"I know it's lame to admit it now but," I bit my lower lip and gaze at my twin. Obviously he's not listening to me. He is just... boring. I quickly removed his headphones.
"What do you want?"
I slowly raised the letter. Well, hindi ko alam kung pang ilan na ba iyon. Seriosusly, iniignore niya lang lahat ng love letters na natatanggap niya. Kahit ngayong nasa med school na siya, ang snob pa rin! Akala mo naman kegwapo.
"I really like you, Alonzeus. Ever since our eyes met in the library, I couldn't get you out of my mind. You own my heart—"
Inagaw ni Alon ang headphones niya at sinuot iyon. Muli siyang nagpokus sa pag-n-notes niya.
"Ay ang bastos kausap." Umiling iling pa ako at disappointed siyang tinignan. "Grabe, di na ako natutuwa sa'yo. Hindi kita pinalaking bastos, Alon. Saksakan ka ng sungit. Ampon ka lang siguro nina Mama."
"Get out of my room, Agos before I kick you out."
I shifted on my seat and gave him a puppy eyes. "Sige nga sipain mo nga. Dapat tatalsik ako hanggang kalawakan a." He remained silent. Sinundot sundot ko ang tagiliran nito. "Uy sige na sipain mo na ako. Huwag ka na mahiya. Baka mamaya ikaw pa tumalsik." I let out an evil laugh.
I jolted in suprise when Alon suddenly kick my chair! Muntikan pa akong masubsob!
"What the?"
"Out."
I held my chest dramatically. "Grabe kapatid ba talaga kita?"
"I doubt."
Nag-inarte pa ako lalo. "Grabe ka na, Alon. What if nalaglag ako? At napuruhan ang mukha ko? Wala ka ng gwapong kambal!"
"Sounds good." My lips parted. He smirk while his focus remained on his ipad. Nang maramdaman ang panlilisik ng mata ko ay binalingan niya ako. Nginuso niya ang pinto. "Get out."
Pinunasan ko ang invisible kong luha. I even get a tissue above his table at maarteng pinunasan ang gilid ng mga mata ko. "Di mo na ako mahal?"
Alon let out a stressful sigh and stand up. He even removed his specs. Binuksan ko ang isa kong mata at sinipat siya. Nang makita ang nakataas niyang kilay ay umarte akong muli na parang aping api.
"Do you want me to drag you out?"
Nilakasan ko ang peke kong kahagulgol. "Sheesh. Bubuhatin mo ako?"
"Agos." He warned me.
"Carry me, Alonzeus." Pilit kong ginawang malambot ang boses ko. He look at me with digust eyes.
"Quit it, I am studying. I want peace."
I pose a peace sign and pouted. His eyes darkened as if he is so done with me. I smirked before I leaned on my chair. "Alam mo, naturingan kang med student pero kulang ka sa oxytocin." I stand up and tapped his shoulder. "Loosened up. I am here to entertain you, you know."
Ilang oras na kaya siya nag-aaral? Need niya ng break! Kakaaral niya sa buhay ng tao baka bukas bukas, siya na ang babawian ng buhay e.
Iniwas niya ang sarili. "I don't need your so called entertainment. You're so loud and annoying."
Humalukipkip ako at mayabang siyang tinignan. "And you are too stiff and boring."
"I get that a lot. Thanks for reminding."
"Come one, dude. Sumama ka na kasi. It's just one race. Then okay na. Aral ka na ulit habang buhay."
Umiling ito at muling bumalik sa pag-aaral. Magkapatong ang makakapal na libro sa desk niya. Iba pa iyong mga libro na nasa shelves nito. What a studios twin!
"Just one game." Pagpupumilit ko. "Tagal mo na kayang 'di sumasali. You are slave in your studies."
"Well because—"
"Yeah because you need to study hard and smart because it's the life of the people on the line. I know I know. That's my motto as well. " I finish him and rolled my eyes in the end.
"Then go to your room and study your cases."
Sus, sa paulit ulit niyang sinasabi iyon sa akin kay nakabisado ko na lang e. I kick his chair again. His brows furrowed immediately.
"But you deserve a break. It's not bad to enjoy for the meantime and escape reality, bro."
