"Kuya Zy, what did you tell her?" nagtatakang tanong ni Yohan sa kuya nito habang sinasarado ang pintuan ng office. He looked at his brother while walking towards the seat in front of his desk. Umupo siya doon at muling tinawag ang kapatid. "Kuya?"
He saw Kuya Zy smirked but quickly hid it behind his cold facade. "You ask her, not me," tipid lamang nitong sagot bago prenteng sumandal sa office chair nito. "I like her."
Naging alerto naman ang kaniyang sistema at nagbabantang tiningnan ang kapatid. Wala na siyang pakialam kung mas matanda pa ito sa kaniya. He can't just declare that he likes his girlfriend and not expect him to react badly.
Mukhang agad na napansin ni Kuya Zy ang pandidilim ng aura niya dahil tinama nito kaagad ang sinabi. "I like her for you, as a guardian. Stop being a kid who look like your favorite teddy bear would be snatched from you any minute. Remember Yohan, nasasakal ang mga babae sa ganiyang tipo ng lalake. Being possesive is different from being obsessive. Girls doesn't like being told what not to do and what to do. You're not his Dad so stop acting like one."
Agad naman siyang napaiwas ng tingin dito at bumulong, "I can't help it. She might leave me."
Narinig niya ang malakas na pagbuntung-hininga nito. "She won't if you just treat her right. Listen to her. Girls know other female intentions better than you do. If she says, don't talk to her, then you better not speak to that person. She felt threatened for a reason," dagdag nitong paalala sa kaniya.
"That's easy for me. I don't even talk to other girls," point out niya dito.
Napatango-tango lamang si Kuya Zy at bumalot ang katahimikan sa pagitan nila ng iilang minuto bago ito muling nagsalita. "Also . . . bago ka tumingin sa ibang babae. Tingnan mo muna kung ilang lalake ang nakatingin sa girlfriend mo. Discontentment usually is the reason why couples break up. Minsan hanap tayo ng hanap ng "mas" pa sa kung anong meron tayo, without knowing that other people are wishing to be in our shoes."
"Don't worry, Kuya. I would cherish her," seryosong sagot niya dito.
"Good. I'm not going to hold you back anymore since nakausap na rin naman kita about your relationship with her," he said while turning his attention back to the papers he was reading earlier. Hindi na niya kailangang pagsabihan upang malaman na pinapaalis na siya nito.
He quietly stood up and was about to walk back to the door when Kuya Zynder suddenly called him again. "Yohan."
Nilingon niya itong muli at nakakunot-noong tinanong, "Why Kuya?"
"Bring her to the kubo. Spend a day with her in that place and see if she can quickly adapt to the lifestyle of the 19th century. If kaya niyang mabuhay na hindi palaging hinahanap ang phone niya o kahit na anong konektado sa teknolohiya then we would try hypnotizing her too. Mas mainam na malaman na niya ang tungkol sa sikreto natin kung magiging parte na siya ng pamilya natin," saad ni Kuya Zynder na talagang nagpagulat sa kaniya.
"Really Kuya?" nakangiti niyang tanong.
Taimtim siyang tiningnan nito bago sinagot. "I don't want a time to come where you would be forced to pick between her and Tatay."
Tatay was his dad in the past. Well, actually, Tatay Ado is Eduardo Magbanua's father. Si Eduardo Magbanua ang lalakeng sinasapian niya tuwing naglalakbay siya sa nakaraan. Aaminin niyang mas mahal pa niya si Tatay Ado kaysa sa tunay niyang ama. Tatay Ado taught him the different ways in businesses. Ito rin ang rason kung bakit Business Administration ang kinuha niyang kurso. Minsan nga'y nakakaramdam siya ng guilt dahil hindi alam ni Tatay na ibang tao na pala ang nasa laman ng anak nito. Tuwing nandito siya sa hinaharap ay bumabalik naman sa katawan nito si Eduardo.
He wasn't a judgemental type of person, but honestly, he can only describe Eduardo as a foolish man. That man is addicted to gambling and likes to drown himself in alcohol. Tuwing bumabalik siya sa nakaraan ay magugulat na lamang siya dahil puno ng pasa ang mukha niya at nangangamoy alak. Eduardo was like a loose man whenever he wasn't there to control his body. Iyon na rin ang naging dahilan kung bakit lagi na siyang bumabalik-balik sa nakaraan. Ayaw niyang iwan si Tatay Ado sa walang-kwentang anak nito.
He adored the old man and promised to take over all of his businesses after finishing college. Nag-iba nga lang ang kaniyang plano nang dumating si Apple Pie sa buhay niya. He used to tell Kuya Zy that he would stay in the past for good after he finished his studies, but then his girlfriend came into the picture. That left him torn between his adoration for his tatay-tatayan and his love for the woman he wished to marry. If kakayaning tanggapin ni Apple Pie ang tungkol sa sikreto nila then that would make it easier for him. He would encourage her to go and live with him in the past.
