Persevered Suitor (CHAPTER TWENTY)

Woah. It's been a month since Kyle started courting. October went so fast and I could say na October went well naman. Kumusta panliligaw niya? Ayun, napakamasugid niyang manligaw. How? Ganito, everyday he goes here just to fetch me. Ganoon araw araw, minsan nga, dito na namin siya pinagbrebreakfast eh. Tsaka masyado rin siyang nahuhumaling sa luto ni Tita Jedz. Kapag uwian ko naman sinabi ko sa kanya na ako na bahala and besides, sabay naman kami umuwi ni Ate. Kapag 11-7 naman duty ko, kada umaga niya lang ako nasusundo kasi ayaw ko na siyang abalahin pa kapag gabi na. Tsaka once a week lang naman 11-7 duty ko, every Tuesdays lang. Medyo hindi pa kasi ayos shed ko, pero for sure next month mga December I wish sana okay na. 'Yung tipong 7-3 na ako straight sa isang week tapos next week iba naman, gano'n. Ang gulo kasi ng ganito eh, ewan ko ba sa hospital. Ewan ko rin kay Ate, isa rin kasi siya sa nagssched eh.

"Sana mag gabi na."

"Excited ka na namang makita si Kuya Kyle mo, Jez. Andito lang naman siya kahapon ng umaga ah."

"Diba, Ate tulog ako kahapon kasi wala kaming pasok?"

"Napapadalas 'yung walang pasok sa school niyo, Jeztrienne ah." Puna ko.

"Ewan ko po ba sa school namin. Puro pa echos." Tinawanan namin siya.

"Haynako, Jeztrienne! Sa kakasama mo kay Ate pati pananalita niya nakuha mo na!"

"Nako kang bata ka! Patay ka!"

"Planggana!!" Sigaw ni Jez.

"Huh? Anong planggana? Pinagsasabi ng batang 'to, Ate?"

"Bekimon 'yan, kapatid. Beki word ng 'tama' 'yung.."

"Planggana!!" They shouted in chorus.

"K."

"Yieee. K for Kyle, Ate?"

"Yieeee!!!!" Sabay na naman sila. Masyado talaga silang magkasundo.

"Uy si Ate ngumingiti ngiti!!"

"Oy! Natatawa lang ako sa inyo."

"Deny and deny until you die, Aisha! Ewan ko sa'yo!" And we all laughed.

By the way, every Saturday night kasi pinagluluto kami ng dinner ni Kyle. Diba napakasweet? Ang manliligaw material niya, sana boyfriend material din. Pero I can see that he's gonna be a good dad in the future kasi I can see it by the way he treats my cousin. Ang bait niya sa bata. Patient siya at napaka joker kaya gustung gusto rin siya ni Jez. Humaling na humaling nga rin sa kanya si Ate. Isn't it obvious? Of course, it is. Botong boto rin sa kanya si Tita pati sina mama abroad. Pati rin si Tito gusto rin siya. Ako nalang may hindi gusto sa kanya. Kidding aside.

"Pero I was just wondering, kapatid.."

"Ano 'yon, Ate?"

"What if 2 years ago mo lang siya nameet? Would you still feel the same?"

I thought about it.

"Ano? Sa tingin mo ba magugustuhan mo pa rin siya?"

"Napaisip ako sa sinabi mo, Ate.."

"Kasi feel ko naging factor 'yun eh kung bakit mo siya nagustuhan." Napatitig ako kay Ate. Napapaisip ako sa sinasabi niya.

"Siguro nga, Ate. I agree."

"What if magkaibang tao si Elijah at Ezekiel? Magugustuhan mo pa rin ba si Ezekiel kung hindi siya naging si Elijah?"

"Wait lang, Ate. Nashook ako sa tanong mo. Ang lalim mo naman ata nyayon, Ate ah?" Tumawa siya, pati si Jez na nakikiusyoso lang sa amin nakitawa na rin. "Tingin ko kasi, Ate.. ngayon kasi ano eh.. gus— parang mas gusto ko na 'yung Kyle ngayon kaysa sa Kielle non? Kasi iba siya sa dati, Ate eh. Siguro noon mas sweet siya dahil mas bata pa?"

