Tutor Of Five

Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT: SHOULD I JOIN THEM?

NEA’S POV

“Hi, Ashtell!” Ngiti nya bago nagpatuloy sa pagtulong sa akin.

Sya na ang tumapos nang pagbabalik ng mga nahulog na damit sa lalagyan. Samantalang ako ay napatayo na habang nakatitig kay Quartus.

He wore his hair down today that I almost mistook him for being Mayo. But there’s something within me that recognized him and call him in that name immediately.

I’m starting to distinguish their auras. Is that a good thing?

“Done!” Quartus announced then faced me.

“Why are you here?” I asked him.

Hindi agad sya nakasagot at pasimpleng nag-iwas ng tingin. Maya-maya ay tumingin sya sa itaas na parang nag-iisip. Pagkatapos ay sa kaliwa naman nang wala atang makita sa itaas.

My forehead creased.

“Don’t tell me, sinundan mo ako?” I suspected.

Agaran syang lumingon muli sa akin. Magkaparte and labi, pero agad ding itinikom. Naningkit ang kanyang mga mata.

“Hindi, ah! Bakit naman kita susundan, Ashtell? Eh, sa mall ka lang naman pupunta.” He sounded defensive.

Bahagya naman akong napatulala sa kanyang mukha na itsurang ipinipilit ang kanyang dahilan. Mukha syang batang nakikipagdebate. Sa huli ay napabuntong-hininga na lamang. Bagsak ang balikat kong tinanggap na weird talaga ang taong ito.

“Oh, eh bakit ka nandito? May bibilhin ka?” Tanong ko na lang.

“Nothing specific. Just wanna roam around.” He answered.

I nodded at him.

Paano ba ito? Should I invite him? Tutal ay magkasama na rin naman kaming dalawa? Kaso lang, mamimili ako ng gamit ko saka ng mga ibibigay ko sa kanila. Ayos lang kaya na kasama sya?

“A-Ano… pwede kang sumama sa akin, kung gusto-”

Bago ko pa man matapos ang sasabihin ay halos mapatalon na ata sya sa tuwa. Ngiting-ngiti at tatango-tango sya sa akin. Bahagya nya pang inilapit ang kanyang mukha kaya napaatras naman ako.

“Oo, Ashtell! It’s boring to wander around when you’re alone. Good thing, I accidentally bumped into you here.” Aniya na parang bata.

“Okay, sige sige. Tara.” Sabi ko na lang at tinalikuran sya.

Nauna akong lumakad pero nakahabol sya at agad tumabi sa akin. Nilingon ko sya at napansin ang kanyang porma. Parang si Mayo lang talaga.

Ang galing ko naman sa part na naisip ko agad kanina na si Quartus sya.

MAYO’S POV

“What?” Ulit ko kay Saitel.

It’s lunch time already. And the usual taken seats were empty now. Quartus and Natalie are not here. And according to Saitel…

“Nea’s out, it’s her day off today.” Ulit nga nya.

But that’s not what I want him to clarify.

“And Quartus followed her?” It’s Dos.

Lumingon ako sa kapatid ko sa aking tabi. Not like his usual not-giving-a-damn composure when it comes to Natalie, he seems a bit interested now. Pausing his supposed eating and listening to Saitel.

“Well, that’s just my hunch.” Saitel said then continue eating.

“What do you mean?” My forehead furrowed.

“Well, Quartus did not say that he will follow her. It’s just my guess, cause he left after I told him where Nea will go.” Saitel calmly uttered.

I parted my lips but ended up closing it too. I just forced myself to eat, not minding this bothering feeling that’s eating me up.

“Why, Mayo? You don’t like the idea of them being together?” Primo teasingly asked.

Marahas akong napalingon sa direksyon nya. His lips formed a smirk behind his glass. Nakatingin sya sa akin, and when he noticed my reaction, his one eyebrow shot up.

“I’m not saying anything.” Kalmado kong sagot at bumalik na lang sa pagkain.

“You got to date her last night, right?” He followed up.

Ang parehong kubyertos ng taong nasa tabi ko at nasa harap ko ay sabay na bumagsak. Tumigil sila sa pagkain at naramdaman ko ang tingin nila sa akin.

When I looked up to Third, he’s sporting a serious but curious look.

“It’s just a night stroll.” I said.

A night stroll that did not end up according to my liking.

She loves night time, she says. She also love strolling at night because not like on day time, it’s cold and quiet. And we’re the same.

I also love it.

“Mayo…” She called.

We’re already near the mini park, where I bumped into her for the first time.

“Hmm?”

“What makes you and your brothers sad?” She asked.

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad at hinarap sya. She also stopped walking and looked up to me with her questioning eyes. Under the light of the moon, her brown eyes twinkled.

“What’s with that all of the sudden?”

Hindi agad sya nakasagot. She even averted her eyes from me. She murmured something that I couldn’t decipher. After that she looked at me again.

