4

"Good morning Kuya!" bati sa'kin ni Chloe nang magising niya ako.

"Chloe? What are you doing here?" I replied with a sleepy tone.

"Kuya, mom asked me if puwede ka raw sumama sa Christmas party namin." she smiled sweetly at me.

"Yeah sure." I answered and sat on my bed.

"Okay kuya, you're the best! Mamaya pa naman 1:30 pm then mag paparty raw sa BGC. Be sure na sasama ka okay?" ani Chloe.

"Promise, sasama ako." I just smiled.

"Okay! Let's eat breakfast na!" aniya at lumabas na ng kwarto ko.

Tumango nalang ako at dumeretsyo sa banyo. I washed my face and gargled. Afterwards, dumeretsyo na ako ng dining room.

"Good morning anak," nakangiting bati sa'akin ni tita.

"Good morning tita," I smiled at her.

"Let's eat." Dad said and smiled.

"By the way, mom. Sasama raw si kuya later!" Chloe was so happy.

"That's good then! All of us will come complete!" tita Marian smiled.

"By the way kuya, 'di ka talaga sasama sa Japan?" Justin asked.

Umiling nalang ako at ngumiti. Nakita ko naman na sumimangot silang pareho.

"I have classes pa kasi. But sabi nyo hanggang New Year kayo dun, right? December 17 pa naman ngayon. December 22 class break namin. I can follow you guys there." I smiled.

They clapped as I said that. Well... this time I wanna spend time with them, not with my step dad. Kumain na rin kami ng breakfast and nagprepare para sa Christmas party nila Justin at Chloe. Chloe had Christmas gifts for all while Justin bought a gift for his friends and the one he chose for their exchange gift.

Tumulong na rin ako mag-wrap ng gifts since natapos ko na rin lahat ng works. For Chloe's gifts for all, she bought lip tints, eyeshadow palettes and blushes as a gift for her female classmates, while Nike caps and t-shirt naman sa boys. Si Justin naman, rubber shoes at phone cases lang.

After helping them wrap the gifts, pumunta muna ako sa room para makapag prepare at para makapag-ligo na. I prepared some clothes since I'll go somewhere muna before I go to Ateneo. I just prepared ripped jeans and a comfortable polo shirt.

After I took a bath, I brushed my teeth and dressed up. Bumaba naman ako agad at sumabay pababa si Dad.

"May lakad ka?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'll go meet up with my friends." I just smiled.

"Enjoy, but," he looked at me.

"But?"

"Don't forget your siblings' Christmas party." he smiled.

"Of course I won't dad." I chuckled. "I gotta go. Bye!" I continued.

Lumabas na ako ng bahay and rode inside my car. I started driving to UST since I had to meet up with my team members for the dance. I wanna ask them kung tapos na ba yung pag practice nila habang wala ako. Buti nalang hindi traffic, kung hindi, matatagalan akong pumunta dun. 

Pagdating ko, pawis na pawis silang lahat. Mukhang katatapos lang mag-practice. I entered the court and smiled at them. I'm like a proud father looking at my children practicing the hobby I like. Lumapit na ako sakanila and clapped.

"Looks like you're putting too much effort sa practice. Wag muna. Y'all should be energetic but not too much. Baka wala na yung energy nyo pag dating ng dance showcase." I laughed.

"Hindi naman, kaya pa." Tristan patted my shoulder and winked.

"Ako... H-hindi na.." Hingal na hingal si Jace.

"Hindi na?" I looked at him.

"J-joke lang hehe-" aniya at umupo habang umiinom ng tubig.

"Alam mo Lux, si Jace 'yong nagpapractice dito ng sobra." sabi naman ni Adrian.

"Really?" I glanced at him.

He's really the type na 'di sumusuko. Kahit na I got strict at our first practice. Even though I pressured him. Okay lang sakaniya. He's really one of a kind.

"Hoy! Kanina ka pa nakangiti ah? Ikaw ha! Baka may iniibig ka na! 'Di mo lang sinasabi!" Ani Eli kaya nag-init 'yong pisngi ko. 

"No, I'm just happy kasi nakakapag-practice kayo ng maayos." I replied.

"Asus, palusot pa eh. Sino ba yan ha? Kilala ba namin?" Tanong naman ni Isaac.

"Shut up," I just ignored them.

Tinawanan naman nila ako. Napansin kong tahimik lang si Jace dun sa likod kaya naisip kong ilibre sila kahit na street food lang.

"Let's eat. Yung tusok-tusok lang dyan sa kanto. I don't wanna waste my money for all of you." sabi ko at lumabas na ng court.

"Sanaol mayaman!" Sigaw ni Flurry.

"Whatever," Tuloy-tuloy na akong lumabas ng campus at pumunta sa side kung saan nagbebenta ng street foods.

