It's fun and games until we both get hurt
We play with fire 'cause we like the way it burns

-Ancient History by Set It Off

--

The expo was a blur. Lena was all over the place. Hindi siya nakapirmi sa isang lugar dahil sa dami ng nangyayari sa paligid. But she wasn't complaining. It was actually a nice distraction from Cyrus. Sa dami ng bagay na pinagtuunan niya ng atensyon, medyo nawala ang pagkailang niya sa presensya nito.

They attended two seminars, one for digital arts and one is for professional photography. The speaker from the photography seminar taught them how to make DIY filters, which she couldn't wait to try and make for herself. The digital art seminar was a bit off-putting for her, though. Tradisyunal kasi siya. She rarely uses applications to draw or paint. Mas sanay siyang nadudumihan ang kamay ng charcoal at natutuyuan ng acrylic paint sa damit. Although she respects all artists and their preferred medium, it will take a lot of time before she could adjust to digital art.

Sal toured them around and introduced them to some artists. Isa sa mga nandoon ay ang hinahangaan niyang photographer na isa ring published author. The book has glossy pages and hardbound, serving as the photographer's portfolio. She really wanted to buy the book pero wala siyang dalng pera. Lampas isang libo kasi ang libro. Two hundred lang ang dala niya. Luckily, Cyrus was there to her rescue.

He bought the book and she had it signed.

Hindi na sila nakapagtagal para sa auction dahil malayo pa raw ang byahe nila. Apparently, the anniversary/mini family reunion will be held in Pansol, Laguna. Vic promised to get in touch to give her the payment for her auctioned art pieces. But Cyrus insisted na ito ang kausapin. Hinayaan na lamang niya. It's one less thing to worry about.

Dumaan muna sila sa bahay niya para kunin ang camera. She also needed some change of clothes. Magdala rin daw siya ng panlangoy. Since wala naman siyang swimwear, kumuha na lamang siya ng sando at shorts, pero hindi niya alam kung magagamit niya iyon. Hindi siya sanay mag-sleeveless sa labas ng bahay niya. Pakiramdam niya'y pagtitinginan ng mga tao ang mga braso niya.

Dinala niya iyong librong binili nila sa expo para may magawa siya sa loob ng kotse. Hindi kasi masyadong umiimik si Cyrus. Mukhang hindi naman ito galit. Ayaw lang talaga siguro nitong magsalita.

Nag-uusap lang sila kapag may itatanong siya rito.

"We're here," he finally said after more than two hours of driving.

Ipinasok nito ang sasakyan sa isang subdivision. Pagkalampas ng dalawang block, ipinarada nito ang sasakyan sa tapat ng isang animo'y malaking bahay. May mga sasakyang naka-park sa harap noon at isang maliit na gate na pangtao lamang ang bukas. She left the book inside the car and followed Cyrus inside her clothes and camera in hand.

She hid behind him as the people inside erupted in cheer.

"Finally!" someone yelled. "Ma, nandito na sina Kuya!"

Lena found herself surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Kumapit siya sa laylayan ng damit ni Cyrus, hindi alam kung ano'ng gagawin. Cyrus turned to her and smiled reassuringly. Hinila siya nito palayo sa mga nakaikot sa kanila. They headed towards the old couple sitting near a makeshift kitchen.

Nagmano si Cyrus sa dalawang matanda.

"Happy anniversary po," bati nito.

The couple thanked him, and then they turned to her and smiled. "Is this Lena?"

Cyrus pushed her forward.

"Happy anniversary po." Yumuko siya at humalik sa pisngi ng dalawa.

"Thank you, hija. Salamat naman at naipakilala ka na sa amin ni Cyrus," sabi ng matanda. "Kumain na ba kayo?"

The old woman gestured the table laden with trays of food. Agad na kumalam ang sikmura niya pagkakita sa mga handa. Hindi na kasi sila naghapunan bago magbyahe dahil kainan din naman ang pupuntahan nila.

They didn't need to tell her twice. Nang may go signal na para kumain ay kumuha na siya ng plato at nilamnan iyon.

"Kuya!" she heard someone call. Napalingon siya sa babaeng naglalakad palapit sa kanila. Ito iyong babaeng nakita niya noong isang araw. She's wearing a bikini underneath a see-through shirt and a pair of denim shorts. Nakapusod ito ng mataas. She's even prettier up close. Maliit ang mukha nito, matangos din ang ilong at maganda ang mga mata.

"Clem!"

"Lena?" tanong nito habang nakaturo sa kanya.

"Yeah," Cyrus answered. "Lena, this is my sister, Clementine."

She smiled shyly and said hi.

Another girl came rushing towards them. Mas maliit ito sa kanya.

"And this is Cadence, my youngest sister," pakilala ni Cyrus.

Muntik na niyang mabitawan ang platong hawak nang sugurin siya nito ng yakap.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Ate!" sabi nito sa kanya.

More people came to meet her. Kabi-kabila ang yumayakap at humahalik sa pisngi niya. Hindi na niya matandaan ang mga pangalan ng mga ito dahil sa dami! Cyrus's mom reminds her of her own mother. They have the same simple aura. Ang lolo naman nito sa father side ay halatang maloko. Palagi itong nakangiti at nagju-joke.

Halos thirty minutes ding natengga ang pagkain niya dahil kung sinu-sino ang kumakausap sa kanya. Mabuti at nahalata ni Cyrus na gusto na niyang kumain. Hinila siya nito sa isang table sa tabi ng pool. Naglalangoy ang mga bata sa swimming pool habang nasa gilid-gilid naman ang mga matatanda at nagkikwentuhan. May mga nagbi-videoke rin.