“Just a random question, hehe.” Aniya.

But her eyes told me that it’s not just random. That she’s coming from something…

I sighed.

“Did the other four get mad at you or something?” I speculated.

I bitterly smiled when she gulped. Looks like I am right. The reason why she’s asking me this is because something happened between her and the other four. Kung sino man sa kanila.

As cocky as its sounds, I’ve proclaimed myself as the closest to her. Because among the five of us, ako ang pinakamadalas nyang kasama.

But I think I’m just over confident.

I am the closest to her but I don’t attract her attention as often as the other four could. I am the nearest to her but why do I feel like I can’t reach her?

I feel sad at the thought that she’s not thinking about me that much because she knows that I’m always here for her. That I am not going away, so it’s fine not to worry. That I’m not like my brothers who she could barely reach.

But even though I hate it, I won’t distance myself from her just for her to long for my presence. Hindi ko kaya iyon. I won’t intentionally give her a cold shoulder because I wanted her to notice. I am not like that and I can’t do that to her.

Because I like her.

I don’t know if I’m just too easy or she’s too lovely that I fell for her in a span of a week.

“Mayo?”

I snapped when she called me. I didn’t realize that I’ve been staring at her for too long. I smiled.

“Sino naman sa amin ang pinalungkot mo?” I tried teasing her.

She pouted and moved her eyes like she’s thinking.

“W-Wala, ah!” Naptigil sya saglit pero muling nagpatuloy. “Nagtatanong lang talaga ako.” Pilit nya.

Fine, Natalie.

“Let’s buy something to eat first.” Sabi ko at inilahad ang daan papunta sa convenience store.

Tatango-tango naman syang nagpatiuna maglakad, sumunod din naman agad ako sa kanya. Watching her wavy brown hair swaying as she walks makes me smile.

Even her back is so beautiful.

“I’ll go for pinipig crunch!” She cheerfully pointed the ice cream.

Binuksan ko ang fridge at kinuha ang gusto nya, gayun na rin ang para sa akin.

Sa totoo ay hindi ako mahilig sa ice cream. I love sweets but I don’t like icy or cold stuffs. On the other hand, Dos is addicted to ice cream.

Tanda ko pa noong mga bata kami, tuwing hindi ko nauubos ang sariling ice cream ay kay Dos ko iyon ibinibigay. Hindi sapat sa kanya ang isa kaya naman ang mga hindi namin nauubos ay sya ang kumakain.

Of course, Mama didn’t know about that. She will get mad if we ate too much of it. But Dos just can’t resist, it’s his favorite after all.

“Cheese?” Tukoy ni Natalie sa kinuha ko para sa sarili.

“Yeah.”

“Pinakagusto mong flavor?” Tanong nya pa.

I nodded at her. Nagtungo kami sa counter para bayaran iyon. She said that she will pay for hers but I insisted that I will treat her.

“Sige! Pero ako naman manlilibre sa sunod, ha.” Pagpayag nya.

I chuckled.

“Sige, next time.”

It made me happy na naiisip nya na may sunod pa rito. That this won’t be the last time.

“Tambay tayo park?” Yaya nya pagkatapos namin mabayaran ang binili.

She’s smiling at me like she always does.

Lagi ko syang nakikitang nakangiti. I’ve seen her smiling and giggling, I’ve watched her face cringed, and I already saw her determined look.

She’s always cutesy and jolly. I don’t think I can take it if she cries or mourn. It’s like a bright sky turning gray, it’s sorrowful.

“Sige.” Pagbayag ko.

I opened the door, pinauna ko sya at sumunod ako sa kanya. Tumawid kami patungo sa mini park ng subdivision. Ang parke na ito ay nandito na noong kalilipat pa lang namin. Ilang beses na rin itong narenovate.

Lakad-takbo si Natalie na nagtungo sa swing at naupo roon. Tumigil naman ako sa harapan nya at pinagmasdan syang tuwang-tuwang nagswing nang mahina.

“Hehe, it’s been a while.” Aniya.

Namulsa ako at nanatili sa harapan nya. I watched her swinging on the swing while smiling like a kid. A kid who has longed to ride on it for too long.

She’s too adorable to watch.

“Mayo!” Tawag nya at ipinantigil ang mga paa sa pag-swing.

I shot my eyebrow up, and walked closer to her.

I covered her from the light of the lamp post near us. She looked up to me. Her eyes smiled along with her lips.

“Bakit nakatayo ka lang dyan? Maupo ka sa kabila.” Aniya at ininguso ang katabing swing.

Noong una ay nagdalawang isip pa ako, I’m just fine here by just watching her. Pero nang kinunutan nya ako nang noo ay tatatawa-tawa akong napailing at sinunod ang kanyang gusto.

I really can’t say no to her, huh?

Nang naupo ako ay agad umuga nang kaunti ang swing, medyo kinabahan ako roon. Napatingin ako sa taas na pinagsasabitan nito. Pero napabaling din ka agad kay Natalie nang narinig ko ang pagtawa nya.

