My Four Step Brothers

M4SB 8: Drei and Matthew

I'm usually not late kaya siguro siya nagtataka kung bakit. "May sinamahan lang. Anyway Drei, mind if I only sing tonight?" Sabi ko sabay pinakita yung daliri kong may band aid. "Sorry." I said apologetically.

Agad niya namang hinawakan yung kamay ko at inusisa. "I understand but what happened sa daliri mo?" He asked.

"Nasugatan ko kanina while naghihiwa ng karne."

His eyes widened in shock tsaka tinignan ako sa mata. "Seriously?! Alam ko di ka marunong magluto ah!" He exclaimed sabay tawa pagkatapos.

I frowned at him tsaka binawi yung kamay ko and place both of my hands to my sides. "Talaga lang ha?" I said rather sarcastically. Kailangan talaga ipamukha sakin na di ako marunong eh no? Hay nako.

"Sorry, sorry. Hindi naman sa ganon Ell, nagulat lang ako." He said, biting his lower lip to keep himself from laughing.

I pinched his nose real hard hanggang sa mamula ito tsaka binitawan. "Now we're even." I said then smirked at him na sinagot niya lang ng pag ikot ng mga mata.

He handed me the song book na compilation ng lyrics ng mga kanta na alam naming tugtugin at pinapili ako for our first ten songs. Dalawang banda kasi yung tutugtog ngayong gabi at magtatake turns lang kami every ten songs para may break naman kahit papano. Dalawa sa kasama namin ni Drei ay andito na din. We're the first to perform kaya umakyat na kami ng stage and positioned ourselves. I took a seat sa isang mataas na single chair and adjusted the microphone on it's stand. Drei also took a seat beside me. The song book was placed in front of us two sa isang holder, same with the other two members. Kai is our drummer while Alex plays the keyboard. Usually Drei is our bass guitarist but he took my position playing the acoustic guitar instead. Pinagamit ko na din sa kanya yung sakin kasi di niya nadala yung sa kanya.

We took a break at yung kabilang banda naman yung pumalit. I was sitting on a stool sa harap ng bar counter, drinking my water ng may biglang kumalabit sakin. I turned around and saw a guy wearing glasses and is currently beaming at me with a smile. I squinted my eyes, trying my best to recall the person before me.

His hand reached for the top of my head and slightly ruffled my hair. "Silly girl!" I became more confuse because of his remarks and gestures. Weirdo? Takas sa mental? Kulang kulang? Sayang pogi pa naman.

He heaved a sigh. "I cant believe it, my soon to be step sister forgot about her second brother." Sabi nito sabay hawak sa dibdib niya na tila bang nasasaktan ng lubusan. My eyes widen in realization.

"Teka! Naalala ko na, you're- uh?" I said still trying my best to remember his name this time.

"It's Matthew Yael Garcia lil sis." Pagpapaalala niya sakin, giving me a lopsided smile.

"Ah oo! Ikaw nga. Ginagawa mo pala dito?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

Umupo naman siya sa tabi ko. He propped his elbows on top of the table, supporting his chin with one of his hands. "Wala lang." Sabi niya. "Actually sasama sana yung isang barkada ko but something came up kaya di siya natuloy." He raised his free hand to call the bartender's attention.

"Ah kaya pala."

He ordered a cocktail and waited for his order to come up. "Wanna drink with me?" Tanong niya habang may nakakalokong ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.

I waved my hands countless of times sa harap niya. "No, no! Im good."

"I'm kidding! Though I wouldn't mind you joining me." He said while laughing his heart out.

"Ell we're up!" Rinig kong sigaw ni Alex, yung kasama ko, sa may di kalayuan.

"Uh?" Seriously, I really dont know what I should call him. I know na 2 years yung gap namin pero I cant muster up the courage to call him Kuya or what.

"Call me Matt lil sis. No need for formalities na din sakin." Sabi niya sakin sabay binigyan ako ng ngiti.

I nodded at him and returned his gesture. He's not that bad unlike his other two younger brother, I guess? "Matt, maiwan muna kita ah?" Pagpapaalam ko na sinagot niya naman ng tango at ngiti.

Bumalik na ko sa mga kasama ko at umakyat na ulit ng stage. Napag-usapan din namin na Alex will switch places with me. Luckily I also know how to play the piano and Alex also knows how to play the guitar. Di naman ganon ka sakit tumutog ng keyboard unlike guitar pag tumugtog ka na may sugat sa daliri. Kai was still with his drums at si Drei naman bumalik na sa bass guitar niya. Even though I'm playing the keyboard, I'm still the main vocalist. The others are accompanying me as well.

Third Person's POV

A few hours has passed and the gig finally ended. Habang nagliligpit ng kanyang mga gamit si Ellie, linapitan naman siya ni Matt. "Hey lil sis! Hatid na kita, dali!" Masiglang pagyaya niya kay Ellie.

Magsasalita na sana ang dalaga ng biglang lumapit at nagsalita din si Drei. "Ell, kakilala mo?" He asked, his brows were knitted into a straight line. Nagtataka kung sino tong lalakeng lumapit kay Ellie.

"Ah Drei, si Matthew pala. Anak ng tito Ryan ko." Drei knew Ellie years ago nung napapagamot pa siya sa hospital. He was admitted sa hospital that time at nakilala niya si Ellie at naging matalik na kaibigan. He eventually became her bestfriend.

"Ah. Drei nga pala." Pagpapakilala niya sabay abot ng kanyang kamay na tinanggap naman ni Matt.

"Matthew Yael Garcia tol." Pagpapakilala niya pabalik kay Drei. Binalik ulit ni Matt ang attensyon niya kay Ellie. "So Ell, tara na?" Pag-aaya nito.

Drei became confuse about it. Every after gig kasi nila siya parati yung naghahatid kay Ellie sa bahay nila. Kaya laking pagtataka lang nito ng biglang inaya ni Matt si Ellie na umalis na.

"Drei, don't worry about me. Next time nalang ako magpapahatid ulit sayo ah? May kailangan pa din kasi akong sabihin kay Matt." She said kinda hesitating to turn down Drei. Buti nalang at naiintindihan siya ni Drei. Umalis na ang dalawa at sumunod naman si Drei. Pumunta siya ng parking lot at naglakad patungo sa kanyang kotse.

He held tightly on his steering wheel habang pinapanood na paalis si Ellie kasama si Matt sa kotse nito. He gritted his teeth at napahalumbaba nalang.

"Ellie naman, di naman ako hangin eh. Ba't di mo parin napapansin yung nararamdaman ko para sayo?"

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(A/n: Im truly sorry for the late update everyone. Medyo mahaba haba din yung chapter na to para makabawi naman ako sa inyo sa ilang araw na walang pagpaparamdam haha. Stay tuned for the next update guys!)