Chapter 22 - Youngest Smith
"Theo Smith." I put my fist down, but not my guard.
Theo's eyes are still big, nagulat sa pag-amba ko ng suntok. Then he blinks, "Were you just about to punch me?"
"Yes." I say casually.
"But I haven't done anything!" He exclaims defensively.
Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay, "Why are you following me?"
"You're Tyler's girlfriend, right?" nagkamot siya ng batok, he kinda looks... shy? "I wanted to see you."
"What do you want from me?" I narrow my eyes at him. Troy acted like this in front of me before.
Theo shrugs. "Nothing, really. I just wanted to see you."
Tinitigan ko siyang mabuti. Mukha naman siyang nagsasabi ng totoo. He doesn't look like he's hiding something either. He seems genuine and innocent, but I can't be too sure. Kailangan kong mag-ingat. He's a Smith, and his two older brothers have caused me trouble, if I'm not careful Theo Smith might just cause me one.
Bago pa mangyari 'yon, uunahan ko na siya.
I grab his black sweatshirt at saka siya isinandal sa pader kung saan malakas na tumama ang likod niya. Theo is so surprised that he doesn't have time to resist.
"Anong balak mo? May mga nakatago bang assassin sa paligid? Are you gonna kidnap me? Torture me? I can break your neck right now, kaya kung ano man ang balak mong gawin, 'wag mo nang ituloy." Kailangan kong tumingala dahil ang tangkad niya! He's probably around six foot or higher? Matangkad pa siya sa mga kapatid niya! To think that he's the youngest, and is only fifteen, geez! Baka pagdating niya ng college, higante na siya.
"What? Damn, I just told you I just wanted to see you! Why do you have to be so paranoid?" Theo doesn't try to break free, shook pa rin siya. Though I think if he tried, madali siyang makakawala mula sa'kin. I have a strong feeling na kasing lakas niya ang mga kapatid niya, at kasing galing makipaglaban.
"Because your asshole of a brother, Troy, did this. Acting all kind and shy at first, pero may masama palang balak. Kaya ikaw, anong balak mo sa'kin?" Mas hinigpitan ko ang hawak sa damit niya.
Sumeryoso ang expression niya, "What did Troy do?"
"Oh, he did a lot!" At sinabi ko sa kanya ang ginawa ni Troy at nang buong Phoenix sa'kin, summarized version of course. "Nakapaghiganti naman ako, so I guess quits na kami." I proudly tell Theo how I kick Troy's balls.
"Tsk! I told him not to do anything reckless! Why can't he just listen? Fuck, he never listens to me! Saying I'm the youngest and all. If I were the eldest, matagal ko na silang pinag-untog ni Tyler. All they do is fucking fight! It's tiring!"
Binitawan ko ang sweatshirt niya. "Okay, bro. Kalma ka lang. I get it. Masarap talagang pag-untugin ang dalawang 'yon."
Theo takes a deep breath to calm himself, then stares at me earnestly. "I swear, wala akong balak na masama. I'm sorry if Troy did those things to you. He deserves more kick in the balls."
"I know right!" natatawang sabi ko. Sumeryoso rin ako agad, I can't let my guard down yet, hindi pa ako sigurado sa Smith na 'to. "I don't easily trust people Theo, let alone a Smith. I didn't trust Tyler too when I first met him, you know."
He chortles, "You punched him on the first day, right?"
"How did you know that?"
"His friends told me, they wouldn't pass the chance to tell the world that the Tyler the Great was punched by a girl transferee."
"Tyler's an ass. I didn't like him then." Natawa rin ako. Man, it's only been months pero parang ang tagal na.
"Why did you like him now? What made you like him?" Theo asks, enthralled.
Lumunok ako. Am I admitting that I like Orange?!
Syet, kung ano-ano na naman ang lumalabas sa bibig ko. "Well, uh... It's a long story."
"You know, I couldn't believe it when Troy told me our brother's got a girlfriend. I thought he was talking about a different brother, but we don't have a different or other brother. Tyler's our only brother. Just the three of us, and I really couldn't believe it. So when the maids are talking about your arrival, I just had to see you. I had to make sure Tyler's girlfriend is real."
Muntik na kong mahilo sa mga sinabi niya. "Well, I'm real."
Tumango siya. "Yeah, I see that."
I clear my throat. "Anyway, your brother needs to eat! Kailangan niya ng energy! Saan ba ang kitchen n'yo?"
Theo's eyes shine with excitement, "Ipagluluto mo siya?"
"Yeah." sagot ko, trying hard to be confident.
