FRIEND OF MINE (2nd Generation HUGS)

Chapter 3 -Bakit Hindi Na Lang Kayo?

Chapter 3 -Bakit Hindi Na Lang Kayo?

'I can really see that you were too close with your best friend Babe. Mabuti hindi kayo pinagkakamalan that you two have a relationship.' I gaze at Phoebe for a second before looking ahead. We are on our way to the mansion for her to meet my sister as well as my parents. 

'Nah. At first our friends were teasing us, but Bella and I knew the real score about us being close. She, among our other friends, is the closest to me. She's like a sister to me, mas close pa nga kami than Zinnie. I've already told you once when we were just toddlers, we usually hung out together at the village's clubhouse or at the playground. I even taught her how to play basketball.' napangiti ako nang maalala ko ang mga times na mga bata pa kami ni Bella. How we've played a lot. 'Although she usually went to the States to visit her Mom before and she also studied there, but the bond we have never ceased.' I glance at her once again, her brow is arch. 'O bakit nakataas ang kilay mo Babe?'

'Wala lang. I just find it unusual, you know. I am familiar with men and women getting close, but not as close as what I've seen earlier with you and Bella.' She then smiles blandly.

'Don't tell me you got jealous Babe. That's irrational thinking.' I gently held her hand and mildly kissed it.

'Well, you can't blame me. First time kasi akong makakita ng ganon. So I seem to care a lot for her, judging by what I saw a while ago.'

'Hahahaha! Ganyan lang talaga kami ni Bella, we are fond of each other pero we knew our limitations. And beside, she have said that I don't fancy her. Iba ang mga type ni Bella sa mga men, hindi mga kagaya ko ang mga type niya. I look too nerdy daw and boyish for her. Her last relationship is a fashion model, si Troy Anderson.'

'Really? He's famous right?' 

'Yes he is. Kaya nga I am wondering why they've broken up. Imagine Babe, four years of relationship tapos nawala na lang bigla. Bella broke up with Troy, she said that it was impossible for them to continue their relationship since madalas ay wala sa country ang best friend ko.' 

'Walang third party involved? I mean, Troy Anderson is a good catch, he is also famous and good looking as well.'

'That I don't know. Hindi pa kami masyadong nagkukwentuhan ni Bella about her break up issue with Troy. One time itanong ko nga ulit.' I glance at her again, hindi parin nawawala ang dull feature sa mukha niya. 'What's bothering you Babe? Kilala kita. There must be something that's bothering you base on how you look now.'

'This is nothing Babe. Maybe I am just tired, sa biyahe ko that's all.' I smile reluctantly at her before stepping on the break. She gazes at the window. 'We are here?'

'Yes Babe, andito na tayo sa amin. Wait there.' mabilis akong lumabas then went to her side of the car at pinagbuksan siya ng door. I help her get out and clasp my hand at hers. Pumasok kami sa loob and it is Zinnie who we see first, nasa living room siya. 

'Kuya!'

'Where's Mama Zinnie?'

'She's in the kitchen. Is she Phoebe Kuya?'

'Ah yes. Babe, this is my sister Zerene Genvely. Zinnie, this is my girlfriend Phoebe Catherine.' I saw Zinnie eyeing Phoebe from head to foot while smiling. I immediately protrude my eyes at her, castigating her with my stares. Then she immediately walked towards us saka inabot ang kamay niya kay Phoebe. 

'Hi! You can call me Zerene, pleasure meeting you Phoebe.' 

'Hi Zerene.' kinamayan rin ni Phoebe si Zinnie. I was wondering kung bakit Zerene ang gusto niyang itawag ni Phoebe sa kanya, samantalang she hates being called by her first name. 

'I will go at the kitchen muna Kuya. Sabihin ko lang kay Mama that you are here already. Have a seat first Phoebe, feel at home.' umupo kami ni Phoebe at the ottoman.

'Why do I have the feeling that your sister doesn't like me Babe.' she said monotonously.

'Ikaw talaga Babe. Hahahaha! Why wouldn't she like you? You are everything a man could ever want as a girlfriend, don't think that way. Zinnie is kind, she is just with an attitude sometimes. Masyado kasi siyang na-spoiled ni Daddy.'

