Sobrang rare akong isama ni Kuya Ronie sa galaan nila. Most likely because he doesn't really want me around with his circles. He was supportive of me some of the time, but he definitely had no plan to take me with the boys.
But today is weird because he brought me along with them.
We were in Laguna. Sobrang short lang ng travel from the city kung tutuusin. Near sa EK, and the place was familiar to me. Sabi ni Kuya, malapit lang daw ang venue kung saan ikakasal sina Pat and Mel, and I got a chance to see the place.
"It's majestic," I praised as I look at the entire venue from a distance. Nasa main road kami dumaraan at nasa left side namin ang malaking covered hall na may rose garden sa kabilang end. May malaking fountain doon at parang Greek ang motif, not sure about the designs kasi halo-halo. It looked Greek, but there was a fountain of a huge cherub holding a bow and an arrow.
Kuya's car turned right and we entered a yard with huge wooden fences covered with vines. Wala silang sinabi ni Jaesie kung nasaan kami, basta ang alam ko lang, related kina Melanie ang lugar.
It was almost dawn when we arrived at an old mansion na parang itinayo pa yata noong Spanish era. We could see the mountain range of Mt. Makiling and the setting sun beside it.
Not sure if the city made my nose a bit used to pollution, but the place smelled like nature and it transcended into my soul. Feeling ko, kahit ang spiritual self ko, niyayakap ng kalikasan.
Sinusundan ko sina Jaesie at Kuya sa yard kung saan kami bumaba. May mga kotse sa parking lot kung saan kami huminto kanina, so that means may mga tao na rin dito aside sa amin.
And lo and behold! Kompleto ang barkada ni Kuya sa malaking pool. At mukhang kanina pa silang nandito. Walang ibang chick, so mukhang exclusive ang outing.
It was a huge pool area with Bermuda grass surrounding the sides. There was a langka tree on the far right end kung saan naka-stay ang grilling stand. Leo was there, topless and wearing board shorts. Patrick was eating a barbecue on the poolside, and there was Mel, waving her hands habang sumasabay sa background music.
"Firmar las paredes de tu laberinto
Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito (sube, sube, sube) . . ."
Calvin was swimming and stopped after he saw us. Will was dancing on the poolside across the doorway of the house. I even saw Kyline holding a huge tray of uncooked porkchops, mukhang dadalhin kay Leo.
"Sa wakas! Late si Early Bird!" announcement ni Clark sa gilid, at bigla na lang siyang tumalon papunta sa pool.
Ang daming nakalatag na table, and my eyes automatically saw the drinks and alcohol lined up sa isang gilid. I guess it was a pool party.
Parang two years ago pa yata ako naisama ni Kuya sa outing nila ng barkada niya. Sila-sila lang yata ngayon.
Kuya said gagawa siya ng paraan about sa plan ni Mum. Naupo ako sa isang chaise lounge at dumampot ng beer.
Alam naman pala ni Kuyang pool party 'to, bakit hindi niya ako sinabihang magdala muna ng damit! So what now? Panonoorin ko lang sila habang nasa isang sulok ako?
Grabe talaga si Kuya. Napaka-heartless na, sobrang inconsiderate pa.
The breeze of the night started to sway the trees near us, and even if the music was booming from the speakers, I could still hear how peaceful this place was. The sky was a mix of orange and indigo, and the birds flew to go back to their home, making chirping sounds above us.
"Hi Sab! You want?" Kyline offered me a few sticks of pork barbecue and I automatically declined.
"Fats."
"Aww. Kahit few bites lang?" She pointed to the meat. "Walang fat part diyan, promise."
The smell of it was making me drool, but ugh! I don't want to add another routine sa exercise ko.
"Sige, isang stick lang."
It was a freaking barbecue! How can I say no to barbecues? Ugh! I hate it.
"Sayang, wala akong dalang swimsuit," sabi ko kay Kyline.
"Oh! Prepared sina Jaesie, don't worry. We got you." Then she winked at me and smiled.
