Alexandria Montecillo

Jarvis Montecillo

There are always a lot of different sides in every story.

This is a special chapter written in Jarvis Montecillo's Point of View. Enjoy!

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Three weeks before the First Day of Class

       "You are the love that came without warning, you had my heart before I could say no?" I clearly saw how kuya Yohan scrunched his nose upon reading the quotation written on the glass wall of the bookstore. I can't help but laugh.

       "What kind of place is that?" Bumuntong hininga pa siya at sumandal nalang sa headrest ng passenger's seat, kaya napa-iling nalang ako.

       "That's obviously a bookstore, Kuya." Tiningnan ko naman si kuya Travis sa rearview mirror. He answered kuya Yohan in a matter of fact tone while playing with the still unopened bag of chips and that earned him a death glare.

       Obvious nga naman kasi kung ano yung tinitingnan namin tindahan, bakit pa nga ba nagtatanong 'tong si Kuya Yohan?

       "Of all the bookstores in Town Center, why did Alexandria choose to go there? We've always been aware of her love for books... but that store..." Napangiti nalang ako dahil iritadong-iritado pa rin si kuya Yohan habang nakatingin sa bunsong kapatid namin.

        Alexandria Montecillo...

        She's been alive all those years, and she grew up as a really wonderful lady. If Mom meets her, I'm sure she'll be really proud of her. I know that, cause we are.

        Sa lahat ng oras o araw na pasimple namin siyang sinubaybayan, kitang-kita ko kung paano rin siya nag-grow. Sure, she didn't grow up training hard like us, but her growth is way beyond the art of war and battles. She learned compassion and independence, and that's what matters the most to me.

        Sumandal nalang din ako sa headrest habang hindi inaalis ang tingin ko sa kapatid kong abalang maghanap ng libro. Kasama niya ang kinikilala niyang Mama, si Rianne Sandoval, na nagtitingin-tingin din ng libro. "Give Baby A a break, Kuya. It's her first time in Town Center, she doesn't know the good bookstores here."

       "Don't mind him Jarvis, he's just being grumpy because he's sleepy. Same old grumpy Grandpa Yohan." Nilingon ko naman si kuya Travis at ni-fist bump dahil sa sinabi niya, kaya pareho kaming natawa.

        "You talk and laugh about me like I'm not here, assholes." Komento naman ni Kuya Yohan habang nakapikit kaya napangisi nalang ako.

       Mas tumawa naman si kuya Travis, pero hindi nalang din siya sumagot. Narinig ko nalang ang tunog ng pagbukas chips na hawak niya, kaya tumingin nalang din ako ng diretso sa labas.

       Kitang-kita ko rin ang paglingon ni Rianne Sandoval sa gawi namin. Diretso siyang tumingin sa sasakyan namin, at alam kong alam niyang nakamasid kami kahit na hindi niya nakikita ang mukha namin dahil sa tinted na salamin. Rianne have always been aware of us, of our presence. She knows who my sister is, and her only request is for us to stay unseen until the right time comes. Hindi naman kami tumutol dahil wala rin naman kaming balak pang ipaalam kay Alexandria kung sino talaga siya.

       When they were still at Oakwood, it was really hard for us to watch over them. The most we can do is visit them twice a month, and once in two months at the very least. Hindi kasi kami pupwedeng alis ng alis ng Hillwood ng walang nakakahalata. Mahirap din dahil itinatago pa namin kay Mommy kung anong ipinupunta namin sa Oakwood sa t'wing umaalis kami. Mabuti nalang talaga at may ibang tao namang nagbabantay sa kapatid ko.