KABANATA 16

Who's the mystery man?

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❝ All I wish for her is to be truly happy, without questioning the reasons behind everything. I want to see her smiling, knowing that I'm the reason for those smiles. I can face any hardship as long as I'm by her side.❞ — from the fragments of photographs 

༄彡፨֍༄彡፨༄彡፨֍

EVERYTHING PROCEEDED without a hitch, and I believed that everything was already in place for both of us.

If it weren't for that last message he sent, everything would have been fine. It all went wrong when he decided to ghost me on that final day of summer.

It turned out to be a positive beginning for both of us, and we developed a strong relationship. At kahit na patago kami ni Steele sa mga pagkikita naming dalawa, I'm happy.

Sa tuwing itinatakas niya ako sa hotel para lang makapag-date kaming pareho, kontento na ako sa mga sandaling 'yon. Yes, we haven't fully revealed our relationship kasi pinagbawalan ko siya. Sa totoo lang noong una, ayaw niyang pumayag at gustong-gusto niya akong ipagsigawan sa lahat kung ga'no lang niya ako kamahal. Let's be honest, not everyone's capable of appreciation. I simply don't want him to endure the pain I'm feeling. He understands that, and I love him for it.

I truly adored his surprises and the effort he put in. Even though he wasn't always sure what I liked, he frequently gifted me Anthurium flowers, which symbolize love and joy—his favorite choice to give. He always encourages me to be happy, and I genuinely feel happy with him.

At kahit wala siyang alam sa mga libro, 'di ko akalain na pupunta siya ng book fair para lang sa mga iniiyakan kong mga libro! Gosh, that man! Sikat na sikat lang naman ngayon ang mga librong tungkol sa mythologies! Lalo 'yung tungkol sa Greek mythology, at sasadyain niya talagang bilhin 'yong mga hilig ko.

Tapos 'yung mga tungkol sa reincarnation, kung sa'n ang author ay nagiging villainess sa libro nila! Especially 'yung genre na pinaka-bihira sa lahat, the dark academia! The captivating mystery murders will keep you on the edge of your seat, immersing you in their intriguing plot! Ahhhh! I can't express the joy I feel as a reader.

Don't get me wrong though, sikat pa rin naman talaga 'yung kinagigiliwan ng iba, katulad na lang ng mga architect, engineer, lawyer, doctor, high school romance and 'yung mga tinaguan ng anak pero as a reader siguro iba lang talaga ang choices ko. 

I tend to focus more on the plot rather than simply following trends in popularity within a specific genre that everyone has become accustomed to.

If you understand what I'm saying.

Books are intended to be a source of learning and enjoyment. As readers, we should embrace literature beyond just what is popular; there are countless other genres worth exploring!

Habang nagbabasa ako ng mga libro ko, kumuha na ng upuan ang kapatid ko. Silang dalawa'y parang minamatahan ako. Napakagat na lang ako sa labi ko because I couldn't deal with both of them at once, who've clearly been looking at me with curiosity.

Inayos ko ang pagkakaupo ko at umubo ako saglit, "What? May kailangan ba kayo?"

Nagkatinginan naman silang dalawa at sabay pang tumawa. Ano ba 'yon? Ginagago na naman ako nitong dalawa. Bahala na sila.Nagbabasa ako, ayoko maistorbo lalo na't nasa exciting part na ako ng story. Mga bwisit.

Inobserbahan ko silang dalawa at parang may gusto silang malaman sa 'kin. Kaya naman tumabi sa 'kin si Gino at inakbayan ako, "Teh, may jowa ka na ba—aray!" sigaw niya nang biglaan at halos mabitawan ko 'yung libro na binabasa ko. Truly Devious  na libro 'yon at makapal-kapal pa kaya, nabigla 'tong si Gino dahil nahulog sa kanya ang libro ko.

"Ano? W–What's jowa?" I asked him, and I offered him a big smile. Sige Eteri, itanggi mo pa. Ano bang tinatago nitong dalawang 'to? Did they use a magnifying glass to see right through me? Are they psychic? I did everything I could to hide my relationship, so how can they know about it?

"Hoy, kilala kita 'pag nagsisinungaling. Kung iniisip mo na pwede kang magsinungaling kay mama at papa but me? Nah." Sagot naman nitong si Maximillian sa tabi ko and he let out a sigh. He's sitting upright, and he slowly adjusted his glasses, as if he read every part of my being.

Mga ungas kayo!