“Takot ka, Mayo?” Natatawa nyang tanong.

I narrowed my eyes on her, and before I knew it… I’m already pinching her cheek. Ako pa ang nagulat doon samantalang sya ay tumatawa lang.

Bagsak balikat akong nangiti at binitawan sya.

“Eat your ice cream before it melts.” I said then opened my also.

We spent some time eating ice cream while talking. Sinagot ko rin ang tanong nya kanina. About what makes us sad.

“Fights between us brothers make Primo sad.”

I remember one time Third and Dos punched each other, Primo cried as they stop them. Elementary pa lang kami noon. Pero tumatak na sa isip ko na ayaw nyang nag-aaway kami.

“Dos always sports seriousness and it’s hard to notice when he’s sad.” I said.

Natalie stopped swinging suddenly. That made me turn to her.

“But he’s soft when it comes to us, his family. I think he gets sad when one of us is hurt.”

Lalo na kay Euni.

I bitterly smiled as I thought about our little sister. Dos is the closest to her, that he grieved the hardest that time and even now. He blames himself, we know it.

“Third’s irritated most of the time but losing makes him frustrated. He’s competitive…”

“Sana pagdating din sa academics, noh?” Natalie commented.

I chuckled. Third’s just competitive when it comes to things he’s passionate about. It’s just studying may not be something he’s interested in.

“For Quartus… of course kapag natatalo sya sa mga laro nya.”

“Ilang beses ko na syang natalo, ibig sabihin ba noon ay ilang beses ko na rin syang pinalungkot?” Tanong ni Natalie.

She turned to me with her eyebrow shot up.

“I don’t think so.” I half smiled.

Kung ikaw siguro ang nakakatalo sa kanya ay ayos lang.

Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo sa swing. I walked to the trash bin and throw the plastic and stick of my consumed ice cream.

My jaw clenched when I recall what Quartus had asked me before.

“How can you say that you like someone, Mayo?”

Marahas akong napalingon sa kapatid na nakahilata sa aking kama habang yakap-yakap ang isang unan. Titig na titig sya sa kisame.

“What’s with the question?”

“Pumasok lang sa isip ko.”

“Do you have someone you like?” I asked carefully.

I stood up from my chair in front of my PC and went to him. I sat on my bed near him.

“I don’t know. I don’t even know what it’s like to have someone you like.” Aniya.

Naisip ko agad si Natalie. She’s been with us for only few days. Don’t tell me…

“How about you, Mayo? Do you like someone now?” He asked after a long silence between us.

I do. The very first time I laid my eyes on her, I already knew that I like her.

“Wala.” I lied.

Hindi na nasundan ang usapan naming iyon nang pumasok si Primo sa kwarto ko para tawagin kaming dalawa para maghapunan.

“Mayo!”

Nag-angat ako ng tingin nang may tumawag sa pangalan ko.

Patakbong nagtungo sa akin si Yessie at Civan, my band mates. Namataan ko rin ang sasakyang sa tingin ko ay binabaan nila. Sumilip mula sa bintana niyon si Shion.

“Yessi, Civan, what are you doing here?”

Tuluyan silang nakalapit. Hinihingal pa si Yessie, samantalang si Civan ay napasulyap sa may swing. Kinabahan agad ako roon at nilingon si Natalie. Kahit sa distansya namin ay batid ko ang gulat sa kanyang mukha?

“You’re with Nea Garcia at this time?” Civan asked when he turned to me.

Naitiim ko lamang ang aking labi at hindi nakasagot.

“That’s not what important right now, Van.” Ani ni Yessie.

“What is it?”

“We’re here to pick you up. I know this is too sudden, but the band we wished to collab with are willing to see us tonight.” Yessi answered.

My eyes widened and excitement took over my body.

“Really?”

“Yes, Mayo. Kaya tara na, sumakay ka na. Don’t worry about the instruments, we have them inside the van.” Civan said.

I sighed.

“Sandali lang.” Paalam ko at lumapit kay Natalie.

Agad syang tumayo at tila nag-aabang na sa sasabihin ko.

“Kasamahan mo sa club, diba?” Aniya.

“Yup. They’re picking me up.” I said.

“Hi, Nea!” A greet from behind me came.

“Uhm, hi, good evening.” Bati naman ni Natalie.

“Having a late night date with Mayo, huh. Are you two dating or something?” Yessi directly asked.

Nasamid ako roon at binalingan ang kabanda. I gave her a warning look.

“We’re friends.” Mahinahong sagot ni Natalie.

“Pahiram muna sa kaibigan mo, Nea. We just have an important thing to attend to.” Civan said.

I turned to Natalie with a softer look. I don’t want to leave her on her own here. Kung pwede ay gusto ko muna syang ihatid pauwi, pero malalaman ng mga kasama ko na sa amin sya nakatira.

