Nagmadali ako sa paglabas ng kwarto at pagbaba nang sabihin ni Ali na nasa bahay na siya. I was nearing the end of the stairs when I spotted him in the receiving area and our eyes met. My smile went bigger.
Halos nilipad ko ang kinatatayuan niya. I wrapped my arms around him and pressed my cheek flat against his chest.
Nung una ay ako lang ang nakayakap. Napangiti ako nang maramdaman ang init ng mga braso niya na marahan na sa pumulupot likod ko.
"So this is how you greet?" he teased.
It embarrassed me a little so I twisted my head and buried my face on his chest. He smells so good.
"Lakas din ng loob mo, Santiesteban 'no?" Kuya Xavi's voice made me break the hug.
I twisted and faced my brother. I stepped a bit to conceal Ali from him. Supladong tumaas ang kilay ni Kuya Xavi sa ginawa ko.
Ali's arm snaked around my waist and gently dragged me to his side. It made me look at him in surprise. His movement was continuous as his hand slid to mine and intertwined our fingers together.
"X," bati ni Ali.
He glared at him and then at our joined hands. "Just because you two are legal now doesn't mean you can do that in front of me."
"Kuya!" I whined. A lot embarrassed of my brother's words.
"Xavi Alexzander," my mother's voice joined us. Napatingin ako sa gawi niya na naglalakad patungo sa amin. Sa likod niya ay nakasunod na si Daddy. "Don't be rude. He's our guest."
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Serrano," Ali respectfully greeted.
"Hello, Alister. It's nice to have you again in our house," si Mommy. Nilingon niya si Kuya X. "Mabuti pa at tawagin mo ang mga kapatid mo. Tell them to come down for dinner."
"Bakit ako?" angal ni Kuya.
"Ali is Hyon's guest," sagot ni Mommy.
"Sundin mo na ang Mommy mo, Xavi," si Daddy.
Kuya grunted and followed our parent's instruction, but not before sending a warning glare towards Ali's directions.
"Let's go to the dining area?" Mommy cheerfully asked.
Tumango ako at ngumiti bago tumingin kay Ali. Mommy pulled Daddy with him. Sumunod naman ako na hawak pa rin ang kamay ni Ali. It's such a different scenario compared to the last time he was here when I barely looked at him.
The table was already set and delicious dishes were specially prepared for today.
I sat in my usual seat, except now Ali will be seating beside me.
"Galing kang bahay niyo?" Mommy asked.
"Work po. I'm training while classes haven't started yet."
"Oo nga pala. You're going to take your masters." Tumango si Mommy. "That's quite impressive."
Tipid na ngumiti lang si Ali bilang sagot. Habang ako naman ay halos mabanat na ang mukha sa sobrang pagngiti. I just can't help myself from being so proud of him.
Natigil ang usapan nang dumating ang mga kapatid ko. They were complete. Kahit na si Ate Laurene na madalas absent ay kasama namin ngayon nang sabihin ni Mommy sa kanya na si Ali ang special guest namin para sa dinner na ito.
Ate Laurene flashed me a haughty smile as she eyed Ali and me with approval and settled on her seat beside me. Nag-agawan pa si Kuya Hadeon at Kuya Zeno sa upuan na katabi ni Kuya X dahil ayaw nila na nasa dulo.
Kuya Zeno ended up losing though. Kuya Hades mocked him for it. Sinuway naman ni Mommy ang dalawa.
"Children," Ate Laurene snorted.
Hindi ko mapigilan ang pagtawa. My heart is so full right now. Pakiramdam ko ay bumalik kami sa dati. My family is complete and a bonus because Ali is here with me.
"Let's eat," Daddy announced. Sumunod naman ang lahat. While fixing some food on his plate, Dad started the topic, "Ali, ilang taon ka na ulit?"
Napaubo si Kuya Hadeon at si Kuya Xavi naman ay masigasig na humalakhak.
"I'm twenty-four, Sir," Ali casually answered.
"How long have you liked my daughter?" Dad asked again and I wanted to face palm so bad. Sobrang nakakahiya hindi ko magawang tingnan si Ali.
"Since she was sixteen," Ali replied without stuttering.
That made me look at him. Really? He already liked me when I was sixteen? Hinihintay ko siyang tumingin sa akin pero nanatili ang mga mata niya kay Daddy.
"Does that mean three years mong niligawan si Hyon?" Mommy asked.
"My, hindi. It was Hyon who courted Ali when she was eleven years old," Kuya Xavi laughed.
Ate Laurene pointed at me in accusation and gasped. "That's why you used to watch Kuya Xavi's practice! 'Cos Alister was there!"
"Oh, yeah... I remember," dagdag ni Kuya Zeno.
"How come I didn't know about this?" nagtatakang tanong ni Kuya Hadeon.
I swear I feel like my face is going to catch fire because it's so hot with embarrassment. I heard Ali laugh beside me which made me even more embarrassed.
"Is that so?" my father stated in a disapproving tone. He was throwing a deathly stare at Ali. "Bakit ang tagal bago mo sagutin ang anak ko? We even bought Gatorades for you."
"Oh my God!" Ate Laurene laughed out loud. Sinabayan 'yon ng iba ko pang mga kapatid. Even Kuya Zeno looked so amused.
Wala na akong nagawa kundi takpan ang mukha ko gamit ang dalawang kamay. They are ganging up on me!
"Stop making fun of Hyon," Mommy scolded, glaring particularly at my father. Dad just boyishly grinned at my mother. Umiling si Mommy at seryoso ang mukha nang bumaling kay Ali. "I hate to be a spoilsport but the main reason why I asked you to come here is because of your brother."
The silence followed after my mother's statement. The utensils clinking to the plate seemed too loud.
"What's your parents' opinion on this?" tanong ni Mommy.