"O baka naman ibang tao talaga siya?"

"Huh, Ate? Saan naman nanggaling 'yan?"

"Syempre charot lang! Pero napapaisip lang talaga ako, Aish. Kaya ko natanong sa'yo."

Nagsalita uli si Ate. "Siguro tingin ko hindi mo pala siya magugustuhan."

"Ate, galing mo talaga. Tanong mo, sagot mo na rin?" Tumawa kaming tatlo. "Pero.. how'd you say?"

"Kung hindi ka pa nakakaget over sa past mo, baka malabo m. Pero pwede pa rin, pwede rin na mahulog ka sa iba. May tanong ako, anong Kyle version ka ba mas nainlove? Version 1.0 or Kyle version 2.0?"

"Siguro, Ate pakiramdam ko mas gusto ko na kasi 'yung comeback niya eh."

"Ahh so mas mahal mo 'yung Kyle version 2.0?"

"Hindi ko sigurado eh, pero ang alam ko lang mas gusto ko na 'yung kung anuman siya ngayon. Okay na ako sa present niya."

"Pero paano nga kung ibang tao siya? Mahuhulog ka pa rin ba sa kanya?"

"Hindi ko alam, Ate eh.."

KYLE'S POV

[What?! You said that to her!?] Meredith exclaimed. We're video chatting right now. Yes, ganito na uli kami kaclose, we're back as friends again. I actually missed this girl, too.

"Yeah. I didn't intend to though."

[What exactly happened, Kyle? Tell me more details, tell me!] She laughed on the other line. [So what did you say after seeing her reaction? Did u made up an excuse? Or what? Of course, I bet you didn't tell her the truth that you didn't recognize that she is your twin brother's childhood friend, that she is the one you're looking for, that she is the girl you wanna use in order to hurt your twin brother's ego. Right? I'm hundred percent sure I'm right!] She arched her one brow.

"You really are talkative, Merrie. You still haven't changed."

[But you told me that I did changed, that I ain't already that Meredith you used to know.]

"Ah yeah. That's what I wanna say. You're back to your old self. Gosh! Don't you know that I missed you?"

[Of course, I know Kyky! I know in my heart and in mind that you miss me so bad.] She winked.

"Wow! Plus 5 for your confidence level huh."

[Hahaha! But don't shift the topic, Kyller! Tell me now what had happened.]

"Later nalang—"

[Now!!!!!]

"Okay, okay. Fine, fine." Then she smirked.

[So what now?] I can feel the excitement and nervousness in her voice.

I made a sad face. "We broke up already."

[Huh?! What the heck!?]

"Yep." I smiled, but with sad eyes.

[Ha-ha! Don't pull a prank on me, Kyller! I don't believe you. Unless.. omygosh you told her the truth?!]

"Yep, I already confessed everything to her."

[Wait. Hold up, I can't absorb yet what you just said. Wait, give me time.] Yes, please. Kumagat ka wahahahaha! [I know you, Kyle. That you really hate lying so shall I believe you?]

"Okay, I will tell you now what really happened."

[Huh! Argh!!! I hate you! I knew it! You're just pulling a prank! Hate you 5ever!"

"Shh. Listen to me na.." Tumahimik na rin siya sawakas!

*Flashback*

"Hindi kita narecognized nung una."

"Huh?" She asked with confused expression all over her face. "Nakakaalala ka na ba?"

"Huh?" I pretended I know nothing. I don't know. I'm not ready yet. So she already recognized my face? Does she thinks that I am Eunho, her childhood friend?

"Ah wala, wala. Ano ba ibig sabihin mo sa hindi mo ako narecognized nung una?"

"Ahh 'yun? Wala 'yun." I giggled. Mukha namang hindi siya convinced sa sinabi ko.

