The Pristine

Ang Pang-Apatnapu't Lima

Si Ramona at Beth lamang ang kasama kong nakikipaglaro kina Agot at Yuna dahil si Arjuna ay may inaasikaso. 

"He's with Melody again, girlfriend and soon to be dumped ex." Ramona shot her head up while helping me fix this giant doll house in the middle of the living room.

"Baka seryoso na siya, Ramona," halakhak ni Justice. She caught my line of vision and I just shrugged.

"He can't be with that type of girl. Arjuna likes his girls sophisticated, like those alpha female type."

"Ahh, challenge?" Justice's eyes was full of amusement.

I looked at her and wondered what did my Kuya Ish saw to make her the love of his life. She's certainly not an aggressive alpha female type like what Ramona just said. Justice is a simple woman, the one you can easily read.

So, what is it exactly?

Isang tawag ang nakapagpatigil sa aming lahat. Mabilis na kinuha ni Justice ang tablet at sumulpot kaagad ang mukha ng aking kapatid. Nakita ko ang mga French na salita sa isang resto sa background.

"Daddy's here, Yuna!" Tumungo kaagad si Agot doon sabay hila sa kapatid. 

We three waved at the camera and Kuya Ish chuckled from the chaotic view. Hindi na ako nakisingit pa sa pag-uusap nila. Out of country pa rin kasi ang aking kapatid kaya wala rito. Naka pokus lamang ako sa blueprint ng doll house nang marinig ang aking pangalan.

"What is it?" I faced Beth who called me. Nginuso nito ang tablet.

Kuya Ishmael carefully explained why Arjuna wasn't here with us, and its not because he's with Melody. Naatasan nga raw itong mag asikaso ng business dahil halos busy silang lahat. He's out of the country, and Papa too.

Then, I remembered what happened on Manila when Arjuna took over.

"We're not studying law," Ramona flatly pointed out after the request.

"That's what Arjuna is for, and that's why you study business, Ramona." 

"Sa bahay na lang ako dahil wala namang akong connect sa inyo," kibit-balikat ni Beth. I nodded at her. "So was I."

Sa screen ay hinilot ni Kuya ang sentido. Tumagilid ang aking ulo at tumaas ang kilay.

Sa huli ay ebidente ang naging pagpayag sa kagustuhan ng aking kapatid na tumulong kay Arjuna. Mas mariin itong tumingin sa akin na tila ba ako ang sasalo kung sakaling hindi maganda ang kinalabasan. 

Habang nagmamaneho ay puno na ng kunot ang aking noo. Sinusunog ng aking kalmadong mga mata ang daanan at mahigpit ang hawak sa steering wheel.

I was still not sure if Ram accepted my cousin's proposal, or if he was just the only business partner we're meant to handle. I was admitting to myself that I wouldn't like it even if he chose both. I want him out. 

Inaamin ko dahil sa totoo lang ay ayaw ko na ng drama sa buhay. Gusto ko ay umiwas na lang dahil ang katahimikan ko lang ang importante sa akin.

And there's perfectly nothing wrong with wanting peace in one's self than rather charge towards the enemy.

Tapos na nga ang lahat, papalakihin ko pa kung ipapamukha ko sa kaniyang ito na ang naabot ko?

I enjoy my successes in silence. 

Halos dalawang oras din nang magkita-kita kami sa lokasyong ibinigay ni Kuya Ish. Inipikit ko sa isang tenga ang mga kumakalawang buhok dahil sa hangin. Isang mamahaling restaurant ang bumungad sa aming tatlo at doon na kami pumasok.

We asked the receptionist under Arjuna's name and there was no record. Nang sabihin ko ang isa pang apelyido ay natantusan ko iyon kaagad. Tinaasan ako kaagad ni Beth ng kilay.