I held my breath. That question has been bothering my mind since lunch time. Hindi ako sinagot ni Ali at sinabihan lang na 'wag mag-alala.
How can I not? I can still remember the way Tita Agatha stared at me before they left my party that night. It lacked the warmth that she used to send me. I can't blame her. I was the cause of the fight. Her disapproval isn't misplaced.
"I don't want Hyon to worry, Tita," sagot ni Ali.
"She deserves to know," si Kuya Xavi.
Huminga nang malalim si Ali. Tumingin siya sa akin. I can clearly see that he's not happy about this but he doesn't have a choice. He returned his eyes to my parents.
"My mom wants me to give her up, because I'm the older one."
My lips parted. Worry sprouted in the center of my chest.
What if Ali decides to give up? What will I do? Why are you even asking, Hyon? You'll do nothing, of course.
I can't force him to do anything he doesn't want to do. All I can do is understand him because in the end, it's his choice. It will hurt me a lot, but I will respect his decision.
"I'm sorry if this will sound selfish but she's not a toy that I can give up just because my younger brother wants it too," Ali exclaimed. His voice didn't waver. His eyes remained at my parents, as if proving further that he will stay firm about this.
My eyes blurred. I bit my lip but I don't know if it's to stop myself from smiling or crying. I should be rejoicing right now but I couldn't fully be happy knowing that someone I love is hurting at my expense.
I looked at my parents. Mommy was awed and Dad seemed impressed. Sunod kong tiningnan si Kuya Xavi. He was smug. Mukhang proud sa narinig. He glanced at me and gave me an appraising nod.
I brought my eyes back to Ali. This time, his chocolates eyes were on me, all serious and inquisitive. I smiled to show him that he made me happy.
The story switched to lighter topics. Hindi lang kay Ali umikot ang usapan that it felt like just another dinner night with my family.
When my mom announced dessert and wine by the poolside, Ate Laurene excused herself to get something upstairs. Nang bumalik si Ate Laurene ay dala na niya ang Polaroid camera ko. Kuya Hadeon approached her as soon as he saw the camera.
Naalis lang ang tingin ko sa kanya nang maramdaman ang pagpisil ni Ali sa kamay ko. Our hands were placed on top of his lap. Magkadikit ang upuan naming dalawa kaya hindi mahirap.
Ali was already looking at me. Magkalapit na ang mukha naming dalawa pero mukhang ayaw niyang may ibang makarinig kaya yumuko siya para idikit ang bibig sa aking tenga.
"Are you tired or sleepy?" he asked. He moved his face away to properly look at me, waiting for my answer.
I smiled at him and shook my head. Ngumiti rin siya sa akin. A flashing light made me look away from Ali. Doon ko lang napansin na nakatayo na pala si Ate Laurene sa harap naming dalawa. The Polaroid camera was pointed at us that I can easily conclude that she took a photo of us.
"Sweet!" she exclaimed as she held the photo in her hand. She didn't bother waving it. Growing up in a family that loves photography, she knows that you shouldn't shake an instant film.
Ipinakita niya 'yon sa amin. The colors were slowly showing up but I can already see the image. Sobrang dikit naming dalawa lalo na at nakabulong si Ali sa akin. Meanwhile, I looked so engrossed with whatever he's telling me. Kita rin ang magkahawak naming kamay na nakapatong sa hita niya.
"Can I have that?" tanong ni Ali.
"Nope. This is mine! Kunan ko na lang ulit kayo," sabi ni Ate at inangat ang camera.
"1... 2... 3..."
I smiled to the camera when Ali suddenly pulled me closer. Halos sumalampak na ako dibdib niya at napapikit. He buried his nose on top of my head and I heard the camera's shutter.
I heard someone intentionally clear its throat. Hindi ko lang sigurado kung sino. Agad akong umayos ng upo at nilingon ang paligid. All eyes were on us! Kahiya!
"Here." Ate Laurene handed Ali the film.
She winked at me before leaving with the camera and the previous film in hand.
Binitawan ni Ali ang kamay ko para makita nang maayos ang film. Sumilip din ako.
Ali was looking at the camera with a mysterious smile that was slightly hidden 'cos he was kissing the top of my head. Ako naman ay nakangiti at nakapikit habang nakahilig sa dibdib niya.
"This is mine." He touched the image.
"The photo?" nakakunot noong tanong ko.
Tumingin siya sa akin at ngumisi. "That, too."
My happiness didn't deflate even when Ali has to leave. Masaya na ako sa naging interaction niya sa pamilya ko para ngayong gabi.
Hindi ako agad natulog. Hinintay ko muna siya hanggang sa makauwi at nang matanggap na ang text niya ay baon ko ang ngiti ko hanggang sa makatulog.
I was woken up with the ringing of my phone. My room was pitch black and there's no sunlight peeking through the windows. What time is it and who's calling me?
I blindly searched for my phone near my pillow. The glare of the screen nearly blinded me, not helping my already chinky eyes from sleep.
Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita ang pangalan ni Atticus sa aking screen. I didn't think twice and answered it.
"Atticus?" I answered.
"Hello po, Hyon po ang name niyo?" a stranger's voice welcomed my ear. Isang lalaki. It made me look at the screen again in confusion.
"Yes, that's me. This is Atticus' phone. Who's this and why do you have his phone?" Umupo ako mula sa pagkakahiga.
"Ah. Na-hit and run po kasi yung may-ari ng phone."
My sleepy state vanished and my entire body went cold. Nagpatuloy siya sa pagsasalita pero ang utak ko ay nanatili sa unang sinabi niya.
Hit and run.
Atticus.
"Ikaw yung huling tinawagan niya kaya ikaw na ang tinawagan ko. Pwede po ba kayong pumunta dito ngayon?"