I know med school is hell and I really see his determination but he need to loosen up. Di na nga ata kumakain nang maayos iyan e kaya laging nagagalit si mama at papa sa kaniya. Paano ba naman, aral nang aral. Parang 'di na siya nagpapahinga. 'Di ko siya mareach. Ako nga puro karera lang nasa isip e. Partida, nasa law school pa ako.
"When is your tourna again?" My father asked.
Inubos ko muna ang nginunguya. "Next next week."
"Malapit na pala."
"Yup. And later, Alon and I will try one game."
"What?" Pinanlakihan ko ng mata si Alon nang umalma siya. Awkward na ngumiti sa mga magulang namin pagkatapos.
"I told you to two to give us a heads up regarding your race." Si Mama, sesermonan na kami. I just zipped my mouth and let her do the nagging before I talk.
Kapag nandito kami sa bahay ni Alon, gusto ni mama ay alam niya ang kilos naming dalawa. Lalo na kapag sa racing. Extreme sports kasi kaya "di ko rin masisisi bakit sobra pag-aalala niya. Buti nga e suportadong suportado kami ni Papa.
"Let them, Layana. They know what they're doing. I am sure that they'll be responsible. Right?"
Alon just nodded while I smiled sweetly to our parents.
"Mama, I promise we'll not do anything reckless. See, the last tournament, champion kami."
Well, kahit sa mundo ng racing, duo pa rin kami ni Alon. Pero may mga instances naman na nagkakarera kami individually. Pero usually kapag usapang tournament, team kami.
"Just one game then that's it. We kind of miss it since puro libro ang kaharap namin." Dagdag ko pa.
When I met Alon's gaze, he is looking at me like I'm some kind of a big joke. Eh kung tulungan niya kaya akong makumbinsi si Mama? Parang di pamilya a.
"Okay...but please, be careful." She said in the end.
And that's it. I just found myself waving to some of our acquiantances in the racing track. I'm on my attire already. Red, white and black suit suits me well.
"Agos, you'll race?"
I shrugged as I fix my head gear. "Just today."
"Alon?"
I rolled my eyes. Ang isang iyon, hindi talaga sumama. Mahal na mahal ang mga libro niya. Kulang na lang e pakasalan niya e.
"Why are you looking for him? Just look at my face, dude. You don't want me here huh?"
My fellow laugh. "Nah. Bihira na lang kasi namin kayo makalaro. I guess, med school and law school is giving you a hard time?"
Niyabangan ko ito ng tingin. "Then what am I doing here?"
Umiling ito. Natatawa. "Daming time a."
"Because I make time."
Lumayo ang tingin ko at naningkit ang mata habang tinatanaw ang track. Namilog ang mata ko nang makita ang tatlong pamilyar na mukha. What the eff are they doing here?
"Napadaan lang kami kung makatingin ka naman akala mo hinusgahan na namin buong pagkatao mo." Sabi ng anak ni Ninong Abes.
I pointed my finger to them with disbelief. "Bakit kayo nandito? Bawal kayo dito."
"Bakit? May pag-aari mo ba 'to? Nasaan ang pangalan mo? Nasaan? Nasaan?"
My friend laugh. I dismiss him since I don't want him to see me being trashtalk with these girls!
"Ang paalam mo kay Mama diba kina ate Amanda ka?" Angil ko sa kapatid ko.
Mabilis siyang umangkla sa panganay na babae ni Ninong Abes. "Yeah she's here if hindi mo nakikita."
I frantically roll my eyes. "Whatever bruh."
"Mag-isa ka lang? Si Alon?"
Bakit ba lagi nilang hinahanap sa akin si Alon? Kapag ba kung nasaan ako ay naroon rin siya? God, have me some break!
"Resting."
"Where?"
"In peace."
My sister glared at me. "Obviously, because you are here."
My lips parted. "Excuse me?"
"Oh, but not anymore. Kuya!"
Pareparehas kaming lumingon na tatlo sa direksyon na tinakbo ng kapatid ko. Mas lalong nagtaka ang itsura ko nang makita ang kambal ko. He's on his attire already. Our sister hug him and he pat his hair.
Bakit ako walang hug? Sinulsulan na naman siguro nito ni Alon ng wattpad books kaya ganiyan. Psh. Bilhan ko pa siya ng buong national bookstore e.