"Follow me."
And so I follow him. Pinapakiramdaman kong mabuti ang paligid habang naglalakad kami, dahil baka mamaya may nakasunod sa'min, naghihintay lang nang pagkakataon para dambahin ako, o kaya takpan ang ilong ko na may pampatulog at dalin ako sa lumang warehouse.
Tsk, I now have trust issues and it's all because of Troy. It kind of helps me though, to be more careful, and to be more aware of my surroundings.
"What are you gonna make? Tyler likes pastas." Theo asks habang pababa kami ng grand staircase.
"Lugaw, para madali niyang makain. Wala pang ganang kumain ang kapatid mo, eh. Kapag magaling na siya, I'll make him pasta." sabi ko pa, na parang may alam ako sa kusina.
Tumango-tango naman siya. "Magaling ka bang magluto?"
"You'll see." natatawang sagot ko.
Sa kitchen naman talaga ako dinala ni Theo, sa luxurious kitchen ng mansion. Hindi na ako gaanong nagulat dahil sa laki nito. Likod na yata ito ng mansion, tanaw ko mula sa dalawang maglalakihang pintuan palabas ng mansion ang malawak na green field. Or is it a golf course?
Theo politely asks the maids, that are currently preparing for dinner, to leave. Agad namang tumalima ang mga ito, mabilis na niligpit at itinabi ang mga ginagawa bago kami iniwan.
Pilit akong ngumiti sa pinakabatang Smith, "Bakit mo sila pinaalis?"
"Don't you want the whole kitchen for yourself?" He answers, smiling back.
Lumunok ako. How will I function in this big ass kitchen? Nilabas ko ang phone ko at muling binasa ang procedure na kanina ko pa pinag-aaralan habang pababa kami. Agad kong hinanap ang mga ingredients, nagpatulong akong maghanap kay Theo para mas mabilis. Pinaalis niya 'yong mga maids eh, kaya dapat lang na tulungan niya ako.
Thankfully, this kitchen has all the ingredients needed.
Sumulyap ako sa phone ko para sa unang step.
* Clean the rice. Rinse both the glutinous (sticky) rice and long-grained rice in cool, clean water.
Piece of cake. Done!
* Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan. Sauté the garlic and ginger.
Kinuha ko 'yong bawang at luya para ilagay sa saucepan, pero pinigilan ako ni Theo.
"Bakit?" tanong ko sa kanya.
"Aren't you supposed to slice them first?"
"Wala namang sinabi dito, eh."
Using his index finger, he scratches his forehead. "You don't really know how to cook, do you?"
Tumawa ako ng malakas, then I stare at him helplessly. "Bakit mo kasi pinaalis 'yong mga maids kanina?"
Theo looks disappointed. Ang akala niya talaga marunong akong magluto. He sighs bago ako tinulungan na maghiwa ng bawang at luya. Ang ganda ng kamay niya! Maputi, makinis, at 'yong mga daliri parang kandila sa haba! Geez, why so perfect?
"So you know how to cook?"
He sighs again, "No. But this is basic you know? Even elementary kids know this!"
"Hindi kasi ako nakikinig kapag lutuan na ang lesson o usapan. Mas naka-focus ako sa pagkain." I smile, close-lip one, after explaining.
Theo just rolls his eyes.
"Look, I'm learning! That's the most important part, right?"
He still looks disappointed.
I use him as a shield while sautéing the ginger and garlic. Ayokong matalsikan ng mantika, 'no! No'ng feeling ko luto na, ginawa ko ang sunod na step.
* Add the rice and stock. Season with fish sauce and pepper. Continue cooking until the texture becomes thick, while stirring once in a while.
Pumikit ako at nilanghap ang mabangong amoy soon-to-be lugaw. Amoy masarap!
All I have to do now, is wait.
I stare at the trees outside the window. "Theo, pwede ba 'kong magtanong?"
"About what?"
"Do you know my name?"
"Of course I do, Alisson."
I narrow my eyes at him again, "You're only fifteen years old, right?" He nods. "Well, I'm seventeen. I'm two years older, you should call me Ate Alisson. Or just Ate Ali for short."
"Ate Alisson?" ulit niya, masama ang mukha. "I'm gonna call you Ate? When I'm way taller than you?"
"Aba't! Hoy! Nang-iinsulto ka ba?"
"Just stating facts."
"Kaya siguro hindi mo tinatawag na kuya ang mga kapatid mo, 'no?"
Bahagyang lumungkot ang mga mata niya. He crosses his arms. "They're both childish. I'm the mature one, they should be the ones calling me Kuya."
