"Take these chances to turn it around."
TWENTY
Humigpit ang hawak ni Ice sa file folder. They were all waiting for her to talk, waiting for an answer, an explanation. But she couldn't talk.
She can't even open her mouth.
How is she going to start this?
How is she going to explain to Dos and Uno why Cast is here in her house, wearing a white shirt and basketball short at mukhang bagong gising lang?
Anxious thoughts filled her head. The mere thought that weren't in good terms had her nerves shaking. Lalo na't ang DMU pa ang nanalo ngayong season. What the two Romeros felt after still weren't clear to her. At hindi niya din alam kung ano ang tunay na tingin ni Cast sa rival nitong players.
Malay ba niya kung anong nangyayari off court. Malay ba niya kung ano ang tingin talaga nila sa isa't isa pag walang naka tutok na camera.
Syempre after DMU's win hindi smooth sail ang nangyari sa fans ng both teams. Of course there's fan wars kahit na alam ng lahat na it was a clean win. Bitter ang ibang fans ng SAU since the crown has been in SAU's turf for three years tapos naagaw na naman ng DMU.
"So this is why she's on the other side," Dos let out a dry laugh, his eyes darting to Ice then to Cast. "Ikaw ang nag bigay sa kanya ng ticket?"
Cast lazily took a sip of his water again. "It was Stellar actually."
"Altamirano's sister?"
"Yes."
Ice can feel Uno's eyes on her... burning her. As if he's willing her to explain everything to him and him alone.
But out of the three, si Dos itong mukhang nasaktan. He looks so betrayed.
Ice's heart pounded. She sent a silent plea to Cast, hoping he can understand.
When he lowered his glass and a small smile played on his lips, Ice knew he got it.
He nods for her to come down. Nilahad pa nito ang kamay para kuhanin ang dala niyang folder.
"I'll handle this," Cast gave her an assuring smile. "Sa kitchen ka muna. Sige na."
Ginawa niya kung ano ang sinabi nito dahil hindi niya na magawang tignan pa ang dalawang Romero sa mata.
Alam niya ding nakatingin ang lahat sa kanya habang naglalakad siya palayo.
Ice stop mid step when she realizes... she's walking away again. Iiwas na naman ba siya sa problema niya.
Eto na naman ba?
Bumalik si Ice pero hanggang pinto lang siya. Alam niyang may gagawin si Cast. He pushed her away because he doesn't want her to see it.
He's not that hard to figure out but still, he's one of the most unpredictable people she knows. Alam niya na ang gagawin nito ay para sa kanya because she asked for his help.
"Look, Ice doesn't need this right now." Panimula nito. "And I'm not up for confrontations either kasi halata namang kakagising ko lang at kulang pa ako sa tulog."
"So it's better if we leave?" was Uno's snarky answer.
"Wala naman akong sinabi pero mas better nga 'yon."
"Still sarcastic as ever, Elizeo."
Nanlamig si Ice nang marinig niya ang sinabi ni Uno.
Alam niya sa dalawang Romero, si Dos ang pala salita. That's why he's got the spotlight on him everytime. He's more out going and open habang si Uno itong closed off at hindi mo ma tantya ang mood palagi.
Hindi pa din nag iiba ang isip niya simula ng makilala niya ito. She percieved him as a manipulator and she's completely right.
He's not manipulating anyone right now pero sa past interactions nila, nagawa nito iyon sa kanya. It's so easy for him to turn the situation around. Will he do that this time?
"It's my weapon."
She saw how Uno's jaw hardened.
"Umalis na tayo, Dos."
"No," Dos answered firmly but this time there's a lightness in his voice.
Was he amused? Hindi sigurado si Ice.
"I'm here because I need to sleep. Seryosong sagot 'yan at nag paalam ako sa Kuya niya. Kayo ang hindi nag paalam kaya wala kayong karapatang mang gulo ng buhay niya ngayon."
She felt a wave of worry for Cast because of how hard Uno is looking at him. Para bang isang kalabit lang dito he'll immediately go in for the kill.
She slowly comes out of hiding. Hands shaking as she looked at Cast.
"D-don't make them leave."
"See?" Dos glanced at his brother. "She doesn't want us to leave."
"This isn't worth my time."
Uno's statement sent a hard punch of realization to Ice.
What's happening is not worth his time huh?
Para kay Ice malaking bagay ito because she didn't expect this to happen today tapos para sa kanya wala lang pala?
