Kapitulo 3

We both stayed quiet during the ride. None of us dares to speak first. I busied myself by looking outside through his car's window. My phone rang, breaking the silence we had inside his car. My sister's name flashed on the screen. I answered it.

"H-hello," she said in the other line.

"Hello, where are you?" I asked, looking at the railway.

"Nasa bahay na ako. Hindi pala pumunta si Klaus dito? Sorry. Akala ko kasi pupunta siya. He chatted me last night, asking for permission to visit here."

I stiffened. My lips parted. Klaus chatted with my sister last night?

"Yeah. But it's okay. Next time nalang." I smiled as if she can see it.

"Ikaw? Nasaan ka?"

"Uh... I'm on my way to Fe's house."

"Huh? Nag taxi ka?"

"N-no. I'm with... uh... Vico." unintentionally, my eyes glanced at Vico.

His eyes are still on the road. But his lips say otherwise. There's a ghost of a smile on it. I don't know what for. I looked away.

"Sinundo ka niya dito sa bahay? Mabuti naman at sumakay ka. Huwag kang tumalon, a?" she quirks.

"No, I won't." I giggled. "So... I'll call you later, okay?"

"Yeah. Enjoy! I love you."

"Thanks. I love you."

She ended the call after that. My spirit almost left my body when Vico stepped in his acceleration to his fastest way. I gritted my teeth to stop myself from yelling at him. But when we almost collided against a jeepney, I lose my grip.

"What the hell, Viscount? Are you in a hurry? If you are, then you shouldn't have come to my house to pick up me! I didn't ask you either." I yelled.

I saw how his jaw tenses before he pursed his lips. He didn't take even a single glance at me. His eyes stay on the road and he still stepped the acceleration to his fastest way.

Nauna siyang bumaba sa kotse niya. Habang ako, nasa loob pa. Abala sa pag u-unbuckle ng seatbelt. I was about to reach for the door's handle when he opened it.

"Go to my sister's room. I'll be the one to carry your luggage in the guest room." he coldly said.

Still mad at him, I did what he said. I stepped out of his car, gritted my teeth. I went upstairs and knock on Fe's bedroom door. Fe with her heart printed cami top and shorts opens her door. Her hair is sort of messy. She looks like she just woke up. Nakonsensya tuloy ako dahil nagising ko siya.

"Kuya, ano'ng oras na hindi mo pa sinundo-" she stopped talking when she realized it was me standing in front of her.

Her eyes broadened and a smile slowly formed on her lips. She pulled me and hugged me tightly.

"Akala ko si Kuya!" natatawa niyang sabi.

"Are you trying to say that I looked like a man now?" I quirk in our hug.

She loosened up from our hug. She opens her door widely, inviting me to go inside.

"Ay... saan mo gusto mag-usap? Gutom ka ba? Merienda muna tayo sa baba." she panicked a bit. Like her every reaction whenever I'm in their house.

"Ayos lang sa'kin dito. Hindi naman ako gutom." sabi ko at pumasok na sa kuwarto niya.

Agad kong naamoy ang strawberry niyang signature scent. Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang kuwarto niya. May mga papers na nagkalat sa sahig at iilang color pens. Nag do-drawing na naman siguro 'to at nakatulog dahil sa pagod. I took my seat on her couch

"Buti naman at sinundo ka ni Kuya. Dahil kung hindi isusumbong ko na talaga siya kay Mommy. May bagong girlfriend na naman. Wala pa ngang isang linggo no'ng break nila ni Jenny, tapos may bago na naman!" she huffs as she closed the door.

Gulat sa nalaman. Hindi ko mapigilang magtanong.

"Naging sila pala nung Jenny na 'yun?" I stuttered.

"Oo. Weeks lang yata sila. After no'n nag break agad." Fe sighed and held her forehead as she got so stressed about it.

I know Jenny. She's my schoolmate. Matangkad, maputi at maganda 'yon. Pero... seryuso ba? Naging pala sila ni Viscount? I sighed. What should I expect? That woman has the triple M's Vico admires. Maganda. Matangkad. Maputi. If you have those, Vico won't let you down.

Usap usapan sa school namin last year pa lang na gustong gusto niya si Vico. Wala akong narinig na tugon mula kay Vico. Kaya hindi ko talaga inasahang naging sila. Pero... siguro kasi may girlfriend din si Vico that time. Kaya walang tugon na narinig mula sa kanya.

