Dear, Joey

13

I groan when a heavy body was on my back and an arm wrapping on my waist. 

Weeks passed, I got busy every week because of harvesting our lands and the production. Dahil taniman na ulit kaya busy sa mga nakalipas na buwan. 8 weeks to be exact since Tegan stayed and take a vacation. Umuwi sila Mom and Jullie the next couple of weeks but never stay here because of Tito Henry, wala naman akung complain dun but I missed them secretly, Dad had been in a cruise ship for 3 weeks now and when I call him, I know he will stay longer than expected. His travelling, I can't stop him that. 

The big news in my life was, Vito cancels the wedding. It's a last minute, the day before the wedding. He just vanishes and the runaway groom was thousands of miles away before we knew it, the last time someone saw him was on the airport with a huge luggage. Don't you know what I'll do, console Jemaine for I think 2 weeks. I stayed by her side all day long for 2 weeks, pinaubaya ko muna kay Kuya Lenuel ang hacienda and the man didn't even complain, I was shocked, surprise well aside from the fact that he didn't know how to run a big land, he sounded like a hero trying to own the problem by letting me go to his lost love for him to mend it. The heck! I was like wow; I have responsible for being a best friend but sometimes Kuya is a fool and may be foolish is kind of immune for everyone that still in love. Never mind. but I can't ignore my responsibility that's why I go back after I make sure Jemaine is fine. 

Pababa pa lang ako ng sasakyan ng sinalubong ako ni Kuya Lenuel at Tegan with their expectant eyes. Sabay kaming umalis ni Tegan pa luwas but seeing him with Kuya makes me think that he will stay once again and now here it is. He stayed. 

Humarap ako sa kanya, pushing a bit his chest so I can turn. He groans holding me close. I think nakatulog ako habang nanonood kami sa loob ng kwarto ko. I look at my wall clock. It's 8 in the morning. 

Nitong mga nakaraan ay madalas makatulog sa kwarto ko, habang nasa laptop at nagta-trabaho, panonood ng TV. Madalas ko ring maabutan syang tulog kapag uuwi ako ng late. I even complain to Kuya but he just laughs at me saying that I deserve it dahil inagawan ko daw sya ng bestfriend. Drama ng buhay nya, iwan. 

"Tegan" tawag ko holding his face. 

"Come on, go back to your room" I said shaking him. He just groan crinkling his forehead and move closer to my neck, buried his face on it. I sigh reaching at the back of his head and his arm on my waist. Magsasalita pa sana ako ng tumunog nag phone ko. 

I forgot to put it on the side table, it's under the pillow. I look at it and saw an unknown number. 

"Who?" he murmurs with his hoarse voice on my shoulder. Hindi ko sya sinagot at pinindot ang answer button. 

"Hello?"

"Hey, good morning mahal! I'm back!" gusto kung mabilaukan sa bigla. I know someone calling me that but his in states, f**k! 

I was startle when a knock comes on my door. s**t!

Tiningnan ko ulit ang number bago mabilis na in-end ang call. 

"Who is it?" agad kung tinanggal ang braso nya at tinapik sya sa dibdib without looking at him. 

"Get up" I simply said before running to get the door. Agad na malaki ang ngiti sa akin ni May pero agad ko syang nilampasan at nagtatakbo palabas. 

I saw a man standing on our huge hall with his simple shirt and black pants. His pretty eyes and smile showing his dimples makes me giddy inside. Agad na nag init ang mata ko at nagtatakbong bumaba ng hagdan making him laugh. 

"Slow down, madadapa ka!" he said going to me with his both hands trying to catch me. I jump on his arms while his happily laughing holding me close. 

"I hate you!" iyak ko while gripping his head and holding him close. Natatawang sinalo nya lang ang bigat ko. Ilang minuto kaming ganun habang umiiyak ako sa balikat nya. 

"Love, why not letting me go now?" bulong nya sa tinga ko making me laugh. He put me down. Tiningala ko sya ng kunti, mas matangkad ng kaunti sa kanya si Tegan but hindi nagkakalaki ang laki nilang pareho. 

"I'm sorry, I'm so shock... I can't believe you're here!" my lips tremble looking at his whole body and his face. 

"I know, I missed you too" he said kissing my forehead. I hold his arms. 

"Hindi ka na aalis?" I asked softly hugging his waist. He laughs at my face that makes me smile a bit. 

"Kadarating nya lang pinapaalis mo na agad Jullieanna" singit ni Kuya habang palapit sa amin, kasunod nya si Tegan na walang reaksyong nakamasid staring at me mostly. 

"Kuya" angal ko, dropping my head on his chest. He laughs at my antics held me closer.

"Welcome back Enrique" lahad na kamay ni Kuya. Enrique tenses a bit and laugh accepting the hand. 

"Thanks man, una ko ng binisita si Joey. Nagtatampo na to sa kin eh" turo nya sa akin making me playfully glare at him. 

"Iyakin pa rin yan hanggang ngayon, wow it's been 4 years since we've meet. How's America?" ngisi ni Kuya. 

"It's fine, I take a vacation this month" I saw him glancing at Tegan. Napapatikhim na mabilis akung pumagitna at hinila si Tegan sa braso hugging him. 

"By the way Ricks, this is Tegan bestfriend ni Kuya, Tegs si Erique my bestfriend since birth" ngiti kung tingala kay Tegan na walang reaksyong nakatitig sa akin. Tinitigan ko sya ng nagtataka. He seems bad mood. Dahil ba naabala ng tulog nya? 

"Teka di ba dapat ako ang nagpakilala sa kanya dahil ako ang bestfriend?" baling ni Kuya sa amin. Inirapan ko lang sya at ngumiti kay Enrique na nakatitig kay Tegan while Tegan never glances at him and just look at me. 

