Surveillance 

  I WOKE up to the chirping of birds. The Friday morning sun peeped through the window of my bedroom. I slowly push off my alarm clock and crawl out of bed.

My eyes were half-closed while I sauntered to the bathroom to do my morning routine. I shudder when the cold feeling of water touches my body. Tuluyan na ngang nagising ang diwa ko nang makaligo na.

I wrapped my body with a black asymmetrical off-shoulder long-sleeved top and baggy denim tokong shorts. For my feet, I wore white heels from Jimmy Choo. Then, I let my long blonde hair fall from the back.

"Aalis ka ulit ngayong araw, prinsesa ko? Saan ang punta mo?"

We were having breakfast when Popsi shot me a question. Ruru was living at our house again but didn't have breakfast with us because a client rushed to his office early this morning.

I sipped on my coffee, "Opo. I'm going to Dustin's house. Bibisitahin ko ulit sila,"

"Sabihan mo nga si Dustin na siya naman ang pumunta rito at dalhin ang anak niya. Alam mo prinsesa ko, hindi ko talaga inaasahan na may anak na ang batang 'yon. Huling pagkikita namin, patay na patay sa 'yo iyon, 'e."

I suddenly choked on my food. Popsi attentively handed me a glass of water. I drank all of it as I lightly tapped my chest.

"Popsi?! Best friend lang po kami ni Dustin!"

"Best friend lang ba?" Nagtatakang tanong niya. "Nagkamali lang siguro ako, prinsesa ko... pasensya na, pogi at astig ako pero nagkakamali rin," dagdag niya ngunit may maliit na ngiti sa labi.

I shook my head with his silliness.

"I'll tell him to visit here and bring baby Thunder with him,"

"Mabuti kung gano'n! Ang tagal na simula noong may bata sa bahay natin. Ito naman kasing tatlong kuya mo, malapit na magtrenta pero hindi pa ako binibigyan ng apo,"

"Kay Rere ka humingi, Popsi. Halos lahat ng flight attendants at pasahero sa Areno Midways, bukambibig si Reyland!" Bumungisngis ako.

Ngumisi si Popsi, "Magandang balita 'yan, prinsesa ko. Uuwi pa naman si Rere sa Sabado,"

Humagikgik ako't nagpatuloy na sa pagkain. As usual, Dawson drives me to the Altamirano mansion. Manang immediately served me juice and a sandwich while I waited for Dustin and Baby Thunder.

"Tata!"

Kumislap agad ang mga mata ko nang makita ko ang mag-ama na nagmamartsa pababa. Binaba agad ni Dustin si Thunder at mabilis 'tong humakbang palapit sa akin. Sinalubong ko na siya at kinakabahan akong baka madapa siya.

I quickly hugged him, "You are so cute! I miss you, baby!"

He giggled as if understood what I just said. I gave Dustin a peck on the cheek before we all settled down on the sofa.

"Kagigising niyo lang ba?" I asked.

"Hindi," Humikab si Dustin. "Damn, pinuyat ako ng batang 'yan."

"Bakit naman?"

"Hinahanap ka,"

Bahagyang umawang ang labi ko, "Really?!" Kinausap ko agad si Thunder na nasa kandungan ko. "Hindi mo raw agad pinatulog si Dada kagabi? You miss me that quick?"

"Ye!" sagot ni Thunder.

Bumungisngis ako, "Anyway, Popsi invited you and Thunder over to our house. Nasabi ko kasi sa kaniya ang tungkol kay Thunder,"

Dustin's lips parted. "What did he say? What was his reaction?"

"He said he wasn't expecting you to have a son but he's happy for you," I answered with a smile.

"Really?"

I nodded, "Yes, Tintin. He was really excited to meet Thunder,"

"Well, just text me the details, and we will be there," Dustin excused himself after that.

I chuckled as I continued playing with Baby Thunder. He was so adorable! He looks like a spitting image of his father. Habang nakatitig ako sa kaniya, parang nakikita ko ang toddler version ni Tintin. Even the dimples and the way they grin were the same.

My eyes widened when he suddenly kissed me on the lips. All the fatigue and pain I was feeling disappeared because of his kiss. I smiled widely and tickled him, which made him laugh.

"Ang cute mo talaga," I muttered.

My smile slowly faded when I sensed someone was watching me. I spun around and met kuya Dwight's dark gaze. I swallowed nervously.

My lips shook, but I still showed him an awkward smile.

He didn't say anything and just walked away, which made my breathing back normally. Bumalik si Dustin at bitbit na niya ang bote ng gatas at laruan ng anak niya.

Dustin sat beside me and reached for Thunder's hair, caressing it.

"Your brother is here again. I thought he had his own place?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.

Thunder started chugging his milk while he was above me. I could feel the vibration of his cheeks as his chubby cheek rested on my chest.

Dustin chuckled, "That's my question, too. But I guess he was bored in his crib. He was single and alone, you know..."

"Is he really like that?" I asked quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"I feel like one wrong move, and he will eat me alive. I mean, I feel like he was mad at me or something."

"Don't mind him, Aphrodite. Ganiyan talaga 'yan sa lahat."

My chest heaves.

"Moreover..." he breathes sharply.

"Mhmm?"

"He saw me that day..."

"What day?" I asked confusedly.

"He saw me in pain when you disappeared..."

My stomach was suddenly cramped in guilt. Tears clouded the corner of my eyes.

"I'm sorry. I-I am really sorry," I uttered apologetically.

He smiled warmingly and shook his head. I felt his hand on my cheek.

"Rara, nakaraan na 'yon, huwag mo na alalahanin. Ang importante, nakabalik kana. Maayos ang kalagayan mo at maayos tayo,"

"But—"

I was stunned when he chuckled. I followed where he was looking, and it stopped at his son, lying above me.

