Four Seasons of Love

CHAPTER 3

Kithin

“Get off me!” I wiggled my body so I can get off from his arms.

“Wait!”

I heard his curses in the air while struggling to maintain his balance. When I was able to stand up with his help, dumistansya ako agad sa kanya.

Kuya Apollo worriedly went to me and had a quick check. Nang mapansin niyang bahagyang umangat ang mini skirt ko, siya mismo ang nag-ayos no’n at hinatak pababa.

“Stop being playful! Kaya ka nadi-disgrasya.” Pangaral niya sa akin.

He gave me back my glasses. When I was able to adjust my sight, tiningnan ko ulit si Andrew. He was already wearing dark jeans and white V-neck t-shirt.

“Sorry.” I said softly.

Umiling si Kuya bago binalingan si Andrew. I served myself and sat on the couch comfortably.

“Are these fine?” Andrew asked Kuya.

He got a very authoritative aura. Parang ‘yong teacher kong terror noon sa Mathematics. I wonder if he’s my Kuya’s boss? Kung siya nga, hindi ba’t parang ang bata naman niya para roon? Mataas ang posisyon ni Kuya ngayon sa kumpanyang pinagta-trabahuan niya. If he’s really the boss, does it mean, he’s more powerful? Richer?

Tss. How old is this man anyway? 24? 25?

Then I looked at his face. He has a resemblance from Jacob Elordi or Beau Mirchoff…or… I don’t know. Thick brows, pointed straight nose, and he’s tall, too, as tall as Kuya. Matangkad na ako sa taas na 5’7” pero hanggang balikat lang ako ni Kuya Apollo.

Unlike me, he got moreno features. Maputi kasi ako, nagmana ako kay Daddy. I got more on his Spanish look. Kaya kapag naaarawan, my face looked like cherry pops.

Wait a minute… why am I comparing myself to him?

My forehead creased while looking at Andrew. He’s still busy talking to Kuya. Habang tumatagal ang usapan nila, hindi na iyon tungkol sa trabaho nila. I heard my Daddy’s name. Sinubukan kong makinig sa pinag-uusapan nila while looking inattentive so that they’ll not think that I’m listening.

“Tito Simon had a hard time dealing with the recession and adding the fact that the Zarragosa’s are now the major stockholder. Walter has been a pain of the ass for quite some time.”

What? Recession? Hindi ako pamilyar sa mga terminong binitawan niya but I know what recession means. Is it why my father’s really eager to go home? To take care of his business here?

Ang alam ko, mayroon din siyang pinamamahalaan sa Seattle. But not as big as here in the Philippines. My father is prominent here in the country in the field of real estate. But my mother only wants us to live lowkey. Ayaw niya ng marangyang pamumuhay. Kaya kahit sobrang yaman ng ama ko, hindi ko minsan naramdaman ang pressure ng mabuhay sa mundong ginagalawan niya.

Hindi sinasadyang dumapo ang tingin ni Andrew sa akin. I have been staring him for too long. Tumaas ang kilay niya bago ibinalik ang tingin sa Kuya ko. Umayos ako ng upo at hindi na sila muling tinapunan ng atensyon.

“We’ll talk about it some other time.” Narinig kong sinabi ni Kuya.

I readied myself because I’ll know we’ll get going anytime soon. Pasimple akong umayos ng upo at isinilid ang cellphone sa bulsa ng jacket ko.

“Don’t go yet.” Andrew said when we’re about to go out in his condo.

Nilingon namin siyang pareho ni Kuya nang may pagtataka. His eyes darted on me before he speaks again.

“Do you want something? I can order food for snacks.”

Kuya Apollo chuckled. “You okay?”

Andrew ignored him. “Does the lady want something to eat?”

Lalong natawa si Kuya sa sinabi niya at ako naman ay nalito. He’s obviously pertaining to me. Pero siguro, it’s just his way of being polite and hospitable.

“Don’t put up too much, Drew. We’ll just dine somewhere. Para makapamasyal na rin ang kapatid ko.” Inakbayan ako ni Kuya Apollo. “Call me when you need something.” At saka namin siya tinalikuran.

Normally, simula nang umuwi ako rito sa Pilipinas, kakain lang kami sa labas ni Kuya at saka uuwi na. Kung minsan ay dadaan kami sa book store para tumingin ng mga librong pwede kong bilhin. Pero ngayon, after we ate, he brought me to the department store.

Para akong nabuhayan ng loob ng sabihin niyang bibili raw kami ng mga bagong damit ko. I was like starting to collate everything what’s on my mind. Those dresses I see in candy magazine, sneakers and shoes that I can pair to sweet short dresses and make-ups! Oh, how I love it!

Inisa-isa namin ang mga damit na naka-display sa rack. Kuya’s patiently following me while he pushes the cart. Sa tuwing tumitingin ako ng mga bestidang lampas tuhod ay may nasasabi siya.