Kyline is Leo's fiancée, but they've been living together for almost twelve years.
If there was a guy sa barkada ni Kuya na intimidating talaga, it would probably be Leo. I was intimidated by him ever since I met him noong grade school days ko. Matagal na siyang friend ni Kuya, but he wasn't that friend na sobrang close na close sa family namin compared kina Clark and Mat. Although kilala siya nina Mum because his mommy is a dermatologist, but really, he has that vibe of a don't-touch-me guy. Pero hindi ko itatanggi na siya ang daddiest material sa barkada ni Kuya, apart from the fact na daddy of two kids na siya. He's taller than Kuya, his skintone is slightly darker than Clark, and he glares at everything—in a very sexy way. May mga glare talaga sa Earth na imbes na matakot ka, mapapa-"ror' ka na lang. And Kyline's a lucky angel to have him as a husband. She really looked like an angel being guarded by an intimidating demon.
"Buti nakarating ka," biglang sabi ni Melanie paglapit sa akin.
Ang laki ng tiyan niya. Kitang-kita ang stretchmarks at ilang dark brown areas sa katawan, especially na naka-bandeau top at bikini lang siya. Pero mukhang wala siyang pakialam sa weight and skin discoloration niya. Kung maglakad siya, parang makikipagsampalan sa akin, niyayabang pa ang malaki niyang tiyan.
Hindi ba sumasakit ang tummy niya sa ginagawa niya?
"Himala, isinama ka ng kuya mo."
"I know right."
I watched her take a tumbler of water from the series of alcohol bottles beside me.
"Nasa loob pala ang swimsuit mo. Pina-ready na ng kapatid mong makulit."
"May occasion ba?" tanong ko.
"Barkada outing nila na ilang beses nang na-delay. Last month pang naka-reserve 'tong date. Alam mo naman ang mga 'yan. One month before the event dapat ang appointment."
So, walang special occasion. I see.
"Excited ka sa wedding?" tanong ko habang nakatitig kay Melanie na pine-flex ang dimple niya habang kumukuha ng selfie.
"Hindi masyado haha! Excited ako sa baby! Tara, selfie tayo."
Sabay pa kaming nagpa-cute sa camera at ilang beses nag-pose para sa sunod-sunod na shot.
"Start na kami ng suit ni Patrick. Okay na ba ang gown mo?" tanong ko.
"Well, yeah! Tatlo pa nga! Ang OA naman kasi ng mga planner, hindi makontento sa isang design."
Mel didn't look excited sa wedding niya sa paparating na January. But she's absolutely happy with her baby bump. She held her tummy and bobble her head while dancing in her seat. She even lip-synced the song Break Your Heart.
"Hey and I know karma's gonna get me back for bein' so cold
Hey, like a big bad wolf, I'm born to be bad and bad to the bone . . ."
Ang cute ni Mel, I cannot.
My eyes suddenly found Patrick, sitting on the edge of the pool. Among Kuya's barkada, si Patrick ang madalas kong biktimahin para utos-utusan. Pat's cute, not really a husband material, and I doubt na kaya niyang pumantay sa level ni Leo to have that daddy vibe because he's far from that in reality. But he's persistent in marrying Melanie. At mayaman siya, so I guess the daddy vibe didn't matter at all. Pero hindi ko idi-discredit na si Patrick ang pinaka-eye-catching sa kanilang lahat. Probably because he was emitting that happy aura na parang ang dali-dali lang niyang lapitan. Siya rin naman kasi ang pinaka-approachable at welcoming. Once you see Kuya's barkada, either you see Leo first because he's the tallest and most handsome, or you see Patrick for being the most charming and fairest among them all. Siya kasi yung isang smile pa lang, mapapa-"yes, I do" na ang babae kahit hindi pa siya nagtatanong. Natatawa ako kapag naiisip ko na ang cute ni Mel tapos ang cute ni Patrick. For sure, ang baby nila, hindi lugi sa looks.
