Her Hero

Pair

Hanggang sa makarating kami sa resto para pa rin kaming mga bata ni Xavier na nakainom ng laughing potion. Even our service driver was smiling at our convo.

Pinakalma muna namin ni Xavier ang sarili namin sa kakatawa sa kung ano anong kwentuhan. I would look at him and he'd start laughing and I would laugh too as if we read each other's mind. We would stop laughing because we're running out of breath. I can't remember myself laughing this hard without any concrete reason.

"Ok..." Xavier started, still catching his breath with a large grin on his face.

"Let's shake this off." he stretched his arms and started wiggling them.

"Ok..." and I imitated him...

I just can't stop laughing...

"This isn't working! Para na tayong sira."

We are still laughing but we both stopped wiggling our arms.

He stepped and placed his hand on my back to push on toward the door. The receptionist opened the door for us and we saw the diners are so busy chatting and eating.

I gaze up on him to see his reaction and I saw him looking down at me and our shoulders started shaking trying to suppress the sound of our laughter.

When he calm down, he looked at the receptionist, "Uhm, we have a reservation under Ramirez?"

"Yes, sir. Please follow me."

We followed the lady and of course we are still holding hands. Before we reached our table, Ate Ysabell is already waving at us with a large smile on her face. There were three seats left. Xavier pulled the chair for me and sit beside me.

As soon as he settled our things, we had a quick glance at each other before looking at the silent people staring at us.

I broke the silence, "What?" still confused as to why they have those expression.

Kuya started, "We noticed your entrance a while back. You were bot not being successful at keeping your noisy laughter at bay."

Meera followed, "Holding hands..."

Ate Ysabell also commented, "Couple shirt..."

I looked at Xymon if he has any other comment to say but his face turned blank. He avoided us and started looking to my siblings and Meera.

"Shall we order?" he said instead.

Normally, I would hope for something that it means something. I felt a hand over my shoulder and I heard him whisper, " Don't mind mister grumpy..." and he sit back properly without looking at me. and with that I started laughing again in silence and he has a huge grin on his face too kahit hindi sya nakatingin sa akin.

Meera called my attention when I didn't stop laughing. "What's with you two?"

Xavier and I looked at each other before looking back to Meera and answered her in chorus, "Nothing!"

Xavier and I looked at each other and laugh again. Crazy, I know.

We both laugh our welling tears as we started slowing down our laughter.

Xymon called the attendant and we all gave our orders.

We eat and chat about what we did. Kuya Yvan making comments about the seasoning of the food and Ate answering Kuya about health and etc. We were just listening to my two talkative siblings.

Xavier leaned a little closer and whispered, "Are you sure you're not adopted? Your siblings are talking non-stop."

I smack his head, "I'm hundred and one percent sure I'm not adopted. But yeah! Welcome to my world."

"Who wants desserts?" Xavier said to cut off the word battle between my siblings.

"Kuya, let's have our favorite street food here. I want Yara to try it." Xavier suggested to Xymon.

Xymon smiled at his brother as if it was his brother's brightest idea. "Yes! Let's hit the street." he called the waiter and sign for the bill.

We head out and waited for Xymon outside.

Xymon came out bringing different aura. He looks excited, "Let's go!"
He instructed our driver to go to Maxwell Food Center.

"Buti hindi crowded ngayon dito." Sabi ni Kuya. We've been here pero pag peak season punuan ang tao dito. Masarap ang food. The place and food speaks of their mixed culture and tradition.

"Hindi peak hour. It's better if we split stalls so we can order fast." Ate Ysabell suggested.

"Kuya and I will go to Tian Tian Chicken. We know someone." Xavier said. We all looked at them. Ofcourse Kuya Yvan is more surprised. For several times we'd been here hindi pa namin yun na try dahil laging mahaba ang pila.

"Meera and Yara you look for available table. Yvan and I will order. Shredded ice, Yara?"

"You know it, ate" Meera answered.

Meera and I chose the table near Tian Tian. As soon as we sat, I got bombarded with questions.
"So what's your label?"

"F-" I was cut off.

"Oh c'mon.!" Hysterical na sabi nya.
"Don't use that cliche, 'friends'!"

"Fine. We both can feel that there's something that there wasn't there before. I told him that we should just enjoy the moment and he agreed."

"Really? Beauty and the Beast? What are we, seven?"

"Beeees...This is different to me. All of this. This is miles away from my comfort zone. Spontaneous trip, activities and itineraries, food out of my schedule. This day has been a real leap on my side and jumping to another like being involved in a relationship is another. I still can't risk it." I sadly told my bestfriend what my superego has been nagging me when it was just Xavier and I up in the Gardens.

We stared at each other then she nodded and I knew that she understands. She always does. But I can't admit to her what I really feel- what I want to feel, but I can't. I can't walk in that turf because I have plans.

"You showed us all how brave you can be. And we are all happy that you are finally getting out of your shell. You know that you need saving from that book of yours." We both laugh at that. They always make fun of my planner.

"You all should stop calling my planner voodoo book."

"It's a curse. Why wouldn't we?" And we laugh again and as if on cue, the Ramirez brothers sandwich me and kuya sits between Ate and Meera.

"Hindi kaya tayo ma empacho na to?" Ate Ysabell verbalized our thoughts.

"Minsan minsan lang naman." Xymon answered in between his chews.

"But I have - we have questions. What is the status of you, two?" Xymon pointed his scooper to Xavier and I.

"You know my answer to that, Kuya." Xavier casually answered without looking at his brother.

"Ano ka ba Xymon. Wag mo muna usugin. They are pair. Let's just leave the two of them of whatever label they want to us. Millennials. Paabot nga ako." Ate Ysabell wistfully butted.

"Exactly! Ate Ysabell! Pair!" Xavier answered with hand gestures pa showing his empty bowl.

Napailing na lang ako. I looked at him and he wiggled his brows at me without a shy smile. At kinilig ako. Yes. Let me use that term. I put the shredded ice to my mouth to cover what I felt.