3.
"Gay?" I snorted and looked at him with a disgusted expression. "You've got to be kidding me, X."
"Why? Almost one fourth of attractive men in the world turned out gay."
"So you find me attractive?" I shot back, smirking. "Baka ikaw ang bakla sa ating dalawa?"
He looked at me with disgust. "I can't even imagine myself kissing with the same sex… lalo na sayo. It sickens the hell out of me."
"Ano pa ako?" I arched a brow. "Kissing my girlfriend's brother? Gross."
Well, a while ago, I actually imagined kissing you, and that also sickens me, fucker.
"Then why are you staring at me?"
"Not because I'm looking at you, it does mean that I'm staring and I'm gay," pagpapalusot ko.
"Maybe you're really not gay," he pursed his lips. "A girl, maybe?"
Natigilan ako sa sinabi niyang iyon at parang naputulan ng dila. Good thing that I pulled myself together and faced him without any hint of nervousness.
"Ginawa mo namang tomboy ang kapatid mo," inismiran ko ito.
I immediately went to the driver's seat to end the conversation. Mahirap na dahil baka sa isang iglap, mabuking na ako nito. "May pupuntahan ka ba bago umuwi?" tanong ko rito nang makasakay siya sa shotgun seat.
"Club," he answered. "We'll drink a bit."
I drove to Revel at The Palace where he said Bronze and the others were waiting. It only took a couple of minutes since there's no traffic. Pagpasok sa loob ay namataan ko na doon si Bronze, Lix, at Rave. Our friends.
Babago pa lamang akong upo ay binungad na agad ako ng tanong ni Rave. "You have a twin sister?"
Hindi pa man ako nakakasagot ay bigla namang sumingit si Lix. "Dude, your sister's beautiful."
"Wait, wait. You got a sister?" Xerxes asked me. "Alam ko namang may kapatid ka pero hindi mo naman sinabing babae."
"You didn't ask," I answered in a very chill manner.
Ngayon ko lamang napagtanto na hindi pala alam ng mga ito na may kapatid si Arlszent na babae. Well that's already expected. Tons of guys do not tell their so-called friends about the girls close to them, especially if these friends are known to be womanizers.
"She's damn sexy," Bronze blurted so I shifted my gaze on him. He placed his phone down the table so we could see it. I supposed he saved this picture from my Instagram post last summer.
I was wearing there an aqua two-piece bikini and sitting at the edge of the boat. Nakatalikod ako rito ng bahagya habang ang ulo ko ay nakabaling sa gilid na tila may tinatanaw. It's a stolen shot taken by my friend, Garri when my friends and I went to Palawan during the last week of May.
Suddenly I remembered my friends, I miss them.
Bronze swiped right on the screen to see another photo of mine, it was taken after my workout at the gym. I just took a mirror selfie in that. May iba pa siyang mga ipinakita at napansin ko lamang na parang halos lahat ng mga sinave niyang photo ay iyong puro mga maiikli, tipid, o kaya naman ay revealing ang suot ko.
"She's rocking those braces, man," Bronze commented. "Unlike Lovira who looks like a geek when she smiles with her braces visible, remember her, X?" he nudged at Xerxes.
"The worst in fucking," Xerxes laughed.
They're all now talking about the Lovira girl and they're all comparing all the girls that they've played with. I didn't bother listening to those because I might just end up slapping their faces.
I mentally rolled my eyes on their conversation. Stupid assholes. They play with girls and their feelings and then they'll be comparing their performances. Arlszent's also a playboy, I just don't know if he's already serious with Aleezah, but with all the girls Arlszent dated and played, he never compared their qualities unlike what these morons with me are doing.
The reason why girls are not confident about theirselves is because boys always compare them with each other.
Men are trash.
"Zent," tawag sa akin ni Lix. "Saan nag-aaral ang kapatid mo at parang hindi ko naman siya nakikita sa UST?"
"She's attending college in PATTS," sagot ko rito.
"The aviation school in Parañaque? Is she striving to be a pilot or something?" tanong ni Xerxes.
"Yeah. She wanted to be a pilot someday," I answered. Lowkey imagining myself driving a plane, travelling to different places around the world. Such heaven!
"I say she's going to be a hot pilot," Bronze licked his lips, smirking.
"Another comment and I'll bury you alive," I warned.
Hindi ko siya binantaan dahil lamang sa ganoon ang gagawin talaga ng kapatid ko, kundi binantaan ko siya dahil hindi ko rin nagugustuhan ang lumalabas sa kanyang mga bibig. Sa pagpapakita niya pa lamang ng mga litrato ko ay parang nakaramdam na ako ng pagkabastos.
"Chill, dude," Bronze jokingly raised his hands in the air, surrendering. "She's just really fucking sexy."
"Fuck you, then," I hissed, getting irritated now.
Calling me hot, sexy, or whatever compliment it is makes me flattered. Who wouldn't? But those words coming from Bronze is just something disgusting. Parang sa likod ng pagpuri niyang iyon ay may bahid ng libog. Not that I'm assuming na nalilibugan siya sa akin but that's what's visible in his actions.
They diverted the topic from me to another woman and still, hindi ko piniling makisali sa usapang iyon. Though, I still listen to what they're saying just in case they might talk to me about it.
I noticed Xerxes drinking his 7th or 8th shot of Black Label and it amuses me because he's a MedTech student yet he still have the time to go out on clubs and drink. All medicine courses are no joke, that's why most just go home directly after school to study. There are plenty who got failing remarks on this course but this guy? Nakakapasa. Balanse ang pag-aaral niya sa bisyo at pati na rin sa pambababae niya.
