SIMULA

Simula

"Ate, sino'ng ka text mo?" I asked my sister who's busy typing something on her phone while we were eating our lunch.

"H-huh?" she rose her eyes on me nervously. "C-classmate," she answered and drink her mango juice.

I slowed my chewing and narrowed my eyes on her.  She's stuttering, huh? Well, I'm not convinced in her answer anyway.

A phone suddenly rang.

"Phone mo, Seah," she said and protruded her lips on my phone beside my plate.

Doon ko lang napagtanto na nakatitig pa rin pala ako sa kanya at hindi napansin na akin pala 'yon.

I looked down on my phone. My best friend's name flashed on it.

"Fe, what's wrong?" I asked after pressing the green button.

I blinked as I roam my eyes around our dining room while waiting for her response. My eyes then suddenly stop on the chair in front of me. I furrowed when I saw my sister smiling while looking down on her phone with her cheeks flushed.

"Seah, puwede ka bang mag sleepover dito sa bahay?"

"When, Fe?"

"Tomorrow. Is it okay?" she hopefully asked me.

"I'll text or call you, okay?"

Ayaw ko kasing u-m-oo sa mga bagay na hindi ko alam kung makakapunta ba talaga ako.

"Okay," she sighed.

"I'll try."

"Bye. Take care. I love you." she bid her goodbye.

"I will. You too. Love you. Bye," she then ended the call.

Tapos na akong kumain kaya tumayo na ako para ilagay sa sink ang platong ginamit ko. I craned my neck when I passed at the back of the chair of my sister to see who's she was texting with.

To: Shannon Etheline Dl'Grialbe

HAHAHAHA

Punta ka ha?

From: Shannon Etheline Dl'Grialbe

Luh, sige mamaya.

Precisely four in the afternoon.

I'll bring my kapatid with me. Ayos lang ba?

To: Shannon Etheline Dl'Grialbe

Sure.

My eyes widened. She'll bring her kapatid? Sino do'n? Si Solgen... o si Klaus.

A Dl'Grialbe will come to our house later in four in the afternoon!?

Mabuti naman kung Dl'Grialbe ang karelasyon na ng Ate ko. Ayaw ko sa boyfriend niyang si Ard. Playboy!

I get my phone that I placed on the bedside table earlier when I got here inside of my room. I feel bored so I tap the YouTube icon. A message suddenly popped up on my notification panel.

From: Mycroftsia Nevaeh Jozsue:

B, crush mo may YT channel!

My eyes narrowed and my brows furrowed while reading Fe's text.

Sino ba'ng tinutukoy niya?

To: Mycroftsia Nevaeh Jozsue:

Sino doon?

'Yung Dl'Grialbe!

You mean... si Klaus!?

I felt my heartbeats fastened. I didn't wait for her reply anymore. I searched for the Klaus YT channel on Google.

Oo, sa Google ako nakapag search dahil sa kaba at taranta ko.

Kanina pa ako scroll ng scroll sa mga naging result sa Google, pero wala akong nakitang YT channel ni Klaus.

Hmm, niloloko ba ako nito?

Sumuko din ako sa huli. Tinigilan ko na ang pag i-scroll sa Goggle. I texted my best friend

To: Mycroftsia Nevaeh Jozsue:

Wala naman, a!

Prank ba 'to, 'no?

I check the time first before I place my phone on my bedside table and went inside the bathroom. Alas dos pa lang ng hapon. Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras akong naroon sa banyo, naliligo.

I wear my white crop top designer shirt and paired it with my high waisted jeggings. I blow-dried my wavy hair then combed it.

Hindi ko alam pero I suddenly feel conscious about my face right now. Dahil ba may bisita si Ate... o dahil dadalhin dadalhin ni Ate Shally ang kapatid niya na hindi ko alam kung si Klaus ba o si Kuya Maui.

Gusto kong isipin na ang rason ay dahil may bisita si Ate. Bigla akong kinabahan nang mapagtanto kung sinu-sino na naman ang mga bisita ni Ate.

Binuksan ko ang phone ko at nakita ang mga reply ni Fe.

From: Mycroftsia Nevaeh Jozsue:

Oo nga!

Hindi mo nakita?

Baka ibang pangalan si-nearch mo?

Shawn ē Klaus.

'Yan ang YT channel niya.

I searched it on YT. And she is right!

Shawn ē Klaus

500k subscribers

I scrolled up his uploaded videos. Mostly are prank on his siblings and cousins. I clicked the video that was titled ANNOYING Hamilton Arthur/FINDING OUT what's between him and KY.

They're in a van. Nakaupo siya sa pinakalikod ng van. Katabi niya si Dg.

"Hi, YouTube channel, welcome to my guys!" bungad niya. "So for today's vlog, we are going to annoy the most intimidating Dl'Grialbe cousin of ours..." he trailed off and let Dg continue his sentence.

"Kuya Hamilton Arthur Dl'Grialbe." Dg finished his sentence.

"So as you can see we're in a van right now kasi we're going to have our vacation in Cebu." he showed the passengers inside the van. He asks them to say hi. "Ate Shannon, pati ba naman dito sa vlog ko snob ka pa din? Sabi ng Kuya ng classmate ko ang snob mo daw?" he stops his camera to his sister's face.

