Walang Kupas

011

"Aki, where are you going? Kumanan ka kasi! Kanan!"

I was sitting in the driver's seat of Callisto's car, my hands tightly gripping the steering wheel. While si Kuya naman ay na sa passenger side, clutching the armrest, his knuckles turning white because of the tension. Paano, ako ang pinag-drive niya ngayon para naman daw makita niya ang driving skills ko. Sanay naman ako mag drive, hindi lang sa directions kaya takot na takot siya ngayon.

I chuckled, glancing at him for a second before focusing on the road again. "Sana masarap ang dinner, 'no, Kuya? I saw the place, eh."

From my peripheral vision, he simply gave me a weak smile. Paano, kabadong kabado! "Yeah, their steak sounds amazing. But can you just... focus on the road muna, Aki? Baka mamaya may biglang tumakbo na aso d'yan tapos hindi mo nakita."

Ay, wala pa rin tiwala sa driving skills ko?!

"Come on, Kuya," I softly chuckled. "I'm a careful driver naman, eh!"

"I'm worried about my car, Aki," he narrowed his eyes. "My car."

I cast a quick look in his direction, empathizing with his worry regarding this car. This vehicle holds a significant story for Kuya Callisto kasi. I vividly recall the immense joy he felt noong binili 'tong car. It was a gift — A gift from our late mother sana but si Dad na ang bumili nito gamit ang naitabing money ni Mom since wala na si Mom the time na grumaduate si Kuya.

Ito na raw kasi ang plano ni Mom and Dad simula noong tumungtong si Kuya sa college, na bilhan si Kuya ng car after graduating.

"Okay, okay, Mr. Worrier," pang-aasar ko. "Relax ka lang d'yan. Wala naman mawawala sa'ting dalawa. We're going to have a great dinner pa kay Dad, 'di ba?" Sarkistong sabi ko kaya natawa siya kahit pa-paano.

Nang na sa highway na kami ay nakita ko siyang humawak ng mahigpit sa seatbelt niya kaya hindi ko maiwasang hindi tumawa. Kaya to help him to feel better, binuksan ko 'yung bluetooth niya para magpa-tugtog ng music.

"Okay ka na?" He took a deep breath after I turned on the music. "You can be in charge of choosing the music if you want, Kuya, para kalmado ka."

Slowly, he nodded, a small smile forming on the corner of his lips. "Deal. I'll make sure the playlist is soothing enough para hindi ako kabahan sa driving skills mo."

I chuckled at his comment, skillfully driving the car through the traffic. Gradually, I could see his tension easing as the music played on. Well, that's a good start — we're actually having a conversation na about the dinner later. Kuya knows naman how Dad treats me, so we're already on the same page talking like this.