"Well, I'm not childish. So call me Ate!"
"You don't even know how to cook."
Magkakapatid nga silang tatlo! They're all stubborn!
"I'm learning!" I check the saucepan. Hindi pa gaanong sticky. "Magtatanong ulit ako, sasagutin mo ba?"
"Depends."
"Where are your parents? I just have a feeling... that they're not here? Busy ba sila sa trabaho?"
Theo uncrosses his arms and stares outside, probably to hide his sadness. "Not really. Hindi naman gaanong busy sa company. Dad just doesn't want to come home anymore. He lives in his office. As for Mom... she's gone." Sinalubong niya ang tingin ko, his eyes are melancholic. "I killed her."
Nalaglag yata ang mga panga ko. Lumunok ako at patuloy na tumitig kay Theo, naghihintay ng mga susunod niyang sasabihin.
"As you may have noticed, we have a miserable family. And it's all because of me. I ruined everything. We all hate Dad, and I think Dad hates us too. Tyler hates me and Troy, and Troy hates Tyler. We all hate each other." Matabang siyang tumawa, "So tell me Alisson, why should I call them kuya? We don't even treat each other as family."
Once again, I'm out of words. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin o ang dapat kong i-react. I wasn't prepared with his answer, I honestly thought he was gonna dodge my question, or won't answer me at all. I'm a mere stranger to him and we only just met, kahit pa sabihing girlfriend ako ng kapatid niya.
"Thank you," I say, not breaking our eye contact. "For openly answering my question."
He cracks a small smile, "I thought you were gonna say sorry."
"Nah, I bet you're tired hearing that."
"Sick of it, actually."
"Miss Alisson?" says the familiar voice. Halos sabay pa kaming lumingon ni Theo sa pinanggalingan ng boses. It's Mina, standing in the kitchen doorway. "Sir Tyler sent me. He said you might need my help."
"I'm good, patapos na rin ako dito. Thank you, Mina."
"She's not good. Pakibantayan siya Mina, she might just burn this kitchen down."
"Aba't! Nanghahamon ka ba ng away Theo Smith?"
He chortles, "You have Mina, you won't need me here."
I sigh heavily, "Salamat sa konting tinulong mo."
Theo looks smug, "Admit it. If not for me, you wouldn't survive this kitchen." Palabas na siya ng doorway when he suddenly stops and faces me again. "If I were you, I wouldn't tell Tyler you met me. He won't like it."
He's gone bago ko pa siya matanong kung bakit.
"Miss Alisson, 'yong niluluto n'yo po." paalala sa'kin ni Mina.
Syet, oo nga pala!
I stir the pan and the rice are now sticky. It's time to do the last step.
* Add the salt, stir and then cook for 2 minutes more. Transfer to a serving bowl. Serve hot. Share and enjoy!
~*~
"What the fuck took you so long?" nakabusangot na tanong ni Orange pagbalik ko sa napakalaking kwarto niya.
"Gusto kitang gutumin ng mabuti para maubos mo 'to." Nginitian ko siya ng matamis. Pagbibigyan ko siya ngayong araw dahil may sakit siya. I place the tray on his lap. "Kain na, my prince."
"This is edible, right?"
I keep my sweet smile, "Kainin mo na lang pwede?"
Sumama naman agad ang mukha niya sa unang subo pa lang. "It's burnt. I waited two hours for this?"
"Sino ba 'yong nagiinarte na ayaw kumain? Kung makareklamo 'to. Edible pa rin naman 'yan! Kung ayaw mo ako ang uubos!" Inaagaw ko sa kanya 'yong bowl pero ayaw niya naman ibigay. "Hindi naman dapat masusunog 'yan, eh. Believe it or not, masarap 'yan kanina. Kaso 'yong last step kasi ang sabi, cook for two more minutes after adding the salt. Pero dahil kailangan mo nang kumain, at ayoko nang maghintay ka pa dahil nakakahiya naman sa'yo, nilakasan ko 'yung apoy. Hanggang sa ayun, nasunog."
Orange doesn't answer. Kumain lang siya ng kumain hanggang sa maubos 'yong lugaw.
"Gutom ka na siguro talaga, ano?" Arte lang kasi, ayaw pa raw kumain. "Gusto mo pa ba? May mas matinong pagkain na hinanda 'yong mga maids."
Umiling siya at sumandal sa head board ng kama.
Pina-inom ko siya ng gamot bago muling pinahiga. Ang galing niya, deretso lunok! Hindi katulad ko na hanggang ngayon hirap.
