Head in the Sand (Erudite Series #3)

Kapitulo 27

"Bakit hindi mo na lang inamin sa Kuya mo kung gay-on?"

I just finished explaining the... love story... of Graham and me to Daddy. As I expected, he was chill about the whole thing. Well, akala ko ay magrereklamo pa siya sa hindi panliligaw ni Graham. But he just nodded and absorbed my words.

"Because you know how kuya Eli can be, as well as kuya Ed. Hindi nila ako titigilan kapag inamin ko." I reasoned out.

"Hindi naman siguro, para namang akala mo'y magwawala sila," I stared at the window. 

"So, pinsan ka ni Lara, Graham," I looked at the rearview mirror and saw Graham looking at me as well. "Opo, pasensiya na po at ngayon lang ako nakapagpakilala. Kanina po kasi, hindi ko po sigurado kung kayo 'yong magulang ni Eloise, kaya po hindi nakabati kanina sa lobby."

"It's alright," Daddy assures.

Eve talked to Graham, rinig na rinig ko ang usapan nilang dalawa.

"So, you're Ate's boyfriend," Eve asks. "Yeah, I'm Graham. What's your name?"

"Everett, but everyone calls me Eve. How about you? Mayro'n ka ga na nickname?" I felt Graham poking me from behind. "Yeah, you can call me Gray. It's what everyone calls me."

I take Graham's hand and squeeze it until he pulls away. "Including Ate?"

"Yeah, including your Ate. Ilang taon ka na, Eve?" nilingon ko sila at pinakinggan ang usapan.

"Seven, how about you, kuya Gray? It feels like I have three brothers now because I call you Kuya." I smiled. Graham glanced at me before speaking again.

"I'm 20, I'll turn 21 soon."

"Hmm. Ate's older."

Graham engaged in a conversation with my brother continuously until we arrived at the zoo. Eve held my hand while going inside. Graham was beside me, a bit behind, and quietly following my family and me. Sometimes, Dad would talk to him about random things or the animals we saw. I think Dad likes him. I hope my Kuyas will too.

"Dad, can we buy ice cream?" tumango si Daddy sa sinabi ni Eve at iniwan muna kami ni Graham para pumunta sa sorbetero na malapit.

"We can go someplace after this, you know, to eat lunch. Tayo lang." I took Graham's hand while he stared at the peacock.

"Okay lang kaya sa Daddy mo? Baka gusto niyang kayo muna ng kapatid mo ang makasama niya ngayon." He pulled me closer. "It'll be fine."

Sinalubong namin si Daddy na may hawak na dalawang ice cream.

"Saan ang ganire mo, Daddy?" umiling si Daddy. "Ayaw ko ng matamis ngayon."

I smiled and rolled my eyes. Such a health-conscious. Well, he is a doctor.

"Where do you want to eat?" I whispered to Graham as we began to walk again. "Kahit saan, ikaw, sa'n mo gusto?"

"Gusto ko ng Mexican food, kaso malayo 'yong kinainan namin dati ni kuya Ed, e. Hanap na lang tayo sa RobMan." Tumango siya.

"Search ka sa phone ko, may data ako," nilabas niya mula sa bulsa ang telepono at inabot sa akin.

Pagpindot ko ng power button, picture ko ang bumungad. It was during one of our videocalls. Hindi ako nakatingin sa camera, may binabasa sa laptop. My hair was tied but it was a mess. Graham was staring at me in his screen.

"Cute naman ng lockscreen mo," anas ko. "Siyempre," mayabang niyang wika.

"What's the password, bub?" he whispered to me the password and I smirked.