"Hmm.." I am thinking of a coverup, pero I don't wanna lie to her. "Hindi kasi kita narecognized nung una, na Ikaw na pala ang the one for me!" I winked at her.

"Nonsense! Ayun lang pala. Akala ko kung ano na.." I just smiled at her as a response.

*End of flashback*

"I think, Mer she was expecting something eh."

[Maybe she already recognized you. I mean not you, Eunho. Well.. u two have similar faces so maybe she assumed that you are Eunho?]

"Meredith, this makes me sad. What if you're right and all this time she sees me as her long lost friend. What if she just fell for me because she thinks I am Euno?"

[Then, good luck. I guess it's gonna be a bit complicated, I think?]

I just sighed as a response.

———-

It's already 5PM and I'm driving my way to Aisha's house to cook dinner for them. I do this every Saturday night. And since Saturday night is movie night so my Saturday night is always a fun night.

Suddenly, I remembered my conversation with Meredith earlier. I'm not at ease now. I don't know. What if Aisha fell for me because she really is thinking that I am Eunho? And it's not impossible that she already recognized this face. Shall I ask her directly? What should I do? I don't know what to do! I can't think straight. And also, there's something inside me na natatakot. Kasi what if all this time inaakala niyang ako si Eunho? Parang I can't accept that yet if that's the truth. Maybe I can't face reality yet, seems like hindi pa ako ready. I feel like hindi pa talaga ako ready. And wait, 1 month from now bibisita na rin ng Philippines si Eunho. Paano kapag nagkita sila? I know that Eunho has still feelings for Aisha. Alam kong hindi lang 'yung foster parents niya ang gusto niyang bisitahin dito. Alam kong mahal niya pa rin si Aisha. And si Aisha? Argh! Napapalo nalang ako sa ulo ko. Grabe!! I'm so dumb! Pero iniisip ko rin.. what if nung una pa alam ko nang siya 'yung childhood friend ni Eunho? Will I still fall for her? O lolokohin ko lang siya kasi I'll just gonna do my original plan, my plan with Meredith. It's actually my idea. Oo na. Siguro ang sama ko sa part na 'yun kasi nasaktan ako, niloko ng sarili kong kapatid, pinagpalit.. pero gaya nga ng sinabi ni Aisha before na kapag nasaktan ka, you still don't have the license to hurt others. I feel so guilty. Though when to think of it, si Eunho nga naman talaga ang nauna. Because he stole my girl tapos sasaktan at iiwan niya rin? Ano 'yun aagawin niya sa akin tapos iiwanan niya kasi hindi pa pala siya nakamoveon sa first love niya? But well.. it's all in the past now. Pero up until now, hindi pa rin kami super in good terms ng twin brother ko, but I am praying na sana soon magkaayos din kami. Siguro ready na ako magpatawad pagkauwi niya rito?

AISHA'S POV

"Buti andito ka na." Bungad ko kay Kyle habang bumababa siya sa sasakyan niya na nakapark dito sa garahe.

"Why? You missed me na agad?"

"Nope! Si Jez ang nakamiss sa'yo. Diba hindi ka niya naabutan kahapon?"

"Ay oo, pero siya lang ba talaga?"

"Syempre meron pa.."

"Ayun, umamin ka rin! Deny pa kasi."

"Si Ate!" Then I rolled my eyes.

"Si Jez at Ate mo lang ba talaga?" Andito na kami sa salas.

"Hindi lang sila.."

"Pero oo alam ko na. Si Tita mo?"

"Hindi noh! Hindi ka namiss non!"

"Ahh so Ikaw talaga?"

"Ungas! Sina Phineas and Ferb namiss ka rin daw." Pinanlakihan niya ako ng mata at ngumiti siya na parang bata.

"Kuya!!" Tumakbo si Jez papalapit kay Kyle then she gave her a big hug. Pinat pat naman ni Kyle 'yung ulo niya.

"Namiss mo raw ako?"

"Opo, Kuya. Super!"

"Grabe ka, Jeztrienne. Nung isang araw naman nakita mo 'yang Kuya Kyle mo eh." Singit ni Ate.

