Kabanata 1
"Arylle, anak." Tawag sa'kin ni mommy mula sa kusina.
I was currently at the living area, silently watching news. Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa pagtawag nito sa'kin, she seems in hurry. I wonder why?
Mabilis akong nagtungo sa kusina at hinanap ang ina, as soon as I saw her. I spoked, "yes, mommy. What is it?"
She glanced at me before proceeding to her business, "Did your brother, Rough, already told you about his arrival this night?"
My forehead furrowed because of the sudden knowledge. I didn't know about that, our communication stopped after he left without saying goodbye. It has been years since I saw him and knowing he would be here any hours by now. What should I do? Should I welcome him just like before, with warm greetings and without harm feelings? Or will I act like a stubborn girl who is mad at her brother after leaving the country without regards about his plans.
Pekeng akong ngumiti at hindi na lamang pinahalata ang tumatakbo sa aking isipan. Therefore, I must say that I must have known about his return. I just didn't expect it to be this year already, however it's already been years.
Hanggang sa lumipas ang mga oras ay 'yon ang laman ng isipan ko. The fact that I was not ready. Pero bakit ba kailangan ko pang maging handa? Like there's nothing to be ready for! What am I thinking!
Napuno ng hiyawan at tawanan ang paligid matapos kong mapagtantong narito na siya. Sinundo nila mama at papa, kasama ang mga kaibigan nito. I choosed to stay and just wait here at home because I don't want to go out—or perhaps I don't wanna see him?
Goodness Arylle! What is happening with you!
Pumikit ako ng mariin nang marinig na papalapit na sila sa kinatatayuan ko, but before they could ever enter the dinning area where I was currently at; I flashed my way out. Silently but hastily took the path way back to my room.
Bumuga ako ng hininga at dahan dahang isinira ang pinto. Kinalma ko ang sarili at pinili na lamang na pansamantalang humiga sa kama upang mawala ang kaba.
Matapos ang ilang minuto ay narinig ko ang pagtawag ng ina sa'kin upang bumababa para kumain. So i guess, it's time for dinner. Then i must be in trouble, I will be facing my brother this instant already.
At that moment, I found myself going down because of hungriness. I remembered I haven't yet eaten since brunch. Am I i killing myself?
Naglaho ang iniisip ko ng marating ang dinning area, with everyone already at their place I prevented myself from looking at the same place where my brother usually sat.
"Arylle, come, sit. Kain na, you haven't eaten anything since morning." it was my mother, who first noticed my presence, obviously spitting the fact that i am now hungry.
Tahimik akong umupo at doon na nagsimulang mag-ingay ang kubyertos at iba pang mga sangkap sa pagkain kagaya ng plato, kutsara, tinidor at marami pang iba. Intentionally, speeding myself from eating I gulped after hearing my father, started a conversation.
"So, what are your plans, hijo? Sa'n mo gustong manirahan, do you wanna live here in our mansion or will you proceed living at your condo just like what you planned years ago?"
Dahil sa usapan ay naging dahan dahan ang pagkain ko. Silently, wanting to hear their conversation before sleeping in my room after eating because I was sure they will be sleeping late because of my brother. Kukulitin at kakausapin nila 'to hanggang sa magsawa sila. Additionally, my brothers' friends are here. I guess, they would be having a drink or whatsoever later.
"I will be staying here for a week before moving out, Dad. May kailangan pa kase akong amuin para madala ko."
Amuin? Huh? Ano 'yon? Pusa? Kailangang amuin para sumama?
"Hmm, sige." sagot ni Daddy, "What about you, Arylle? I heard you have a boyfriend, is that true?"
Natigilan ako dahil sa naging pagbaling ng tanong ni Daddy sa'kin. I was not expecting that, actually. Kumunot ang noo ko at nag-angat ng tingin. What is he talking about?
Dahil sa pagkabigla ay natahimik ako ng ilang minuto at wala ng balak pang magsalita, hence I just smiled and shook my head for an answer.