"Ayos ka pa?" tanong ni Cyrus sa kanya.

Tumango siya at nag-thumbs up dahil puno ng pagkain ang bibig niya.

"Dito ka muna, ha," sabi nito sa kanya nang tawagin ito ng daddy nito. Start na ng drinking session. But she wasn't alone for long. Tinabihan siya ng mga kapatid ni Cyrus. Madaldal ang dalawa kaya naging tagapakinig siya habang kumakain. Kapag magtatanong ang mga ito, saka lamang siya magsasalita. She learned that Clementine was a year older than her. Kauuwi lang daw nito galing sa bakasyon nito sa Australia.

Si Cadence naman, kasingtanda lang ng kapatid niyang si Logan. She's currently taking up nursing. She was a bit hesitant to tell them that she didn't finish college when they asked her about her course. Pero mukha naman hindi siya hinusgahan ng mga ito.

Some of their cousins joined in. She wasn't used to being the center of attention, but it couldn't be helped since she's the new girl. Everyone got pretty interested when she mentioned her dog and her artworks. Manghang-mangha ang mga ito dahil sa mga ginagawa niya.

Hindi pa man tapos ang kwentuhan ay tinawag naman siya ng mommy ni Cyrus. Gusto raw siyang kausapin. His aunts were also included in the conversation. The main topic was about her family and their relationship.

The stories kept on coming and so did the food. Kapag nakikita ng mga itong paubos na ang pagkain sa mesa, may isang pupunta sa lalagyanan ng mga handa at kukuha ng pagkain. Napainom na rin siya ng alak.

Lalo pang naging lively ang usapan nang tumabi sa kanya si Cyrus.

Everyone was so happy and welcoming. Pakiramdam niya ay kasali na siya sa pamilya, which made her feel guilty because she wasn't fully invested in the relationship, if it was even a proper relationship.

"Hey, Lena, wanna go for a swim?" Clem asked.

She nodded and said yes. Lalangoy na sana siya nang punahin nito ang suot niya.

"Bawal maglangoy kapag naka-long sleeves?" tanong ni Cyrus sa kapatid.

"Hindi naman," sagot ni Clem. "Parang weird lang kasi. Maglalangoy sya na balot na balot ang katawan?"

"Wala ka bang pang-langoy, Ate?" Cadence asked. "Pahihiramin kita."

"There's no need for that," said Cyrus. "Makakalangoy pa rin naman sya kahit ano'ng suot nya."

"Bakit ba parang against na against ka sa pagpapalit nya ng damit, Kuya? Masyado mo naman yatang niri-restrict itong si Lena."

"If you're uncomfortable with her wearing this in the pool, then don't invite her to swim," Cyrus said with finality. His voice sounded edgy. Hindi na nagpumilit pa si Clem. Umalis na lamang itong bumubulong sa inis.

She was thankful for what Cyrus did, but maybe she could have handled it a little better. Malay ba naman niyang gagawing issue ng magkapatid ang suot niyang damit. Private pool kasi iyon. Alam niyang walang sisita sa kanya kahit hindi appropriate ang gagamitin niyang damit na panlangoy.

"What was that about?" his mom asked.

"Nothing, Ma," sagot ni Cyrus sa ina. He removed the hoodie he's wearing and draped it on her shoulders. "Langoy lang ako," paalam nito.

Pasimple siyang nag-iwas ng tingin nang hubarin nito ang suot na shirt. She didn't want anyone to think that she's checking him out. Halata namang maganda ang katawan nito kahit anong klaseng damit ang suot nito. Maybe she'll take a quick glance later.

You pervert! she reprimanded herself.

Bahagya siyang namula nang masalubong ang tingin ng mommy nito. She smiled warmly at her.

"Pagpasensyahan mo na 'yang anak ko, ha. Minsan sumusobra sa pagka-protective. But he means well," sabi nito.

"Mana lang sa daddy nya," the younger Jasmine commented.

Tatlo ang Jasmine sa pamilya nina Cyrus. His two grandmothers (names spelled differently) and his aunt. It's confusing to have the three of them together in one place. Isang tao ang tatawagin mo pero tatlo ang lilingon.

They didn't ask why he sounded so defensive earlier, but her gut feel told her that Cyrus's mother knew why. Nakatingin kasi ito kanina sa braso niya. Hindi lamang ito nagkumento.

--

A while later, she was left alone with his mom. Ang iba ay umuwi na. Ang iba naman ay nakikipag-usap sa iba pang nandoon. But his mother never left her side. Hindi niya alam kung inihabilin ba siya ni Cyrus dito o gusto lang talaga siya nitong kausap. Hindi ito nauubusan ng kwento. Most of her stories are about Cyrus and his childhood, how he became the man he is today and his past relationships.

Naka-tatlo na pala itong girlfriend. Pangatlo siya. The first one was back in high school during his third year. The second one was Joanna. The conversation suddenly became sullen because of her. Halata niyang nanghihinayang ang mommy nito sa pagkawala ni Joanna. And she felt that tinge of jealousy again. Hindi niya mapigilan.

Pero biglang bawi naman nang sabihin nitong masaya itong makitang masaya na ulit si Cyrus, which meant that she's doing something good. At least, she hoped she's the reason why he's happy again.

"Alam mo bang akala namin ay hindi na darating ang araw na 'to? He recovered from Joanna, but he lost the appetite to live. For three years, parang sumusunod na lamang siya sa agos. Then a few months ago, he became lively again. That's why everyone's so excited to meet you."

She reached out to touch her hand. Tumagos sa puso niya ang sunod nitong sinabi.

"The first one was a mistake. The second one wasn't meant to be. We're all hoping that this one will work out well. I hope you're it, Lena. I really do."