"Good afternoon po, Ate Ammy." Kyle greeted.

"Hello, bayaw!" Nakakatawa si Ate. Feel na feel 'yung bayaw!

"Hello po. Musta po?"

"Ay nangangamusta agad? Parang hindi mo kami nakita kahapon ah?" We laughed. "By the way, ready na 'yung kusina. Kanina ka pa inaantay."

Tumingin lang sa akin si Kyle and I nodded at him as a go signal then dumiretso na siya sa kusina.

Bilib ako kay Kyle. Nakikita ko talagang pursigido siya. Biruin mo ba namang andito siya sa bahay araw araw? Nakakatuwa lang. Pero pinag iisipan ko pa rin 'yung napag usapan namin ni Ate kanina. Paano kaya kung ibang tao siya? Kung hindi siya 'yung childhood friend ko, kung hindi ko siya nameet ngayon, magugustuhan ko pa rin ba siya? Hayy ewan ko, I don't wanna stress myself. Siguro in time masasagot ko rin 'yung tanong na 'yan. Baka mabigyang linaw din 'yung mga tanong sa isip ko at mga tanong ng Ate ko HAHAHAHAHA!

"Ate! Ang swerte swerte mo kay Kuya Ezekiel! Kapag paglaki ko po at magboboyfriend ako, gusto ko po 'yung kagaya ni Kuya!" Napangiti ako sa sinabi ni Jez.

——

"Good Morning, Aisha my dearest deer oso!"

"Huh? Anong ginagawa mo rito, Kyle?"

"Sundate natin ngayon diba? Mag ayos ka. We're going to a children's birthday party."

"I mean dito mismo sa kwarto ko. At sino naman 'yung bata?"

"Hmm daughter of a friend."

"Ay may friend ka?"

"What do you think of me? Kagaya mo?" Hinampas ko siya. He just laughed at me.

"Dali na! Doon na rin tayo mag mass dahil may pa mass daw sila @10Am kaya please dalian mo. 6AM na. Dapat by 7 on the way na tayo ron kasi mga 1 hour and 30 minutes ang biyahe from here to the venue."

"Okay, fine. Umalis ka na rito sa kwarto ko, bumaba ka na. Nag breakfast ka na ba?"

"Hindi pa. Bilisan mong maligo!"

"Oo, dali alis!" At pinagsaraduhan ko na siya ng pinto. Nice, Aisha. Napakasweet mo talaga. Note the sarcasm.

"Oh, ingat kayo huh! Enjoy your day! Next Sunday sabay din kayo sa'min magsimba bago maglaba."

"Sure sure po, Ate. Sige po, Tita, Jez, una na po kami ni Aisha."

"Ingat kayo, pamangkin and future pamangkin!"

"Ingat Ate and Kuya Bayaw!" Tinawanan nalang namin sila.

————

"Buti nalang may bukas na toy store dito sa daan. Hindi ko naisip maaga pa pala para sa opening ng malls."

"Buti nalang." I responded.

"Ano gender nung birthday celebrant, Kyle?"

"It's a birthday girl, Aishi!"

"Aishi?" Tinawanan niya lang ako.

After bayaran 'yung mga pinamili, andito na uli kami sa sasakyan on our way to the venue. We bought a doll house and I also bought a book about astrology for kids.

"Sana magustuhan ng celebrant 'tong gift natin." I said

"Magugustuhan niya 'yan, bata 'yun. Hindi ko lang sure sa pinili mo if hobby ba ng bata magbasa, pero magandang present 'yan. How thoughtful of you. Ohh, we're here already!"

Bumaba na kami. No need niya naman na akong pagbuksan pa ng pinto dahil alam ko naman gawin 'yon sa sarili ko. Ito ang gusto ko kay Kyle eh. Hindi siya nasobrahan sa pagkasweet dahil ayaw ko rin ng gano'n. Siguro nga para sa iba napakagentleman ng lalaki kapag pinagbubuksan sila sa kotse. Pero Kyle has his own ways and I like it this way. 'Yung hahayaan ka niyang maging independent, pero he will make you feel na he is always there by your side. That's my ideal guy, that's Elijah Kielle Banner.

