Graded Hearts

Chapter 16 : Truth

Emma's POV

"Hihintayin ko nalang siya rito manang." I put a fine grip on the strap of my backpack as I entered in Kuya Hunter's house. The house was huge, sobra para sa isang taong nakatira rito. Iniisip ko nga kung paanong nakakayanan ni Kuya Hunter mamuhay mag-isa. Oh well, marami silang pera, tiyak na walang problema.

"Hey Emmanuelle." kuya Hunter said as he walked lazily on the stairs. He look wasted! With his short and white sleeveless on, hindi naman siguro naglasing kagabi ang isang to no?

"Oh cut the Emmanuelle kuya Hunter, Emma suits me better." Halatang bagong gising ang isang to, sa mukha ba naman niyang parang gusto pang matulog, at gulo-gulo niyang buhok, hindi masyadong halata na nag-eenjoy siya sa one week vacation nila.

"What brought you here?" he asked straightforwardly.

"I need your help." diretso kong saad. Tinaas baba ko ang kilay ko para makumbinsi siya.

"Help? For what? Kung isa yan sa mga kabaliwan mo, sorry I can't help, mayayari ako sa kuya mong tigre." he raised his both hands up. Aish! Ang judgemental ha? Kabaliwan agad? Ang bait-bait ko kaya, I don't have time for jokes! I'm a busy person!

"You have to help me kuya. Ikaw lang ang naiisip kong makakatulong sa akin." I pleaded. Minsan lang akong magmakaawa, and mind you, my beg is too much to take, it is definitely genuine.

"What help Emmanuelle? I'm telling you, if this one of your pranks again, you'll face the consequences this time." nakapamewang ako dahil sa pagiging judgmental niya. I rolled my eyes on him, masyado na niya akong iniinsulto ha! Sinabing hindi kabaliwan to eh!

"Alam mo naman siguro ang nangyari kay kuya di ba?"

"Yeah, kalat yan sa buong academy."

"Hindi ka lang ba nagtaka kung ginawa ba talaga ni kuya yun?"

"Of course I did!"

"And what did you do?"

"I have talked to that bastard, he don't want me to interfere. Besides it's his business, I don't want to get attached."

"That's it? Dahil sinabi ni kuya susundin mo na siya?" I arched my brow, I can't believe best friend ito ni kuya!

" I trust your brother, especially his words and decisions."

"Then, I think kuya is hiding something, and we need to find it out."  I'm trying to figure out and understand why kuya don't want us to  get involved eh hindi rin naman siya gumagawa ng paraan para patunayan na naframe up siya. Weird. Kilala ko ang kuya ko, he will never stop until the truth will come out. Sa lagay niya ngayon ay parang ayaw niyang malaman ang totoo.

"Are you really sure we'll do this?" he queried. Parang siya ay nagdadalawang isip rin eh, parehas talaga sila ng takbo ng utak ni kuya.

"Yes. We need to clear Kuya's name."

"Tss! Alright, I'll just take a quick shower. Just wait here. Or you can go to the kitchen and eat what you want, just like what you always do." I gave him a full glare. Iniinis na naman ako ng isang to, di ko pa naman din feel ang mainis ngayon! Arhg!

"Che!" Naupo ako sa sofa habang pinaglalaruan ang mga daliri ko. Inikot-ikot ko ang aking paningin sa kabuuan ng sala at naisipang tumingin-tingin sa picture frames na nasa side table. All the pictures were him and kuya, walang picture ng pamilya niya. Actually, alam ko ang dahilan, they're not in good terms with his family, kaya rin mag-isa siyang nakatira sa bahay na ito. Buti nalang at naging magkaibigan sila ni kuya, they had each other's back.

After thirty minutes ay bumaba na rin si kuya Hunter. Nakabrown jeans and white with print shirt siya at basa pa rin ang buhok niya. Dumiretso siya sa kitchen at mabilis na nakabalik sa sala dala ang isang toasted bread. Mukhang nagmamadali talaga siya dahil hindi na siya nagbreakfast.