My Best friends' Brother

21

Feelings

After that family lunch we had, it was kind of awkward na, I keep on asking dad if ate Melissa is the mother of Alaily. I find it suspicious that they know each other. Ate Mel is years older than me. If I can remember correctly, she's 34. Almost the same age as Dos. My dad keeps on saying that they knew each other nang magpunta sila ni Alaily sa Japan but I'm not buying it. Dapat nabanggit ni ate Mel kung nagkakilala si papa noon nang maaksidente ako. Isa pa, hindi manlang niya binabanggit sa akin kung sino ang nanay ni Alaily. Kahit paano ay naaawa ako sa bata.

Today, I asked dad if I can have quality time with Alaily and he said yes kaya nandito kami ngayon sa game center ng mall. Hindi nakasama si dad dahil inaasikaso niya iyong canteen business niya. I'm so glad na may kinapupuntahan na ang mga desisyon ni daddy ngayon. Kung anu-ano ang nilalaro namin ni Alaily at nagpicture rin kami sa photobooth. Nakakatuwa kasi in an ordinary day, I'd find this a waste of money but right now, money doesn't matter. Kahit magload pa ako ng 1000 sa game card, I wouldn't mind as long as I can see the laughing and smiling face of Alaily. I am feeling warmth in my heart. All the memories of struggling and being alone melts away with just the sight of Alaily's laughter.

"Ate, I'm hungry. Pwede eat tayo jabee?" She said with that puppy eyes look and I couldn't say no because hello!? Sinong may ayaw sa Jollibee?! Tsaka it's almost dinner time already.

"Alright, baby. Eat tayo sa jabee." Alaily smiled and that melted my heart. She was so happy kahit sa simpleng pagpayag ko lang na kumain sa Jollibee. I wish na magtagal na ganito lang siya. So innocent, so sweet, my very loving Alaily.

She was holding my hand when we reached Jollibee. She asked for a 'jabee' jolly spaghetti with jumbo fries. Magkatabi kami ngayon. I am eating my chicken joy while listening to her random stories about school.

"May classmate ako ate, inaasar niya ako. Wala raw ako mommy pero hindi naman ako sad kasi may ate ako. Siya wala." Nakaramdam ako ng awa para sa kanya. Gusto kong sagutin ang sinabi niya pero anong sasabihin ko? I have no idea of who her mom is.

Nilingon ko siya, I can see a faint sadness in her eyes pero agad naman iyong nawala. She held my face and looked at me straight in the eye. She smiled - the kind of smile that makes you smile with no apparent reason.

"May good news ako ate." She said enthusiastically. Umayos siya ng upo. "Top one ako, ate. Naalala mo ba 'yung promise mo sa'kin?" She asked as she munch the fries.

"Wow! Very good naman ang baby ko. Top one ka? Ilan ba kayo sa room? Baka one lang talaga ha?" Ginulo ko ang buhok nito.

"Hindi 'no! Pibtin kaya kami sa room. May lab team na nga ako doon." Nakanguso niyang sabi. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata.

"Baby ka pa may love team ka ng nalalaman!? Isusumbong kita kay papa ha!"

"Luh. Tanda na ni ate sumbungera." Sagot sa akin ni Alaily na nakapagpatawa sa akin.

Matatas magsalita si Alaily kaya nakakatuwa kausap. Minsan parang matanda na rin kung magsalita. Madalas, masarap batukan. Antayin ko pa siya lumaki ng kaonti para mabatukbatukan ko na.

Pangararap ko kayang magkaroon ng bunsong kapatid na babatukbatukan. Ang dami ko na ngang naiisip na mga bagay na ituturo sa kanya lalo na tungkol sa mga lalaki.

Lumilipad ang isip ko nang maramdaman kong nagba-vibrate 'yung phone ko sa bulsa. Binunot ko ang phone sa aking bulsa to check kung sino ang nambubulahaw sa bonding time namin ni Alaily and I saw Dos' name. I answered.

"Busy?" He asked.

"Good afternoon to you too, Dos." I greeted sarcastically.

"You're not replying to my messages."