My eyes shifted toward Calvin na katatabi lang kay Patrick. Napagod na yata kalalangoy.
Calvin's a headturner. Sa barkada ni Kuya, lahat sila, well-toned ang katawan kasi mga inggitero. Kapag may muscle ang isa, dapat may muscle silang lahat. May mga tattoo si Calvin sa braso, sa dibdib, at sa likod. All of it made him even more sexy. Isa sa favorite kong assets ni Calvin ang vampire smile niya. He's one of the most sought members sa barkada ni Kuya. Madali ring ayain sa date! Sa kanilang lahat, siya ang isang call lang, may dinner date na agad kayo. Siya rin ang pinaka-sexy sa kanilang lahat for me. May something kasi sa vibe ni Calvin na para bang ang dami niyang alam na masayang lugar at puwede ka niyang dalhin sa mga 'yon. I really like his vibe, then Will after him.
And speaking of Will, he was still dancing sa doon sa kabila ng pool. Saka ko lang na-realize na nakaalis na pala si Melanie sa tabi ko kung hindi ko pa nakitang papalapit 'yon kay Will.
Nakisayaw si Melanie kay Will, but not the usual dance na galawgaw. Nakaalalay si Will kay Melanie mula sa likod at para silang nagzu-zumba.
William is the nicest among Kuya's barkada. Physically, kung patatayuin sila sa isang sulok at looks ang pagbabasehan, baka huli si Will sa mapapansin because he wasn't that attractive kung magkakaroon ng comparison. Hindi rin siya ganoon katangkad gaya ni Leo. Parang nasa 5'10 lang yata si Will, pero matangkad na kung itatabi sa akin. Nasa 5'6 lang naman kasi ako. Pero kapag kumilos na silang lahat. Maglalakad, makikipag-interact, especially kung kakausapin about sensitive topics, sorry sa barkada ni Kuya, kaya ko silang kalimutang lahat at si Will lang ang ititira ko—kahit si Kuya, itatakwil ko for Will.
And besides, si Will nga lang ang hindi jina-judge ang fats ko kapag nasa gym niya ako. Lagi pa niya akong chini-cheer kada workout kahit nakakapagod. He always made sure that no matter what weight I gained, I'm still beautiful.
Si Kuya kasi, kapag nakikita akong nagwo-workout, biglang kakain ng cake sa harap ko, punyeta siya. Tapos tatawanan ako kapag nanghingi ako sa kanya kahit kagagaling ko lang sa sit-ups! 'Kainis. Siya talaga ang cheater ng buhay ko.
Ilang saglit pa, umahon na rin sa pool si Clark at pumuwesto sa likod ni Melanie. Mel stretched her arms and I saw Clark help her on her back. Mel's face showed relief as if Clark removed something heavy from her back.
Sobrang rare kong makitang topless si Clark outside workout. Nakakasabay ko siyang minsan lalo sa closing time ng gym ni Will. Siguro mga once every three months.
Ang daming may crush sa kanya sa gym, and I could see why. Sobrang jolly ng persona ni Clark, although mas sanay ako sa ugali niya before or sa treatment niya toward me. Siya yung tipo na kung gusto mong mabaliw nang maaga katatawa, piliin mo siya. He never failed to make everyone laugh, kahit nakaka-stress na siya madalas kausap.
"Sab."
Napalingon ako sa left side at nakita si Jaesie na tinatawag ako. "Why?"
"Tara."
Jae was asking for me so I followed her. Pumasok kami sa loob ng bahay at dumeretso sa malapit na hagdanan mula sa doorway galing pool area.
The place was oozing with vintage feels. Ang warm ng ambience, though parang may magpapakitang mumu any time.
The wooden flooring of the second floor was solid, and I could hear our cracking steps every time we walked. The walls were decorated with different paintings and faces of elder people wearing filipiniana and barong.
"Vizcarra's, right?" I asked Jae.
"Yeah."
"Mel's really rich, huh?"
"She is."