Huhulihin niyo pa talaga ako, ha?

Napapikit na lang ako sa kahihiyan. Agad ko naman na kinuha ang libro ko at dahan-dahan akong naglakad papuntang kwarto. Pero 'tong dalawang 'to, matindi pa yata sa isang detective kung mag-imbestiga. It's not like I'm hiding something, kaya ano bang pinagsasabi ng mga ungas na 'to? Isa pa, ilang linggo na lang at college na ako,at 'di naman makakaistorbo sa 'kin si Steele. Siya ang inspiration ko sa pag-aaral.

"Ayaw, umamin, ah!" Sigaw ni Gino, at tinapik-tapik si Maximillian. "Boi, lakas ng pakiramdam ko, may jowa na 'yang si ate. Ayaw pa umamin, sus!" Halos mamula na ang mukha ko nang todo dahil sa mga sinasabi niya. Gosh! Where did he even come up with these ideas?

"Malamang. Sino namang magmamadali 'pag naka-swimming na tayo lahat at ang ganda niya lagi 'pag tatakas siya? May jowa 'yan. Halata naman." Seryosong sabi ni Maximilian, at napapikit na lang ako sa kanilang dalawa. And you really have to say it with a straight face, right, you brainiac?

Mukhang wala na nga yata akong choice kundi umamin sa dalawang 'to. 'Di nila ako titigilan kung hindi ako aamin sa kanila!

I hugged my book tightly, bitting the sides of my cheeks, avoiding contact with them to the best of my ability. Ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko sa kaba, at 'di ko na alam kung pa'no ko sila kakausapin ngayon na ang dami na nilang hinala sa 'kin at kay Steele. Nilapag ko na lang sa kama ang libro ko at kung anu-ano na pinagagawa ko sa kama ko para lang 'di nila ako mahalatang may itinatago. But knowing my brothers? Aalamin nila ang lahat, mapiga lang nila ako. Gosh! 

Why do I have brothers like them? Malas lang ba talaga ako, o sadyang kupal lang sila? Alin do'n? Paki-explain, please.

Gino and Maximillian exchanged glances, as if they truly understood what they're doing. 'Di ko sila maintindihan, pareho. Tapos, kapag pang-aasar, at ako na naman ang unang trip na trip nila. Maximillian put his fingers on his chin, and he started walking, and focused his gaze on me even more intently at umusog na lang ako sa kama ko at inirapan ko siya, "What is it?"

༄┤֍☽_____♚_____‡☽༆

"ATE ETERI," panimula nito sa 'kin, "May iba talaga akong napapansin, it's something that I never expected from my cute big sister. Aside from making yourself pretty, it's surprising to see you smile so much—it's something I never thought I'd witness from you." Nagbilang pa talaga siya sa 'kin and a smirk appeared on my brother's lips,"So, who's this 'baby babe'? I saw it on your phone."

Please, kung pwede magpalit ng kapatid, gagawin ko na talaga. 'Di ko alam kung sa'n nakukuha nitong dalawang 'to ang mga kalokohan na pinagsasabi nila sa 'kin. I know that they both enjoyed watching mystery series katulad ng k-drama na Vincenzo pero manahimik na lang sana sila. 'Di ko na alam kung pa'no pa ako aarte sa harap nila para itago ko lang talaga 'yung relationship namin. H'wag nila pangatawan maging detective, ugh!

Napahawak si Gino sa bibig at tuwang-tuwa sa nakikita, "Alam mo, boi, ngayon ko lang nakitang namula 'yan. Hindi 'yan ganyan sa mga dati niyang crush eh, ayieeeeee~!!!" tili na lang ni Gino and he even let out a whistling sound just to tease me even further,"Ate, sino ba kasi ang boyfriend mo? Pakilala mo naman kami kay bayaw."

"Wala nga!" Sigaw ko, at halos napanganga na lang ako sa sinabi niya. Ano raw? Bayaw? Ang advance naman niya mag-isip! Umikot-ikot ako sa pwesto ko at pinaypayan ko na ang sarili ko. 

C'mon, when is this going to end? 'Di ko matapos-tapos ang isang chapter na binabasa ko sa mga kagaguhan nila! Oo aaminin ko, napapangiti ako sa mga sinasabi nila, pero ba't ko aamining kinikilig ako?