"Hala, ano daw name?" Shannon asked softly with eyes widened.

"Kuya ni Nostallan," he answered.

"Ay hindi ko kasi kialala, Klaus. By the way if he's watching this vlog of yours I'm really sorry. Hindi naman ako snob." she smiled and her eyes twinkled in a sincere apologetically.

Hinarap na ulit ni Klaus ang camera sa kanya. Pero dahil hinablot ni Maui ang camera niya, medyo naging shakey ang kuha ng camera.

"Whoever Nostallan you are. I just wanted you to know na my sister isn't allowed to have boyfriend pa!" Maui rolled his eyes.

"Kuya, naman! Gusto lang makipagkaibigan no'ng tao, e." Shannon's voice.

"Hala nandito na si Kuya Harth!!" Klaus shriek in excitement and binawi sa Kuya niya ang camera.

I was busy watching it when I suddenly heard a knock. I stood up and went to the door while still watching Klaus vlog. I opened the doorknob.

"That's my fiance," he said on his vlog as a beautiful woman went inside of their van.

I minimize the screen of the video and taps the subscribe button under his YT channel's name.

"I didn't know you're also watching my vlogs." a voice as I opened the door suddenly said.

I stiffened for a couple of minutes. I slowly crawled my broadened eyes to the man in front of me.

Oh, my God!

Si Klaus!

He's wearing his black v-neck shirt and paired it with his faded denim shorts. I looked away when I notice how the fabric of his shirt hugs his torso perfectly.

I stiffened more when he took a step forward to me and put his hand on my forehead then on my neck. What is he doing!? It just made my face flushed more.

"You okay, baby girl?" he tilted his head while looking at me as he took a step backward and slid his hand on the pocket of his shorts.

Damn, that baby girl!

"Y-yeah," I looked away.

"Uh... by the way, I went here upstairs and knocked your room's door because your Ate asked me to." he smiled a bit.

"O-oh, uh.... bakit daw?"

"Merienda I think?" he shrugged.

I nodded and smiled awkwardly at him.

"Susunod ako sa'yo sa baba. M-may aasikasuhin lang muna ako dito sa kuwarto ko."  I roamed my eyes around just to avoid his gaze.

"Okay, I'll wait for you there, new subscriber." he smiled and gave me a wink.

I catch my breath as soon as I closed the door. Gosh! I feel like I'm having a heart attack earlier! I didn't expect to see him here! I expected to see their sister, Shannon!

I tied my hair into a ponytail and make my way go downstairs. I asked our helpers where are they and they answered that they're in the pool. I thanked them before going to our pool.

Expecting to see Ate Shally, Ate Grace, Klaus, and my Ate's other friends, I'm smiling while walking. But my smile fades when I got there and saw no one but my best friend's brother.

Viscount, wearing only his cycling for swimming was sitting in one of the sun loungers. A white towel with embroidery in its ending length was placed on his right shoulder. He's holding his phone while furrowing his brows.

I stopped walking. Now thorned if I should continue walking and take my seat in one of the chairs in our circular table then ask him where's my sister or just go back inside our house since he's magulo kausap!

"Hi, Jullianna," he said as soon as his gaze rose to where I am standing.

I blinked there and looked away.

"Ang snob mo talaga, e, 'no?" he chuckled.

"Si... Ate?" I asked him.

"Sinundo nila 'yung ibang kaibigan namin. Akala ko nga sumama ka, e." he placed his phone on the table near the sun lounger where he's sit.

"Ikaw sana 'yung sumama kasi marunong kang mag drive diba? Edi, sana nakatulong ka pa." I rolled my eyes on him.

"Wow." he scoffed. "And you're not just snob, huh? You're also ma-a-ttitude!" he shook his head.

"Sa'yo lang naman ako ma-a-ttitude!"

"And should I say thank you for that?" he rose his brows. "Thanks then." he didn't wait for my answer.

"You're really that sarcastic, 'no!?" I glared at him and unintentionally my voice raise.

Damn, I didn't mean that!

"We're here," I heard my sister's voice from my back.

Naglakad na ako at umupo sa pabilog na mesa namin. Doon ko sila hinintay habang nakikinig sa mga usapan nila.

"Diba ikaw 'yung vlogger?" someone asked.

"Nob vlogger," Klaus said emphasizing his first word.

"Pro vlogger," someone started an argument.

'Yun ang naging usap-usapan nila hanggang sa nakarating na sila sa pool. Naunang maglakad si Klaus kasama ang mga babaeng kaibigan ni Ate, nagatatawanan. Nakasunod naman ang mga lalake niyang kaibigan. At huli silang dalawa ni Kuya Maui.

"Hi, Seah," they greeted me. I nodded and gave them a smile.

"Buti naman at hindi kayo nag-away ni Viscount. Kayong dalawa lang naman pala ang naiwan." the boys chuckled.

Sumabay nalang din ako sa tawanan nila at sa hindi sinasadya napabaling ako kay Viscount sa sun lounger niya.

