Caressing My Perplexed Stella [HS #3]

CHAPTER 23

Days after the graduation, Kuya Meteo went back to Spain because he needs to go back to work. He was only with us for a week, we hang out often and he even forced us to play volleyball with him. With a complete team of three, including my two siblings, Kuya Lennon and Sea, we often play Kuya's favorite sport because he told us he misses it. He's a good setter, Kuya Lennon is an open spiker which he's best at. At kami, mga salingkit pusa lang.

Although the whole vast universe already knew about the fact that I am a Hechanova, I still stayed in my home. Nakakabagot ang mga unang linggo ng bakasyon, wala akong ginawa kung hindi manood ng telebisyon o kaya naman ay magbasa. I'm doing my own lundry too, para malibang ang sarili. Buti na lang, madalas na dumalaw ang magkapatid. Tuwang tuwa si Comet kapag dumadating si Sea! Habang si Aster naman ay abot ang ngisi sa akin.

"Oh, kanino 'yan? Iyo?" Tanong ko habang binubuksan ang gate. Sea went in first, she greeted me and I told her that her jowa is just inside with Aster. Ang mata ko ngayon ay na kay Kuya Lennon lang.

He's just in white shirt and gray sweatshort, he looks good. He smiled as he entered, it made his dimples show! He shook his head that made me frowned.

"Yours, I think?" He's holding a corgi, it's fur is white and brown and its tongue is out.

"I don't have any pets, baka sa kapitbahay." Sabay kaming lumakad papasok sa bahay, tumuloy kami sa sala at naabutan ang tatlo roon na nakadapa sa carpet. They are now playing boardgames.

"Now, you have one..." Hinarap ko siya at agad na tumaas ang gilid ng aking labi. He handed me the dog, marahan kong kinarga iyon sa aking bisig at inamoy ang ulo. "Aster told me you're bored here, at least now, Eli can keep you busy..."

He laugh a little, nang magkatinginan ulit kami ay naging isang maliit na ngiti na lang ang tawa niya. "Thank you..." I whispered, he nodded as he gently tapped my back.

"At least, thank me too, Dale." Lumipad ang tingin namin kay Aster, nakangisi ito at alam ko na ang ibigsabihin niya.

Umirap ako at naupo sa sofa, they continue playing as Kuya Lennon and I play the corgi.

"Eli is her name, why?" I asked, kibit balikat naman niya akong hindi sinagot. "Then, at least tell me where and when did you Eli..."

Ang aking paa ay parehas na nakapatong sa sofa, sa kandungan ko ay si Eli. Nakapatong ang kamay ni Kuya Lennon sa sandalan ng sofa, he's playing with his pinkish lips while watching me enjoy Eli's company.

"Kanina lang, sa petshop. They will deliver his cage and other things here tomorrow..."

"You don't have to, I can finance!" Tutol ko, tumaas ang kilay niya at akmang dedepensa nang tumalim ang tingin ko sa kanya. "Oh tapos you're going to tell me if I want to pay for those, at least I should pay with my own money!" Humalakhak ito at lumapit sa akin, ginulo niya ang aking buhok at kaya naman tumilabon ang kaunting hibla 'non sa aking mukha.

"Oh, naipit na 'yong aso!" Sigaw ni Sea.

Natigil ako nang mapagtanto na halos wala ng espasyo sa amin ni Kuya Lennon bukod sa aking kandungan. Umayos siya ng upo at nag-iwas naman ako ng tingin. He extended his arms instead to fix my hair that he just messed up.

"No, it's alright. I can handle, I already paid for it. Alagaan mo na lang, I can't take care of her whenever I am away..."

"Alright, I guess I will never win to you..." He chuckled as I continue playing with Eli. Ang soft ng fur niya, at maamo pa. Knowing that she just met me today! I guess we'll hang out together better than my siblings.

Kuya Lennon's just here for two months, he will leave before the class starts. He didn't mention his Boss's plan about extending a resto here, I think it would be push but not just this early. Hindi naman ganoon kadali iyon.