AGS 4: The Best Man's Wedding

Chapter 47: Solved

If Clark fails once, he always makes sure he won't fail twice. It was an unspoken truth about him that not all could notice.

He tried to make up to me because of the last, last night's epic failed sexy night. And as usual, he delivered. What should I expect anyway?

Ayaw niyang masyado akong napapagod sa kitchen. For sure, aware siyang hindi talaga ako taong kusina, so he prepared our breakfast as early as six. His old self would probably spent our morning sa bahay ng kumpare niya para makikain at iri-reason out na dadalawin si Luan o kaya manghihiram ng damit kay Kyline. Anything basta may dahilan para walang magluto sa aming dalawa.

Naabutan ko siya sa kitchen na nanonood ng cooking video sa phone—which was a surprise kasi hindi ko ine-expect na ganoon siya kabilis matuto sa paggamit ng gadget na eighteen years ang tanda sa kanya. Pero naabutan naman niya ang Friendster and Yahoo so I guess, he's not new to "technology".

"Are you sure, okay 'yang kainin?" tanong ko habang pinanonood siyang maggisa sa pan.

"Fresh pa naman sa isip ko ang home economics. Madali lang namang magluto."

"Kuya is a nice cook, though."

"I didn't expect na magte-take siya ng ND."

I glanced at him to see his face. He was slightly smiling as he cooked. Nakatambay lang ako sa counter, enough ang layo para hindi ako talsikan ng mantika or something galing sa pan.

"Ano ang ine-expect mo dapat kay Kuya?" curious na tanong ko.

"Sabi niya, gusto niyang mag-take ng management."

"He did. After he graduated sa college, nag-masteral na siya."

"Cool!"

Clark sounded happy naman for Kuya. Though, parang may barrier na sa kanilang dalawa ngayon kahit pa halos magkapatid na nga ang turingan nila sa isa't isa.

"Kuya chose you over his pride. He loves you that much."

Clark smiled at me and nodded. "Expected ko na."

"Ganoon ka ka-confident na pipiliin ni Kuya ang safety mo over his pride?"

He let out a deep sigh and poured a cup of water sa pan at tinakpan 'yon bago siya sumandal sa island na kaharap ng stove.

"Noong unang kita ko sa kanya sa ospital . . . alam ko nang hindi niya gusto ang nangyari." Tumingin siya sa itaas na parang naroon ang ibang linyang sasabihin niya sa 'kin. "Perfectionist si Ronerico. Pero alam ko rin na kapag compromised na ang situation, dini-disregard niya ang perfection over security."

Kahit hindi sinasadya, natawa ako roon nang mahina. "Sounds like we're talking about Mum."

"Magkaugali naman silang dalawa."

"I know, right."

Mum and Kuya had similar characteristics, and most of the time, they always repelled each other. Kaya nga mas madalas akong kampi kay Mum habang pinagtutulungan ang kapatid ko. Yet if I needed my safety net, it was always Kuya na lagi kong tinatakbuhan. I can't lose any of them, but I don't want to choose either. After all, after everything we've been through, this is not my game to play. I was just bait for their personal intentions. And since I am no longer useful, I have my freedom back. Or I always have my freedom to choose, and I was just afraid to lose a favorable side, which is why I ended up losing everything.

Kyline said kunin ko sa kanila ang packaging materials na order ko. Box lang naman 'yon and some honeycomb set and bubble wraps.

Para sure akong hindi lumalayas si Clark sa kung saan-saan, isinama ko na siya kina Leo para tulungan akong magbuhat.