Katulad na lamang itong floral wrapped dress na nakita ko. Bagay ito sa napili kong white sneakers. But being Kuya Apollo, he whinned up again!

“Stop choosing dresses that reveals too much skin! You’re not in America.”

I glared at him. “Eh ‘di sana ikaw na lang ang bumili ng mga damit ko. Why did you let me choose what I want if you’re going to whine about it?”

“You choose proper casual clothes, not the string dresses! Isang hila lang ‘yan mahuhubaran ka na!” mariin niyang sinabi.

Kaya nang magbabayad na si Kuya ay medyo nakasimangot ako. Kahit sa mga make-up! He only allowed me to buy face powder! Wala man lang eye liner, brow pencil or mascara. Kanina, sinubukan kong ipuslit ang lip tint at inilagay sa cart pero nakita kong ibinalik niya iyon sa istante.

“You don’t need those things! Your eyes are deep set and your lips are naturally pink! Stop rushing! You’ll grow up eventually. Huwag kang magmadaling magdalaga, Christine!”

And I even saw him putting 3 pairs of maong jeans in my cart! I don’t wear jeans most of the time. It will just be stuck in my closet.

Gumaan lang ang pakiramdam ko ng bilhan niya ako ng mga bagong librong pwedeng basahin. Atleast, hindi na ako mabo-bore sa bahay kung sakali.

I was so happy when I saw Daddy waiting for us in the living room. Kauuwi lang namin. I went straight to him and hugged him. Inutusan ni Kuya Apollo si Mona at si Aling Pacing na kunin sa loob ng kotse ang mga pinamili namin.

“I didn’t know that you went shopping.” Nakangiting sabi niya. “How are you darling?”

Sinabi ko sa kanya ang nangyari sa department store, ang mga pagtutol ni Kuya sa mga gusto kong bilhin, at kung paano niya isiningit ang mga damit na ipinamili niya para sa akin!

“And we also went to his friend’s condo. Uh… Andrew Ortega?” inalala ko ang kanyang pangalan.

Daddy’s forehead creased. “What about Drew?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “May ibinigay lang na documents.”

“Dad, sa library lang ako.” Paalam ni Kuya Apollo sa kanya.

His eyes followed him until Kuya’s nowhere to be seen. Napansin ko ang pagbuntung-hininga niya bago ibinalik ang tingin sa akin. This time, he’s wearing a wide smile on his face.

“Shall we eat? I brought dinner for us.” Pagyaya niya sa akin.

I nodded and we headed to the dining area. Ipinatawag namin si Kuya pero nagbilin siyang busog pa kaya kaming dalawa na lang ni Daddy ang kakain.

He stayed for a while before Daddy bid his goodbye. Hindi na sila nakapag-usap ni Kuya. He was busy working inside the library or…intentionally avoiding our father.

Mag-iisang buwan na ako rito sa Pilipinas pero hindi pa rin nagpaparamdam si Mommy. Dalawang linggo lang ang sinabi ni Daddy sa akin na bakasyon ko rito. He told me that we’ll go home sooner pero lampas dalawang linggo na ay wala pa akong naririnig tungkol sa pag-uwi namin.

There were nights when I hear Kuya talking to someone over the phone. Mataas at mariin ang boses niya. I know who it is, kahit na minsan, gusto na lamang itanggi iyon ng utak ko.

I know that he’s talking to Mommy, convincing her to come back with us. For me. But I know, she can’t. I don’t know what’s exactly her reasons. If only…she can tell it to me. Alam ko, maiintindihan ko kung sakali.

One Saturday morning, Kuya Apollo brought me to his office. Kasama niya noon si Andrew. Sinama ako ni Kuya dahil susunduin din sana ako ni Daddy para dalhin sa mansyon nila. So instead of allowing me to go to the Villanueva’s mansion, he decided to bring me here.

Wala naman akong ginawa roon kundi ang magbasa. Kung minsan ay manood ng series sa Ipad. They were busy anyway so hindi ko na sila ginambala pa.

I was busy binge watching a movie when door of his office opened. It was Andrew’s secretary. Kinausap niya si Kuya Apollo at may inabot na isang paper bag. Nangunot ang noo ko dahil kumalat ang amoy ng paborito kong meryenda.

I shifted in my seat and removeds the Airpods from my ears.

“I bought you something.” Nakangiting sabi niya. He handed me the paper bag. Naglaway na ako at biglang nakaramdam na rin ng gutom.

It’s French fries in cheese and sour cream flavor and a large size of cola!

“Thank you!” I said gleefully and kissed him on his cheek!

Kuya went back to his seat and continued working.

“She likes that?” Andrew whispered to my brother.

Dinig ko iyon habang naguumpisa na akong kumain.

Kuya Apollo chuckled. “It’s her favorite.”