“Ayos lang, Mayo. Uuwi na rin naman ako.” She gave me a knowing look.

“Really? I’m sorry, Natalie.” I sadly uttered.

She smiled and shook her head.

“Ayos lang. Ingat kayo.” Aniya at tumingin pa sa dalawa.

I sighed. Sa huli nga ay iniwanan namin sya roon. Huli kong nakita ang muli nyang pag-upo sa swing at pagkaway sa akin bago ako pumasok nang sasakyan.

“Do you like Nea?” Civan asked nang nasa loob na kami ng van.

I am sitting beside him so he’s been asking me things.

“Why do you ask?”

“I’m just curious.” He shrugged.

Hindi nya na ako kinulit at nagsuot na ng headphones. Civan’s not that nosy at all. Nagtatanong sya kapag kuryoso. But he doesn’t like to dig deeper. Hindi nangungulit.

Sa kabilang subdivison ang punta namin. Ayon sa kanila ay sa bahay ng isang member ng naturang banda kami pupunta.

I glanced at the window, it’s raining a bit.

Agad akong nag-alala dahil walang payong na dala si Natalie. Nasa may high way na kami, at ilang minuto na nag nakakalipas mula noong iwan ko sya.

I fished my phone out of my pocket and texted my brother.

Me:

Are you still up?

Agad itong sumagot.

Primo:

Yup. Why?

When I came back home last night, tulugan na ang lahat. It’s almost midnight, that’s why.

I don’t really think that what we had is a date. And now that she’s possibly having one with Quartus, I can feel something in my chest. I don’t like it.

NEA’S POV

“Buy this too, Ashtell. It suits you.” Quartus said as he shows me a white dress.

Bahagya nya pa itong inilapat sa aking katawan para pagmasdan. Kinuha ko mula sa pagkakahawak nya iyon at tiningnan ang price tag. Nang mabasa ang presyo ay agad ko itong ibinalik sa pagkakahanger.

“Masyadong mahal.” Ani ko at sumulyap kay Quartus na tuloy sa pagpipili ng mga damit.

“Magkano?” Tanong nya nang hindi ako nililingon.

Seryoso syang nakatingin sa mga damit na hinahawi nya na parang maigi nyang pinagmamasdan ang mga iyon.

“Two thousand five hundred.”

“That’s cheap.” He simply commented.

Napailing na lang ako at nagtungo sa isang rack ng hindi masyadong magagarbong damit. Iniwan ko na si Quartus doon na mas seryoso pa ata sa akin mamili.

Sa ngayon ay dalawang top pa pa lang ang nabibili ko. Mula iyon sa isang shop na dinaanan namin kanina. Sale, kaya mura talaga.

This store was suggested by Quartus. He dragged me here saying that he got a feeling that most of the clothes here will suit me.

“Hi, Ma’am! May I help you?” Lapit sa akin ng staff.

I smiled her. She’s taller so I’m looking up a bit.

“May on sale po kayo ngayon?” I asked.

“Wala po ngayon, eh. But the prices of our products justify their qualities naman po.” She stated.

I know that, pero gusto ko pa rin naman ng mas mura. A two thousand pesos for a piece is just too much for me.

“This rack, Ma’am. Consists of five hundred pesos to one thousand pesos clothes.” Lahad nya sa rack sa harapan namin.

Simple ang mga damit, pero halatang matibay.

“Mas mura pa ang mga ito, kung on sale.” Bulong-bulong ko at nagtingin-tingin.

I heard her laughed a bit.

“Sorry talaga, Ma’am at wala kaming sale ngayon.”

“What sale?” Quartus popped up beside me.

The sales lady gasped when she noticed him. I turned to him with closed lips.

“You’re looking for on sale items, Ashtell? Why? Are you broke?” He asked casually.

Napakurap-kurap ako sa kanya. I almost wanted to faint in front of him. Narinig ko ang pagtikhim ng babae.

“Good day, sir. Your girlfriend was in trouble on choosing low-cost clothes. Apparently, our shop does not have on sale items today.” She mentioned to Quartus.

Marahas akong nagbaling ng tingin sa babae.

“Girlfriend?” Quartus confusedly asked.

“I’m not his girlfriend.” I corrected her.

“Uhm, sorry po.” She smiled shyly.

Sa huli ay isang puting off-shoulder dress ang nabili ko. Syempre, hindi iyong gusto ni Quartus dahil napakamahal na noon para sa akin.

“Akin na, Ashtell.”

Kinuha sa akin ni Quartus ang paper bag at sya ang nagdala. Sya rin ang may hawak sa isa pang paper bag mula sa naunang shop na napuntahan namin.

Hindi na rin naman ako nakikipagtalo sa pagdadala dahil may nagsasabi sa akin na pagbigyan ko na ang pagiging gentleman nya.

“Saan tayo?” He asked as we walk.