"He fell asleep,"

I peeked, and my eyes widened when I saw Baby Thunder fall asleep. The bottle of milk was still in his mouth, but he barely held it.

"Aww, he looked so cute," I said quietly.

"Let me bring him upstairs. Don't go home yet, Aphrodite. Wait for me here, okay? Mag-uusap pa tayo,"

I nodded, "Oo,"

Dustin successfully transferred his son to his arms. He nodded at me, and I just smiled at him. I watched him as he made their way upstairs.

My phone suddenly vibrated, so I grabbed it and checked who texted me. Napangiti ako nang makitang si Popsi 'yon.

From: Best Dad Ever

Prinsesa q! Kumusta ka diyan? Huwag ka pagugutom, nak. Ikumusta mo ako kay Dustin. I love you, prinsesa q.

I immediately typed a reply while smiling from ear to ear.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw kuya Dwight entering the living room. His face is void with any emotion but his eyes are taunting. Kung bakit gano'n ang titig niya ay hindi ko rin alam.

I looked at him and flashed my fakest smile.

He's wearing a plain white dress shirt with a few buttons open and the sleeves folded up until his forearms, showing off his veins arms. On his wrist was a two-million-dollar Vacheron Constantine watch. Malayo pa lang pero parang nasisilaw na ako sa kamahalan ng relo niya.

Mukhang aalis siya, mabuti naman!

"You are still here?" I was shocked when he marched towards my way.

"Ah, opo," I answered shortly.

"Let's talk," he said before walking away, gesturing to me to follow him.

"What are we going to talk about?"

Umigting ang panga niya sa tanong ko. "Just follow me,"

I rolled my eyes before following him outside. We settled on their mystical garden. I panicked when he marched like a madman towards me. I bit the inside of my cheek when he cornered me on the wall.

"Why did you come back?" 

"Po?" I said, trying to control the panic that threatened to collapse me.

My eyes widened when he suddenly leaned over to me and tugged my chin so I could face him properly. We're so close that I could spot the small mole on the side of his lip, the freckles on his nose bridge and the tiny hair on his face.

"I don't like you for my brother..."

The dangerous tone of his voice sent chills down my spine.

"G-grabe ka naman!" I felt offended.

He looked straight into my eyes.

"Why? Are you hurt?" he mocked me.

My phone vibrates, and my grip tightens when his eyes slowly lay on my phone. The muscles on his jaw clenches. 

"You're talking to someone else, yet you were dating my brother. Are you cheating behind my brother's back?"

My eyes narrowed as I shot him a glare.

"Excuse me?! I am not cheating on anyone!" I rebuked.

I tried to breathe through my nose since my heart was pounding loudly.

"Do you... have other boys?" he mumbled under his breath, a hint of annoyance lacing his voice.

I released an aggravated sigh. "No. I don't have other boys,"

"Good... because my brother doesn't deserve bad girls," those words burst out from his filthy mouth.

My lips parted, and my heart clenched in pain.

"Excuse me, but you know nothing about us," I snarled.

Hindi na siya nagsalita. He looked at me for the last time before walking away, leaving me as if nothing happened.

What's with his sudden anger towards me? I know I did something wrong regarding his brother. I left Dustin without any explanation. I disappeared. Pero bakit siya ang may ganang magalit sa akin imbes na ang kapatid niya?

I sucked in a shallow lungful of air before shaking my head.

"He's an asshole," I whispered before going back inside the mansion.

Hindi ko maiwasan ang pakiramdaman ang paligid. Those fluttering feelings as if someone was looking at you were here again. I feel that again. It feels so awkward. 

Every single time I was here, I always felt he was watching me. 

Hindi ko man nahuhuli sa akto pero alam kong may pagkakataon na nakatingin siya sa akin. He really knows how to make me uncomfortable. I feel intimidated by his presence.

I feel like one mistake, and he will evict me inside the mansion.

"What's with your food? Don't tell me you're starving yourself?" Dustin said when he noticed I only put a small cup of rice on my plate.

We are now having lunch in the splendid dining area of the Altamiranos. Thunder was still asleep, so we had to finish quickly.

Earlier, I told Dawson to go home as I would stay longer at the Altamirano mansion this time. Nagpaalam din naman ako kay Popsi na magtatagal ako ngayon kasama ang best friend ko at pumayag naman siya.

"I gained weight," I said and chewed on my food.

He gasped, "Aphrodite, you gained weight with that body of yours?!"

"Isn't it obvious?" 

"Aphrodite, if you just stare and appreciate your hourglass body, then you'll know that your body is beautiful... it is."

My stomach churned with his words.

"You don't have to lose weight. Just maintain your body with a proper diet and exercise."

"I am doing that," I answered.

"Try doing cardio with someone," Dustin playfully winked at me.

I almost choked on my food. Mabilis ko siyang sinipa sa ilalim ng lamesa, pero imbes na siya, narinig namin ang pag-aray ng nakatatanda niyang kapatid.

"What was that?" Dwight grunted.

I ended up coughing, and my cheeks burned in embarrassment.

"Oh, tubig,"

Dustin handed me a glass of water. I accepted it and drank on it, but my eyes flew in the direction of his grumpy older brother, who was silently glaring at me.

I coughed again and immediately looked away when our gazes met.

Inis na inis na naman siya sa akin!

"Ikaw kasi, Tin. Ang kulit mo," I blurted out, and Dustin just chuckled.

"Ang sarap mo kasing asarin, Aphrodite," he said playfully.

Bumungisngis ako at nagpatuloy na ulit sa pagkain.

Nang aksidenteng magtama ang mga mata namin ng kapatid niya, nginitian ko siya pero inirapan niya lang ako. My lips parted with aghast.

Grabe! Ang sungit talaga!

:)