But, a white lie wouldn't hurt, would it? Besides, Sienna's could just be a passing fancy and nothing that I should be worried about. Kaysa painitin ko pa ang ulo ng asawa ko.
"Lalabs, wala lang 'yun, I promise. It is not something na kailangan mong ipag-alala," I said.
But on Thursday, Sienna visited the tambayan again and even volunteered to help in our activities.
"LC, I can help sa outreach program ninyo. Pwede ba akong sumama para makatulong naman ako sa inyo? Alam ko allowed tumulong ang girls sa events ninyo. 'Tsaka may tinatawag kayong Fraternity Sweetheart, 'di ba? I can be this school year's Fraternity Sweetheart, if you like."
"No, I don't," I candidly replied.
"Gan'un?" She pouted.
"Um...traditionally, the Fraternity Sweetheart is the current LC's girlfriend or, in LC Redley's case, his wife. Kaya si Ate Green ang Fraternity Sweetheart ngayong ball," Gary explained.
"Bakit, is she active in the frat ba?" Sienna asked.
"She is," Gary answered. "Naturally, she is LC Red's wife so she's more involved."
"I don't like you. You're so epal," Sienna told Gary whose face turned crimson at the rebuke.
"Don't worry, he doesn't like you, too, and if being factual is your definition of epal, then we're all epals," I said. "You need to leave kasi may pag-uusapan kami ng mga brods ko."
"Okay lang, LC, kahit na marinig ko ang mga usapan n'yo, I don't mind."
"We do, we mind."
"Bakit? Si Kuya nga nagkukuwento sa akin tungkol sa activities n'yo noon, eh, kaya alam ko na 'yung mga outreach events n'yo na gan'yan."
"Don't make me ask you twice," I said.
She hesitated before she rose to her feet.
"Who invites her to visit the tambayan?" I asked the resident brods who looked at each other in confusion.
"Akala po namin pwede po s'ya rito kasi 'di po ba n'ung at homes, nagpaalam po si Brod Tolits na kung pwede pong tumambay si Sienna?"
"Exclusive ang tambayang ito para sa mga members ng frat. Oo naman, pwedeng dumaan 'yung girlfriends ninyo o kahit sinong miyembro ng pamilya n'yo. Daan lang. Bisita. At hindi maglalagi rito nang ilang oras halos araw-araw. Klaro naman 'yan sa inyo, 'di ba? Kailangan ko bang ulit-ulitin?"
"LC, kakausapin ko na lang po s'ya," Ric volunteered.
"Nililigawan mo ba 'yun, Ric?" I asked.
"Hindi pa po. Pero, balak ko po sana."
"Well, I hope you still know about fraternity rules and protocols kahit gusto mo s'ya. Sinusubukan kong h'wag s'yang ipahiya but she makes it difficult. Pwede bang ligawan mo s'ya somewhere else, hindi 'yung dito mo dinadala? That applies to all of you, hindi Luneta itong tambayan natin, h'wag n'yong gawing dating hub."
"Opo, LC," my brods replied.
"Sabi n'yo po kasi n'ung nagtanong si Brod Tolits ay pwede po, LC."
"Kailan? Hindi ba ikaw ang sumagot n'un at hindi ako? Which brings me to my next point, sa susunod h'wag mo akong pangunahan, Ric. Are you challenging my position?"
"No po, LC. Sorry po talaga, LC. Hindi na po mauulit. Pasensya na po."
"Aalis ako ngayon kasi may kailangan akong puntahan. Bukas, may meeting tayo ng 5:30 PM para sa gagawing outreach program ngayong Lunes. I require everyone's presence."
Chapter 20
Depuis le début