I scanned Jae from head to toe. I understood Kuya Ronie why she married this woman. Sa lahat ng babaeng na-link kay Kuya, si Jaesie lang ang kayang tapatan ang katarayan ni Mum. I sort of hate her for being so cocky, but I still admire her for being strong. Sana kaya ko ring gawin ang ginagawa niya para hindi ako gipitin ng mommy ko.
"You know Mum's plan?" I asked.
"Sad to say, yeah."
"Can I have a solicited opinion about that? I mean, about Clark."
"Hmm . . . Clark's a nuisance, but that doesn't change the fact na favorable naman talaga siya kung minsan. He's a good choice for you."
"You dated him before right?"
"I did."
"And it didn't work out?"
"He only dated me because he was forced into the idea of dating me. Never naman niya akong nagustuhan romantically. And marrying you is a different case."
Jae opened a wooden door along the hallway. I stared at her for a moment to check her impression.
"You know nothing about those boys, Jae," I informed her.
"And it's better that way." She winked at me and pointed at the canopy bed. "Clothes are there. Room natin 'tong apat. Wala kang choice. Hihintayin ka namin sa ibaba."
Jae left me afterward.
Sobrang iba ng circle ko sa circle ni Kuya. Apparently, I have to enter his circle for now dahil pinag-iinitan ni Mum si Clark.
The whole room looked like a setting in a horror movie with a white lady scaring her victims. The walls were full of vintage paintings. The ceiling has a wooden fan and round lamps. It wasn't working, not sure if hindi gumagana dahil sira o dahil nakapatay lang since wala namang naka-stay sa room. Pero mabango sa loob. Amoy jasmine, which smelled like ghost nga raw, as per the elders sa province before. Yung kapag may naamoy kang white-potted jasmine sa area, that means may ghost doon.
Lumapit ako sa kama and I saw a pair of white string bikini—and not just a simple bikini! These are my things sa bahay ni Kuya Ronie!
Oh, so he definitely wanted me in here because he took my things outside his mansion, huh?
I immediately changed my clothes and covered my bikini with a knitted shawl.
Walang binabanggit si Kuya sa plan niya, but he didn't want my presence around him if he didn't need me. Pagbalik ko sa pool, nakaipon na sila sa grassy part ng yard. Nakaupo silang lahat sa picnic mat at mukhang may meeting na sila.
Akala ko pa naman, lalangoy na ako. My God!
Naupo ako sa tabi ni Kuya saka yumakap sa kanang braso niya. Sa kanilang lahat, siya lang ang naka-T-shirt. Ang KJ, as usual. Parang hindi naghuhubad sa harap namin kapag may show ako. Gusto yatang si Jaesie lang ang nakakakita ng abs niya.
"All right, everyone's here," Kuya started and clapped his hands once.
Seryoso silang lahat na nakikinig. May hawak silang mga drink at barbecue, at lumubog na rin ang araw. Bukas na nga ang wall lamps at lightposts sa yard at sa bahay mismo.
"I have a news," Kuya started.
"Bad news ba?" Patrick asked.
"Well . . ." Kuya was hesitant to answer that. "Mum wanted Clark to marry Sabrina."
"HA?" they all asked in chorus.
Well, same reaction, duh.
"Bakit si Clark?" tanong ni Mel.
"Hey, why not Clark?" Kyline retorted. "But why Clark first pala?"
Kuya sighed and I could feel his frustration based on his body movements.
"Alam n'yo, hindi 'yan ang issue ko ngayon," sabi ni Clark kaya sa kanya kami napatinging lahat. "Three weeks na 'kong pinababantayan ni Tita Tess."
What? Si Mum?
"Whoa. Why? What happened?" Kyline said, and I think, all of us are curious to know too.
"Akala ko, jino-joke time lang ako ni Tita Tess last month noong mag-announce siya ng wedding namin ni Sab," Clark explained. "Then, may nahuli akong umaaligid sa work saka sa bahay ko. Noong na-confront ko, confirmed, tao ni Tita Tess."
They all looked at me and kay Kuya since mom namin ang topic.