"Sanayin mo na iyang girlfriend mo na hindi laging nakatingin sa phone niya. If she can do it then I would consider hypnotizing her," ika ni Kuya Zy.
"I'll make sure she would fall in love in the old ways para madali ko siyang madala doon," nakangiti niyang pangako sa kapatid.
"Yohan . . . before I forgot, make sure that Dad won't know about her. Bawal kayong mag-post ng tungkol sa inyo sa social media. Although hindi naman chinicheck ni Dad ang mga accounts natin ay dapat pa rin tayong mag-ingat. Kapag nandito si Dad sa bahay ay huwag mo siyang papuntahin at siguraduhin mong walang maiiwan niyang gamit dito sa bahay. I already talked to the maids and made sure that they won't tell Dad about her," dagdag paalala sa kaniya ni Kuya Zy na agad namang nagpakumo sa kaniyang kamao.
"If murder isn't a crime, I'm gonna kill that fucking bastard myself," he muttered under his breath, but Kuya Zy quickly reprimanded him.
"Yohan! We already talked about this!" Kuya Zy scolded him.
"What Kuya?! I know you have the same sentiments about him too! Siya ang dahilan kung bakit namatay ng maaga si Mom! If he just showed a little bit of care and love to Mom then maybe she wouldn't die early! Sakal na sakal na ako sa kaniya!" hindi niya napigilan ang galit na ilang taon na ring nabuo sa kaniyang puso. He hated his own dad and wished that Tatay Ado was his true father.
"I know na nahihirapan na kayo ni Xav sa kaniya. That's why I'm just asking both of you to finish your studies at kapag makaya niyo ng tumayo sa sarili niyong mga paa ay iwanan niyo ang hell hole na ito," paliwanag sa kaniya nito bago biglang tumayo at lumapit sa kaniya.
Pinatong nito ang kamay sa kaniyang balikat at tiningnan siya ng mariin. "You're gonna graduate soon and when it happens . . . you can leave now. Kaya kumapit ka muna. Malapit ka ng makatakas."
"How about you, Kuya?"
Pait itong ngumiti bago siya sinagot. "I can't leave yet. Kailangan ko pang hintayin na maka-graduate si Xav. Kapag nangyari na iyon ay sabay tayong tatlong magpakalayo-layo dito. I might as well try my hand on farming or some shit when it happens," nagbibiro nitong dagdag na ikinatawa nilang dalawa.
"I can't imagine you doing that kind of job, Kuya," tawa niyang sabi. Ang kaninang tense nilang atmosphere ay biglang nawala at napalitan ng light-hearted teasing. "Maybe you should try being a kargador. Mas bagay iyon sa iyo, Kuya."
Napatawa naman ang kaniyang kapatid bago ginulo ang kaniyang buhok. He always does that even when they were still a little kid. Paminsan-minsan lang ngumingiti si Kuya Zy, but when he does, his face actually transform. Lagi kasi itong parang galit sa mundo kung makatingin pero kapag tumatawa ito ay para itong isang gentle giant.
After that ay nagpaalam na siya dito at muling hinanap ang kaniyang girlfriend. Sa kusina siya unang pumunta at tama nga siya ng hula dahil masayang nakikipag-usap si Apple Pie sa kanilang mga maid doon. She was wearing an apron and was frying something while happily talking to them. Sabay-sabay pa silang napalingon sa kaniya nang marinig nila ang pagpasok niya.
"Good afternoon po, Sir," bati sa kaniya ng mga ito na kaniya lamang tinanguhan bago diretsong lumapit sa kaniyang girlfriend. He heard them scurry away to give them privacy.
"Ano iyan, langga?" he asked while hugging her from behind.
"Chicken nuggets at pork belly sausage rolls. Nanghihingi ng meryenda sina Xavier at Joshua kaya nagluto ako," sagot nito sa kaniya na agad namang nagpakunot ng noo niya.
"And why do you need to follow their orders?"
"Uy, di naman ako inutusan! Nag-volunteer ako na ako na lang gagawa para sa kanila," pagtatanggol nito sa dalawang ugok. She was already done frying it and was transferring it to a bowl.
Nang matapos ito sa ginagawa ay mabilis niya iyong inagaw at siya na ang nagdala. "Tayo ang kakain nito at hindi sila," mariin niyang saad bago dinampot ang nakahandang white sauce sa may lamesa. Pinatong niya iyon sa plato at ginamit naman ang libreng kamay upang hawakan ang kamay ng girlfriend niya.
"Yohan!" Apple Pie tried lecturing her, but he quickly cut her off.
