Messenger
September 03

Rus
Jem, how are you?

Jem
I'm fine, Rus. Relax ka lang.

Rus
I can't relax too soon after what happened. From now on, lagi na kitang ihahatid pauwi kapag inabot ka ng gabi sa campus.

Jem
Don't be silly, Rus. Ayokong makaabala sa'yo. You're a graduating student. I'm sure you have a lot of stuff to do.

Rus
I don't care. Paano na lang kung nagkataong hindi kita hinabol kanina para iabot sa'yo ang cellphone mo na nakalimutan mo? Who knows what those men might have done to you?

Jem
Sabing relax ka lang, bro. Hayaan mo, next time, aayusin ko na ang pananamit ko. Masyado yatang provocative ang suot ko ngayon, kaya nabastos ako.

Rus
Hey, it's not your fault. Kahit ano pa ang suot ng isang babae, dapat matutong rumespeto kaming mga lalaki.

Rus is typing...

I'm still so mad right now. I want to punch those guys' faces again until they've become unrecognizable.

Jem
You're scary, bro. Akala ko dati, iniechos mo lang ako na black belter ka sa taekwondo at judo. Now I know you're not bluffing.

Rus
I told you not to underestimate this lanky guy, Ms. Arbuez, didn't I?

Jem
No more underestimating from now on, I swear. Hinding-hindi na rin kita tatawaging Payatot. 🙈

Jem is typing...

Thank you, Rus, sa pagtatanggol sa akin kanina. I really appreciate it.

Rus
You're welcome, Jem.

Jem
That was both amazing and horrifying to watch, you tackling two men all by yourself. Kumusta pala, nakauwi ka na rin ba?

Rus
Yup. Tinanong nga ako ni Mom kanina kung bakit mukha raw akong mangangain ng buhay na tao pagdating ko.

Jem
Hala. Sinabi mo ba sa nanay mo ang nangyari?

Rus
Of course. She's actually glad that I did it.

Jem
Talaga? E napaaway ka nang dahil sa akin!

Rus
Mom knows I can take care of myself. Kaya nga raw pinag-aral nila ako ni Dad ng martial arts ay para matuto akong depensahan ang sarili ko at ang ibang taong pwedeng mangailangan ng tulong ko.

Jem
Your parents seem like cool people.

Rus
Yup, they are. How about yours?

Jem
They were, too.

Rus
"Were"?

Jem
Oo. Hindi ko pa pala nabanggit sa'yo, 'no? Wala na sina Mama at Papa. They died last year in a road accident. Magkaangkas sila sa motor nang may makabanggaan silang truck na nawalan ng preno. They died on the spot.

Rus
I'm so sorry, Jem. I didn't know.

Jem
It's alright. I'm already fine. Or at least, I like to think that I am.

Jem is typing...

I miss Mama and Papa so much, but I'm trying to look at the brighter side of things, kahit sobrang hirap. Iniisip ko na lang na nandiyan pa rin naman ang mga kuya ko. Hindi nila ako pinapabayaan. Kahit naman noong kasama pa namin ang parents namin, spoiled na ako sa tatlong itlog na 'yon. 🙃

Rus
They must be really protective of you. Your brothers, I mean.

Jem
Sakto lang. Chill lang sila, lalo na ang panganay naming si Kuya Gio. He's an IT manager at this huge telecommunications company.

Rus
And then there's your Kuya Tobi. The accountant, like my Ate Leigh.

Jem
Korek. Tapos, si Kuya Matt. Lab technician naman siya.

Rus
And last but not the least, si Jem. Ang pinakasiga sa apat na magkakapatid. The most badass Arbuez sibling. 😜

Jem
Haha, bwisit ka. Ikaw nga 'tong badass! Two against one and you still managed to kick those idiots' butts until they ran away like scared kids.

Rus
So, cool na ako sa paningin mo? 😎

Jem
Dati pa naman. Pero mas lalo ngayon.

Rus
Wow. Really?

Jem
Really. You're cool like, uhm, ice cream.

Rus
I'm glad to hear that, especially since I know how much you like ice cream. Thanks, bro. 🤘🏻

Jem
You're welcome, bro. 😘

Seen 07:14 PM