"Nag-apologize na ako kay Clark about that. And Mum admitted it, so guilty siya in every angle."
"Bakit?" Ky asked again. "I mean . . . Clark and Sab are gonna get married so . . ."
"Ayoko."
"That won't happen."
Sabay pa kaming sumagot ni Clark kay Kyline.
Then everyone was looking at us as if we said something disturbing.
The boys shrugged and their actions yelled "We understand," while the girls' faces looked as if the idea was still in process in their brains.
"Basically, ayaw n'yo ng wedding," sabi ni Melanie. "Well, same. Tara, abroad!"
"Hey!" Sumimangot agad si Patrick at hindi na namin naiwasang matawa. Hinawakan niya agad sa pisngi si Melanie habang kunot na kunot ang noo. "Take that back."
"Arte mo!" Sinampal lang ni Mel si Patrick bago sumandal sa balikat ni Pat.
Pero gusto ko ang idea ni Mel. Kaso hindi puwede kasi ang dami kong pending work dito sa Manila.
"Pero bakit nga kasi si Clark?" tanong ulit ni Mel. "Matagal nang evil mom 'yang mama mo Rico. Lahat na lang talaga, dinadamay niya sa stress."
Kuya sighed one more time and he wasn't saying anything mula pa kanina.
"To be honest, I get where my mom is coming from," Kuya explained, at dahilan iyon para bumitiw ako sa kanya para lang makita ang reaction niya.
"Kuya?"
"Sorry, but I will agree with Rico," Jaesie seconded, and we were all astounded by it.
Kuya said earlier na gagawa siya ng paraan to stop the wedding plan ni Mum, and now, sasabihin nilang naiintindihan nila si Mum kung bakit ako ikakasal kay Clark? What the fuck!
"Explain ko lang kung bakit si Clark," Kuya calmly said. "Matagal ko nang best friend si Clark, all right? And when I say matagal, like kinder pa lang kami, best of friends na kami. We're friends for almost three decades, and imagine the years kung gaano na katagal."
"Oh . . ."
Everyone was listening to Kuya's explanation as if he was telling us a nice fairy tale tonight.
"He's been Sab's closest guardian. Bulol pa si Sabrina, binabantayan na namin siya ni Clark."
"Dude, huwag kang sinungaling. Binabantayan ko si Sab sa 'yo kasi ang sama ng ugali mo—o! O! Mamalo pa!" Nag-angat na agad ng barbecue stick si Clark nang akma siyang papaluin ni Kuya na seryosong nagkukuwento.
"I'm explaining! Nakakasira ka talaga ng momentum! Bad trip ka!"
"Hahaha! Sige na, sige na! Magkuwento ka na!"
Nagtago agad si Clark sa likod ni Leo habang nakangisi para asarin si Kuya.
"Ehem." Now, Kuya's glare was warning Clark to shut his mouth. "Sab and Ivo broke up last month."
Nabanggit na naman si Ivo. Pero sa tagal ng nangyari, nawawalan na ako ng ganang makaramdam ng heartbreak. Pinigilan nila ako sa heartbreak ko hanggang sa mawala na lang 'yon—or hindi naman talaga nawala. Na-contain lang ang sakit sa loob.
"And Mum took that opportunity to ask Clark to marry Sabrina. Because it's the least she can do for the both of them."
"Dude, pinakikialaman ni Tita Tess ang buhay ni Clark. Paanong 'at least she can do' 'yon e nanghihimasok na siya sa buhay ng may buhay," sagot ni Leo.
Agree din ako sa kanya.
"Well . . . uhm . . . it's a bit complicated and personal . . ." Napatingin si Kuya kay Clark. Parang nagtatanungan sila ng kung ano na walang makaintindi sa amin kundi silang dalawa lang. "It's more than what you think, guys. Hindi pa buo 'tong group na 'to, existing na ang reason na 'yon."
"Please, not that reason," nakangiwi nang sinabi ni Clark, as if naiilang siya sa iniisip ni Kuya.
