everyone's first time in the Big Apple and they had fun exploring the city and doing all of the touristy things that Kuya CJ pretended he was embarrassed by, but Claire knew he secretly loved. After New York, the family minus Kuya CJ, headed to California to visit Claire's Ninong Jordan and Tita Jenny. All in all, it was a wonderful vacation.

But all too soon Claire had to go home and face the reality of a new school year without her Kuya CJ around. It was harder than she anticipated it would be. Most of the friends that she spent time with outside of school were also Kuya CJ's friends and they had all graduated and gone off to different schools. The athletics team had a general meeting on the first day of school so Ceres went home ahead of Claire. She walked out to the gate and, surprisingly, Henry was there.

"Kamusta, Kulet?" He grinned at her.

"Ano ginagawa mo dito?" She asked.

"Kanina pa natapos klase ko kaya nagpaalam ako kay Tita Leah na ako na susundo sa 'yo. Tara, baka wala tayong abutan na merienda!"

Claire rolled her eyes. "Gusto mo ako sunduin o ngayon na wala na si Kuya, kailangan mo ng excuse na pumunta sa bahay para kumain?"

Henry put a hand to his heart, feigning hurt. "Syempre gusto ko siguraduhin na safe ka makakauwi."

Claire didn't know why she felt warmth spreading through her belly, rising up to her chest. Henry took her books from her as they walked to the corner to hail a taxi.

"Kamusta first day of school?" He asked.

She shrugged. "Same lang. Ikaw! Kamusta ang first day mo sa UP?"

"Boring. Wala naman kaming ginawa. Puro bigayan lang ng syllabus."

A taxi stopped in front of them and Henry opened the door to let Claire in first.

"Paano ka na ngayon, wala na Kuya ko para kopyahan mo ng assignment?" Claire asked cheekily.

"Hoy! Ang Kuya mo kaya ang kumokopya sa akin!"

"Sus..."

"Totoo. Lalo na sa English."

"Galing kaya mag-English ng Kuya ko!" Claire defended.

"Magsalita, oo. Pero mag-sulat ng essays...lalo na tungkol sa literature?" Henry shook his head.

Claire laughed.

"Pero...nakaka-miss na Kuya mo..."

"Tinatawagan ka naman niya lagi sa Facetime ah."

"It's not the same," he sighed. "Saka, nakaka-miss na rin ang Adobo ni Tita Leah..."

"Ayun!" Claire shoved him. "Lumabas ang totoo!"

"With smiley face pa." He winked at her.

~

It became a habit, Henry picking up Claire from school. He did it everyday and Claire started to wonder if he had arranged his schedule in a way that made sure he was free to do so. She didn't think too much about it though. She was so used to Henry's presence in her life that it only seemed natural that he would be around more in her Kuya's absence. Her entire family felt the same way. Henry was a constant figure in their home, often conveniently stopping by when they're having meals. Claire wondered if her parents sometimes forgot that they don't actually have three sons.