Binangga ni Gino si Maximillian, at ngiting-ngiti pa rin 'to bago nagsimulang kumanta, "Baby baby babe 🎶🎶"sabay siyang tumawa nang malakas at binatukan siya ni Maximillian at nakikitawa na rin at napapikit na lang sa mga kalokohan ni Gino. Sige, asarin niyo pa ako! Mga wala na lang mga magawa dahil 'di naisama ang mga girlfriends sa outing!

Ba't ako pinupuntirya nila, ha?

"Sino ba kasi si 'Baby babe'? " tanong ni Maximillian

Jowa ko!

Este, basta 'di nila dapat malaman 'yun.

"Wala..." iniling ko na lang at halos mag-init pisngi ko. Talagang pipilitin nila hanggang sa mapilit nila ako, 'no?

"Boi, h'wag na." Umiling si Maximillian at lumapit siya sa 'kin then he extended his arms, saying, "Hug?" Tanong niya sa 'kin and I responded a nod. I got up of my bed at saka, lumapit ako kay Maximillian at niyakap ko siya. Hinimas-himas pa niya ang buhok ko and expressing his concern for me in the midst of that teasing, "Don't force yourself to tell us. You can tell us when you're ready. As long as you hold accountable for it."

"Ye—"

"And Eteri," he instructed, looking directly at me, "No sex until marriage." He smiled at me and became interested in me at mas lalo pa akong namula at inurong ko ang mukha niya.

"I'm not!"

The room buzzed with overlapping conversations among the guests. Laughter filled the large room, creating a lively atmosphere, but the tension between my brothers and me continued to escalate. I desperately want to get away from it all. Napahawak na lang ako sa mukha ko sa sobrang kahihiyan dahil sa sinabi niya. And how am I supposed to say that we already make out, then? Knowing my brothers, gigisahin nila ako. I should probably stay quiet dahil siguradong lagot ako. 

A couple more minutes later, bigla na lang umilaw ang cellphone ko and I abruptly opened my mouth, and my heartbeat accelerated, causing the pillows to scatter across the floor as I was unable to see my phone. It kept ringing all the time, and when I reached out, the ringtones began to ring as loudly as they could. 

Lumaki ang ngiti ko nang makita ko ang pangalan ni Steele sa caller ID ko.

[Hi. You're up?] he mentioned during our call at napapikit na lang ako at 'di ko mapigilan ang mapangiti dahil sa mga ginagawa niya. His voice is incredibly deep and carries a sense of maturity that captivates me; and I just can't get enough of listening to his voice. It's the peace that I've been looking for. And he's right here. Wala na akong mahihiling pa ro'n. 

Steele's truly the only person who has ever brought this kind of happiness into my life.

"Yes, uh...yes I am." My feet hardly grazed the ground at halos igalaw-galaw ko lang naman 'to ng todo ang mga paa ko dahil sa sobrang excited ko. Sobrang pula na ng mukha ko at hindi ko mapigilan ang mga ngiti ko. Ano bang meron ang lalaking 'to at ganito ako, sobra ka-in love? My heart has never felt so happy like this, ngayon lang. It felt as though the air was swirling around us, and the very sound of his voice brought me the peace I've been seeking.

[Bring your books and tell me about them. I want to know more about you, Ry. Wala sila Lolo ngayon, solong-solo natin ang hotel. And my sister got off work earlier.]

Basta si Steele, hinding-hindi ako magsasabi ng "no" d'yan! 

I tapped my feet happily and quickly went to my closet. Napahawak naman ako sa baba ko and take a look at the books he purchased for me. Grabe ang lalaking 'yon, lahat ng libro talaga binili niya para sa 'kin. As I gently shifted the hangers, a smile spread across my face. What should I wear today? Should I opt for peach, blue, or white? I just can't decide. Umiling akoand re-arranged the additional hangers dahil 'di ko pa rin mapili ang isusuot ko. Funny. Wala naman akong pakialam sa mga sinusuot ko noon.

Halley let out a yawn at umupo siya sa kama, bulagsak pa ang buhok, at napataas ang kilay nang mapansin niya ako, "Alam mo, maganda ka na kahit ano pang isuot mo. And if he's your boyfriend, he already knows that you're beautiful inside and out."

Namilog na lang ang mata ko kay Halley, at tumakbo ako papunta sa kanya at niyakap ko siya ng mahigpit, "Thank you, Halley!"

Walang ibang tao na nagpapalakas ng loob ko kundi siya. I'm truly grateful to have a friend like her. With Steele, I don't need to put on a facade; I can simply be myself and feel genuine happiness. Because that's what truly matters.