The Unexpected Guy

Chapter 40 - Vacation

"Are you done packing, baby?" Kuya asked me. Tumango ako bilang sagot. "So what time will he pick you up tomorrow?"

"By 9 nandito na sya. 1 kasi ang flight namin."

"Okay. Just make sure you have all the things you needed."

Nginitian ko si kuya. When I looked at him, nakatingin sya sa akin. Una syang nag-iwas ng tingin. Is he crying? I laughed at my thought.

Nilapitan ko sya at niyakap.

"You shouldn't worry about me, kuya. I'm a big girl na. No, scratch that, I am a woman now."

Nakita kong nagpunas sya ng mata nya at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

"Yun nga ang pinoproblema ko, eh. You're a woman na. Hindi ka na baby." Natawa ako sa sagot ni kuya.

"Para namang magpapakasal na ako."

"Well touring together is one step." Sagot nya nya habang nakakunot ang noo.

"Kuya, bata pa ako para magpakasal, ano ka ba. Marami pa ata akong kakaining bigas bago makapag-asawa."

Dun ko na nakita ang ngiti ni kuya.

Kuya always treats me like a baby. A spoiled one. Lagi nyang binibigay ang gusto ko, but he raised me well. He taught me how to value people. And he's more like a dad to me, since laging wala si daddy sa bahay. I'm sure of one thing, he'll be a great dad, soon.

Tinulungan ako ni kuya ibaba ang mga luggages ko. Para daw in-case na ma-late si Ken bukas, hihilain na lang ang mga ito.

After that, kumain na kami ng dinner. Ate's blabbering info about Wales, mga dapat naming puntahan, kainan, at bilhan ng souvenirs.

***

"Mace, Ken's here." Tawag ni ate sa akin sa baba.

Inayos ko ang mga ibang gamit na dadalhin ko at lumabas na ng kwarto. I made sure na nasa bag ko ang passport, ticket, at wallet ko. Mahirap na, baka may mangyaring hindi inaasahan.

"Make sure she'll be hundred-percent okay Aragon, ah?" Ate said as I stepped on our living room.

"I will make sure of that ate Peach." Nginitian ni Ken si ate. Tumango naman si ate na parang nanay. Nilingon ako ni ate.

"Do you have your passport with you?" Tumango ako. "Plane ticket?" Tumango ulit ako. "I-check mo ulit kung nandyan na ba lahat ng kailgan. Baka may maiwan ka."

Umupo ako sa couch at chineck ulit ang bag ko.

"I have everything, ate." I said and smiled at her.

Tumango naman sya at inopen ang arms nya. Lumapit ako at niyakap sya.

"Enjoy, but please, don't enjoy too much na baka may mangyaring hindi maganda. Okay?" She said and kissed my forehead.

"Aragon, I'm telling you---"

"I'll take care of her. I'll bring her back to you hundred-percent complete. Promise." And finally, ate smiled at her.

"Okay fine. You two go now, baka ma-late pa kayo."

Hinatid kami ni ate hanggang gate. I hugged her for the last time.

"Take care. Enjoy! Don't forget our pasalubong. Love you, Mace!" Ate said habang papasakay ako ng kotse.

Nag-flying kiss ako sa kanya at kumaway.