From his eyes narrowed to broadened when I caught him looking at me. He looked away with lips protruded.

"Hi, Seah," Ate Shally greeted me as soon as they got into the table.

"Hi, Ate," I smiled.

Wala na ang girls sa table after nila akong pinansin. Nagpalit agad sila ng damit at nagsimula ng mag swimming. Ang boys naman. Umupo sa katabing sun lounger ng kay Viscount. May pinag-uusapan habang nagtatawanan.

"So... your name is Seah, huh?" Klaus suddenly spoke.

"Oh, right! You two didn't know each other yet." my sister laughed. "This is Kreanaseah Jullianna, Klaus, my sister." she placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Ang haba naman ng name mo." he chuckled. "Shawn Nicklaus Dl'Grialbe," he offered his hand.

I stand up and took it. We shook our hands with our eyes looking at each other.

"Dito muna kayo, ha? Kukunin ko lang 'yung merienda sa loob." pagpapaalam ni Ate.

"I'll go with you. I'll help." Ate Shally said and followed her.

I watched their back until I didn't see it anymore. Kaming dalawa nalang ni Klaus ang naiwan doon. Binalot kami ng katahimikan. At kung wala ang mga barkada ng Ate ko na nagtatawanan sa may sun lounger habang nagtutulakan sa pool, siguradong crickets ang maririnig namin.

"So... uh... what shall I call you?" he suddenly asked.

Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kanya. My face flushed when I remember him calling me 'baby girl' earlier.

"You... look cute when you're blushing."

His compliment makes my cheeks more flushed! Damn it!

"Lahat naman cute pag nag ba-blush!" Viscount suddenly showed up and murmured it.

"Hey, Kuya Vic," Klaus greeted him.

I furrowed while looking at him getting something in his bag. Nakayuko siya kaya tumutulo ang mga tubig galing sa kanyang buhok. May nakasabit pa din na towel sa balikat niya at kinagat niya ang dulo nito. He took out a white towel from his bag. He then removes the tip of the towel from his mouth.

"Hello, Klaus," he smiles.

Aalis na sana siya pero dahil nakita ko si Ate at si Ate Shally na paparating, tumayo ako. Sinadya kong dumaan sa gilid niya.

"Ang epal!" I murmured but surely he can hear it. I just hope Klaus didn't.

"Where are you going?" my sister asked when she notices that I'm making my way opposite to them.

"Seah, hala! Huwag mong iwan si Klaus." Ate Shally suddenly said.

Oh, God!

Don't worry, Ate Shally. I will not leave your brother.

"I-I'll just get something in the kitchen." I reasoned out without turning my head to them because I'm scared they might see my face flushed.

When I got into our kitchen, I clenched my fist while holding on the side of our kitchen island.

"I'll just get something in the kitchen." someone from my back mimicked what I've just told to my sister earlier.

I closed my eyes emphatically.

"Ang epal mo talaga kahit kailan, Viscount, 'no?" I turned my head to him and rolled my eyes.

"May kinuha lang doon. Epal na agad, Jullianna!?" he scoffed and shook his head. "And... you're not calling me Kuya, huh?"

I tilted my head while raising my left brow.

"Why would I?"

"I'm older than you. If that isn't obvious to you!" he crossed his arm over his chest.

Ngayon ko lang napansin na wala na pala siyang towel na nakasabit sa balikat niya. Kaya kitang-kita ang topless niyang katawan. Hindi na din siya naka cycling shorts kaya tingin ko nagbihis na siya.

"Bakit 'yung ibang mga kaibigan ko you're calling them 'Kuya' ako hindi? Lalo na si Maui. You're calling him Kuya."

"I'm calling him Kuya wholeheartedly because she's my sister's boyfriend, Viscount!"

He looks at me with eyes wide. He looked away and bursts out into laughter.

"You're so annoying!" I said losing my patience.

"They..." he laughed. "They aren't in a relationship, baby," he smirks.

I curled my tongue inside my mouth and looked away.

Baby my ass! You are an asshole!

"So what if I'm calling him Kuya? Hindi ba puwedeng tinawag ko siyang Kuya dahil magiging brother-in-law ko siya in the future!?" I rolled my eyes.

"Ay, hala! Crush mo si Shannon?" his eyes widened.

"Si Shannon lang ba 'yung kapatid niya, ha!?" I snorted.

"Crush mo pala 'yung totoy na 'yun?" he looked away and his shoulder fell.

My eyes narrowed in his body language. There's something in him that I couldn't put a finger on.

"Teka nga! Huwag mo nga akong ihulog sa patibong, Viscount." my eyes narrowed. "I saw the post you retweeted. It says 'When a girl calls you Kuya. She has a crush on you.'"

He brings back his gaze on me with an amused smile.

"You're stalking my Twitter account."

It's not a question. Kaya hindi ko masagot na oo o hindi.

"Hindi ba puwedeng we just followed each other that's why I saw the post you retweeted?"

Tinalikuran ko na siya at bumalik na sa pool. I smiled as I draw near to our circular table where Klaus sitted. He smiled back.

"Let's talk," he said once I took my seat.