Messages

12/26/2027

bunso:
Kuya, I'm with your girl.
We're at a park near their apartment building.
sent • 6:58 am

ha? bakit mo kasama?
tsaka hoy!
pinagyayabang mo ba sakin na kasama mo bossmam ko?!
delivered • 6:59 am

bunso:
What are you talking about, Kuya?
She told me to text you because she forgot her phone.
And knowing you, you'll make drama.
sent • 7:01 am

oh eh ba't nga kayo magkasama?
delivered • 7:01 am

bunso:
I accidentally saw her.
Gusto ko rin siyang makausap.
I'm curious.
And if you're gonna ask what we're talking about, it's none of your business.
sent • 7:03 am

tsk
pupunta ako diyan
di ka kasi makahintay na hari ka sa next week
ipapakilala ko naman siya
delivered • 7:05 am

bunso:
Whatever, Kuya. Suit yourself.

-

"Did you text him?"

Sinulyapan ni King Fuentavedra ang babaeng kausap. Tumango siya at ibinulsa ang phone. "He said he's coming here."

Carter tried to hide her smile but King noticed it anyway. 

"Hm. Nacurious siguro 'yon kung anong pag-uusapan natin."

King didn't respond. Instead, he thought that this girl knew his brother a lot. She indulged his curiosity when he introduced himself as Rook's younger brother. When they moved to the park, she recommended that he text his brother about their whereabouts. She knows how and when to give Rook assurance, and can even predict his reaction to things.

It's been six years since his brother started spamming their family chat about a girl he's involved in. Out of the five of them, Rook was always the energetic one. Pawn and Bishop come next to being the life of the party, but they're not as severely optimistic as Rook. Noong una, puro bossmam ito, na akala ng ina nila nasangkot na sa sindikato ang anak niya. Then, later on, the girl had a name.

But six years... and his brother is still single.

King sighed to himself. It's obvious that these two like each other. Kaya ano pa ang ginagawa nila? Why are they beating around the bush?

"What did you want to talk about?" tanong ni Carter.

"Well, first, happy birthday to you. And, uh... wala naman talaga. I'm just curious about the girl that made my brother a love-sick puppy."

Carter chuckled. She can't get the image of a golden retriever Rook wagging his tail adorably out of her head.

Tinitigan niya ang nakababatang kapatid ni Rook. She's only met Knight, the eldest of the five, since the others were living in Canada. This one though... reminds him of Rook's sister.

"Ikaw 'yong kambal ni Reina, right?"

"Yes."

"How are you? It's been three years since I received the news."

Three years ago, the jeweled princess of the Fuentavedra brothers left the world. Sobra din ang sakit na naramdaman ni Rook no'n, lalo na't nasa Pilipinas siya nang malaman 'yon. He immediately arranged for a flight and disappeared on Carter for a few weeks. She didn't say anything and texted him with assurances and comfort. She knew he was mourning.

At that time... Carter also had flashbacks of her previous relationship. It was also a series of tragedies that cut off their communication and threatened their love for each other. Natakot siya na baka mangyari din sa kanila ni Rook iyon. Love is so... fragile and fleeting. And with both minds and hearts in deep trouble, any form of misunderstanding can easily break relationships. Siguro, aside from Carter choosing to simply live in content, it was this fear that made her hesitate in entering a serious, committed relationship.

But then, Carter must have underestimated Rook at that time. Because when she and Claude gave each other space during their troubled times, Rook decided to lean on Carter. He made her his comfort, her voice became his favorite tune, and her arms became her home.

King pursed his lips. "I'm... alright. I can't hold on to my twin forever. My family is slowly healing too. With Kuya..." he tilted his head at her. "I don't worry about him that much."

He is safe in your hands, he thought.

"But... there is one man who worries me. How's Ross?"

"I don't know," Carter truthfully answered. "He was so devastated at first. Hindi naman kami masyadong nag-uusap so I'm not really sure what happened to him, but... from what I heard, he still hasn't fully moved on."

"Hm. He should. Even Reina wouldn't want him hurting himself this long. It's not like the possibility of this happening wasn't discussed before."

