Once In Katipunan

Chapter 01

I am busy packing all of my things in my tote bag, obviously in a hurry because I almost forgot my lunch date with my brother. I don't have classes today tho, because it's saturday.

12:00 noon ang usapan namin ni kuya and it's almost 11:45. We agreed to just meet in a restaurant along katipunan to make it less hassle for me. I still have org stuffs to attend so metting him near the venue would be more convenient for me.

My brother used to visit me here in Manila at least thrice a month to check on me. He always makes sure that I'm doing good and I'm on a good condition. He still treats me as his baby sister even though we're already grown up.

"Oh, nagmamadali ka ata? May lakad ka te?" Laarni commented when she went out from her room. 

"Wow talino mo talaga, maglilinis lang ako ng bahay habang naka sapatos, stay lang sa kwarto, netflix and chill habang nakabihis ng maganda. Obvious naman diba?" I sarcastically replied.

Laarni and I are staying together in one condo unit. My parents bought this unit for me to have a comfortable stay here in manila. Since Arni is my best friend, and we are studying at the same university, dad asked her to move in with me so there's no need for her to buy a separate unit, and also to serve as my companion.

"Wow ang nice mo talagang kausap pokpok ka!" She mocked, matching it with slow claps. She went to the kitchen maybe to see what's up for her brunch.

Ngumisi na lang ako sa kaniya at nagpatuloy sa pag-ayos ng gamit. I placed my sketch pad, pencils, paintbrushes and other art materials inside my tote bag before heading to the kitchen to fetch my tumbler.

11:00 A.M. was actually our normal wake-up time during weekends. It's also the reason why I'm always late with my schedules during weekend.

"San ba punta mo Ara?" Arni asked while sipping on her coffee.

My friends and relatives used to call me Ara since Amber Rayne is too lengthy. I refused to be called Amber or Rayne anyway, kaya Ara nalang ang ipinalayaw nila sa akin.

"Lunch date with kuya Ash. Alam mo naman yun bine-baby pa rin ako hanggang ngayon." I said with a smile plastered on my lips.

I somehow find my brother's treatment cute and comfortable, because it really makes me feel loved and cared.

"Pinapadede ka ba nun? Pa'no mo nasabing bine-baby ka? Ang bine-baby, pinapadede, parang ako sa mga baby boys ko. " Sagot niya.

Umirap lang ako sa biro niya, na siya namang ikinatawa niya.

"O s'ya mag-iingat ka ha, si kuya lang ang kikitain, wag nang magpapatuhog," Arni, with teasing tone.

"Boba, pass muna 'no, saka may org activity kami mamaya so baka malate na ako ng uwi."

"Siguraduhin mong Org activity, as in organization, hindi yung orgy." She then laughed.

Ngumiwi ako at inabot yung table napkin sabay hagis sa kaniyang mukha. Natatawa lang siyang umilag sa pagbato ko.

I glanced at my watch just to see that it's already 11:56 and realized that there's no way I'm going to be at our meeting place at the exact time we agreed on.

I ran to the parking lot once the elevator door opened. I inserted the key to my black sedan and drive as fast as I can. I was not even able to play a song on the radio because I'm already at my panic state. I know naman na kuya Ash won't get mad at me for being late, but I know how he value his time greatly, that's why I'm a bit guilty.

I arrived at the wings restaurant 15 minutes late. Iniwan ko nalang sa loob ng sasakyan yung dala kong bag at lumabas na. I fixed myself first before entering the resto.