"Mabuti naman at nag break sila. Ang arte kaya nun." Fe rolled her eyes and took her seat on the floor.

"Hoy, huwag kang umupo sa sahig. May couch o." I tapped the couch.

"Ayos lang. Malinis naman." she chuckled. "By the way, noong tumawag ako sa'yo. Nandoon ba si Klaus no'n sa bahay niyo?" her eyes widened in excitement as she uttered those words.

"Wala. Nanonuod lang ako ng vlogs niya that time." simpleng sagot ko. "Pero... no'ng araw ding 'yon. Bumisita sila sa bahay-"

I stopped talking when Fe stood up from sitting on the floor and shook my shoulder.

"Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!" she said repeatedly, still shaking my shoulders.

I pulled her beside me. I tell her how the day went when Klaus was at our house. I tell her everything. Except for the indirect kisses in the smoothies straw. I felt my cheeks flushed when I remembered the straw. It reminds me of how Klaus brought it onto his lips and how I tasted the smoothie using the same straw when he told me.

Fe just shrieks and shrieks during and after I told her. Natigil lang nung kinatok kami ng kasambahay nila para bumaba na. Kakain na daw ng hapunan.

"Oh, nasaan 'yung Kuya mo?" I asked her when we got into their dining room and didn't saw Vico there.

Fe just shrugged. Still giving me a weird smile.

"Ang bilis mo naman ako namiss. Magkasama naman tayo kanina, a?" probably he heard what I said. Vico suddenly showed up.

I waited for his eyes to met mine. Nang matama na nga ang mga mata namin. Ginawa ko na ang plano ko. I rolled my eyes to him and took my seat beside Fe. Inabot ko ang baso ng tubig at ininom 'yon. Palihim akong nag-angat sa kanya ng tingin habang umiinom.

I almost choked when I saw how his face changed. Kung kanina masaya at mapang-asar ang mukha niya. Ngayon halos hindi ko na maitimpla ang mukha niya.

Bumaba na din ang mga magulang nila. Nagsimula na kaming kumain. We just had a light conversation while eating. After that, we went upstairs again to sleep.

Kinabukasan, maaga akong nagising. I take my bath. Kakatapos ko lang naligo at nagbibihis na ako. I pulled out one from my underwear when I suddenly remembered Vico's comment about it. I groaned and almost punch the cabinet. Nagamadali nalang akong nagbihis at pinuntahan si Fe sa kuwarto niya.

Tatlong araw akong nanatili doon sa bahay nila Fe. Nagpumilit kasi si Fe na gawin kong tatlong araw. Hindi rin naman ako makatanggi kaya pumayag na ako. Umuwi din ako pagkatapos ng tatlong araw.

I was walking in the hallway palabas ng campus nang may nakasalubong akong grupo ng mga lalaki. They are wearing their basketball jersey. I was about to look away when one of them suddenly called me.

"Seah,"

Scowling I turned my head to them. I rose my brow.

"Hi daw sabi ni Klaus." a guy with an attractive dimple said.

I stiffened a little bit. I roamed my eyes around them. Trying to see if Klaus was there. Trying to see if they aren't making fun of me.

And when our gazes met. That's the time I realize that they aren't joking. My heart was like a hungry lion. Roaring so wild and loud.

His group shriek and pushed Klaus in my direction. I can't help but pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and swallowed hard as I looked away.

"Mauna na kami, Klaus," they said, leaving Klaus to me.

Awkward silence cage us. Only my loud heartbeat is what I heard.

"H-hi, Seah," he suddenly said, kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Uh... h-hi." I smiled.

"Can we..." he trailed off and swallowed hard. "go out for a snack?"

Halos napasinghap ako sa gulat nang itinanong niya 'yon. Totoo ba 'to? A Shawn Nicklaus Dl'Grialbe asked me out for a snack? Napalunok ako bago sumagot.

"Sige,"

"I'll just change my clothes. Can you wait inside the car instead of standing here?"

Naglakad kami palabas ng campus at tumawid. He opened the backseat of a black SUV and told me he'll be back. I nodded. He closed the door and jogged back inside the campus to change his clothes. Nang ibinaling ko na ang mga mata sa harap. Doon ko palang napansing may driver palang nakaupo sa driver's seat.