Her jaw hardened, it's like a sudden burst button was pushed inside of her. Mariin niyang tinignan si Uno. She's not worried about Cast anymore dahil nangibabaw na ang inis. "If you want to leave -"
"I was about to make pancakes," Cast butts in, cutting her off. He probably sensed the sudden rise of her emotions that's why he said what's on top of his head, preventing her to burst.
It worked. Hindi na niya natuloy ang sasabihin niya at tinignan nalang ng masama si Uno.
"Marunong ka gumawa ng pancakes, Wonder boy?" Cast grinned at Dos because of the use of his moniker.
"I don't but Uno does."
"Sayang naman if he's going to leave. Gutom pa naman si Ice. Kanina pa nya gustong kumain ng pancakes."
Ice never said anything about pancakes, ni hindi nga niya ito binanggit sa usapan nila kaninang umaga. Nang matulog si Cast, hindi na sila nag usap pa so whatever he's playing, wala siyang idea.
Kung kausapin nito si Dos parang kanina lang hindi niya ito pinapaalis.
"Matitiis mo bang magutom si Ice?" Dos nudged his brother. "Ikaw nga may kasalanan kaya napuyat sya. Ikaw nag dala sa kanya sa bahay kagabi."
Why are they guilt tripping him?! Not worth his time nga diba? Gusto na niyang umalis!
"Kung gusto niya umalis, hayaan nyo. Ihatid nyo pa." Ice said, shooting more daggers at Uno before turning her back at dumiretso sa kitchen.
She needs to breathe. Whatever game they're all playing right now, she doesn't want to be part of it.
Pero ang totoo, siya ang nagsimula nito.
The collision just happened.
At alam niyang hindi ito ang huli.
"Hey," she felt Dos' hand caressing her hair pero hindi niya ito tinignan. "Don't mind Uno. May period 'yon ngayon."
Ice shook her head pero napangiti siya nga konti.
"Uy ngumiti na siya," Dos pokes her side. "Ngiti na dali. Wag ka na mainis. Sasapakin ko si Uno pag uwi para sayo."
"Hindi naman kailangan." Nakakainis lang talaga. Mabilis naman mawala ang inis nita but she can't help but be offended by his statement at iyon ang paulit-ulit niyang iisipin.
He said it like she's worth nothing.
"Hindi. I insist. Gago 'yon eh."
Umiling nalang si Ice. Ayaw naman niyang mag away pa ang magkapatid.
"Harap ka nga sakin."
Huminga muna siya ng malalim bago ito harapin. She even gave him a small smile just to assure him she's okay.
Dos spreads his arms, his boyish smile inviting her in. "Payakap nga."
Matagal na niyang tanggap na hindi nga nakakaintindi ng concept of personal space si Dos kaya hindi na siya nag dalawang isip pang yakapin ito. If she refused, he's still going to do it anyway.
"Alam mo ba na miss kita."
"I call bluff." Ice's voice was muffled because of how her head is resting on his shoulder. He's lifting her a little, supporting her weight with his arms. Hindi naman niya maaabot ang balikat ni Dos ng ganon lang.
"Totoo nga."
"Kasama mo lang ako kagabi, Dos." She chuckled.
"Hindi ko sinabi sayo kasi masyadong epal si Uno," humigpit ang yakap nito sa kanya. "And there's always a perfect timing for everything."
Ice was silent for a few seconds. Kahit na medyo annoying si Dos, she can't deny how comfortable his presence is.
"Manggugulo talaga kami kaya kami andito pero hindi namin alam may nauna na pala."
Inangat ni Ice ang ulo niya para tignan ito. "Cast is my friend. Andito siya para matulog."
"Do you know how weird that sounds coming from you, bud?"
"Seryoso kasi 'yon."
"Alam ko" Dos sighed. "I saw a couple of his tweets, 'yung mga naka tag ka, recently lang. I didn't put much thought into it kasi what are the odds diba? I never knew you were this close."
"Now you know," Cast said by the doorway. He's looking at Dos, sporting that troublemaker smile again. "Bitaw na pare. Paalam muna sa Kuya bago yumakap."
Pinandilatan ni Ice si Cast nang bitawan siya ni Dos. Wala namang nag bago sa ekspresyon nito. Mapang asar pa din.
Maybe he's loving the fact that Dos is here and he somewhat knows something Dos doesn't.
"I'm serious about the pancakes, Wonder boy. Since you're the only one here, tutulungan mo ko."