"Unfortunately."
"Ugh. Not again." Clark bowed his head to Leo's shoulder. He looked so frustrated right now.
Kami namang nakikinig, nagtataka sa topic nilang hindi namin masundan.
Nalilito na ako.
"Ano 'yon, Kuya?" tanong ko na habang kinakalabit si Kuya Ronie. "Share!"
Kuya sighed for the nth time and wrapped his right arm around my shoulder. He was tapping my head, and I didn't know why!
"Honestly, Clark is Mum's favorite child," Kuya admitted.
"We know," his barkada said in unison.
"And she's bargaining everything right now," Kuya added. "She's trying to hit a flock of birds with just a single stone. At hindi ako makahindi sa plan ni Mum because she's right in so many sense."
Kuya tapped my shoulder once more and fear started to creep me out because he had already declared he couldn't say no to Mum.
And that also means hindi niya ako matutulungan.
"She trusted Clark more than she trusted me lalo sa pag-aalaga kay Sabrina. During our junior year sa high school, something bad happened, and that resulted sa malaking damage kay Clark—"
"Nah, it's okay, dude. Puwede ka nang huminto diyan," pag-awat ni Clark kahit na may sasabihin pa dapat si Kuya. "As far as I'm concerned, closed case na 'yan."
And now, everyone's eyes were full of curiosity as to why Clark was so serious about stopping Kuya's story. Palipat-lipat ang mata nila kay Kuya saka kay Clark.
"Gusto ko lang ding mag-explain kung bakit ayokong magpakasal kay Sabrina," Clark said seriously.
Mel looked like she's been watching a good show in front of her. Kumain pa nga ng barbecue at uminom ng juice habang salitan ng tingin kay Clark at kay Kuya.
"Si Sab, kung hindi n'yo naitatanong, matagal ko nang inaalagaan 'yan." Clark was so serious, it gave me an eerie and nostalgic feels, nagtatayuan ang mga balahibo ko sa katawan. "Kung ang reason ni Tita Tessa kaya niya ako gusto bilang manugang niya ay dahil sure siyang aalagaan ko si Sab forever, puwede kong alagaan si Sabrina kahit kailan niya gustuhin pero hindi ako magpapakasal."
"Aww . . ." Kyline hummed and held her hands across her chest. "That's so sweet."
"Ky, please, huwag mong malisyahan, please lang," disclaimer agad ni Clark, na sobrang rare lang naming makitang ganito siya ka-defensive.
"So you're gonna back out with the wedding idea with Sab?" Jaesie asked Clark.
"Jae, sobrang sudden ng lahat, hindi rin maganda ang timing," mabilis na sagot ni Clark, na gusto ko ring sang-ayunan. "Sobrang off talaga sa 'kin. Iniipon ni Tita lahat ng resibong puwede niyang ilaban para makasal kami ni Sabrina. Alam ba niya kung ilang taon pa lang kami ni Sab doon? Tapos ngayon, gagawin niya sa 'kin itong ginagawa niyang pagsunod-sunod. For what? Para pakasalan ko si Sabrina? Para siguruhing walang ibang babae maliban sa bunso niya? 'Tol, hindi naman ako perfect na tayo, pero hindi ko deserve 'tong ginagawa niya sa 'kin."
And at that moment, we were all quiet, looking at Clark defending his side, agitated, and out of his usual composure. We barely see him in his serious stance, and these are those times when we didn't want to see him take things seriously kasi feeling ko, may dapat kaming ikatakot ngayon.
Kuya shook his head. "Dude, believe me, hindi ka titigilan ni Mum."
I took a deep breath when we all saw how Clark glared at nowhere. The last time I saw him throw a dagger looks at someone, sobrang bata pa ako n'on. And his glares were simply too expensive—literally because he was paid to do that before. It was strange to know that we were staring into a thousand-dollar worth of glare at this precise moment.
"We need to compromise," Kuya finally said. "What's your plan, Clark?"
♥♥♥