'Sana nga Babe.' She leaned on my arm. 'I don't want to have any issues with your sister. Ayokong magka-problem ka sa amin both.' 

'Malabo yan Babe. Mabait ang kapatid ko. You two will get along once na nakilala mo siya ng husto.' I kiss her temple lovingly. 'Believe me, Zinnie is harmless.'

---

'Mama, Kuya is here already with his girlfriend.' I lean back at the counter while staring at Mama's back. She's cooking something.

'Mabuti naman. I am almost done with this beef casserole, sakto para makasama natin sila.'

'Honestly Mama, I don't like the look of that Phoebe girl.'

'Zinnie! Napaka mo talaga! Baka marinig ka nila sa labas, nakakahiya ka!'

'Eh kasi Mama, she's too classy and fashionable for Kuya unlike Ate Bella. Saka parang, she's just pretending to be nice.'

'Paano mo naman nasabi yan Zinnie? You haven't had a chance pa nga to know her enough tapos ganyan na kaagad ang comments mo about her.' she place the dish at a rectangular platter. 

'Mama, haven't you heard about "first impressions"? What will I do if that's my first impression of her?'

'Tumigil ka nga Zinnie. Huwag mong pairalin yan kamalditahan mo sa bisita ng Kuya mo. That's rude.'

'Saan pa ba ako magmamana Mama? Eh di sayo.' I walk towards her and scoop a little sa niluto niya and taste it. Masarap talagang magluto si Mama, nagutom ako all of a sudden. 

'Naku! Let's go outside na so I can meet her. Ipahanda mo na sa maids ang dining table then call your Daddy upstairs, nasa library siya. Join us for lunch ng Kuya mo as well.'

'Ayoko. I don't like to eat together with Kuya's girlfriend.' pinandilatan niya ako ng mata, just as how Kuya did sa akin kanina.

'Manners Zinnie, umayos ka. Isusumbong kita mamaya sa Daddy mo pagbaba niya kapag hindi ka umayos jan.' I grumpily followed her command and walk to where our maids are. 

We are already dining together with Daddy, tahimik lang si Phoebe which I really find so pretentious. She talks when asked lang nila Dad and Mama. I find it artificial of her dahil mukha naman hindi talaga siya shy type na tao. Ewan ko ba! Well maybe nahihiya lang siya sa parents ko who seems to be fond of her already. Who wouldn't? Kung ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na may pinakilala sa amin si Kuya na girlfriend niya. I just eat habang sinusulyapan siya ng madalas. She seemed to came from a respectable family, judging by the way she carries herself pero nonetheless, iba pa rin ang tingin ko sa kanya. May something talaga that is odd of her. Something that I should discover while she is here at the country. 

'You can stay here Phoebe while you are at the country. We have lots of spare rooms for you, kaysa naman mag-hotel ka pa. At least here, you can bond with Zinnie if ever Ziggy will go somewhere.' Mama offered. Umangat ang kilay ko sa narinig ko. Syempre, Filipinos are known to be hospitable kaya nag-offer siya ng ganon but that doesn't mean na i-grab mo ang offer na yun if you are really a decent human being right? Una nakakahiya sa family ng boyfriend mo, second is hindi naman tama na gawin mong hotel ang bahay ng may bahay kung pwede ka naman tumuloy sa hotel talaga at may pang-gastos ka naman. My parents are just being courteous sa kanya, that's all. Pero kung ako ang tatanungin and they will listen to my opinion, I don't like her staying at my home. Feeling ko she will be invading my privacy, and I don't like that feeling at all.

'I think she already booked a suite Mama. Right Phoebe?' I innocently smile at her pero hindi naman nakaligtas sa akin ang paglaki ulit ng mga mata ni Kuya.

'Yes po Tita Lovely, I already have a suite na po. Thank you for the offer though.' She flashes a smile gingerly.

'I thought so. Haha.' if kanina ay si Kuya lang ang nilakihan ako ng mata, now it is Dad and Mama's turn to do such. I just shrug my shoulders then continue eating. 