Ice breathed at pilit na ngumiti. So Uno really left huh?
"He'll only make a mess. Ako nalang tutulong sa'yo." Ang sagot nalang niya which earned a protest from Dos.
Tinignan niya lang ito. She know's he's useless in the kitchen, enough na iyong na witness niya kagabi palang.
"Kaya ko naman mag halo ng batter no." Protesta muli ni Dos, pouting.
"Hindi," iling ni Ice. "Umupo ka nalang dyan sa island, turuan nalang kita nung lesson para naman maging productive araw natin ngayon."
Dos groaned, clearly not liking the idea of doing math on a Saturday. Sumunod naman ito sa utos niya but still pouting.
Hinanda na ni Cast ang gagawin nila while Ice prepared the papers for Dos. The atmosphere turned lighter now but despite of that, may kaonting tension at inis na nararamdam si Ice sa sarili because of how it ended.
It wasn't that hard but...
One left and two stayed. She should be happy right?
There's no point in hurting over someone who left.
Pero bakit hindi iyon ang nararamdaman niya?
"You've been living alone since your brother left?" Nag simula na naman si Dos sa kakatanong nito nang kumain sila. Ice doesn't know if it's to distract her from teaching him or he's genuinely curious. Dumagdag pa ngayon si Cast na pala tanong din.
She realized na hindi pala maganda ang combination ng dalawa.
Dalawa lang naman ang outcome niyan palagi, it's either they'll clash or get along. So far the two is falling in the latter.
"Yeah. Our parents decided to settle in LA nung high school pa ko. Lex convinced them to let me stay here so he can take care of me. Then he got accepted sa film school so here I am now."
"Wow naman Miss Independent!" Tawa ni Cast kaya binato na naman ito ni Ice ng tissue.
Cast mostly did all the cooking, tumulong din naman siya but mas nag focus siya sa pagtuturo kay Dos dahil ang dami nitong naiwang lessons and if they want to take the exams on time he needs all the help he can get.
"Doesn't it get sad?" Kunot noong tanong ni Dos. "Pag wala nga si Four sa bahay feeling ko sobrang tahimik na."
Ice smiled and shook her head. Tinignan niya lang ang pancakes na nasa plato niya na puno ng whipped cream at syrup. "It does... sometimes."
"That," Cast speaks up, pointing at Ice. "Is the sign for me to come here more often."
"Can I do that too?" Dos turns to Ice, sounding hopeful.
Napa pikit nalang siya. Is it really better na magkasundo sila?
Now it's Cast's turn to throw a wad of tissue at Dos. "Mag paalam ka nga muna sa Kuya niya."
"Nag paalam ka ba talaga?" Dos narrows his eyes at Cast.
"Aba oo naman! Anong tingin mo sakin?" Cast feigned an offended look. "Tsaka kilala ni Lex ang magulang ko no. I love my parents, Romero. Pag nawala sila wala na kong baon."
That earned Cast another tissue wad from Ice. Talagang nasa tabi nalang niya ang lalagyanan ng tissue para may maibato siya kay Cast dahil sa mga kalokohan nito.
"If people only knew this side of you." Ice sighed, shaking her head.
Napa ngisi naman si Cast. "They will still love me."
"Madapa ka sana, Castiel."
"Wala namang ganyanan, Isabelle. Pinagluto kita tapos hinayaan pa kitang lagyan ng pagkadami daming whipped cream at syrup 'yang pancakes mo kahit na baka sumakit pa ngipin mo dyan tapos gaganyanin mo ko? Respeto naman sa gwapo."
Hindi na tissue ang binato ni Ice kundi ang mismong pamunas na ng kitchen island.
"Is he always like this?" Pabulong na tanong ni Dos kay Ice habang tawa nang tawa ni Cast.
"Some days he's pretty mellow and this is not one of those days." Iling ni Ice.
Honestly, anyone will get overwhelmed by Cast when they first meet him. Una mong mapapansin yung kagwapuhan tapos mare-realize mo he's a little crazy pala but you'll get used to it.
Based on Dos' reaction wala silang masyadong interaction ni Cast off court. Tapos ang kalokohan agad ni Cast ang na witness nito.
Ice managed to keep Cast's mouth shut by making him watch The Emperor's New Groove when they moved back to the living room. Kung hindi niya kasi papatahimikin si Cast baka madistract pa lalo si Dos.
Ilang lessons na ang na review nila and they even reviewed the past ones just to refresh his mind.