Wearing his plain white t-shirt with his khaki shorts and his pair of Nike rubber shoes. Klaus went inside the car. His masculine scent immediately spread in the car.

The driver drives into Chingkeetea. It is a milk tea shop that's well known for it's best Wintermelon milk tea. Naunang bumaba si Klaus sa kotse at hinintay akong makalabas bago sinarado ang pintuan.

Kakapasok lang namin sa loob. Hindi pa man kami tuluyang nakaupo ay may lumapit ng dalawang studyanteng babae sa ibang unibersidad at nagpapicture sa kanya.

Oh, I almost forgot that he's well-known here now in CDO. Because of his YT channel.

Palingon lingon ang dalawang babae. Naghahanap ng kung sino ang kukuha ng litrato sa kanila. I rose my hand and offered. I took a lot of pictures of them. Until the two women said it's maayos na.

"Sorry about it," he said and pulled out the chair in a table for two. "Have a seat first." he tapped it.

I took my seat and looked at him.

"Ayos lang 'yun." I smiled.

Nilingon ko ang table nung dalawang babae na tinignan ang pictures nila na may ngiti sa labi. Nahawa tuloy ako sa ngiti nila.

"Lrj basta famous!" I quirk.

(P.S For those who have no idea about the LRJ it stands for Lahi Ra Jud. In Tagalog Iba talaga.)

He chuckled softly about what I just said.

"Ano' ng gusto mo? Ako na ang mag-o-order para sa atin." he offered.

"Kaya ko naman kaya ayos lang."

"No. Let me be the one."

"Okay," I said, defeated. "I'm fine with Wintermelon. Thanks."

I watched him as he lined. May bumati sa kanyang lalaki. They did a high-five. Magkakilala siguro. I almost jumped from my seat when they both glanced at me. I looked away. Buti nalang at nang ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kanila ay hindi na sila nakatingin sa direksyon ko. The man nudges him and Klaus just chuckled.

I make myself busy with my phone. I felt a bit weird in myself for keeping eye on him. I checked the notifications from my social media accounts. Likes at comments lang ang mga 'yon. However, at least it helps me stopped from looking at their direction.

May naglapag ng tray na may dalawang milk tea sa harap kaya napaangat ako ng tingin. Si Klaus pala. Kasama ang lalaking kausap niya kanina sa linya.

"Seah, si Braxton nga pala. Kaibigan ko." Klaus introduced me to his friends.

"Braxton Keile Vuanterde," the man smiled at me and offered his hand.

I stood up.

"Kreanaseah Jullianna Vuilltraen," we shook hands. "It's nice meeting you."

"Likewise. Enjoy your couple milk tea." he smiled at me. "Punta na ako sa table namin ng kapatid ko." he shifted his eyes on me and to Klaus.

"Sige, enjoy din." Klaus nodded.

The man started to walk away from our table. Klaus take his seat and pushed the top of the milk tea with its straw. He handed it to me after. My lips parted.

He is so gentleman!

"Thank you," I said.

"You're welcome,"

Despite his busyness pushing the straw to his milk tea. Nagawa niya pang mag-angat sa akin ng tingin at bigyan ako ng ngiti.

We are both busy with our milk tea. Awkward silence for the second time cages us. Not until he opens the topic that I never thought he would.

"Tungkol doon sa pag chat ko sa Ate mo. Na bibisitahin ka sa bahay niyo. At hindi natuloy..." he trailed off. "I'm so sorry. I didn't make it. I just get busy editing my content for my YT channel that day." hindi siya makatingin sa akin nang binitawan niya ang mga iyon.

I pulled my bottom lip in between my teeth before speaking.

"I-it's okay. Umalis din ako nang dumating ang hapon. Nag sleepover ako sa bahay ng best friend ko. Kaya... kung pumunta ka din sa araw na 'yon, kaunting oras lang siguro ang naibigay ko." I chuckled to hide the awkwardness and nervousness I felt.

"Albeit if that's the case. Still, I should be there that day. Otherwise, I shouldn't be chatting with your sister like that. Tapos hindi naman pala natuloy." he looked down and protruded his lips.

"Ayos lang talaga, Klaus. Marami pa namang mga araw. You can choose any of those."

