decoding the boys ✔️

8 - two can play || edited

I spent my time helping out for the Youth Camp and working on our dance routines in the next days. I kept in touch with Centrex University's student council president for the preparations. Okay naman pala si Christelle. She was pleasant, professional, and easy to work with. Nagkataon lang talaga na may emergency last time kaya hindi niya 'ko naabisuhan.

Another good thing, there was no reason for me to come back to Centrex anymore, so kahit medyo busy ang buwan na 'to, we were running smoothly. Tomorrow around noon, may meeting kami for the Youth Camp. Kasama na ro'n ang ibang representatives mula sa iba't ibang universities kaya nag-desisyon kaming magkita-kita sa lugar na convenient sa lahat.

"Good morning, Dad," bati ko kay Dad nang pumasok siya sa dining room. I kissed his cheek and then continued placing the plates and glasses on the table.

"Morning, sweetheart," he said back, taking his seat at head of the table.

My brothers filled the seats one by one. Habang hinihintay si Mom na matapos sa pagluluto, may pinag-usapan sina Dad at Kuya Travis so I sat beside Kuya Jacob to listen.

"I already booked the reservations. Tuloy pa ba tayo?" Kuya Travis asked Dad.

"Yes. It seems mapapaaga ang flight namin papuntang New York." Dad turned to face me. "Have you packed up? Nasabihan ka ba nila na bukas tayo babyahe?"

Shoot.

I let out a sheepish smile, rubbing my neck. "I forgot. Also, I have a class, Dad."

"What time's your dismissal? We'll pick you up."

"Three po but I have a meeting afterward. So baka mga five na lang?"

"What about on Monday? You have a class?"

"Wala po. And sa Tuesday, meron but it's in the afternoon."

"Sige, good. Aalis tayo ng Saturday afternoon kaya mag-ayos ka na ng gamit mo. Baka magmadali ka na naman."

"When ang balik? Monday na?"

"That's the plan." Ngumiti si Dad. "Kung gustong sumama ng mga pinsan n'yo, go ahead. Wala namang problema pero siguraduhin niyong hindi na mauulit yung nangyari no'ng nakaraan," he added sternly.

We nodded.

Nilingon ko si Kuya Travis. "Nasabihan n'yo na ba yung iba? Sasama sila 'di ba?"

"Yeah. They're ready. Sa school n'yo na lang tayo magkikita-kita."

"Cool," I said with an excited grin. I turned to Kuya Andrei. "Race tayo, a. Bet ulit."

Kuya Andrei flashed me a cool smile. "Sure."

"Sus. Race pa e wala ka naman, Jav. Lagi ka naman talo e," pang-aasar ni Kuya Jacob.

"Bakit, ikaw, natalo mo na ba si Kuya?" I sniped back.

"Kaya nga hindi ko hinahamon 'di ba?" Kuya Jacob gave me an I-win smug smirk.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Psh. Coz you're a pussy."

Nagulat pa muna si Kuya Jacob, ta's sabay humagalpak ng tawa. My other brothers chuckled at what I said.

"What did you just say?" sabi ni Kuya Jacob habang tatawa-tawa. "Dad, did you hear that?"

Tumawa lang si Dad at napailing.

"Suck it up, Kuya," I told him, wearing a teasing grin on my face.

"Fine, I'll show you," he told me in a confident voice. "Andrei, you better be ready. I'm showing you darn losers how to do real jet skiing."