I gave the vendor 300 pesos. I'm sure na marami silang kakainin kaya 300 na yung binayad ko. I also told the vendor to keep the change. I smiled as I looked at them enjoying their food, but someone caught my attention. It was Jace. He wasn't eating but spacing out. 

"Jace? Okay ka lang?" I asked as I went to him.

"A-ahh.. oo, okay lang ako." he smiled but it wasn't convincing.

"I'm sure na napagod ka sa practice, why don't you eat muna?" I told him.

"Okay lang ako." he just looked at me.

"Hmm.. how about you come with me? May pupuntahan ako and I'll be bored kung wala akong makakausap." I smiled.

He looked hesitant for a moment pero pumayag rin naman sya. I told the boys na may pupuntahan kami ni Jace. Dumaan muna kami sa dorm niya para makapagpalit siya. As I entered their dorm, I smiled a bit. It was small but big enough for him and Adrian.

"Hintayin mo'ko ha? Shower lang ako." ngumiti sya at dumeretsyo sa cr.

Tumango lang ako at tumingin sa paligid. I wanna hang out with him this time since hindi kami gaano ka-close. Yep, we've been friends for a year already. While I looked around, nakita ko 'yong photo album sa side table nila. I picked it up and looked over it.

He had baby pictures there. Jace is cute. May napansin rin akong litrato na may kasama siyang babae. Isn't this girl from last time? Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal tumingin sa photo album pero narinig ko si Jace na tinawag ako.

"Hoy Lux! Kanina pa kita tinatawag. Hobby mo bang 'di ako pansinin?" Reklamo niya.

Nilapag ko na 'yong photo album sa desk niya at tumingin sa kaniya. Nag- init ang pisngi ko nang makita siyang naka towel lang. Umiwas ako agad ng tingin at tumingin sa cellphone ko.

"Hindi ka pa ba tapos? Bilisan mo na, I'll be late." Sabi ko na para bang walang nangyari.

"Ay sorry hehehe." aniya at nagbihis na.

"I'll wait for you outside." sabi ko at lumabas na.

Lalo akong namula pag-labas ko. Why did he even acted as if it's normal to be half naked while he's with someone?

"Okay na! Tara na?" aniya pag-labas ng dorm niya.

Tumango ako at lumakad papuntang parking lot. Nakasunod lang rin naman sakin si Jace. I opened the door for him. He just smiled and went inside the car. Gosh, why does his smile makes my cheeks burn?

"Saan ba tayo pupunta?" He asked.

"Seatbelt first, please?" I started driving as I glanced at him.

"Wow may pakondisyon pa ahh!" he replied while wearing his seatbelt.

I just chuckled and continued to drive. It wasn't traffic so I know mabilis lang kaming makarating.

"So asan nga?" he asked again.

"Sa bahay," I simply answered.

"Hoy! Ikaw ha! Ipapakilala mo na ba ako kila tita?" He said jokingly.

"No. May kukunin lang ako sa bahay. Dederetsyo tayo sa Ateneo. My dad already texted me." I said.

"Ahh... Anong gagawin mo sa Ateneo?" he looked at me.

"Christmas party ng mga kapatid ko." I answered.

"Mga? Eh diba si Patricia lang yung kapatid mo?" He was still looking at me, I can sense it.

"Hmm.. we're here." I avoided the question and went out of the car after I parked it.

He just followed me as I went inside the campus. I went to the guard and ask him where the grade 12 students are. He just pointed the room and I went there. Habang naglalakad, Patricia popped out of nowhere.

"P-pat?" I was surprised to see her.. I thought bukas pa 'yong kaniya?

"Hello kuya! Anong ginagawa mo dito? Did Dad invite you?" She smiled widely.

"Nope he didn't, I'm actually here to-"

"Kuya! Kanina pa kita hinahanap! Let's go na?" Chloe saw me and pulled my arm.

"Wait, I'll go there. I'll just talk to her hmm?" I smiled and she nodded.

"Kuya?" Pat asked.

"Yeah... She's my sister," Sabi ko.

"Since when? Bakit 'di mo sinabi sa'kin?" Aniya na para bang galit.

"Uhm.. Hi? Ako si Jace, kaibigan ni Lux. Wag ka munang magalit sa kuya mo ha? Baka may rason sya kung bakit nya tinago sayo." Pag-singit ni Jace.

"Sino ka ba para sumingit sa usapan namin ng Kuya ko?" inis na saad ni Pat.

"Patricia, that's rude. You shouldn't talk like that to my friend." sabi ko.

"So what do you want me to do after niyang sumingit sa usapan na 'di naman siya involve? Talk to him as if I know him?" She scoffed.

"That's it. No more talking. Jace let's go." Hinila ko si Jace papunta sa classroom ni Chloe.

"Dad, asan si mom?" I asked dad as I saw him.

"She's with Justin. I heard you bought a friend with you." he smiled and looked at Jace.

