Paolo
Uy, hindi ako nagseselos ha!
I just always thought of Arra as a little sister, you know? So, whenever she gets into a relationship, I feel protective. When they break up, I feel even more protective because I know how Arra takes these things.
And trust me, she doesn't take it well.
Arra dating... when did this start anyway?
I recall her having a crush on me. Then, one day, I was in college, her Mom asked me to babysit Arra and her friends who were having a sleepover. I wanted to protest, matanda na naman kasi si Arra nun (she was fourteen) but my mom didn't let me off.
"Of course, Mare! Si Paolo ko na ang bahala. Mag-enjoy na lang kayo ni Kumpare sa trip ninyo ha?"
Fortunately, they were cooped up in Arra's room for most of the night so I was free to do my homework.
I turned in and settled into the guest room at around 11, but before midnight, I heard a knock on my door.
"Arra?" I asked sleepily.
She was shifting her weight on her foot and before I knew it, she stood on tiptoe and kissed me. Given the difference in height we already had, I had grown close to six feet by then while she was a little over five feet, she mostly got my jaw.
"What the —"
"Pong, kiss me."
"Ano? Nababaliw ka ba?" Fully awake now, I closed the gap on the door when she attempted to move further inside.
"Sige na, please?"
"What? No! You're a child, Arra! I'm 18. Makukulong ako niyan."
"Really?" Arra said looking stunned. "I don't want you to go to jail."
Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam kung may sense yun pero ... parang oo... so I stuck with it. "Good. Ako din. Tigilan mo na yang kalokohan mo."
"But if I don't kiss you I'm going to have to kiss Trish's feet and I really don't want to!"
I made a face. "Where on earth did you find these people?"
"I want to be part of their group and this is my initiation."
"Sounds like a horrible bunch to me."
"Pong, help me out!"
I caught a glimpse of some movement in her room and saw the girls peaking at us. Looking at Arra's desperate face, I rolled my eyes, turned her and kissed her.
Kunyari.
Three fingers of mine were blocking her lips.
When that was done, I ordered everyone to sleep. I stood by the door making sure they all went to bed didn't come up with anymore dumb stuff.
Arra didn't stay friends with them for long. "You were right. They're pretty horrible."
The only good thing those girls taught her was that she was an amazing person and a pretty one at that. Soon, she had a steady stream of suitors but none that she saw exclusively.
Pauline asked her about this one day. "He's cute, why don't you go out with him?"
"Meh," was all Arra said. "High school boys are immature. I think I'll hold off dating until college. Pong says I shouldn't be distracted anyway."
"That's true. But you can still talk to this guy. He seems really interesting."
"Yes, pero I like kasi like how Pong talks to me and teaches me stuff."
"He's as smart as Kuya. He won the interschool competition!" Pauline said.
"Yes, but Pong know other stuff on top of that. Si Pong he'll teach me how to fix the car or —"
"Eh si Kuya na lang kaya i-boyfriend mo?"
Arra was silent and from where I stood, I couldn't see their faces.
Pauline spoke up again. "Oh my god! Crush mo si Kuya 'no?!"
"Uy. Ano ka ba. Baka marinig ka. Hindi ha!"
"Ang sinungaling! Come on! Oh my — KUYA!!"
They both turned. I was busted. Nothing left to do except...
Maang-maangan school of acting.
"Uy. Nandiyan pala kayong dalawa."
"Hi, Kuya! Tingnan mo si Arra blooming!" Kulang talaga sa subtlety itong kapatid ko na 'to.
"Pauline!" Arra reprimanded.
"Hindi. Tama siya," I said. Arra and Pauline both looked hopeful. "Cute mo nga! Parang baby? Sobrang cute! Ano bang favourite mo na doll ngayon?"
Arra and Pauline looked at me like I was insane.
The next time I saw Arra was at a dinner for my brother. He had just passed his board exams and Mom wanted to celebrate.
I was late. Everyone was already settled when I arrived. "Hi. Ummm. Everyone, this is my girlfriend, Cheska."
