Moving Into My Brother's House

Chapter 28

"What the hell?! Seryoso ba 'yan?" Sigaw ko. Di bale na kung marinig man nila mommy yung sigaw ko. Masyado talaga akong nagulat sa narinig ko. I mean, yes, I was trying to set the two of them up pero hindi ko naman akalaing ganito kabilis ang mga pangyayari!

"As much as I would like to say that it's a joke, Lauryn, I can't. It's the truth."

"Wow." I said. Hindi pa rin talaga nagsisink in sa utak ko yung narinig ko. It was too much to handle. How could kuya help me with my debut kung biglang nakikipag-date na pala siya sa kaibigan ko? Darn it. Our situation is too twisted. The bestfriend is dating the twin. Oh god. Exchange gift lang ang peg.

"Hey, are you still there?" AJ asked which brought me back to my senses.

"Uhh, yeah. Gosh. I didn't know that kuya would take dating Nicole seriously. I was just messing with them before. Paano na niya pipigilan yung debut ko niyan?"

"Wait. So ayaw mo talagang ituloy yung debut?"

"You know that I hate being in the spotlight. Kuya is the only one who could convince lola to cancel this debut but now he's busy with somebody else." I answered him, disappointment evident in my voice. As I sat down on the seat in the balcony of my room, it's as if all of my energy has been drained. Just when I needed some saving, kuya and Nicole did this. Talk about perfect timing.

"Hey, it's not that bad. You still got me though I really want the debut to push through."

"Do I even have a choice?" I asked and that's when I knew that I will be fitting gowns for weeks. Eww.

AJ and I continued talking and we tried to avoid talking about kuya and Nicole as much as possible. Don't get me wrong here. I am happy for kuya since he's into dating now and he won't be the forever third wheel when he, AJ and I go to museums, malls and such but really. Bakit ngayon pa? I need my partner in crime right now and he's off to god knows where with my friend.

After some time, AJ and I decided to call it quits. Nakatulog na ako ng ilang beses habang magkausap kaming dalawa. I know, nakakahiya pero hindi ko na talaga napigilan e. Hindi ko alam kung epekto lang ba 'to ng oversleeping ko kanina o nung overeating ko.

"Good night Lauryn. Don't dream of me that much okay?" AJ said which made me shudder in disgust.

"Kadiri ka! If I know, you're the one who's always dreaming of me." I joked which is the worst thing that I did right now. AJ just made me shut up with his response.

"Well, that's true and I'm not even ashamed of it." Hindi na ako nakapagsalita after that. For all I know, baka isa lang 'to sa mga pambobola niya pero it made me feel different. Parang nung sinabi niya 'yon, totoo lahat ng lumabas ng bibig niya.

"Go to sleep AJ. You're getting worse." I told him when I found my tongue back and then I ended the call. I don't know why but I knew right then that I'm the one who's getting worse.

xxx

I woke up with a nightmare. Narinig ko raw yung boses ni lola tapos may kasama na siyang mga magaasikaso para sa debut. Pinapunta na rin daw niya sina AJ at kuya dito para sukatan ng damit. Ilang beses kong sinabi sa sarili ko na panaginip lang ang lahat. Sinubukan ko ring matulog ulit pero nung biglang pumasok sa kwarto ko si kuya, I knew that I wasn't dreaming.

"Wake up Kat. We need to talk." Kuya said while he closed the door of my room.

"Natutulog pa yung tao e. Mamaya na lang 'yan." Sagot ko sa kanya tapos nagtalukbong ulit ako.

"Look, I'm sorry kung hindi ko agad sinabi sa'yo yung tungkol kay Nicole. I'm sorry kung hindi ko rin kayang pigilan yung debut mo. But I just want you to know that I'm still here. Kat, kakampi mo pa rin ako. I will always be here for you." Sabi niya tapos umupo na siya sa kama ko.

"Ang daya naman e. Ayaw ko naman ng debut. Couldn't they understand that? Bakit ba hindi na lang ikaw ang magkaroon ng party?" I answered, not even bothering to remove the comforter that's covering me right now.

"Do you really want to see me wearing a gown?" Tanong ni kuya which made me laugh out loud. Just imagining it makes me to jump off a bridge. Kadiri lang talaga.

"Come on, Kat." He said then I just found myself sitting ang giving him a hug.

"I just wish you gave me some hints before. Hindi yung kay AJ ko pa malalaman na nagdedate na pala kayo ni Nicole. I mean seriously, you're my brother then she's my friend. A heads up would be nice you know."

"I know and I'm sorry. You're already busy with your studies and with AJ. I didn't want to add more on your plate."

"Plate? Ano ka, ulam?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Imbis na sagutin niya ako, ang nakuha ko batok. Langya naman e. Bakit ba ang brutal nitong kakambal ko?

"Aray naman!" Pagrereklamo ko sa kanya.

"Just remember that I love you Kat. No matter what happens, I will forever be your partner in crime. Maligo ka na. Hinihintay ka na nila lola sa baba."

"Do I really have to do this?" I asked, half hoping that he will say that I could still run away on the day of my debut. But I guess I ran out of luck this time.

"Yes." Kuya answered right away. Napasimangot ako dahil doon then he continued, "Pero kapalit daw ng pagpayag mo sa debut ay one week vacation abroad with anyone that you like. All expenses will be paid by lola. Kahit saan mo raw gustong pumunta, okay lang daw. Think about it Kat. I know you want to travel a lot."

"Ugh. You and your suhol! Get out of my room!" Sigaw ko sa kanya tapos pinagtawanan niya lang ako. Langya. Ang hirap naman magdesisyon nito.

xxx

Pagbaba ko mula sa kwarto ko, nagkakagulo lahat ng tao. Ang daming nagkalat na mga papel tapos nagsisigawan sila ng kung ano anong numbers. Kung tama ang hula ko, yun yung mga sukat para sa mga isusuot namin sa debut ko.

"Kuya, what on earth is happening? The house looks like a mess!" I asked kuya then he just pointed at the little girl who's running like crazy around the house.

"Ninang, couldn't you control Den Den? Ang gulo na po ng bahay!"

"That's what I've been telling Denise simula nung dumating siya dito sa bahay. Pero ayan. Takbo pa rin nang takbo 'yang anak niya." Sagot ni mommy tapos napailing na lang siya. I looked at Den Den then I decided to make a run for her.

"Huli ka!" I told her and she screamed like crazy.

"Waaaaag!" She screamed while trying to escape from me and I swear, parang nabasag yung eardrums ko sa tining ng boses niya.

"I told you that you should behave when you're here right? Don't you want to get a reward before you go home later?"

"Ward!" She answered.

"To get your reward, you have to behave. Just sit down here and play with your dolls okay?" I told her as I brought her on the open space in the living room. After a few minutes, Den Den was in her own world with her dolls.

When I walked back towards the spot where my parents are, AJ pulled me away and asked, "How did you do that?"

"Reward system works best with kids. Hindi mo ba alam 'yon? Palibhasa puro pambobola lang alam mo e."

"Umepekto naman sa'yo e." He answered. At that moment, I knew that I lost. Remind me not to mess with a guy like AJ again please.