Nilingon ko sya. I pouted when I saw Mayo on him again. His side view is as soft looking as his brother’s. Ang bagsak nyang buhok ay katulad na katulad din. Wala syang headphones na suot at his outfit is surprisingly manly.

Kung hindi sya magsasalita at mananatiling malambot ang ekspresyon ay Mayo na Mayo talaga. Well, they’re from the same egg.

“Hmm, bibili siguro akong sapatos?” Patanong kong sagot.

Naalala ko na wala ako masyadong sapatos. It’s been two years since the last time I bought a pair.

“Uhm, Ashtell… can I be honest to you?”

My eyebrow shot up with what he asked all of the sudden.

“Why?”

He sighed like he’s problematic about something. Tumigil sya sa paglalakad at bumaling sa akin. I stopped to and look at him seriously, waiting.

“Gutom na ako. I’ve been enduring my hunger, because I don’t want to interrupt your shopping session. But I really can’t stand it anymore.” He seriously stated followed by a sigh.

I blinked twice while looking up to him. He pouted when he noticed that I was taken aback.

“S-Sorry, Ashtell.”

“Bakit ka nagso-sorry?” Sa wakas ay nakareact din ako.

“Eh kasi, you might find me as a delay on your plans.” He said.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko at tiningnan ang oras. It’s just almost time for lunch. Don’t tell me, hindi pa sya nag-aalmusal?

“Kakain na tayo. Saan mo gusto?” Tanong.

Inilibot nya ang paningin sa aming paligid. Hindi nagtagal ay itinuro nya ang isang fast food sa hindi kalayuan.

“Are you sure? Hindi ba sa restaurant kayo usually kumakain?”

Ganoon ang mga mayayaman sa palabas diba? Tipong magbubuko shake lang, sa high end restaurant pa dadayo.

“I want to try that one. Hindi pa ako nakakakain doon.”

Napaawang ang aking labi roon.

“Seryoso?” Tanga ko sa kanya.

He nodded.

Dahil naawa naman ako sa batang hindi pa kumakain sa fast food ng isang bubuyog ay pumayag akong doon na nga. Makakatipid din kami kung dito, so ayos talaga.

“How do we order here, Ashtell?” He asked.

Right. Sa mga restaurant ay may mga waiter.

“Find seats for us. Ako na ang oorder. Ano bang gusto mo?”

Itinuro ko ang banda kung saan nasa ang menu board. Kita naman iyon mula sa pwesto namin kahit nasa dulo na kami ng pila ng mga customers. Madami na kasing tao. Lalo na at maglalunch time na.

“I want some chicken and spaghetti, Ashtell. I also want to try their burger steak, cheese burger, hotdog sandwich and mango-peach pie. And a caramel sundae, please.” Quartus ordered.

It’s his first time so I understand that he wanted to try that many.

“How about your drink?”

“Pineapple juice.”

“Okay-” I was about to fall in line when he show me his card.

“Use this to pay. They accept cards, right? Tinatamad ako dumukot ng cash, eh.” Aniya pa.

“Okay, sige. Find a table for us, okay?”

Kinuha ang ko mula sa kanya ang iniaabot na card at pumila na sa may pinaka-kakaunting tao na counter.

Nang matapos umorder ay agad ko namang nahanap ang table kung nasaan si Quartus. Palingon-lingon sya na parang inoobserbahan ang mataong paligid.

Tuluyan ko syang nilapitan. Inilapag ko ang tray na may number namin at dalawang baso ng tubig. Naupo na rin ako sa harap nya. Ibinalik ko sa kanya ang card nya, kasama ang bayad ko. Kunot noo naman nyang tiningnan iyon at tinanong kung para saan. Nang sinabi kong bayad ko sa meal ko ay ibinalik nya iyon sa kin.

I sighed, hindi na nakipagpilitan.

“Ang ingay dito, Ashtell.” Aniya.

“Malamang. Madaming tao.” Asik ko.

Tumango-tango siya. Inilapit ko sa kanya ang isnag baso ng tubig. Kinuha nya naman agad iyon at uminom ng kaunti. Kita ko naman ang pasimple nyang paghawi sa buhok habang umiinom.

“Bakit nga pala mukhang hindi ka naka-ayos ang buhok mo ngayon? I almost mistook you for Mayo.” I asked when he placed back his galss.

Tumingin sya sa akin, pagkatapos ay sa taas, nag-iisip. Para syang batang nawawala tuwing ginagawa nya ang move na iyon.

“I-I felt lazy to style it up earlier. Honestly, I regretted it because the tips of my hair were poking my eyes a bit.” Aniya.

“Why not get a haircut?”

Something snapped at me when I asked that. Right! A haircut! Magpapagupit ako ngayon. This is my free time, the best time to do that.

Muntikan na syang mawala sa isip ko.

“Saka lang ako nagpapagupit kapag nagpapagupit si Mayo.” Saad nya na ikinangisi ko.

That’s cute.

