decoding the boys ✔️

4 - the boys || edited

Fudge.

Natatakot akong magpang-abot sina Kuya at Racel dito. Kilala ko pa naman si Kuya Jacob. Kung even now 'di magkasundo ang dalawang teams, there was a high chance na magkaalitan ulit, and Kuya being Kuya, he'd think with his fist than his head. It happened more than once before, and I didn't like it. I didn't want him in any fight if I could help it.

I hurriedly went to our table to get my things.

"Dudes, problem," sabi ko sa mga kaibigan ko.

Lumingon agad sa 'kin si Ahron mula sa phone niya, nakataas ang dalawang kilay. Huminto naman sa usapan sina Hiro at Maxxie, naghihintay sa sasabihin ko at mukhang nagtataka.

"What's up?" Ahron asked, straightening her back.

"Papunta si Kuya Jacob. Nandito pa yung kabila."

Their eyes widened, realizing the implication of what I said.

"Shit. Bakit daw?" Maxxie said in a rush.

"Susunduin daw ako," paliwanag ko.

"Ay, hala."

Ahron furrowed her brows, contemplating. "Do'n ka na lang sa labas maghintay."

I nodded. "'That's my plan. Paano, I'll go ahead? Umuwi na rin kayo after nito, a."

"Sige, kami nang bahala kay Anjo."

Nakipagbeso-beso ako sa kanila bago umalis. Habang paalis, nadaanan ng mga mata ko si Lhyle. Remembering what he did, huminto ako sa tapat ng table nila. Both he and the girl he was with looked up to me.

"Dude, why didn't you tell me Kuya's coming here?" I said a little louder so he could hear me.

Lhyle looked confused. "Ha?"

"Kuya Jacob's coming here. Wag ka nang uminom, a. 'Di na rin ako sasabay." I made a move to leave but he easily grabbed my wrist, stopping me.

"Anong 'di ka na sasabay? 'Di kita narinig."

"Susunduin ako ni Kuya Jacob. Lilipat kami. 'Di mo man lang ako sinabihan!" malakas na pag-ulit ko.

"Luh. Malay ko bang susunod siya. What's the big deal, though? You look frantic."

"Nandito yung grupo ni Racel."

"Fuck, nandito rin sina Racel?" gulat na sagot niya. Parang nawala na ang kalasingan. "Shit. Sorry, J. Hindi ko alam."

"Okay lang. Sa labas ko na lang hihintayin si Kuya. And you, don't drive drunk. Call your cousin or something."

He snorted. "What am I, five? Kaya ko sarili ko. Anong oras ka ba susunduin?" Dagdag niya, "Samahan na lang kita sa labas."

"Wag na," pilit ko. "On the way naman na."

He looked uncertain. "Sigurado ka?"

"Sus. What am I, five?" I echoed.

Parang ayaw pang pumayag. Na-guilty yata. "You're a forgetful prick," biro ko to lighten his mood. "But don't worry, I'll be fine outside. Sana lang 'wag na pumasok dito si Kuya."

"Sure ka?" When I narrowed my eyes, he sighed. "Sige, ikaw bahala. But text me if you need me. Seriously."

Iniwan ko na siya do'n. As I went out, nadaanan ko ulit si Racel na hindi naman umalis sa pwesto niya. He was drinking, but this time with his other friends. I could feel his stare boring into me as I walked out of the bar.

Dammit. Sana 'wag siyang sumunod sa labas. Please lang. I didn't know if I was overreacting or what. Sa mga kwento kasi nina Kuya Paul, lagi nilang nakakasugapa 'tong grupo na 'to and they were not just simple, ordinary fights. They were messy. I even remembered that one night na umuwi si Kuya Jacob na may malaking bruise sa panga. It took weeks to heal and a lot of damage control from both sides to keep it out of the news and social media.