Bunch of MENDOZAs

Chapter 63

Xyzzy's POV

"Boys?" Tawag ko at kumatok uli sa pintuan ng kwarto nila.

Hindi pa rin yata sila gising kaya kumatok ako ng tatlo pang beses at binuksan na saka pumasok.

So tulog na tulog nga sila.

Ilang araw na rin simula nang umuwi ang papa nila at ang mommy ni Zahir at sobrang saya ko lang dahil parang mga dating Mendoza na mga kausap ko. Like the first time. Though I know na nasaktan si Zahir for a reason, he's trying his best to be okay.

Zahir half inch on the edge. Nag-aalala ako na baka mahulog pa siya kaya siya na ang una kong nilapitan at ginising.

"Zahir? Gising na. We will go to the church 'di ba?" I said and gently tapped his chest.

Dumilat na ang mata niya pero pumikit ulit. So I had to wake him again. And did the same to the others.

"Xyzzy ang aga pa eh." Reklamo ni Rain at bumangon.

"8:30 na. Come on big guys. Get up. Maganda na yung maaga tayong matapos maki-simba para magkaroon na rin kayo ng time kasama ang mga girlfriends niyo." I said with a smile and accidentally met his gaze.

He's there on his bed, sitting... intently looking at me. We never talked since the night he begged me to stay. Good thing he's keeping his promise. Hindi na siya nakikigulo. He's being nice... I and distant.

"Why ate? May lakad ka rin ba mamaya?" Raven asked.

"Date niyo ni Ken?" Breii smirked.

I rolled my eyes. "Bangon na. Alam kong may mga date kayo."

"Brile doesn't have." Zaine said it like he's mocking and walked out with his towel.

"Whatever you guys. I prepared breakfast." I chuckled and walked out too.

I went to my room to check my phone and I'm glad I did.

Ken have been trying to reach me through phone calls trice so I immediately called him.

"Ken?" I said, more like a greeting already.

["Hey baby good morning, I wanna ask you out."]

"Uhm, is it okay kung mamayang mga lunch? Makiki-mass kasi ako kasama ang pito. I told you that remember?"

["Yeah. I can remember that. And of course. Anytime you want. But, can it be here in my place? Well, babe, I will just cook you lunch and... you know, you don't have to know."]

I can sense that he's tense. He's up to something. Or should I say, he and Andeng are up to something.

"Of course Ken it's fine. Yeah. Maybe I'll just text you or?"

["I'll pick you up. Just let me know."]

I smiled. "Okay. Bye."

["Bye. I- I love you."]

I smiled even more and put off the call.

I went out of the room, did any chores as I waited them for breakfast. It's like an hour before they all appeared in the dining area.

"Oh, nagluto ka yata ng meatloafs. May kasalanan ka 'no?" Raven said while wiggling his brows.

"Nagluto lang ako ng processed food may kasalanan na?"

They sat down and we did utter a prayer before started eating.

"Xyzzy bigla ka yatang nag-aya sa mass. Mimisahan mo na ba si Raven?" Rain said.

I chuckled and shook my head. "I just thought na, ilang months na kayo rito hindi ko pa kayo nakakasama sa mass. Hindi ko naman kayo mahagilap madalas kapag Sunday na."

"You have something important to say?" Zaine asked.

"Pagpapatuli ni kuya." Raven answered and laughed loudly.

Maibabato na naman ni Rain ang tinidor sa kapatid niya kaya agad kong inabot.

"Kayo talaga. Wala nga. Gusto ko lang talaga kayong makasama." I honestly answered.

"Magpapaalam ka?" Zahir asked.

"No, no baby. I promised to stay 'di ba?" I immediately answered.

"Magpapakasal ka?" Breii asked.

I rolled my eyes.

"Pregnant?" Tanong naman ni Aki.

"Bakit ba ganyan mga tanong niyo? Parang sobrang nakakapagtaka ah?" Tanong ko sa kanilang pito at tinignan sila isa isa... except for him of course.

"Wala. Takot lang kami na baka may magbago ng sobra." Rain answered.

I smiled. "Hindi naman habang buhay kasama niyo 'ko. You all should learn how to adopt to changes."

I did the sign of the cross and stood.

Tapos na ang mass pero nagpahuli kaming umalis dahil ayaw makipagsiksikan ng mga kasama ko sa ibang tao.

Aayain ko palang sana sila pero napansin kong wala na ang kasama naming anim at kami nalang ni Brile ang natira kasama ang iilan pang tao dito.

He walked to me and smiled. "Xyzzy can we talk?"

I nodded as a response and looked away.

He reached my hand and gently pulled me down to sit. I kept my eyes on him and waited for his words.

"This won't take long. I know you'll be with him later." He softly said and let go of my hand. "You really don't like me?"

"Brile, we talked about this for how many time-"

"Okay babe. Sure." He looks at me and smiled. "I'm always nobody."

The sadness on voice made me stare at him even more.

"I always lose; work, school, mafia, you. I'm never enough 'cause I was not good at anything." He looked away. "It's always that, 'what do you expect from that guy'. Akala ko naman sa mamahalin ko mananalo ako." He hissed. "Xy, I felt home in you. I felt home on someone that will never be mine." He faced me and looks straightly on my eyes. "Every time I'd like to stop, I'll find one good reason not to. Though there will no reason, I'd still won't stop on you. I told myself I shouldn't stop because I've been praying for you. But I guess I'll just have to ask for another angel."

This time, it's me who reached his hand. "Brile, maraming rason kung bakit hindi tayo pwede. See how much pain I'm causing you? It's because I'm not for you. Brile maybe I'm just dressed like a dream."

"I love you." He sincerely said and holds both of my hands. "Kapag pinaiyak ka niya nandito lang ako. Just let me know if you're ready to love me... 'cause I know, that you'll always have a part in my heart." He pulled me up and hugged me tightly and showered my hair and forehead with kisses. "I'm letting go of the feelings I have for you... if those will fade. Thank you babe." He cupped my face and stared at me with his watery eyes. "Off you go to your love one." He smiled.

I smiled even more and nodded. "Thank you Brile."