decoding the boys ✔️

68 | later sis

In the earliest hours of the 31st, my dad woke me up with a slight nudge. I gently rubbed the sleep from my eyes, giving a sleepy half grin as soon as I recognized him.

"When did you get home?"

"Just now. Your mom's downstairs. Wanna eat breakfast with us?"

I nodded. "Just a sec, please. Sunod ako."

Dad ruffled my hair and left me to my morning rituals. I'm not usually a morning person but I love getting woken up by dad lalo na kung matagal ko na silang hindi nakikita. Nagmadali akong maghilamos then bumaba na ako para saluhan sila. Kuya Travis wasn't here yet but the rest of my brothers were here. Sinundo pala ni Kuya Andrei sa airport sina Mom. Si Kuya Chris naman, kakauwi lang din. Halos magkasabay lang sila.

"Kumpleto ba tayo this New Year?"

Tumango si Mom. "Uuwi mamayang gabi si Travis." She drank her coffee and looked at all of us. "Are you going to invite your cousins here? Magpapahanda ba ako nang marami?"

"Maybe not. Mathev and Paul are in Japan right now," Kuya Andrei supplied. "Gian and Kuya Nick will probably spend theirs with the and the Chens."

"Talagang pinaninindigan ni Gian yung baby, a? That's nice." Mom smiled softly.

"Of course. De Villa 'yon, e. May isang salita ang lahi namin," Dad said smugly.

Mom rolled her eyes. "Sure you have, hon."

And the morning banter began, making me laugh. Na-miss ko 'to. I love how our mornings were. Our family breakfasts were always the best.

After eating, Mom and Dad disappeared into their room to get some rest. Gano'n din si Kuya Chris habang lumabas naman sina Kuya Andrei at Kuya Jacob para maglaro ng basketball sa court. Hindi na ako makabalik sa pagtulog kaya I grabbed that chance para makapag-practice din ng skateboarding kahit d'yan lang sa tapat namin.

Isang oras lang ako tumagal dahil umaraw na rin. Isa-isa na rin dumarating ang mga early greetings ng mga kaibigan ko. I replied to some of them: mostly kina Nami, Pau, at sa iba pang mga ka-org ko. I didn't try texting Racel yet. Baka kasi tulog pa 'yon.

Napangiti ako at the reminder of him. Sa tuwing naaalala ko ang Christmas namin, hindi ko mapigilan ang pag-atake ng kilig! Kasi holy fudge. Despite dating him for months now, hindi pa rin nawawala ang epekto niya sa 'kin. Ang dangerous din na we shared a room. Sobrang challenge no'n sa discipline ko and at some point, we almost crossed that line, but I was adamant on keeping our pace slow bago ako gumawa ng kahit anong alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi pa ako handang gawin. Racel didn't seem disappointed din, so another points for him. Grabe.

I knew that was foul for some guys but Racel simply nodded before excusing himself so he could get a cold shower. Syempre, I felt awkward after that but he reassured me na he could wait for me.

Sobrang na-appreciate ko yung gesture. After all, men don't like being left hanging.

Sure, they might like the casual teasing. They might even love the chasing game. But once you got into the mood and start going under the sheets, let him know right away if you plan to continue or not instead of suddenly stopping while you're very close to the deed. That's like bailing on him at the last minute. Most of the guys find this annoying and off-putting. Ayaw nila ng pinapaasa. Konti lang ang hindi maiirita sa gano'n. If he understands you, then you got it, girl. He's a keeper.

Ah shiz. He really was one in a million. I hoped I really was worth the wait.

#

Mga bandang alas sais ng gabi, dumating na si Kuya Travis. Nakahanda na ang mga pagkain sa hapag at nagkakantahan na sina Dad at Kuya Chris habang nagsisimula nang uminom ang mga kapatid ko. Naglalaro ng smoke bombs si Kuya Chris at Kuya Jacob nang may bigla akong maalala.