Katahimikan ang pumalibot sa'min.
Napaisip ako sa mga sinabi ni Theo kanina. Bakit ayaw niyang sabihin ko kay Orange na nakilala ko siya? And what does he mean when he says he killed his mom?
I killed her.
His eyes scream sorrow while saying those words. Maybe he didn't really kill her? Not literally at least. He could've said he murdered her. Besides, one doesn't just confess they killed someone to a stranger.
There's more to it... at kailangan kong malaman 'yon.
"Moretta, what's wrong?" untag sa'kin ni Orange. Nakatitig sa nakatulala ko na palang mukha.
Ang dami kong tanong. And I need to find answers. "Is it okay if I ask what happened to your mom?"
"Why are you suddenly asking?"
"Earlier... you kept saying 'mom' to your sleep, and you were crying."
Orange stares at the ceiling before answering. "She died. Car accident. Years ago."
Lalo akong nalito. What does Theo mean then? Hindi naman magsisinungaling sa'kin si Orange. He's not even bothering to hide his emotions. I can see it clearly in his face. "You miss her."
"Of course I do." He croaks, "Every day."
Silence again. Pinag-iisipan ko pa rin ang sinabi ni Theo.
And I come up with a decision. "I met your brother."
Orange sits up, at mabilis akong sinipat. "Did he hurt you?"
"I meant Theo."
He pauses before repeating his words, "Did he hurt you?"
"No. In fact he helped me."
"Stay away from him. Ipapahamak ka lang niya. And for fuck's sake Moretta, just this once. Makinig ka sa'kin." Orange frustratingly runs a hand through his orange hair, "Ayokong pati ikaw..."
"Pati ako ano?"
"Mawala sa'kin." He finishes as he meets my eyes. I almost choked if not for his next speech. "Aubree's still around. Kailangan pa kita."
"Matulog ka na nga!" Bwisit na Orange 'to, palagi na lang ako pinapakaba.
"Aalis ka na ba kapag natulog ako?"
"Aba, Orange. Inalagaan kita, pinagluto pa! Tapos ngayon pinapaalis mo ako?"
"You're too noisy."
"Magdusa ka! Hindi ako aalis dito!" Humalukipkip ako. "Kapag umalis ako dito, mawawalan na naman ng buhay ang mansion n'yo. Don't get me wrong, napakagara at napakaganda talaga nitong mansion n'yo. Pero alam mo 'yon, may kulang? This is a huge ass mansion, but that's it... It doesn't feel like home."
"Because it isn't." Orange says, like a whisper.
"Parang 'yong famous quote sa The Little Prince. Beautiful, but empty... like this mansion."
"Stay here then."
"Eh?"
"Dito ka na lang. Give this mansion life... o kahit 'tong kwarto ko lang ang bigyan mo ng buhay."
This might be a trap, kaya hinintay ko siyang magpatuloy. Pero wala na siyang sinabi pa. "What do you mean?"
He sighs. "Beautiful, but slow. Tch."
"Linawin mo kasi! Gusto mo bang dito ako tumira? Or do you just want me to stay the night?"
"Whatever's fine with me. The former's better though."
Natawa ako ng malakas. King ina, gusto ko yatang kiligin. "We're not even real, Tyler."
Intensely, he stares at me. He looks so serious, too! "Do you want us to be real?"
Gawd, is he seriously asking me that question? "Do you want to?" I ask, challenging him.
"I asked you first."
Do I want to? Hindi ko pa nga maamin sa sarili ko kung may gusto ako sa kanya. "Hindi ko alam."
"Tch." Orange lies down again, with his back on me. "Kapag alam mo na, tell me."
"Nai-in love ka na ba sa'kin, Orange? Do you like me na?" Natatawang tanong ko sa kanya. Hindi siya kumikibo kaya sinundot-sundot ko ang likod niya. "Silence means yes! Tsk, lakas kasi ng alindog ko, eh."
"Shut up, Moretta."
Okay, maybe not. Baka may sakit lang siya kaya niya nasasabi ang mga bagay-bagay. I reach for his soft orange hair and gently stroke it. He slightly flinches, pero hindi naman ako pinigilan sa ginagawa ko.
"Your black roots are showing, Orange. Hindi ka pa ba magpapakulay? Nakita ko 'yong mga stolen shots mo sa internet. Hindi ka mapakali sa buhok mo ano?"
Orange killed every hair color, as in bagay sa kanya lahat. Blond, brown, red, mint green, geez!