"Uhm, would you come with me Love? I was kind of rush here because of Jem" ngiti sa akin ni Enrique. 

Nabibiglang humarap ako sa kanya. 

"Andito si Jemaine?" glancing at Kuya who's been looking away, kaya ba nag s-stay sya dito?!

"Yeah, akala ko alam mo?" tawa nya making me glare at Kuya who's smiling at Enrique. 

"Wait for me!" turo ko kay Enrique bago nagtatakbo papuntang hagdan. I just heard Kuya's complaint and his laugh. Tegan is silent the whole time.

Mabilis lang akung nag-ayos, with a short and V-neck white shirt, strap white sandals, small body bag and a white hat with a red ribbon. I was ready to go. Nilugay ko ang buhok ko because it's still wet.

"I'm ready! Ready!" I exited running down the stairs.

Nasa living room sila, Enrique was laughing while watching me down. I was ready to reach him when I saw Kuya and Tegan with their fresh casual clothes.

"We're coming with you." ngisi ni Kuya Lenuel sa akin making me frown a bit, glaring at the two. Tegan just stares at me while Kuya have this stare at tells bring it on.

"Jem is waiting for us love..." ngiti ni Enrique sa akin, making me smile to him and hug his arm.

"Let's go then, while my hand still itchy to hit her." I jokily said raising my hand makes him laugh.

We go outside and saw his car. Enrique has been in my life since day one, ang magulang nya ay nagtatrabaho sa amin at katiwala ni Dad sa hacienda, we become bestfriend and close enough to know the size of our under wears and preferences in life. He has the opportunity to go abroad to make a living, we have a little argument to the point that we didn't talk for a year until I was the one who give up and reach out. Now, I felt like a proud parent when I saw his brand-new car. Nabalitaan kung nagpapatayo na rin sya ng sarili nyang bahay bukod sa lupa at bahay na pinatayo nya para sa parents nya last year. 

"Pa-burger ka naman?" baling ko sa kanya when we stop. He looks at me and laugh out loud.

Nabigla ako ng batukan ako ni Kuya Lenuel habang natatawa na lang sa akin. Tegan has these amused eyes on me.

"Inaano ba kita?!" asik ko kay Kuya trying to kick his leg.

"I just want to remind you to behave Jullieanna." tawa nya habang lumalagpas sa amin. 

"Ricks is rich now Kuya, he can buy burger for me huh. Ikaw nga hindi mo ko mabilhan ni isa, kuripot kasi!" irap ko looking up to Enrique. Burger please?

Awang ang labing tumitig sa akin si Kuya. Sinimangutan ko lang sya at hinila si Enrique sa sasakyan nya.

"Open the door for me." I clasp my hands and smile charmingly to him.

"You spoiled brat!" asik ni Kuya habang binubuksan ang back seat.

"Yah puro ka kontra! Ricks promise me that if he buys a car, he will hold the door for me!" I tried to pinch him.

"Baliw!" tawa ni Kuya while getting in inside.

"You remembered?" tawa ni Enrique while opening the door of the passenger seat. 

Papasok na sana ako ng may biglang sumingit sa gitna namin.

"Thanks." Tegan softly said settling his self to the seat. Laglag ang pangang tinirigan ko sya habang natawa naman ng malakas si Kuya sa loob.

"Tegan Marval How dare you?!" gigil kung sigaw at agad na pinagsusuntok ang braso nya. He just laughs at me and hold my wrists.

Natatawa na lang sa amin si Enrique at hinayaan kami.

"I'll open the door for you always." pakunswelo nya watching my crumble face.

"Alis dyan Tegan!" hila ko sa kamay ko.

"I wanted to seat here"

"Me too! Be a gentleman for once!"

"I'm not a gentleman" tawa nya.

"No! Alis na nga!" I tried to go in to push him out. He just laughs at me while I'm climbing on him.

"Hoy kayong dalawa! Behave children!" sigaw sa amin ni Kuya.

"I won't go, I want to seat here!" giit ko while struggling to settle myself and pushing Tegan face with him laughing at me and holding my hips to balance.

Enrique watched us with his amused eyes and playful smirk.

"Well, I'll introduce to you the childish duo Enrique" I heard Kuya said.

"Stop it you too!" awat sa amin ni Kuya.

So, in the end I was seating on Tegan's lap because we argued for almost 10 minutes at naiinis na sa amin si Enrique and Kuya Lenuel. Jemaine came and startled when she saw me setting on Tegan's lap.

Agad ko syang binigyan ng nakakamatay na tingin ng magsasalita sana sya. She then saw Kuya seating with her that makes her more obedient. May dala syang malaking basket na mukhang pagkain. Are we going to picnic?

"How's the heart?" I started when I the car move. I saw Enrique smirk and glance at us.

"Don't start with me."banta ni Jem making me giggle.

"Nahh. I'm not starting yet" I teased.

"Should I ask why you’re seating on Mr. Marval's lap?" Balik nyang pasaring sa akin.

Agad kung binatukan si Tegan ng makita ang ngiti nya, making Kuya snort on us.

"They're childish. Nagaagawan sa passenger seat." sagot ni Kuya staring at Jem who's glance at him.

"Muling ibalik ang tamis ng pag ibig~" I sang with my hand gesturing toward them. Enrique laughs and Tegan on my shoulder. Jem glare at me and Kuya looks away.

"Muling pagbigyan ang pusok nag-mamahal~" I continued this time Kuya stare at me.

Napapatikhim na sumandal ako kay Tegan at nagtago sa dalawa. Tegan teases me with his huge smile. Napapasimangot na hinawakan ko ang baba nya at inipit yun trying to erase his smile.