"Wala akong pakialam kung mamatay sa gutom ang dalawang gagong iyon. Magluto sila kung nagugutom sila o di kaya'y maghanap sila ng cute na HRM student at gawing girlfriend para may magluto para sa kanila," asik niya ngunit unti-unting naging malambing sa may dulo. Napangisi siya dahil namula ang babae sa kaniyang sinabi. "Pahalik nga ulit," bulong niya dito habang hinahapit ito papalapit. Basta na lamang niyang nilapag ang platong dala-dala sa may lamesa at binuhat ang girlfriend papaupo sa kitchen counter.
"Yohan!" pagsaway ni Apple Pie sa kaniya habang pinapalo ang kaniyang balikat ngunit hindi niya iyon ininda.
"Pahalik ako," pagpapa-cute niya dito habang pumwepesto sa pagitan ng binti nito.
Hindi alam ni Apple Pie kung gaano kapula ang mukha niya. Basta ang alam niya ay malapit ng mapigtas ang pagpipigil niya. Sino ba namang hindi kung ang lalakeng nakayakap sa kaniya ay kasalukuyang nagpapa-cute na para bang nanghihingi lang ng candy.
"Langga . . ." He called her so softly, which made her bite her lower lips so hard. Mukhang hindi iyon nagustuhan ni Yohan dahil agad na sumeryoso ang mukha nito. "Stop doing that. That's my job," nakakunot noong saway nito sa kaniya habang pinaghihiwalay ang kaniyang mga labi.
Malakas naman siyang napatawa dahil sa naging reaksyon nito. Para talaga itong bata. Ang ngiti niya ay unti-unting nawala nang makita ang seryoso nitong titig sa kaniya. "Ba-Bakit?" kinakabahan niyang tanong dito.
"Pahalik," he said again.
Napa-roll eyes na lamang siya dahil sa kakulitan nito bago pinatong ang kaniyang dalawang braso sa balikat nito at pinulupot iyon doon. "Mabilis lang ha," maldita niyang sabi ngunit hindi iyon pinansin ni Yohan.
His smiles came back again, and he put his arms around her. He lowered his head to her, and the next thing she knew, his thick lips were over her mouth. He didn't even hesitate and probe his tongue on her closed lips, seeking entry. She wanted to tease him, so she clenched her teeth to deny him access, but Yohan insistently licked her lips. He really does know how to get her mouth open.
As she opened her mouth in surprise, Yohan slipped her tongue inside. It made its new home in her mouth, licking and massaging her small tongue. Yohan continued exploring her mouth, not caring that they were literally making out in his family's kitchen. She felt the thrill of what they were doing, which made her body begin to respond.
Nakaupo naman siya sa kitchen sink pero ramdam pa rin niya ang panginginig ng kaniyang tuhod. That sensation only heightened when Yohan tantalized her mouth with his tongue while slowly caressing her waist. They kept on kissing until Yohan nonchalantly stopped kissing her and looked down on her pliant self. "I love you," he whispered before kissing her again, not giving her the time to answer him back.
Lunod na lunod na siya sa mga halik nito nang bigla silang may narinig na mura. Naghiwalay ang mga labi nila ni Yohan at sabay na lumingon sa may entrance ng kusina.
"You gotta fucking kidding me! Can't you stop eating each other's faces in places where I can see the both of you?!" reklamong sigaw ni Xavier.
"Tsk," mahinang asik ni Yohan na para bang galit na naman sa interruption ng kapatid nito. "Just fucking close your eyes, you dimwit! Lagi kang panira sa kaligayahan ko!"
"Isusumbong kita ulit kay Kuya!" banta ni Xavier sa kapatid at akma na sanang lalabas ng kusina ngunit binantaan ito ni Yohan. Natatawa siyang pinanood ang dalawang mag-away ngunit natigil ang tawa niya nang biglang mag-iba ang lenggwahe ng mga ito.
"No te atrevas, carajo! Realmente volvería al pasado y me colaría en tu casa! Quemaría todas las cartas de Eliza que guardaste escondidas dentro de tu armario!" inis na sigaw ni Yohan sa kapatid. Naguguluhan siyang tumitig dito at napakunot ang noo.
Ano daw?
(Don't you fucking dare! I would really go back to the past and sneak into your house! I would burn all of Eliza's letters that you kept hidden inside your closet!)
Hindi niya maintindihan kung anong pinagsasabi ni Yohan ngunit mas naguluhan siya nang galit na sinagot ito ni Xavier. "Pequeña mierda! Deja a Eliza en paz!"
Ha?
(You little shit! Leave Elisa alone!)
"Alam mong kaya kong gawin iyon Xav," bantang muli ni Yohan sa kapatid habang masama itong tinitingnan. She watched as Xavier huffed in annoyance before picking up the fried snacks that she cooked earlier. "Hoy! Amin yan!" reklamo ni Yohan.
"Hindi mo na kailangan ito! Tutal may kinakain ka na rin naman diyan!" tila nagmamaktol na sagot ni Xav. "Mga walang konsiderasyon sa taong nasa malayo ang girlfriend," dagdag nitong bulong habang papalabas ng kusina, dala-dala ang pagkain na niluto niya.