He then slowly rose his chocolate monolid eyes met mine. My lips parted, admiring his handsome face. Nasa ganoong sitwasyon kami nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko. I excuse myself to Klaus first before answering the call.

"S-Seah," my sister's trembling voice filled in the other line.

"Ate, are you okay?" I blinked and roamed my eyes around as I waited for her response.

"I-I... need y-you right now. N-nasaan ka?" her voice broke.

"Nasa Chingkeetea po ako."

"Can you go home? I-I need you so much r-right now."  she sobs on the other line.

After our call ended. I looked at Klaus. His monolid eyes shine in panic as he waited for me to utter any word. He watched every movement I made.

"Klaus, I enjoyed having snacks with you. I'm sorry but I have to go." I looked at him apologetically and grabs my bag under our table.

"Ihahatid na kita," he said.

I can't think anything when I got inside their SUV. I can't stop thinking about my sister. I know that voice. Hindi ko pa man nakikita at nalalaman kung ano'ng nangyayari. Alam kong umiiyak siya. I took a deep breath and calm myself.

Siguro napansin ni Klaus ang pagiging kabado ko. Kaya lumapit siya sa akin at hinawakan ang kamay ko. Alam niya kung bakit ako nagmamadali. Ikinuwento ko sa kanya kanina noong palabas kami sa milk tea shop.

"Don't be nervous. Drink water first." he handed me out bottled mineral water from his bag.

I accepted it and take a gulp.

Pagkatigil ng sasakyan sa harap ng gate namin ay agad akong nagpasalamat kay Klaus. Humingi din ako ng pasensya sa abala. Bago bumaba. Pagkapasok ko ng bahay, tinanong ko agad ang mga kasambahay kung nakauwi na ba si Ate.

Hindi muna ako pumunta sa kuwarto ko para magbihis. Agad kong pinuntahan si Ate sa kuwarto niya. Tatlong beses ko 'yung kinatok. Mas lalo akong kinabahan nang hindi niya pa din binuksan ang pintuan. Pinihit ko ang doorknob at bukas naman pala.

Nakapatay ang mga ilaw sa loob ng kuwarto niya. Kaya wala akong makita sa sobrang dilim. I turned on the flashlight of my phone. I went to her bedside table where the lamp is located. I turned it on.

"Seah," she whines.

Agad ko siyang nilapitan at niyakap. Nakahiga siya sa kama niya ngayon. Umiiyak at humihikbi. Isa lang ang naiisip kong dahilan sa iyak niyang ganito. I gritted my teeth while thinking about it.

"He cheated." panghuhula ko pero hindi tanong ang pagkasabi ko.

"How did you know?" bumangon ang kapatid ko mula sa pagkakahiga at hinarap ako.

"Bakit mo pa kasi binalikan na naman?" I ignored her question.

"Mahal ko, e." she covered her face and sobs.

I rolled my eyes and groaned. I felt a stab in my chest looking at her in this kind of situation. I pulled her closer to me and tears started to clog in my eyes.

"Kailan lang kayo nagkabalikan?" I softly asked her while hugging her.

"L-last week." she sobs.

Natigilan ako sa pag haplos ng likuran niya. Gusto kong magalit sa kanya. But because of her situation right now, I don't have the heart to.

"Bakit di mo sinabi?"

"Because I know you will not support." her voice broke, causing the tears clogging in my sight heavier.

"That doesn't count, Ate." I sighed. "Naalala mo ba 'yung last fifth death anniversary ni Mama? We made a promise to each other at that time, right? Na no matter how hard to figure out the situation is. We, as a sister and as best friends, won't keep secrets from each other. Together. We will fight the battles. You and Papa are now the only thing I've had. Tayong dalawa nalang ang natitira." my voice broke.

Nag-iiyakan kaming dalawa sa mga oras na 'yon.

That's the time I realized that we should tighten more our holds on each other. Like not even a single secret to any of us. Because in the end... we only have each other.

I wiped the tears that escaped from my eyes. I was sitting and caressing her hair while she was lying in her bed. The way her shoulders move up and down, and the way her breathing becomes heavy and deep. Those are evident that she's asleep now.

"Please stop going back to that man," I whispered, begging as if she can hear it. "He is not healthy for you anymore," I whispered

"Years will pass from now... and he'll be nothing but a memory. So please, don't let heartbreak drown you." I kissed her forehead.