"Wala ka bang balak mag-black? Jacin dyed his hair black when his heart got broken. Ikaw din ba?" tanong ko ulit, patuloy lang ako sa paghaplos ng soft orange hair niya. "On second thought, mag-forever orange ka na lang. Para forever kitang tatawagin na Orange."
Hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita, o gumagalaw man lang.
"Tulog ka na ba?"
"You talk too much, paano ko makakatulog?s"
"Eto na nga tatahimik na." Sungit mode na naman siya! Umalis ako sa gilid ng kama niya, at nagpunta sa kabilang side ng kwarto niya.
Doon lang ako nilingon ni Orange, "Where are you going?"
"I'm gonna make you fall... asleep." Umupo ako sa harap ng grand piano at tumugtog. I kind of want to impress him, so I play Fur Elise. Madali lang ang umpisa no'n, eh. Umpisa lang, very basic.
Char!
Bumangon bigla si Orange at tinabihan ako.
"Tumugtog ako para makatulog ka."
"Play more." He demands.
"I will, kapag bumalik sa kama mo. Baka naman magpabuhat ka pa? Hindi kita kaya."
One thing I notice about Orange is that he really likes classical music. Sa inaraw-araw kong pagsakay sa kotse niya, madalas classical ang background music namin. Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart and more.
I even made fun of him because of that, napakadalang kasi sa panahon ngayon ang mahilig sa classical lalo na sa mga kabataan. Not to be judgmental, pero wala talaga sa itsura ni Orange na ganoon ang tipo niyang musika. Hindi ko pa rin kasi gaanong appreciated ang classical music noon, but now I think it ain't bad. It's very relaxing, and it's perfect lalo na kapag nag-rereview. Ang kaso napakadalang ko lang mag-review.
But seriously, listening to classical music is one great way of relaxing.
"Kailan ka natutong tumugtog?" Orange asks. He's too near. Hindi ko kaya ang intensity ng tingin niya.
"Middle school. My best friends taught me." I answer as I nudge his shoulder with mine, hindi ko kayang salubungin ang tingin niya, eh. "Matulog ka na sabi. Paano ka gagaling agad n'yan?"
Hindi siya nagsalita. Sumandal lang sa balikat ko.
"Hoy, Orange mahiga ka na sabi."
He adjusts his head on my shoulders, and wraps his arms around my waist. And when I look at his face, his eyes are closed.
"Ang laki-laki ng kama mo, dito ka pa sa balikat ko matutulog?" Gusto pa kong pahirapan, eh!
"You're warmer than my bed."
"Hoy! Bibig mo nga!"
Orange just pulls me closer, squeezing me tight.
"Orange, ano ba?"
"Play for me, please." He says it so very softly that I couldn't say no.
And so I play again, Twinkle Little Stars this time. Na-enjoy ko naman ang pagtugtog. Nakaka-miss! Middle school pa noong huli akong tumugtog. Nakakatuwa dahil kabisa pa rin ng mga daliri ko ang keys. After the little star, I play London Bridge is Falling Down, followed by Mary had a Little Lamb and lastly, ang pinakamalupit sa lahat, Happy Birthday.
Tahimik lang si Orange habang tumutugtog ako, patag na rin ang paghinga niya. Nakatulog nang talaga.
It's like a huge baby is hugging me. Well, quits na kami ngayon. Natulog rin naman ako dati sa balikat niya.
Kahit maputla siya, talaga naman. Napakawapo pa rin ng lalaking 'to. Kahit nanunuyo ang lips, parang ang sarap pa ring halikan--
Moretta, what the fuck?
Kastigo ko sa sarili ko in Orange's voice.
Yes, Alisson. What the fuck?!
What am I even thinking? Nagkakagusto na ba talaga ko sa lalaking 'to?
Pinilig ko ang ulo ko. Hindi ako dapat mag-isip.
Hinawi ko na lang ang buhok ni Orange na tumatabing sa noo niya. His fever has cooled down a bit. Kahit ayoko, napatitig na naman ako sa mukha. There's just something about his face... so beautiful and mesmerizing. Nag-effort talaga si Lord sa paglilok ng mukha niya.
Gawd, mukhang siyang angel... kapag tulog. Pero pagkagising, demonyo na. Pwede kayang forever na lang siyang matulog? Para Sleeping Beauty na ang peg niya.
Sino naman ang hahalik sa kanya para magising?
Wala obviously. Mas okay ang lahat kapag tulog siya. Parang may world peace.
O kaya pwede namang ako na lang.
Ginulo ko ang buhok ni Orange Sleeping Beauty, before kissing the top of his head. "Sleep well, Orange."
* * *
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- Sig