Chapter Five: Orange
1188 Words
"From the looks of the building itself, it's not bad" my older brother whispered as he looks around.
"Dad," I guessed. He is the angel who keeps on helping me. The reason why I continue to live in this building ... why the refrigerator is always full and the reason why I always have the money in the bank.
My brother nodded in agreement. Before we arrived, I was greeted with a smile by the kind security guard; I also greeted him back. We went straight to the elevator. The apartment I live in is still on the fifth floor. It wasn't long before the elevator opened. We got out and walked. I typed the door password and it was unlocked. We came in immediately. I quickly laid my bag next to the sofa. They looked around.
"Can I use the restroom?" our companion asked. I pointed to the bathroom. Kuya looked for something to drink. I got to the refrigerator in the mini-kitchen and took some drinks out.
"Your girlfriend is nice, Kuya" I uttered. My older brother spilled his drink.
"I'm not her boyfriend" he corrected. "Se was one of my classmates when I was still in school "
"In Montecillo?" I asked.
"At Saint Anthony, I studied," Saint Anthony ?? They are known for high board passing rates and are very active in competitions and extra-curricular activities.
"Why not?" I asked him again.
"It's too complicated. I will allow you to stay at your school now but... at Montecillo University you will be studying next time."
"All right, Kuya" I smiled. I also have no plans right now. "So, do you have a girlfriend now, Kuya?"
"Why are you interested?"
"It's nothing. You're so handsome ... so, I expected you have one" I explained and smiled.
"Sorry to say but none"
"Why?" is my question again.
"Why should there be a reason?" he asked back,
"And why should it not have a reason ?"
"For no reason"
"I can't believe it, Kuya"
"Then, so be it" he concluded the conversation.
"Scary" I whispered to myself. "That's why he's single"
"Are you saying something?" he asked.
"I'm going to cook for you" I growled. Kuya nodded. He turned his gaze around again. He's like a member of the NBI by checking around. His friend came to me ... Clarissa. Right, I heard from Kuya.
"I heard your question earlier with your Brother," he told me. "He doesn't have a lover because it still looks like he's still a (1)siopao up to this day"
"What siopao?" my awkward question. I am familiar with that dish but could not see the connection when (2)Ate Clarissa had used that food to describe Kuya.
Clarissa looks up." "Still hoping"
"I'm on my way" groaned Kuya. "Two years have passed"
"Why don't you look for another?" Ate Clarissa.
"It's not even a necessity" was Kuya's defense.
"Still a bitter person" Ate Clarissa whispered loudly at me.
"Who doesn't get hurt when you have been cheated on?" asked Kuya. We looked at him. Silence ...
"Sorry, Kuya" I muttered in silence. My brother shook his head.
"There's no need to apologize" he replied. "It happens"
"No. I'm sorry about Mom and Dad" I apologize.
"Why are you carrying such a burden?" he asked me. It kept me from thinking. "no one's upset with you"
I was surprised. I like Kuya. I mean he's approachable, kind, and the way he's treating me; he seems to have known me for a long time.
"How about you, Eliah?" Ate Clarissa shifted the topic to me.
"None" I replied.
"Why?"
"Uhm, because .." how can I say that I don't have a girlfriend because I like... men.
"It's okay" Kuya groaned. "You don't need to explain why"
I looked at him. He smiled at me. I smiled back. It was as if he knew what was on my mind.
"I thought, are you going to cook for us?" asked Kuya
"Yes yes" was my response at once. "What do you want?"
"One of your specialties," Ate Clarissa said. I headed to the mini-kitchen. I even started to draw something from the refrigerator. The kitchen is small but fully equipped. This is Mom's investment as a Chef. I heard someone's phone ringing. I just continued what I was doing.
"Where you at?" I heard a deep cool voice. "I heard you're here"
"I just got home two days ago" was Kuya's reply.
"When do you plan to show up?" the voice asked. Sounds American
"I dunno"
"Mom is a little bit furious"
"Why so?"
"You messed up with one of the files. Canceled a deal, withdrawn shares" explained by the person Kuya is having a conversation with. I remember Chad's company. That's what he meant.
"And?" Kuya PeeJay asked with no emotions.
"Didn't you know what you just did, PeeJay?" he asked.
"I know, Kuya" was Kuya PeeJay's reply. Kuya? Is he PeeJay's older brother?
"I don't understand why"
"Well, that old witch slapped me" was Kuya's response. They are talking about Chad's mother. "We don't need those kinds of people"
"Oh, well ... Where do you stay?"
"I'm at my German boyfriend's flat" was Kuya Peejay's reply. I felt my forehead furrowed. "Wanna see him?"
"Sure. Go ahead" said the voice.
He came up to me.
"This is Eliah" he intoduced me. I even looked at his phone screen. A handsome man is on. He's similar to Kuya Peejay.
"Uhm, hello," I awkwardly greeted.
"You look so young," he commented immediately. "Are you even in the right age?"
"Age doesn't matter," Kuya Peejay groaned. I saw Ate Clarissa holding back her laugh.
"Geez, PeeJay," his older brother reacted to the phone.
"We'll come over tonight," informed Kuya PeeJay.
"Okay, then," he replied before ending their conversation. "See you."
"That's Kuya JayPee, " Kuya Pee. "He's our eldest. I call him (3)Kano"
"Why?" I asked, amused by what I'm hearing.
"He's grown up in America and studied there. He doesn't know how to be a Filipino," I nodded in response.
"And our other brothers?"
"Well, there's Elixir John; He's almost the same age as Kuya. And then, there's Alfred Jace; he's a year older. We're not close."
"Why?"
"It's too complicated."
"AJ stole PeeJay's boyfriend so your brother is still not okay" Boyfriend? So, I mean both of us are gay. Funny. That's why...
"That's a roller coaster ride," said Kuya.
"I'm sorry to hear that Kuya," I said. Kuya smiled again.
"Well, things just happen," he replied.
"PeeJay, I need to go," Ate Clarissa suddenly said.
"Ha? Why not?" asked Kuya. I smiled too.
"Aryan texted. Something went wrong at the event. He needed my help." explained Ate to Kuya.
"Eat first, Ate" I suggested.
"I love to but next time," Ate Clarissa softly rejected. "This is urgent"
"Go ahead and eat."
"I'll take you to the apartment entrance," I offered then went out after she said goodbye to Kuya.
"Be patient with your brother," Ate Clarissa said. "There are really some time that he's moody but he's a good guy"
"I feel that way, Ate" was my response. "I'm glad I became his brother."
She smiled back.
"He will be very happy to hear that from you" she replied. "Family is important for PeeJay and Kuya Jaypee. You can learn a lot from them."
I nodded. We got to the entrance.
"One more thing, Eliah," Ate said as she looked at me, concerned. "It's okay to say no. Don't be shy to tell Peejay everything. He will understand you."
"Alright, ate" I agreed. "I'll try to remember"
She smiled and waved before walking away. I started walking back.
- Writer