"Uh yeah.. Dad this is Jace, my friend." I smiled and introduced Jace to him.

Jace smiled and complimented dad. Kung ano-anong sinasabi. Kaya lumabas na muna ako saglit before dad asks me a lot of things.

"Hoy! Ba't mo'ko iniwan dun?!" reklamo ni Jace.

"I have a name," I said.

"Alam ko, pero bakit mo nga ako iniwan dun?" tanong niya ulit.

"Baka kasi tatanong ng tatanong si dad mamaya." tumingin lang ako sakaniya.

Tumango nalang siya at tumingin sa paligid. While he was busy spacing out, I looked at him and admired how cute he was. I smiled when I realized that when he blows on his cheeks, he'll look like a squirrel. He's so cute.

I was about to say something but someone called my name. I looked who it was. It was my step-dad. Kasama si Mom at Pat. I stood up and so did Jace. Mukhang nagulat rin siya.

"Anong ginagawa niyo dito?" Tito asked.

"We attended a Christmas party. May mali ba dun?" I coldly replied.

"Hindi naman dito ang classroom ng students of Major in Theater Arts? So why are you here?" he asked once again.

Kumapit sa kamay ko si Jace. Mukhang kinakabahan. Maybe he's scared that Pat told tito how he confronted her kanina.

"I'm here for my sister." I said.

"Si Pat?" Mom asked.

"Si Chloe. I'm also here for Justin. Not for you." I said.

I saw how disappointed Pat was. I knew she's gonna be disappointed to the fact I'll choose my dad's family and not mom's. She avoided eye contact with me.

"Kuya! Look, I got the video game I wanted!" Justin ran to me happily showing the gift he got.

I smiled and ruffled his hair. I also pulled Tita Marian close to me, just in case. I also heard Dad and Chloe coming towards us. Chloe's happy.. so is Justin. I don't wanna ruin their mood just because of my step dad.

"Oh, my wife's ex husband is here." Tito said which made me clench my hand.

"Don't... Even try to bring that f*cking topic." Inis na sabi ko sakaniya.

"And why not? Do you hate hearing the fact na ako yung pinili ng Mama mo at hindi ang tatay mo?" ngumiti siya na para bang may sinabi siyang nakakatuwa.

"F*ck you." I was about to punch him but tita Marian stopped me.

I looked at them. Tita, Chloe Justin, Dad, and Jace. I just inhaled deeply as I clenched my jaw. I looked at him and went to him.

"You're the f*cking reason why my family broke. I won't make you pay. But I won't respect you. Don't even expect me to talk to you ever again. Balewala ka lang sa'kin. Si Pat at si Mom ang priority ko. Hindi. Ikaw." sabi ko at binangga lang ang balikat niya.

They just followed me until I went out of the campus. I kicked my car's tire because of anger and annoyance. Gusto kong umiyak sa galit. I felt two people hugging me. It was Tita and Chloe. I hugged them back and smiled.

"Don't worry.. I'm fine. Let's all go home. Mauna na nga lang kayo. May pupuntahan pa kami ni Jace." I said.

They nodded and rode the car. I just sighed heavily and looked at Jace. His expression made me soft so I became calm. I opened the door for him and he headed inside the car. Pumasok na rin ako at nagsimulang magdrive. I headed to the bar at Katipunan. I know Jace doesn't drink but I am too stressed to care about that right now.

Dumeretsyo ako sa bakanteng table. Sumunod naman sa'kin si Jace at umupo na sa upuan. I didn't sit yet 'cause mag-oorder pa ako. I went to the bartender and told him my order. Nag-order ako ng Black Label at non-alcoholic wine para kay Jace.

"Lux, bakit tayo nandito? Pupunta ba mga kaibigan mo? Alam mo naman na 'di ako umiinom diba?" Aniya.

"I know. But does it look like I care?" sabi ko naman. I mean... I do care.

Napatahimik nalang siya at umiwas ng tingin sa'kin. I looked at him and sighed, feeling guilty of what I said.

"I mean... I care. I'm sorry I'm just stressed. Don't worry, I ordered a non-alcoholic wine for you." I said trying to ease the tension.

"Ayos lang." he said which made me more guilty.

I did not say a word afterwards. After we waited for a while, dumating na ang order ko. I just smiled at the bartender and then he left. Nagsaling ako ng wine para kay Jace at Black Label para sa'kin.

"Here," I offered him the wine.

Tinanggap niya naman iyon at ininom. Ngumiti lang siya at pinagpatuloy ang pag-inom. Ngumiti ako pabalik pero ng matipid. I chugged the drink in my glass since konti palang ang sinalang ko roon. I poured some black label once again and drank it. Hindi ko napansin kung nakailang baso ako but after I drank, everything went to black.

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Sorry for the late update! A lot of things has been going on. Also tinatamad ako magud. hshshs I hope you like this one!