Hindi rin naman nila maiwasang hindi ma distract sa movie kaya minsan they'd find themselves pausing for a few minutes before going back to what they were solving.
"What are you doing next Saturday?" Pabulong na tanong ni Dos habang nag co-compute ito.
"Sa center ako every Saturday diba? Ngayon lang ako free. Why?"
"Whole day ka sa Sat?"
"Baka hanggang 3 or 4 siguro. Depende sa kung anong gagawin." She shrugged. Pinaplano pa nila ang activity at gagawin iyon after na ng break para naman daw hindi sila masyadong ma stress during vacation sabi ni Ma'am Claud.
Tinignan niya lang si Dos nang hindi na ito sumagot. "Anong meron ba?"
"May football game kasi si Tres and Kuya Reigan this Sat, I was hoping you'd come with us."
"Yung charity game sa Dela Merced Stadium? You're playing against us right?" Sabat naman ni Cast galing sa sofa.
Dos nods before looking at Ice again. "Charity game lang naman para sa foundations na napili ng football league ngayong season."
"Yung mabebentang tickets at kahit anong ma benta sa Bazaar mapupunta yung half sa foundation."
"May Bazaar?"
"Since kami yung host school, naisip nila magkaroon Bazaar for the students and visitors. Sama ka na, Lilo."
"I'll buy your ticket." Dos gives her his boyish smile again.
While Cast's chin was resting on both of his hands that was propped on the sofa looking all cute. "I'll buy you a pretzel."
"You two are a riot." Buntong hininga ni Ice. Wala na talaga siyang takas sa mga ganitong sitwasyon. "Mag ha-half day nalang ako."
The triumphant smile the two boys gave each other was enough confirmation for Ice na nagkasundo nga ang dalawa.
"Dos..." Ice trailed nang may marealize siya bigla. "Kinuha ni Uno yung sasakyan..."
Tsaka din lang nito na realize ang situation nang sabihin ni Ice. Naisip lang naman niya iyon dahil nakita niyang madilim na sa labas at kailangan na niya itulak pauwi si Cast dahil may naka schedule pa itong interview para sa isang sports channel bukas. If she doesn't kick him out baka dito pa ito mag overnight.
"Oh fuck."
"I'll book an Uber for you." Offer niya agad dito.
"I'll drive you kung gusto mo." Offer din ni Cast.
Napa tango naman si Ice. Malayo pa ang bahay nila Dos, siguradong traffic na baka mahirapan pa ito umuwi. After all the things she shoved in his brain today, a safe ride home is the least she could do for him.
"Is that a serious offer?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Dos kay Cast.
"Yeah. I won't crash the car, don't worry."
"I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about being stuck in traffic with you."
Tumawa tuloy si Ice ng wala sa oras. Well, maybe hindi pa sila ayos sa ibang bagay. But she loved how they acted towards each other today dahil na din sa kanya.
She's their common denominator.
"I'll probably just yawn my soul out throughout the ride kaya wag ka na maarte, Romero."
"Sumabay ka na," udyok ni Ice. "He's not that bad naman. You can always call me para I can tell him to shut up if he's bothering you too much."
"Grabe ka talaga, Lilo."
She just gave him a sweet smile. "Mag ayos ka na ng gamit mo nang maka alis na kayo, Castiel."
Cast got up and went straight to the stairs para ayusin na ang gamit. Sinundan lang nila ng tingin ito until he disappeared from their sight, nag simula na naman ang mga tanong ni Dos when they were finally alone.
"I still can't believe you're friends with him."
"Well believe it because he's not going away anytime soon."
"Paano?"
"Huh?"
"Paano kayo nagkakilala?"
Ice sighed. Hindi pa naman ganoon katagal noong nakilala niya si Cast pero feeling niya ang dami nang nagyari simula nung araw na iyon hanggang ngayon.
"Kaibigan ni Kuya si Stellar Altamirano and nag dinner kami with her and Stefan tapos kasama nila si Cast. That's when I met him and the rest is history."
Dos was silent for a few seconds, pero naka tingin lang ito sa kanila. It's like he's thinking of a question pero hindi nito alam kung paano sabihin.
"Ice seryosong tanong..."
"Alam mo pakaba ka." Inis niya saad dito. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi kakabahan sa mga ganong simula na tanong?
"Wala bang nanggugulo sayo?" Seryoso nga ang boses nito.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, the three of us follow you... hindi naman sa nagmamayabang ako but I know the effect of that simple action."