Hindi na sumagot si Carter kaya nagpatuloy si King, "I thought... he has something going on with your friend."

Malapit nang masamid sa sariling laway si Carter sa narinig. She tilted her head, keeping a calm face despite her mind going haywire. "I'm not sure. Natalie doesn't really tell me things about her love life."

King narrowed his eye at her. Magtatanong pa sana siya nang tumunog ang kaniyang cellphone. Carter sighed in relief at the interruption. 

"Yes, Kuya? I went out to get some coffee... I saw Kuya Rook's girl so I talked to her." he paused. "Yes, I know. I'm aware." another pause. " What? How the hell would I know where your assistant went?" he sighed. "Fine. I'm going back."

Mukhang problemado na si King nang ibalik ang phone sa bulsa. He glanced at Carter. "Sorry, I need to go back since Kuya Knight is calling for me. Pupunta daw si Kuya Rook so hihintayin mo ba? I think you should just go back and let him be."

"It's fine. I can wait for him."

"Hmm." he nodded. "Then, I'll leave first. Please excuse me."

Ngumiti si Carter at pinanood na makaalis ang lalaki. There are times that she gets surprised at Rook's siblings. Napakapolite kasi nila most of the time, habang si Rook naman ay mahilig mangtrip. 

She sat on a nearby bench. Pwede naman talaga siyang umuwi. Siguro ay nag-aalala na rin si Natalie dahil ang tagal niyang nakabalik, e nagpaalam lang siya na bibili ng kape kasi naubusan na sila.

The park was quiet. It was a Sunday, just after a merry and joyful Christmas around the neighborhood, so probably a lot of people were still sleeping. The holiday wind that passed by was a bit cold. There were quite a few leaves scattered around. May mga parol ding nakasabit sa mga puno. Napangiti si Carter nang maalala ang usapan nila ni Rook noon. They were talking about how comfortable it would be to take quiet walks in the early morning, hands intertwined and quietly assured by each other's presence. 

"Carter? Is that you?"

Naputol ang pagmumuni-muni niya nang marinig ang medyo pamilyar na boses. She turned her head around and saw her classmate, Klaus. Mukhang kakatapos lang nito magjogging at pinagpapawisan pa rin. His towel was draped over the back of his neck, his hand resting on the bench as he leaned down to stare at Carter.

"Ikaw nga!" he exclaimed, grinning. "What are you doing outside?"

"Nagpapahangin."

"Hm," he smirked. "Do you frequent this park, then? This is the first time I've seen you."

"If it's the first time you've seen me, then the answer is no."

Klaus chuckled. Hindi pa rin inaayos ang posisyon. 

"What about Natalie? Not with you?"

Malapit nang umirap si Carter. Ayon nga at lumabas din ang gustong itanong.

"She's not-" naputol ang sasabihin niya nang may mamataan.

Carter found Rook at the other side of the park. Nakatitig ito sa kanila. Noong una, mabagal ang paglalakad nito na parang kinikilala ang mukha nila. Then when his eyes settled on the man in front of Carter, he zoomed. 

"Ah, is that so?" Klaus replied, a bit of disappointment in his tone. "Oh, right, I remembered. Natalie mentioned that it's your birthday today. Saan mo ko ililibre, Carter?"

"Ba't kita ililibre? Magkaibigan tayo?"

He pursed his lips. "Damot."

Not a second later, Rook was already in front of Carter. Hingal na hingal na ito pero ngumiti pa rin ito ng pagkalaki-laki kay Klaus. The other two just stared into his wind-swept hair and sweaty face in disbelief.

"Hey, man! Merry Christmas!" he greeted. "Kaibigan ka ni Carter?"

Klaus nodded, looking a bit awkward. "Uh, yeah. Merry Christmas din."

"I'm Rook." itinaas niya ang kamay. "Her suitor."

Klaus glanced at Carter and raised a brow. Sinamaan siya ng tingin nito.

He took Rook's invitation and shook hands. "Klaus. Classmate at kaibigan niya."