After dining with my family and Kuya's visitor ay nag-decide ako to go out and head at Tito Poseidon's mansion, I wanted to talk to Ate Bella kasi about Kuya's girlfriend. I want to hear her side of the story. 

Dati kasi when I was a bit younger pa, I thought Kuya and Ate Bella were in a much deeper relationship. Kasi naman they were too close with each other that they look like lovers. Funny thing is that, I didn't feel any resistance sa idea na yun unlike dito kay Phoebe. Masaya pa nga ako na akala ko ay sila talaga. Kaya I was really dismayed when I knew the real score between them, na mag-best friend lang pala talaga sila. 

I like Ate Bella for my Kuya Ziggy. In fairness, they look good together plus the factor that close na close sila and they blend together well. Maganda kaya si Ate Bella, matalino pa and very vocal. Ayoko sa mga kunwari tahimik or shy type pero nasa loob naman pala ang true identity. Gusto ko si Ate Bella dahil although she is sometimes shy pero totoo siya makitungo sa iba. She says what she really feels. At alam ko rin that she has a crush on Kuya although she have denied it several times nang tanungin ko siya before, but I just knew. Maybe it is a girl thing, since babae rin ako. Most of the times I caught Ate Bella blushing kapag pinag-uusapan namin si Kuya, lalo na one time when we were having a picnic at Tito Apollo and Tita Trinity's back garden, we were teenagers pa that time. Wala si Kuya noon he is at work then I told everyone at the picnic table that I've overheard Kuya ordering a dozen of sunflowers. Tapos I hastily glance at Ate Bella who's cheeks suddenly turned red. Kaya nga I knew that she has a thing for my brother. Why would a lady's cheeks turn red over a man in the first place aside sa galit siya right? That day I finally confirmed my hunches kay Ate Bella that she has a crush on my Kuya. Yan ang alam ko, I just don't know if until now ay ganun pa rin ang feelings niya sa Kuya ko. 

---

I was startled when I heard Zinnie's voice calling me from the outside. I am in the living room and searching something on the internet when she barges in. 

'Zinnie! Anong meron that you are here all of a sudden?' she quickly sat beside me and lean back. Hindi ko ma-describe ang itsura ng mukha niya.

'Ayokong mag-stay sa amin Ate Bella.' her face is gloomy.

'And why is it if I may ask?'

'Andun kasi si Phoebe, yung girlfriend ni Kuya.'

'So? What's wrong with that?'

'Eh I just find her too pretentious Ate Bella. Unlike you na very open to us, siya kasi parang she was just pretending to be nice and shy and timid just because kaharap niya sila Mama and Daddy.' napangiti ako. She is like a toddler having her tantrums. 

'Ikaw talaga Zinnie. You should be nice to her. She seems to be a nice lady naman.'

'Nice? You knew me Ate Bella, I am nice kaya! Kaya lang ayoko sa Phoebe na yun as in! She looks fake!'

'Hahahahaha! Magagalit sa'yo ang Kuya mo kapag narinig ka niyang sinabi mo yan Zinnie. Maldita ka talaga.' I shake my head in amusement.

'Bakit ba kasi hindi na lang kayo ni Kuya Ziggy ang nagkatuluyan Ate? Bakit hindi na lang kayo Ate Bella? It would be much better kung ikaw na lang ang ipapa-kilala niya sa amin na girlfriend niya! Our families are close na ever since tapos super close pa kayo ni Kuya! Bakit ba kasi hindi naging kayo na lang Ate Bella? Akala ko before kayo pero hindi naman pala.' 

'Hahahahaha! Ang dami mong alam Zinnie! Bakit hindi kayo ni Arzel ang maging kayo kaya!'

'Hell no! No damn way Ate Bella! I hate that brute's egoist attitude! Feeling pogi at ang yabang as in! Malabo yan Ate, super labo mangyari yan!'

'See? Ganyan rin kami ng Kuya Ziggy mo, malabo yan sinasabi mo. Just like the two of you ni Arzel. That's not gonna happen.'