Kaya siguro parehas sila ng haba ng buhok ay dahil sabay sila laging magpagupit. Lagi nga lang naka-brudh up ang kay Quartus, di tulad ng kay Mayo na hinahayaan nyang nakabagsak. Covering his forehead.

I must admit that even their hair looks so beautiful. May halong kulay ng kape ito na mas napupuna kapag natatamaan ng sikat ng araw. It’s not as brown as my hair though, tama lang. Bit wavy too, but do not look rough.

“Then, yayain mo si Mayo. His hair is also too long already.” I suggested.

Quartus let out a sigh as he position both of his elbow on the table, then put his face on his palms. He even move closer. Napaatras naman ako ng bahagya dahil sa diretso nyang tingin sa mata ko.

I don’t really know how to describe it. Maybe, a stare piercing in a cute way will be the closest description. But I’m still not sure.

“What?” Kunot ko sa kanya.

“Do you prefer boys with shorter hair?” He asked.

I stilled for a moment because of the out of the blue question. Is this a must ask question when talking about haircuts?

“Uhm, siguro? Ewan ko?” Hindi ko sigurado.

He puckered his lips and asked again.

“What do you think of Primo’s long hair, then?”

Eh?

“Ayos lang?”

“How about Dos’ faded hairstyle?”

“Ayos lang din.”

“Third’s? He has the shortest hair among five of us.”

“Ayos lang.” Tiim labi kong sagot.

“How about Mayo’s?” He even pointed as his hairdo right now.

“Ayos lang.”

He sighed and pouted. Umayos sya nang tayo at sumandal nang nakakrus ang braso.

“How about mine?”

Hinawi nya ang kanyang buhok pataas, showing his forehead. That move of his was captured by my eyes in a slow motion, for unknown reason. Mula sa paghawi nya, paglitaw ng kanyang noo at ang marahang pagbagsak ng ilang strands nito.

My lips parted, but I close it again. I gulped when his attractiveness suddenly struck me.

“A-Ayos lang din.”

Ngumiti siya na halos maningkit ang kanyang mga mata. Awkward ko naman iyong sinuklian. He was about to speak when a crew came to us and place our orders on the table.

PRIMO’S POV

Who would have thought that I will stay at home this Sunday?

Eve:

You’re really not coming?

Me:

Yep. I’ll pass today.

Eve:

Why? Got something else to do?

I smirked in front of my phone, then glance up my surrounding. Watched my brothers in their unusual state.

Mayo’s been switching channels on the TV since we got here in the living room. I don’t know if he’s purposely doing it or he’s too occupied to notice that he’s been to every channel for three times each already.

When I turned to my other side, there’s Dos who’s flipping and flipping pages of a book. I don’t know what book is that, all I know was he’s not reading it. Dalawang beses nya nang nadaanan bawat pages, kanina pa.

And at the staircase, Third’s been pacing up and down the stairs. When I asked him what he’s doing, he said that it’s cardio.

Like hell I believe him.

Iiling-iling akong nagpigil ng tawa at nagbaba muli ng tingin sa aking phone.

Me:

Well, I gotta watch something amusing.

Or maybe even join them?

I unconsciously licked my lower lip when I remembered what I’ve said to Natchan last night. It made her confuse, I bet. But she’s too slow to realize it.

For someone who’s good at school, she’s clueless about ‘that’.

I went up to the third floor’s balcony to chill as I drink my strawberry milk. I lean my arms on the metal fence and look up the dark sky. I can see some stars, and the moon. But I can see dark clouds that will cover them in no time.

It will rain for sure.

We all used to love the rain when we’re still kids. Maligo at maglaro sa ulan, kaming magkakapatid. Kasama ang kapatid naming babae, si Euni.

How I wish we can still play under the rain with her. I don’t mind if we’re already old, I just want to play with my sister again.

But I guess it’s a hopeless dream knowing that she’s very far from us now. So far, together with our mother.

The straw pulled out from my mouth when I saw Natchan and Mayo. Kita ko sila mula rito na naglalakad palayo sa bahay. Where are they going?

A night date?

“How nice, Mayo.”

I smirked as I watched them walking close to each other. Lumampas na sila sa pool area at tuluyan nang nawala sa abot ng aking tingin.

How sly can you be, Natchan? After shaking Dosdos’ stance, now you got a date with Mayo. Who’s next? This girl is swaying her charms all over here, not aware that she can be the next Helen of Troy.

Oh! That so smart of me. I know something about the Trojan war.

Nang maubos ko ang iniinom ay pumasok na ako sa bahay. I was about to go down to my room when I felt an urge to visit the music room.

I suddenly want to hear the sound of drums, it’s been a while.

Pawisan ako nang makontento sa pagtugtog, good thing my hair’s tied. I even took off my shirt and use it to wipe my sweat. Pagkatapos ay isinampay ko ito sa aking balikat.

Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo at dumiretso sa fridge na naroon. Pagkatapos kumuha ng bottled water ay humarap ako sa salamin na katabi nito.