"May the peace of the Lord be with you."

"And with your spirit."

"On this day Lord, please bless Jessica and her family and the visitors here as we celebrate her 8th birthday. Also, please bless the food. Please grant her more blessings and please guide her as she grows older. In Jesus' name we pray.."

"Amen."

"Oh bago tayo kumain, kantahan na muna natin ang celebrant!" Singit naman ng MC for today's event habang nagliligpit si Father ng gamit niya.

After kantahan 'yung celebrant and after kainan, games na rin.

"Tara sali tayo newspaper dance, Aish!"

"Eh ayaw ko, Kyle. Mabigat ako."

"Diba sabi ng MC kanina 'yung mismong birthday celebrant daw magbibigay ng prize eh sinabi ng friend ko na baby Siberian Huskies daw ibibigay eh diba gusto non ni Jez?" I stared at him.

"Sige na, Aish!"

"O sige na, sige na. For Jez and for the huskies." At hinila hila na niya ako.

———-

"Oh bakit tulala ka diyan? Siguro inaalala mo 'yung scene natin kanina sa newspaper dance noh? Kinikilig ka kasi we were so close to each other! Our faces were like just an inch away. Aminin, Aisha!"

"Ewan ko sa'yo, Kyle!" Kanina kasi sobrang pursigido talagang manalo netong isang 'to kaya nung matutumba na sana ako, nasalo niya ako. Position namin kanina.. his arms were wrapped around my waist while my arms were wrapped around his neck tapos almost an inch away lang pagmumukha naming dalawa.

"Arf! Arf!"

"Oh ano palang ipapangalan mo riyan sa aso mo, Kyle?"

"Ashi para malapit sa Aisha." He's smiling like a kid right now. "Eh sa lalaking pup ano ipapangalan mo?"

"I will let Jeztrienne decide since siya naman reason bakit ako sumali sa game. By the way, thanks a lot, Kyle huh?"

"Welcome!" Ngiting ngiti pa rin siya. Ewan ko rito parang ewan.

"Saan tayo next pupunta?" Iuwi muna natin 'yung isang puppy sa bahay niyo then diretso tayo sa hotel."

"And what are we going to do there?"

"Laro lang, hindi pa tayo nakakatambay sa pad ko eh. Laro lang tayo ng X box, PS4 or any game you want."

"But I don't play any game."

"Edi nanay tatay nalang tayo!" I rolled my eyes. "Sus! Eto naman si Aish parang hindi naman tayo naglaro sa Timezone non."

"Eh iba naman 'yon. I dont know how to play any video game."

"Edi I'll teach you. Visit my place din please?" Nag puppy eyes ang lokaret.

"Okay, fine. Sige na, tara na ron after sa bahay."

————

"Waaah thank you po, Ate, Kuya!"

"Welcome, hipag! What will you name him?"

"Hmm siguro po.. aah!" She raised her index finger. "Alam ko na!"

"Oh ano na?" Kyle asked.

"Kiesha!"

"Kiesha? Bakit parang ang lapit yata sa pangalan ko huh?" She just giggled. "Yang si Kuya Kyle mo pinangalanan 'yung aso niya ng Aishi. Tapos ngayon naman ikaw! Kiesha? San naman nanggaling 'yon?"

"Ate Aish,hello? Ezekiel plus Aisha po equals Kiesha! Yey! Hello, Kiesha! Welcome home!" At pinat pat niya 'yung ulo ng tuta. Kami ni Kyle nagtinginan lang. Okay, bakit ako naawkwardan bigla? Tapos siya ayun he did his signature wink. At ako? I did my signature eye rolling. HAHAHAHAHA!

Swerte ko kay Kyle. I can see that he is willing to do everything for me. Sana hindi na 'to magtapos. Sana hindi na siya mawala pa. Sana makaalala na rin siya.