Guarded Soul (The Brats #2)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Guilt

Nakita lang kami ni kuya noong araw na 'yon, grabe na naman siya mag-overthink. But this time, his temper is more regulated.

Nasa kwarto ko siya dala ang kaniyang laptop. He's busy with work while studying. Simula nung umalis si ate Win, naging seryoso siya sa business. Basketball and night out are one of his distractions. He's very private about his vision— na alam kong may kinalaman kay ate Norwyn. But he mentioned something before. Ayaw n'ya raw kaming madamay dahil malaking tao ang kinakalaban nila.

"What? You're friends with my best friend now? Akala ko ba iiwasan mo na, Ra?"

His expression was irritated. Alam kong nagpipigil siyang magalit sa 'kin dahil ayaw n'yang magkatampuhan na naman kami.

"Iiwasan ko pa rin, kuya! What you saw was just a short interaction. Walang malisya. Sa tagal mo, nainip siya kaya nagpa-caligraphy sa akin..."

I am reading a book. Malapit nang matapos ang semestral break namin kaya sinusulit ko na. Marami na akong natapos na k-drama, at lagi kong kasama si Cheonsa tuwing nanonood. Kapag Hollywood naman, sina Ashanti.

"Hindi ako matagal! Talagang maaga lang siya masyado. Alam mo naman ang usual time namin. Nagpapapansin lang 'yon. Baka nakaramdam nang may gusto ka sa kan'ya kaya naging papansin."

Natawa ako nang kaonti. Mas gusto ko na lang din na maraming sinasabi si kuya, kaysa naman tahimik at umiiyak sa kwarto n'ya. He just really loves ate Norwyn.

"Hindi ako umamin. Baka naman may nasabi ka sa kan'ya?" I asked calmly.

Hindi na ako gaanong kinakabahan kung malaman n'ya mang may gusto ako sa kan'ya o wala. Our friendly interaction made me a little comfortable.

"I will never tell him you have feelings for him. It will just make his head blow. Plus it's awkward. Kaibigan ko siya," he said seriously. "Sa dami kasi ng kaibigan ko, yung pinaka-close ko pa..."

I just shrugged and didn't respond anymore. Ayaw ko nang palakihin ang usapan tungkol sa kan'ya.

Kasalanan din naman ni Kuya na si Rejo ang nagustuhan ko. He always brings Rejo with him. Close na close sila lalo na nung elementary to junior high school. Actually hanggang ngayon naman. I always see him before, which made me attracted to him. Ayon, hindi na ako maka-alis sa attraction na nararamdaman.

One time, Rejo went to our house so early for his workout routine with kuya Mooze. I know it's a great opportunity, but I fought my need to see him that day. Hindi ako bumaba.

Iniiwasan ko pa rin siya. Tama lang talaga na kontrolin ko muna ang sitwasyon. I don't want a complicated relationship, so as long as there are lots of barriers and future risky consequences, I won't resort to what I wanted to happen. To be with him.

I want the lane clear first. No humps, no bumps.

"Damn, one week na lang pasukan na naman. And second sem na. Iba ang struggle tuwing second sem. Hell na hell and week palagi!" si Ashanti. She swung her golf club.

We're at the E.Golf and Country Club of the Escovars. Ka partner nila lolo Zario kaya free kaming pumasok anytime. Our family have shares here. Greedy ang pamilya ko sa business, kaya halos lahat yata ng lugar, buildings, and businesses, involved ang pamilya namin. Hindi sa mga illegal, tho. At lalo nang hindi sa mga kaaway ng family namin.

Kasama namin si Maddizon ngayon. Meron din si Cheonsa at Zoey. We also brought some friends with us.

"You'll surely ace that sem, Ash. Come on, huwag pa-humble," tawa ni Damien at tinamaan ang bola. I watch it fly so high, paliit nang paliit hanggang sa hindi ko na nakita.