"Are you sure you're gonna be okay?"
"Yeees. Don't worry about me. I'm a doctor remember? Kaya ko alagaan sarili ko. Plus, I'm not alone. Kung gaano mo 'ko kinukulit, ganon din si Kuya Aries at Mama."
"I believe so. But, I just-- Okay okay. Fine, I hope so Elara. Please pleas--"
"Yes, I will Io Apollo Rodriguez hyphen Smith. Promise."
"Hay, fine. I'll call you the next time I get the chance. I'll talk to Mom and Dad after this. See you very soon, my love. Bye sis!"
"Love you! Bye Io!" [pronounced as 'e-yo']
Every time I get the chance to talk to Io, I know it would be great. He's always been the happy pill in our family. I was really close to him, that's why he would rather let me call him by his first name. We had a special bond since then, the reason why he came out to me first when we were still kids.
Yes, my Kuya Io is gay. Our family had always known that about Kuya Io, considering he was different from my other Kuya. Regardless, my parents never tried to impose anything on him. They actually accepted and supported him wholeheartedly.
He's been living in New York for years, away from us. High School palang ako eh nakikipagsapalaran na s'ya sa ibang bansa para ma-achieve niya yung ultimate dream niyang maging fashion designer. And lucky enough, he is now. May sarili na rin s'yang cosmetics and clothing line in partnership with his colleagues. My parents couldn't be any less proud of his achievements. They have been there for Io every step of the way. They never stopped him from pursuing what he wanted to become. I admired my parents for that.
He's been away for so long now since aside from being an all-time fashion designer, happily married na 'rin ang Kuya ko. Regardless, his bond with all of our siblings, especially with me had always been the same.
His time was precious, but whenever he gets the chance to call us, napakasaya. Just like now, bago siya nagpaka overprotective na Kuya, kung ano anong kalokohan muna yung kniwento. Pati yung mga suot ko noon na sinisend ko sakanya as 'OOTDs' ko, nirarate niya. Andami niya saaking binibigay na tips pero tinatawanan ko na lang. Yung iba kong kapatid nagimprove na sa pananamit pero ako daw ay napaka manang pa 'rin. No wonder naunahan niya pa akong magka "boylet"--- his words not mine.
Oh well, kahit gaano pa sya kadrag queen, 'di nya ako nahatak sa pagiging rad nya. I had always been this way, simple.
Pakatapos nung phone call na 'yun eh saktong pagbaba ko ng tawag ni Kuya Io, napansin kong nagtext yung isa ko pang Kuya.
From: Kuya Aries
moms on her way back she said u may leave now but if u don't have your car, w8 for me. ill drive u home.
Isa pa 'tong overprotective. And yes, I have two brothers. They are twins. Hugely different but most likely the same. I love them both so much despite how overprotective they are. Not just of me, but of my two younger siblings as well.
I replied to him right away.
To: Kuya Aries
No need na, Kuya. I have someone to pick me up. I can manage. Thanks. Ingat kayo.
After I sent my message, I took my things then went to Yandro, who was rather busy playing on his phone while his books were simply hanging open on the coffee table sa lobby.
Napaka mapag-panggap.
"Hoy, scammer." Bungad ko sakanya.
'Di siya umimik. Masyadong concentrated sa pa-chicken dinner.
