His Other Side (on hold)

20

20 : Suitor

"Ano yun Reese ha? Akala ko ba kaibigan mo lang si Brent eh bakit ngayon gusto ka ng ligawan?" malakas na tanong ni Theo habang naglalakad papasok ng bahay.

He wasn't there when Brent asked me if he could court me but half of the school population witnessed it. Kaya hindi talaga imposibleng makarating iyon kay Theo.

But I was really shocked of his sudden outburst.

Dahil kanina namang nasa sasakyan kami pauwi ng bahay ay binigyan niya lang ako ng silent treatment. And now, he was acting like he's my father.

"Yeah. Akala ko din. Pero gusto niya raw ako eh. Wala naman sigurong masama diba if I'll give him a chance?" sagot ko nang makapasok na kami sa bahay.

Sinundan ko si Theo na dumiretso sa living room at umupo sa couch. He was massaging the back of his head tapos walang humpay sa pagpapadaan ng kamay sa buhok.

"Theo?" tanong ko ulit sa kanya nang di siya sumagot.

Umayos siya sa pagkakaupo saka tumingin sa akin. "Siguro nga you already have the right to decide about your lovelife. Sige, hahayaan na kita about Brent."

I smiled at him. "Thank you."

He sighed. "I just wonder sobra na ba ang pagiging protective ko sayo? I mean bigla ko lang naisip hindi mo man lang naenjoy ang teenage life mo. You never attend any party, wala kang naging lalaking kaibigan, and you never entertained any of your suitors. And I guess, it's my fault, for being so much protective of you."

I frowned then came closer to him. I held his hand. "No, Theo. Wag mong isipin yan. I understand kung bakit mo yun ginagawa. We both know the reason. And you being my overprotective brother, trust me, that's the best thing I love about you," sabi ko at niyakap siya nang mahigpit.

He did hug me back which gained another smile from me.

Akala ko itutulak niya ako palayo tulad ng ginagawa niya since we'd reach the teen years.

After a minute, we pulled away but I stayed close to him, sitting just beside him.

"Basta Reese, siguraduhin lang ni Brent na hindi ka niya sasaktan dahil kung nagkataon, patay talaga siya sa akin," he threatened.

I chuckled. "Yes, Dad, makakarating po yan sa suitor ko," I joked.

He chuckled too then threw punches on my arm playfully. I took a revenge by smacking the throw pillow on his face and that was the start of some little pillow fight.

Pareho kaming naghahabol ng hininga nang sabay kaming napahiga sa carpet, laying side by side. That was fun. Parang bumalik ulit kami sa childhood namin. And this kind of moment with my brother is something I'd really treasure.

Suddenly, I remembered about Brent.

"Ah, Theo?" I called.

"Hmmm?"

"Dito pala magdidinner si Brent. Okay lang ba?" tanong ko.

"Yeah."

I propped on my elbow so I could look at him. "Really?"

"Yeah," ulit niya. "At nang magisa."

I frowned at him. "Theo!" I used my warning tone.

He looked at me innocently. "What?"

I shook my head at tumayo na. "Ewan ko sayo. Sarapan mo ang dinner ah! Nagugutom ako," I said then headed to my room.

Nang makapasok na ako ay tinext ko na si Brent na okay na ang lahat. After a while, someone called. I answered it without even looking at the caller ID. Akala ko kasi si Brent pero nang may nagsalita, nagulat ako. Boses babae.