Sandali ay nakita ko ang pag-igting ng panga ng kapatid ko, madiin ang hawak sa kutsara at nasa pinggan ang tingin. I choosed to ignore it. Akala ko ay doon na magtatapos ang pagtatanong ng ama pero tuluyang nataranta ang isipan ko ng magpatuloy ang usapan sa pagitan nilang dalawa.
"How's your stay there, by the way? I heard from one of my business partner that you had a relationship with her daughter back then, is it true, Rough hijo?"
"I don't know, Dad."
"What do you mean? Is it complicated? Do you like that girl, Daisy Crollen?"
Pilit kong kinakalma ang sarili sa gitna ng naririnig. So, i guess he really had a relationship back then kaya naman ano pa kaya ngayon? Maybe, meron pa din, baka nga nagtagal.
Bago pa man makasagot ang kapatid ay mabilis ko ng tinapos ang kinakain at walang pagiisip na tumayo upang magpaalam na mauuna. With that, i left them and went upstairs, inside my room.
"Ay sir, nandiyan po ang kapatid niyo. Diyan na po siya natutulog simula noong umalis ka, sabi po kasi ng ama niyo ay diyan na lamang po siya habang inaayos pa ang dati niyang silid matapos masira."
Hearing the familiar voice that I assume came from our maid, Manang Eli. She and whoever she was talking was behind the door, whispering but loud and clearly in my ears.
Kagigising ko lang at ang boses niya ang sumalubong sa'kin, dahil sa narinig ay nagtungo ako sa pinto para buksan ito pero agad ding nagsisi ng makita ang maskuladong lalaking kasalukuyang nasa harap ko. It's my brother, unfortunately.
Nabaling ang atensyon nila sa'kin at naisip ko na lamang na ako na ang bahalang kumausap sa kanya tungkol sa silid, I looked at Manang Eli, giving her the cue that she can leave us. Agad naman niyang nakuha 'yon at umalis.
When she was gone, I gave this man in front of me a look. Surprisingly, I no longer feel nervousness and weaknessing at the moment. I'm glad.
"So, how can I help you? Kuya." I started, emphasizing the word kuya.
He's my brother, there is no wrong with that, pangungumbinsi ko sa sarili.
Pumikit ito ng mariin dahil sa narinig bago magsalita, "What happened to your room and why are you here?"
I rolled my eyes because of repetition, "Haven't you heard Manang Eli's statement a while ago? Hindi ka na ba nakakaintindi ng tagalog matapos mong mag-abroad?" pagtataray ko.
Tumaas ang dulo ng labi nito, forming a smirk that i once again witnessed after a long years.
"Saan ako matutulog kung gano'n? Puno na ang guestroom dahil sa mga kaibigan ko." ani niya, tunog nagmamakaawa.
I raised a brow, "pake ko sayo?"
Patuloy kung nilalakasan ang loob sa gitna ng pagmamaldita ko sa kanya. I was not like this years ago, surely this new attitude of mine is new to him. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay bawat pagbuka ng bibig ko ay nagugulat siya dahil sa pagtataray na lumalabas sa bibig ko.
And with that, i closed the door but before i could do that he immediately entered my room—his ex room that is now mine. Nainis ako dahil sa kanyang ginawa at hindi makapaniwalang tinignan siya, he surveyed every corner of my room. Hindi nakatakas sa aking paningin ang pag-ngisi nito matapos makita ang malaking teady bear na bigay niya noon.
It was lying on my bed like a human figure, wala nga lang itong kumot sa ibabaw nito dahil naalis ko na nang bumangon ako kaya naman ay kitang kita niya ito.
Because of the smirk plastered on his lips, i figured he was thinking something that is unknown to me. Howbeit, I pay no attention to it.
"Ano ba! Labas!" pagtataboy ko matapos ang dalawang minuto.
Nang matauhan ito matapos marinig ang pagsigaw ko ay nagsalita ito, giving me discomfort and goosebumps that i didn't imagine after long years it'll rise.
"Ayoko, I'll sleep here. This is still my room, you we're just borrowing it kaya naman babalikan ko na. Ayaw mo no'n? Pwede na tayong magkatabi matulog kagaya ng gusto mo no'ng siyam na taon ka pa lamang."