'Iba naman ang sa inyo Ate Bella, iba naman ang sa amin ng Arzel na yun. Hindi kami in good terms, pinapakisamahan ko lang siya kapag lumalabas tayo but that doesn't mean that we get along. Besides, busy ako sa studies ko. Wala akong panahon sa mga taong malaki pa sa mundo ang bilib sa sarili nila.' then she grab my laptop away from me and place it at her back. 'Seriously Ate Bella, what do you think about Kuya's girlfriend? Yung honest to goodness talaga na sa tingin mo about that Phoebe girl.'

'She seems like a lady naman to me. They look good together physically, although she is quite fashionable but I guess it's natural since she grew up in the States.'

'Eh bakit ikaw? You also grew up in the States pero you are not like her.' nailing na lang ako sa sinabi niya.

'No two persons are alike Zinnie. Magkaiba kami ni Phoebe. Don't compare us. Iba siya at iba rin ako. It's not fair na i-compare mo kami.'

'Pero kasi Ate Bella, I don't like her for my Kuya. Hindi sila bagay as in. Napakabait ni Kuya for her and she's too... Argh! I don't like her for my brother Ate Bella! Period!'

'So lumabas din ang totoong reason to why you are acting this way Zinnie. Ayaw mo ba yun? May girlfriend na ang Kuya mo at last. Now he finally proved to everyone na karapat-dapat rin siyang mahalin that I always teased sa kanya. Hahahahaha!' there is this pain again inside of me nang sabihin ko yun. A pain that I am trying to remove from my system matagal na panahon na.

Ikaw ba gusto mo na may girlfriend na siya Bella? Are you really happy that finally ay may girlfriend na si Ziggy at hindi ikaw yun? my inner self suddenly muttered.

'Hindi sila bagay ng Kuya ko period! First impression ko pa lang at her ay ayaw ko na talaga sa kanya! I don't think we will get along well kahit pilitin pa ako ni Kuya, even if he bribed me ay malabo na magustuhan ko ang girlfriend niya. Tapos mind you Ate Bella, Mama even offered her to stay at the mansion while she's in the country. Mabuti na lang ay hindi siya pumayag dahil kung umoo siya, I will really evacuate our home and stay here instead while she is around. Magpapa-ampon muna ako kila Tito Poseidon and Tita Coreen!'

'HAHAHAHAHA! NAPAKA MO TALAGA ZINNIE! ANG SAMA MO GIRL!

'Eh sa I don't like her talaga Ate Bella! What will I do? Makipag-plastikan sa kanya while she's at the mansion? Maso-suffocate lang ako sa sariling bahay ko if ever!'

'That's very rude of you Zerene Genvely Reiz. Hahahahaha! Too rude for a fine lady like you.' 

Nakaalis na si Zinnie, I was left alone sa living room while reminiscing our conversation a while ago. Napaka-maldita talaga ng babaeng yun, may pinagmanahan talaga siya. An attitude of hers that I sometimes love. 

Pero honestly ay nagulat ako sa mga sinabi niya. Hindi ko inaasahan that she won't like Phoebe, hindi ko inaasahan na ganun ang magiging reaction niya towards her brother's girlfriend. I thought siya pa ang unang matutuwa na may girlfriend na ang Kuya niya at long last, but I guess I was wrong. But what really shocked me ay ang sinabi niya na sana ay kami na lang ng Kuya niya ang nagkatuluyan. How I really wish for that thing to happen. But it is like I am wishing for oil and water to combine, parang ganun na alam kong impossible to happen. 

Sana lang talaga ay mahalin ng totoo ni Phoebe si Ziggy. Na sana lang talaga ay huwag niya itong sasaktan because I will be the first to cry if that will happen. Ako ang unang masasaktan kung malalaman ko na hindi talaga siya seryoso kay Ziggy, na sasaktan lang niya ito at iiwan someday. Seeing the only man that I have treasured in my heart for ages getting hurt because of a woman will definitely shattered my heart into million pieces. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kapag nasaktan si Ziggy nang dahil sa Phoebe na yun. That pain siguro ang hinding-hindi ko kakayanin.

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