Every Bad Thing

Chapter Six

I was eating sliced fruits at our dining table when I spotted Kuya Xavi going down the stairs.

Bihis na bihis ito sa suot niyang blue long sleeves shirt na hindi nakabutones at bahagyang nakafold pa ang slevees. Underneath the shirt was a white v-neck tee. Itim na denim ang suot niyang pang-ibaba at naka-brown work boots.

Sa aming magkakapatid ay si Kuya Xavi ang pinakamagandang pumorma, it's probably because he's the oldest that's why he's particular with every details of his looks. Zeno dresses like a stylish dancer, iyong mga pang tumblr na gusto ng mga kababaihan na ka-edad niya. While my twin is slowly following Kuya Xavi's steps on the road to manly fashion style.

Kuya Xavi's asymmetrical with short sides hair was effortlessly styled. Iyong tipong hinawi lang ng daliri pero parang dalawang hair stylist pa ang nagtulong kapag nasa shoot.

"Aba..." nakangising sabi ko. Napatingin siya sa akin dahil doon. "Saan ka punta, Kuya? May date?"

"Sasamahan ko ang Ate Lavie mo sa mall. She promised to treat me." ngumisi siya sa akin. His eyes were bright with amusement, like he thought of something funny.

"Sama ako!" I excitedly stood up. Handa na akong tumakbo paakyat para makapagbihis. Hindi na ako masyadong mag-aayos. Maganda naman na ako.

"No. Hindi rin kami magtatagal sa mall. She's got a meeting with her groupmates in one of her subjects." seryosong sabi ni Kuya Xavi.

"Okay lang yun. Sabihin mo kay Ate Lavi na sasama ako. Papayag yun for sure."

"Laurene." Kuya Xavi said with a stern voice.

If there's one thing that I hate and love about Kuya Xavi, it's his decisiveness. Kung ano ang naisip niya, iyon na talaga. Hindi magbabago. He sticks with his words and decision no matter what. Kapag may gusto naman siya ay pagsisikapan niya talaga na makuha iyon. Kahit na mahirap, basta masunod ang gusto niya. That's his admirable trait.

"Fine." I grumbled and let myself fall back to the dining chair.

Lumapit sa akin si Kuya Xavi at nilapatan ako ng halik sa ibabaw ng ulo. "Hang out with Hyon, Zeno or Hadeon instead."

"Hyon's training for her swimming competition. Zeno's at the studio, may dance practice. Si kambal naman may training ng basketball."

"And the most unproductive sibling award goes to?" nagtaas ng kilay sa akin si Kuya. Bungisnngis na ngiti ako sa kanya. "Why don't you enroll for lessons? Piano? Photography?"

"No thanks." my nose scrunched in disgust. "Maghahanap na lang ako ng ibang kukulitin. So, bye!"

Umiling si Kuya Xavi at umalis na rin agad. Natakot yata na baka magpumilit ako na sumama. He knows that if I call Ate Lavie and ask if I could join them, paniguradong papayag iyon. She treats me like her little sister, si Hyon din. Even Zeno and Hadeon, parang kapatid din ang turing niya. She's very sweet with Kuya Xavi, too.

Ate Lavie is nice and warm. She must have inherited her warmth from her father, Tito LD, since Tita Avis, her mother, is really, really cold. Mabait si Tita Avis, pero kapag kausap mo siya ay parang kakailanganin mo mag jacket.

It's Saturday, kaya walang pasok at wala rin akong magawa. Ever since this school year started, my weekend plans lessened—and it's been three months!

I've pondered on it and thought of my past weekends back in second year. Karamihan ng mga lakad ko dati ay dates with my flavor of the month, or sometime week.

Marami pa rin naman ang nag-aaya sa akin na mag date, iyon nga lang ay hindi ko sinasagot kapag text, sa personal naman ay tinatanggihan ko. Ayaw ko lang. Hindi ko gusto. It's like I wasn't interested in playing the field anymore.