Nang magsimula ang lahat, sinabi niya sa sarili niya na walang manggugulo sa buhay niya if she keeps her guard up. And keeping her social media accounts private is part of that.
Alam niyang may gustong makilala siya. Ang growing numbers palang ng follow requests niya sa Twitter ngayon was a dead give away. Iniiwasan niyang isipin iyon dahil hindi naman importante.
Maapektuhan siya kung magpapaapekto siya.
They can't touch her if she keeps them away.
Ayaw niyang isipin ang iba pang epekto ng ginagawa ng tatlo. Lalo na si Cast, because he's going to flaunt their friendship whenever he gets the chance. She can't control him. She can't control them.
All she can control in this situation is herself.
She finds peace in ignorance.
Let them be curious.
Hindi niya hahayaan ang ibang tao na guluhin ang buhay niya because the state she's in right now is chaotic enough.
"Hindi din naman ako magsisinungaling," Ice sighed again. "Once you followed me on Twitter, dumami ang follow requests ko at mas dumami pa iyon nang dumagdag si Cast. I think some people found my IG now too."
"Speaking of IG, alam mo bang ang tagal na kitang gustong i-follow doon but I can't. Inisip ko na baka it's too much for you na." He shook his head then a small smile touched his lips. "Can't blame them if they're curious though, I mean all three of us followed the same pretty girl."
"Nambola pa."
"Basketball player ako, bud. Natural magaling sa bola."
"If I get threats it's all your fault, Romero." Ice rolled her eyes jokingly.
Nawala ang ngiti ni Dos. Naging seryoso na naman ang ekspresyon nito. "If you get threats sabihin mo agad sakin."
"I'm kidding." Ice chuckled but deep down alam niyang hindi malayong mangyari iyon.
"Well I'm not. If they bash you or threaten you sabihin mo agad sakin."
"Dami niyo kasing fangirls eh." Pilit na pinapagaan ni Ice ang atmosphere sa pag tawa but Dos had enough of it.
"Oh bakit ka nakasimangot, wonder boy?" Pambungad na tanong ni Cast nang pababa na ito ng hagdan dala ang isang bag.
Umiling lang si Dos.
Nalungkot tuloy si Ice because of how he's overthinking things.
"Hindi ko hahayaan na guluhin nila ang buhay ko, Dos." Ice whispered loud enough for him to hear habang inaayos niya ang materials na gagamitin nito para mag review. "Wag ka ding magpaapekto sa kanila. They don't control you. Follow whoever you want, labas na sila sa desisyon mong 'yon."
She knows he's just being responsible as a public figure. Alam din naman niya ang restrictions nila but hindi naman sila tao na papanuorin mo lang ang gagawin sa social media. They're free to choose too. They're free to do whatever they want with their own account.
Hinatid niya ang dalawa hanggang gate, paulit-ulit niyang pinaalala sa tutee niya kung ano ang dapat gawin sa materials at kung ano ang gagawin bukas sa klase and she also reminded Cast to be on his best behavior and let Dos rest during the ride dahil pagod na ito sa kaka solve ng frequencies.
Ang tanging sagot lang ni Cast sa kanya ay: "I'll be on my best behavior!" With matching salute pa.
Si Cast ang naunang yumakap sa kanya para mag paalam.
"Thanks again for letting me sleep here. This won't be the last."
"I already guessed that," yakap niya pabalik. "Wag mong masyadong pagurin ang sarili mo. Mag pahinga ka ha?"
"Yes Ma'am!"
Cast ended it with a bone crushing bear hug bago pumasok ng sasakyan to give Dos his turn.
Niyakap din siya nito but unlike Cast's, his was more gentle and a little longer. "I'm sorry for what Uno did today. And sorry din for bothering you. Another sorry because people want to bother you because of us."
"You don't have to say sorry. Wala ka namang kasalanan."
Nakalimutan na niya ang ginawa ni Uno but when Dos mentioned it naalala na naman niya tuloy. Bumalik na naman ang inis at sakit.
Mas nainis siya kay Uno dahil nagawa talaga nitong iwan ang kapatid ng ganon lang.
"Mag aral ka ha? If you need help tawagan mo lang ako."
Dos nods before hugging her again. Kasintagal din ito ng una.
"I'll see you tomorrow, buddy."
Ice expected him to let go after he said that but he didn't. Mas lalo pang humigpit ang yakap nito sa kanya.