Looking at my body, I can see that I’m really growing. So us the other four.

I drank from the bottle while still glancing at the mirror. Napatawa naman ako sa aking sarili. It looks like I am modelling in front of the damn mirror. How lame.

Pagkatapos ubusin ang laman ng bote ay itinapon ko ito sa trash bin. Lumapit ako lalo sa salamin para pagmasdan ang aking mukha.

I combed up some of my hair that we’re falling out.

“It’s getting longer, I will have it trim.” I murmured to myself.

When I got out of the music room, dumiretso agad ako sa aking kwarto. Naligo at nagbihis ng pantulog. Naupo ako sa aking kama habang tinutuyo ang buhok.

My phone on the side table beeped so I reached for it.

Mayo:

Are you still up?

Agad akong sumagot.

Me:

Yup. Why?

He’s probably still out with Natchan, right? Or nandito na sila?

Mayo:

Can you pick up Natalie? She’s at the park near the convenience store. Bring an umbrella for her.

My forehead knotted.

Me:

Aren’t you with her?

Mayo:

Sinundo ako nina Civan. May biglaan kaming kailangang puntahan. Band business.

Really? At this hour? And he left Natchan alone? How disappointing, my dear brother.

Me:

Okay, I’ll pick her up. Take care.

Mayo:

Thanks.

I smirked and got up. Kinuha ko ang aking hoodie at sinuot ito. Bumaba ako at nagpunta sa lalagyan ng mga payong sa bahay. Kumuha ako ng dalawa at lumabas na ng bahay.

I don’t want to bother our drivers at this hour.

Nang makalabas na ako ng gate ay nagsimula na ngang lumakas ang bagsak ng ulan. Nagpayong ako at nagmadaling lumakad. I hope Natchan’s not wet.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang muling mapangisi. I don’t know the exact reason why, but I feel happy na ako ang naisipang I-text ni Mayo.

He’s first choice should have been Quartus… so why?

Is he starting to recognize him as his rival? I wanted to laugh at that. This is getting interesting and amusing as days go by that Natchan’s with us.

It feels like I’m watching a youthful drama.

Nang makarating sa tapat ng parke ay agad hinanap ng mata ko si Natchan, pero wala sya roon. Nang bumaling naman ako sa banda ng convenience store ay doon ko sya nakita.

Nasa labas lang sya, pero hindi sya nababasa dahil may bubong pa ang pwesto nya. She’s looking up to the crying dark sky. Nakasahod ang isa nyang palad na sumasalo ng ilang patak ng ulan.

Hindi ko agad sya nalapitan. I just watched her from afar, for a moment.

A girl who doesn’t express any worry. Patiently waiting ‘till the rain stops. Enjoying the serene moment, instead of panicking how to go home.

That state of her is… soothing.

It feels like, I can watch her forever.

Unti-unti akong ngumiti sa sarili at umiling. Damn, I know this feeling. I looked at her direction again, finding her smiling as she let her hands get wet of the droplets.

How beautiful can this girl be.

That smile drawn me, and made me walk to her. Nang makalapit ako sa kanya ay nag-angat sya sa akin ng tingin. Her soft-looking face immediately display a shock expression.

Cute.

“Good evening, Natchan. I’m here to save the damsel trapped in the rain.” I greeted with my usual cheerful voice.

“Eh? Primo? B-Bakit? Anong ginagawa mo rito?” Tanong nya.

Nasagot ko na yan Natchan, di ba? I’m here to get you.

“Sinusundo ka. Wala kang payong kaya hindi ka makauwi, right?” Nilikom ko ang payong at tumabi sa kanya.

Nasunod naman ang tingin nya sa akin.

“Sinabi ni Mayo?”

“Hmm.”

“Sorry sa abala Primo.” Hingi nya ng paumanhin.

I shook my head. I reach for her cheek and pinch her a bit. She almost jump because of that. I chuckled at I let go.

“It’s fine. Let’s go now?” I smiled.

She also flashed a smile, but her expression slowly changed. The girl without worry earlier looked trouble now. Agad ko naman naisip si Dos.

Dos told me that he had a talk with Natchan earlier, and something happened that he thought that Natchan might have misunderstood.

Was she feeling down because of that?

“Is there something wrong, Natchan?” I asked softly.

“Wala naman, hehe.” Agad syang ngumiti.

But she can’t fool me.

“If there’s something bothering you, you can talk to me.”

She nodded.

“Specially if it’s about my brothers, or even me.” I smirked.

I caught her eyes widen for a second. Tumikhim sya at nag-iwas ng tingi.

“If you’re confused about something, you can ask me.” Sabi ko pa.

“I’m confused about the five of you. I can take a grasp of the five of you, most of the time.” She slowly let go of her words.

“How can you say so? Para sa akin, you seem close to all of us.” My upper lip rose when I’ve thought of something.

