Ika Apatnapu’t Anim- Cousins
1361 Words
“Welcome back!” sabay sabay na sigaw nila with matching confetti pa, that almost made me jumped off my feet!
“Gosh!” Gulat na sabi ko sabay hawak sa dibdib.
I just arrived at the condo that I’ll be staying at and I chose to stay at BGC since my cousins are mostly here or in Makati.
I was wondering why no one picked me up at the airport, lahat daw sila either busy or may meeting o di kaya naman ay nasa out of town. Kuya Yvo just sent a driver to pick me up. Yun pala nay pa surprised dito sa condo!
Napangiti ako ng makita sikang lahat na nandito! Looking at their faces, parang mga walang pinagbago! They still look the same but more mature than before and more fashionable!
“Oh my gosh!! I missed you guys!” I said as I ran towards them and hug them one by one.
“D*mn Caleigh..kala ko ba, Operations Manager ka sa Spain? Bakit mukha kang modelo?” Nix said before he gave me a teasing smile. Nix grew taller! Hangang balikat nalang nya ako! dati naman hanggang leeg nya ako!
“Yung totoo! Ginawa mo bang juice ang growee?!” I said not minding his comment, masyado akong ba amaze sa height difference namin!
“I'm just a late bloomer Caleigh!” he winked at me and that made me laugh. Umiiling na nilapitan ko si Kuya Thyme at Kuya Rue na mukhang sa office pa nang galing at di pa nakakapag palit ng dress shirt nila.
“How’s our favorite girl cousin?!” Kuya Thyme said as he enveloped me into his arms, natawa ako.
“Shhh wag ka maingay baka marinig ka ni Azaleah!” natatawa kong sabi. Alam namin lahat na balimbing ang kambal, pag ako kasama nila, ako ang favorite girl cousin nila pero pag si Azalea naman ang kasama nila, nagiging si Azalea! In short pantay lang kami!
Natawa si Kuya Thyme saakin. Pinakawalan nya ako at tumingin kay Kuya Rue, he is now wearing an eyeglass that made him look strict but hot! It fits him well!
“Welcome back Leigh! We are happy that you're finally back.” he said before hugging me.
“Namiss mo ba ako?”
“Of course!”
Natatawa akong humiwalay sakanya. “Dapat lang!”
“Ako naman!” Reed said with a boyish smile.
“Oh my gosh Reed!” bati ko sakanya. Reed has now an ear piercing and is wearing a leather jacket he looks like a certified bad boy!
He grinned at me before pulling me into a hug.
“I hope that you just look like a bad boy.. but not really a bad boy. Don’t be a heartbreaker cous!” nanunukso kong sabi.
Pumalatak ito at bumitaw saakin.
“I would never do that! I have girl cousins and I believe in karma!” he winked at me.
“I hope so!” Halakhak ko bago bumaling kay Yckos.
His soft eyes are looking at me with pure longingness. Despite of leaving Palawan, Yckos constantly checks on me, walang linggo na hindi nya ako vinivideo call. He always chats me too whenever he is available and he updates me on what’s the latest ganaps on them. He will always be my favorite guy cousin, pero syempre secret ko lang yun para walang mag tampo!
“Yckos..” I gave him a happy smile. He opened his arms and I jumped towards him that made us laugh.
“I am glad that finally you are okay.” He whispered before kissing the top of my head then he held my shoulders to push me a bit so he could look down on my face. “I am happy to see life in your eyes again.” he said with a double neaning.
I looked at his face that stared at my with adoration. Like Kuya Yvo, Yckos always looks serious and cold, he also doesn't like to talk much but when I am with him, he is a different person. He is gentle and caring and he treats me like his own sister!
“I missed you. Kahit palagi tayong nag uusap.” I smirked and he gave me a warm smile before hugging me again.
“Don’t worry, I’ll always make time for you habang nandito ka.” he promised and I nodded happily.
“Oh tama na yan, my turn!”” Maarteng sabi ni Azalea.
Nilingon ko si Azalea. She’s wearing a black cropped top and fitted jeans with a Chanel belt and black boots. Azalea is now an international model, during her senior year she was scouted as a commercial model, then after that she started to do ramp modeling too until she got an offer from an international company to become their model at nag tuloy tuloy na ang career nya. I am so happy and proud of her!
“You look amazing!” I said before I kissed her cheeks and gave her a quick hug. “ And I love that you maintained your straight jet black long hair!”
She laughed and shook her head.
“I am a model so it is expected that I should always look good.” she paused to look at me from head to toe.
I am just wearing a black turtle neck longsleeve that I partnered to my black short skirt and black stockings plus black boots and a brown coat. Since I came from a cold country my clothes look like this.
“You look fab! Ikaw yata ang model satin dalawa eh!” she whined in a joking manner.
“Maliit na bagay!” I winked at her and we both laughed then bigla nya uli ako niyakap.
”Buti naman bumalik ka na. I am so happy cous!” She whispered and I just laughed.
She doesn’t know yet na ikang buwan lang ang oag stay ko sa Pinas.
Matapos ng kaonting chika ay may nahagip ang peripheral vision ko.
“Oh my gosh!” I said. My whole attention transferred to ate Saf who’s carrying a very handsome baby boy!
“Ate Saf!” Mabilis akong lumapit sakanya pero ang atensyon ko ay gwapong bata na nay brown na buhok at dark green ba mata. He . looks unreal! “Ate Saf! You have a beautiful baby!” I said before I touched his little arm. “Hi Ezekiel!” bati ko and to my delight he laughed at me as he tried to mumble words that we cannot understand that made us laugh.
Ate Saf gave birth two years ago, her baby just turned two years old last month. No one knows who the father is, ayaw sabihin ni Ate Saf!
Halos magwala si Kuya Rue at Kuya Thyme ng malaman nila na buntis si Ate Saf at di papanagutan ng lalaki. And they brought her to Switzerland para doon nagbuntis at manganak. Away from the judgment of the people around them, away from the stress and away from the unknown father of baby Ezekiel.
“Kamukha ko right?!” Kuya Thyme said proudly!
“No, kamukha ko!” singit ni Kuya Rue.
I smiled, despite of not having a father..I know that Ezekiel will have two loving uncles who will be a great father figure! Actually all our cousins can be a father figure to him!
“Stop it you two! Parang di kayo mag ah!” Inirapan sila ni Ate Saf at tumawa lang and dalawa.
“Aren’t you going to say hi to me?” mabilis ako tumingin sa likod ko.
At the balcony entrace, standing tall, looking arrogant and cold is Kuya Yvo. His hands are inside his pocket, his hair is neatly combed and he is still wearing his coat and tie. He looks like the real CEO that he is right now.
“Kuya Yvo!” I greeted before I approached him, he took me in his arms and gave me a comforting hug.
“Finally.” He said. “You ready to face your fears?” He whispered that made me confused.
- Writer