"Changed my mind." Umpisa niya pagkatapos ay lumingon lingon pa sa paligid. After some time, his gaze stop at Ninang Lene's daughter. "You are here."
She smiled shyly. Siguro sa aming lahat, siya lang ang hindi makabasag pinggan. Tahimik masyado katulad ni Alon pero mas lalo siya. But we always make sure na makakasabay siya sa amin. Di lang talaga siya pasalita.
"Your sister called me."
Alon nodded.
"Manonood daw sila." Singit ko.
"Sabi namin, napadaan kami. Hindi manonood."
I rolled my eyes again. "Alon is here so manonood kayo." Paladesisyon kong sabi.
I don't know how long we stood there arguing and how many times I rolled my eyes before I finally drive on track. Tawa ako nang tawa dahil nahuhuli si Alon. Dapat siguro nakipagpustahan ako na kung sino matalo e siya bibili ng gaming chair e. Well, 'di naman gumagamit nun si Alon pero alam ko kasi na ako mananalo dito kaya dapat sana sinagad ko na. Sayang.
"How 'bout that? Come on dude, keep up." Natatawa kong bungad nang matanggal ko na ang head gear. I even ruffle my hair.
"Yabang."
Natawa ako. "Thank you."
"Pagod lang ako at kulang sa tulog. If I have a proper rest, for sure, I beat you to the bush."
Binangga ko ang balakang niya gamit ang akin at inakbayan ito. Nasa gilid ng tiyan ko ang head gear samantalang si Alon ay bitbit bitbit ito. "Daming ebas, ikaw bibili ng school supplies ngayon."
"What?" Angil niya agad.
I smiled sweetly. "Yuh. Naubusan na ako ng highlighters, sticky notes and some pens. Oh, much better kung bilhan mo na rin si bunso."
"Wala namang usapan na—"
"Meron na. Pinag-uusapan na natin ngayon."
He put his tongue behind his cheeks. He's now annoyed. Shet. Ang gwapo pala talaga namin? Para akong nananalamin e. Pero mas pogi ako sa kaniya. Sa true langs. Salamat sa genes nila mudra at pader.
"You're being unfair. I don't even have a cash with me."
I tapped his shoulder before I walk away. "Maraming ATM, Alon. Ang laki ng problema mo."
I heard him groan and protest but I ignored him. An evil laugh escaped my mouth. Well, well well. Guess, double win.
In our way to the National Bookstore, I decided to open my phone para malibang ako. Traffic din kasi e. Hindi na sumama sa amin ang kapatid namin pauwi dahil nademonyo na naman ni Ate Amanda na maggirl shopping. Dinagdagan namin ni Alon allowance ni sistah para naman makapag-enjoy. I just told them to call us if they're done. We'll fetch them.
I almost slap my own face when tons of message popped up in our group chat. Obviously, about sa mga digest namin iyon.
"What the fuck." I murmured when Atty. Nolasco gave us almost 20 sets of cases that we need to digest. Bukas na agad ang pasahan! Kaninang umaga pa iyon ibinigay at ngayong gabi ko lang nakita!?
"I can smell regret in your face," ani ni Alon, nag-d-drive. Alam na alam na agad.
"Jesus." Patuloy ako sa pagbabasa sa GC.
Alon chuckled.
Hindi pa nga ako halos mangalahati sa ibinigay noong isang araw, may panibago na naman? At talagang nakuha ko pang magrace ng isang game?
Holy moly!
"How about you?" Tanong ko agad sa kaniya.
A playful smirk appeared in his face. "What about me?"
Oh come on. Dapat, kapag nahihirapan ako at maraming ginagawa ay ganoon din dapat si Alon.
"May pending reports ka, right? Sabi mo noong nakaraan may mga lab kayo?" Umaasa kong tanong, naghahanap ng kakampi.
"Oh, I have?"
My lips parted. What a betrayal it is!
"I already finish it before I joined the race, Agosto." Mayabang niyang sabi. He arrogantly look at me. "Want me to speed up?"
Nahilot ko ang sentido ko at sumandal sa upuan ko sa front seat. "Magmula ngayon ay hindi na kita kakambal, Alon. Itaga mo 'to sa bato. Fake twin."
Alon's chuckled roared as he speed up to the nearest mall. I guess, it's a long night ahead for me.
Wish me luck. Crying emoji.