"Are you sure about that, Apollo?"
I overheard mom and Kuya Pol talking one day. I have no idea what they were talking about but when I heard CLPH, I realized that they have another business thing going. Nagtuloy ako sa silid ni Mama at Papa. I saw Kuya Apollo in their sitting on the side of our parent's bed. He was wearing a tailored suit and tie. Mukha din siyang bagong paligo. I smirked.
"To what do I owe the miracle of you taking a bath, dear Kuya Pol?" I mocked him. Sumampa agad ako sa kama ni Mama. Napansin kong hawak na naman niya ang notebook niya.
"Oh, Tia, tigilan mo ako, baka samain ka sa akin." Sumimangot ako. Mama just shook her head and stopped us.
"Apollo, are you sure about this?"
"Yes, Ma. I asked Uncle about it, he said it's okay and he's putting his bet on this. Maayos namang kausap si Eos Demitri. Besides the fact that he's a real jerk to the Demitri clan, he is a good business man."
My mouth literally parted hearing that from my brother. Nakayakap ako kay Mama. I also felt Mama stiffened. Napatitig tuloy ako sa kanya. There was tension in her eyes. Napatayo naman si Kuya Pol at hinawakan siya sa braso.
"Ma, okay ka lang ba? May nasabi ba akong masama?"
"Wala, anak." Ngumiti siya kay Kuya Pol. "Kamusta na nga pala kayo ni Rere?"
"Ma, Sabrina at Wewe po ang nickname niya. She's still in Texas. She'll be back the day after tomorrow." He calmly told our mother. Maya-maya ay nagpaalam naman na si Kuya.
"Ma, okay ka lang?"I asked her. Tinapik niya ang braso ko.
"I'm just really tired. Kaya gusto ko rin munang magpahinga para pag-uwi ng Papa mo, maasikaso ko siya."
"Okay. You rest. Ikukuha kita ng tea para ma-relax ka." Agad akong bumaba ng kama. Sinundan ko rin muna si Kuya Pol. I have this feeling na dahil sa sinabi niya kaya nag-iisip si Mama. I know for a fact that Mom hates Eos Demitri - tulad ng pagkamuhi niya kay Uncle Helios. Iyon din ang dahilan noon kung bakit hindi ko nasabi sa kanya kahit kalian, kahit na noong tapos na ang nangyari sa amin – ang tungkol kay Eos. I don't want to disappoint her.
"Kuya Pol!" Tawag ko sa kanya. Nasa gitna na siya nang hagdan nang abutan ko siya.
"Yes, Tia?"
"Kuya, Mama's upset because of what you said to her." Wika ko. Kumunot naman ang noo niya.
"What? How can you say that?"
"Really? Doing business with Eos Demitri? Mama hates the Demitris! You should know that!"
"Why are you acting like that? Hindi mo ba alam na okay si Mama at Uncle Helios? She even asked for his help two years ago Tia, right after Achill sued me." Malamlam ang mga mata niya sa pagkakataong iyon. I shook my head.
"He hates Eos." I coldly told him. Kuya Apollo shook his head.
"She was worried, yes, but it doesn't mean that she hates him. She's just very careful when it comes to business decisions, Tia. She's guiding me. Why are you acting like that?" He spat to me.
"Nag-aalala lang ako."
"Kay mama o para sa sarili mo?"
Natigilan ako. Kuya Apollo stared at me with his amber eyes.
"Eleithiya, hindi ako tanga. Alam ko kung bakit."
Nahigit ko ang hininga ko. Nilagpasan niya ako. Hindi naman ako makagalaw. Siguro ay minuto na ang lumipas nang magawa kong lingunin ang daan tinahak ni Kuya.