“Kay Mayo, oo siguro.”

“Ouch. We’re not close then?” I teased.

Pailalim syang tumingin sa akin at kinunutan ako ng noo.

“Ewan ko sayo. Quartus seems okay too. Pero yung dalawa…” She paused.

Dos and Third, then. Those two have a different way of showing interest to someone. Ako lang ata ang nakakaalam.

“Maybe because they’re also confused… or in denial.” I whispered the last part.

“Huh?”

Binuksan ko ang isang payong at umabante pauna. Humarap ako kay Natchan nang nakapayong na. I place the umbrella over her too, closing the distance between us.

She looked up to me.

“Not because they’re distancing themselves from you, doesn’t mean they hate you. Sometimes, it’s the opposite of what you’ve thought.” I smiled.

Nanatili syang nakatitig sa akin. Her brown eyes sparkled. Napababa ang tingin ko sa magkaparte nyang labi, pero agad ding bumalik sa kanyang mga mata.

Maybe, soon.

“You’re smart, Natchan. I hope you can figure out what you’ve started before it becomes an all out war.” I smirked.

“Anong w-war?” She stuttered.

Confuse and clueless.

I put my hand over her head, I caress it a bit. For the top, my hand went down touching her hair and hold some strands. Nang mahawakan ko ang pinakadulo ng kanyang mahabang buhok ay inilapit ko ito sa akin.

Looking at her, I kissed her hair.

“Should I join them?” I asked intimately.

Bago pa sya tuluyang magsalita ay hinawakan ko ang kanyang kamay at ibinagay ang hawak nang payong. Umatras ako mula sa kanya at nagbukas ng isa pa.

“Let’s go home.”

That night, tahimik sya hanggang sa makauwi kami. Wala ng tao sa baba. I offered to take her to her room but she refused. She just said her good night and walked away from me.

“Sai-sai!” Tawag ko kay Sai-sai na kararating lang sa salas.

“What?

“Inform the cooks that I will be cooking for tonight’s dinner. I’ll be practicing some of my own recipes.” I said.

Hindi na ako tinanong pa ni Sai-sai, tumango na lamang sya. He then sit at the single couch.

“Mayo, wala ka pa rin bang mapiling channel?” Tanong nya sa aking kapatid.

Nagpigil naman ako ng tawa.

“Sorry, Saitel. I just can’t find what I want to watch.” Palusot.

“Dos, are you really reading or counting the pages of that book?”

Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagatwa ko nang si Dos naman ang kanyang pinuna.

“Tsk.” Singhal lang ni Dos at inilapag ang libro pagkatapos ay magazine naman ang kinuha.

“Third, ilang laps pa bago ka matapos diyan?” Baling naman ni Sai-sai sa pababa na ulit na si Third.

“Tsk. Don’t mind me.” Iyon lang at tumaas na muli sya.

“How about you Primo? Not doing anything weird today?” Sai-sai turned to me.

“Nope.” I smiled and turn to my phone again.

I won’t let that simple thing affect me like how it affects my brothers. I’m different. I follow my pace and I play good.

Though I’m not fair.

NEA’S POV

Nandito na kami ulit sa department store, at the Shoe section this time.

“How about this, Ashtell?”

Pinakita sa akin ni Quartus ang hawak nyang sandals. Hindi masyadong mataas ag takong nito. Beige at pasok sa taste ko. Pasok kaya sa budget?

“Anong size nyan?”

Sinagot nya ang kapareho kong size. Tumango naman ako at inilahad ang kamay ko sa kanya. I’m already sitting on a couch dahil kanina pa ako nagsusukat. May saleslady na nag-aassist sa akin na kasalukuyang kumukha ng size ng isang sapatos na nagustuhan ko.

Lumapit sa akin si Quartus pero sa halip na ibigay sa akin sandals ay lumuhod sya sa harapan ko at hinawakan ang aking paa.

Reflex, I moved away my foot from his hold. Nagtataka naman syang tumunghay sa akin.

“Ako na.” Kukunin ko sana ang sandals pero iniiwas nya ito sa akin.

“Let me try. Pinayagan mo yung babae kanina na suotan ka ng sapatos, ah. Bakit bawal ako?” He asked like it’s a good argument.

Napakamot ako sa ibaba ng aking tenga.

“Nakakahiya sayo, Quartus.” Ani ko.

“No.” Parang bata nyang ani at muling hinawakan ang paa ko.

Nakaramadam ako ng kuryente mula sa pagkakahawak nya. Aalisin ko ulit sana ang paa ko pero hinawakan nya ito ng ayos. Hindi masakit, but his hold is firmer.

Wala na akong nagawa kundi hayaan syang isuot sa akin ang sandals. Kahit anong sabi ko ay hindi nya pinapansin at nagpapatuloy lang.

“Ang ganda, Ashtell. We’ll take this.” He smiled at looked up to me.

I face palmed. I will probably never go shopping again with this guy.