Okay sana. He's got the looks, he's smart, he's rich, kaso ayun nga, mapaglaro ng babae. Plus, a criminal.
My gaze turned to his friends. These three were also with him in LPU. Pare-parehas silang lumipat sa UST for college. I don't know if UST's really their choice or they just transferred to give Xerxes some fucking moral support on following Serena Chivas.
What kind of friends are they?! Especially Bronze Lirezas, sa pagkakatanda ko ay ito ang pinakamalapit na kaibigan ni Gorostiza. Yet these friends of X just tolerated such violence?!
When we arrived late at night, I was about to go to my room when Xerxes suddenly called me.
Nilingon ko ito. "What?"
He bit his lip before speaking, "Does your sister have a boyfriend?"
"No," sagot ko dito.
"That's odd. I was actually expecting that you'll threaten me like how brothers do."
Well that's because you're not talking to my brother.
"Honestly, when I saw her picture, parang bigla ay siya talaga ang nakikita kong kasama magmula noon at hindi ikaw," sambit nito at tinitigan akong mabuti. "You look exactly like your sister."
Nakaramdam ako ng kaunting kaba dahil sa sinabi niya at sa paraan ng pagtingin niya sa akin. Tila ba ay parang may hinahalungkat ito sa aking pagkatao. Marahan akong napalunok bago siya sinagot. I made sure that I'd really speak in a very masculine way to make him stop thinking that I am Arlszent's sister.
"Kambal nga, diba?"
"Yeah, right. How stupid of me," he shook his head. "Fucking effects of alcohol."
"Drink water," I worded. Bigla ay natauhan ako sa aking sinabi. Kailangan ko ba talaga sabihin iyon?
He arched his brow, looking at me with questioning eyes. Tutal ay nasabi ko na rin namang uminom siya ng tubig ay hindi ko na iyon mababawi pa. Dinugtungan ko na lamang iyon, "Napadami kasi ang ininom mo, pre. Alcoholic beverages can—"
"Make me dehydrated? For med students, of course we already know that, lady."
Tumalikod na ito at tinahak ang daan papuntang kusina at ako naman ay aakyat na sana ng hagdan nang bigla akong matigilan at naalala bigla ang kanyang sinabi.
"Did you just call me lady, X?" When he faced my direction, I pretended pissed since that's what guys normally react when called by something related to a girl, right?
"Why? Does it bother you?" nangungutya nitong tanong.
Doon ay talagang nakaramdam na ako ng kaba. Tingin ko ay may napapansin na ito sa akin o kaya naman ay may alam na ito sa pagkatao ko. Pero tinatagan ko ang aking loob. There's a chance that he might be playing on me or testing me. Pinanindigan ko pa rin ang pagpapanggap ko bilang lalaki.
"If I called you pussy, obviously, you'd react the same way as I did," matigas kong saad. "I'm telling you, I am not gay, pussy."
I combed my fake hair with my fingers exactly like how Arlszent does. That's my brother's mannerism during times that he's pissed. And I made sure that Xerxes saw that action before I walked upstairs to my room.
The next day, during breakfast and even when we got home, sinadya kong mas maging sweet sa pakikitungo ko kay Aleezah para mas makumbinsi ang lahat, lalo na si Xerxes, na ako talaga ay si Arlszent.
"Hindi naman mapapansin ni kuya ang kakaiba sa'yo kung hindi mo dinadalasan ang pagtitig sa kanya na para bang isa ka sa mga babaeng naglalaway sa kanya," Aleezah laughed. "Naga-gwapuhan ka kay kuya, 'no?"
"I won't deny, okay?" I rolled my eyes.
Aminadong aminado naman kasi talaga ako sa karismang mayroon si Xerxes. Kahit saang anggulo man ito tignan ay gwapo ito at malakas ang dating. May masama man sa pagkatao nito ngunit hindi ko pa rin naman mapipigilan kahit papaano ang mabihag sa kanya.
"I won't be surprised if I found out you're already crushing on him," Aleezah giggled.
"Iyan ang 'di mangyayari," I snapped.
"Hindi naman imposibleng mangyari iyon 'no! Your brother fell in love with a Gorostiza so, you can too," pagmamalaki nito sa sarili.
"I am not my brother. And besides, how sure are you na in love sayo ang kambal ko? E, player din 'yon tulad niyang kapatid mo, " pang-aasar ko dito.
Sinimangutan naman ako nito. "Gorostizas know very well how to get what we wanted, alam kong seryoso si Zent sa akin."
"Too much confidence, girl," I teased.
"Because I am really sure," proud nitong sagot. "E, ikaw? Sure ka ba na hindi mangyayaring magkagusto ka sa kuya ko?"
"More than sure," mabilis kong sagot.
"That's good to know," she gave me a sincere smile. "I don't want to see you ending up crying over my brother. He doesn't do serious."
"Thanks for the concern, Aleezah." I smiled at her.
Mahina itong napatawa at nagulat ako ng bigla ay yakapin niya ako. "That's because I already see you as a friend, Arl—"
"Get a room," biglang saad ni Xerxes na kararating lamang dito sa terrace.
"Nice suggestion, X," I teased Xerxes and faced Aleezah. "Babe, let's go to my room."
"What the fuck? Are you for serious, Sierra?" X unbelievably blurted which I completely ignored.
Aleezah and I were about to go inside when Xerxes talked again.
"Tignan kaya natin kapag kapatid mo ang dalhin ko sa kwarto ko," pang-iinis nito.
"Oh, wow, dadalhin ka daw sa kwarto niya," bulong ni Aleezah sa tabi ko na natatawa.
Nilingon ko naman si X, may ngising naglalaro sa mga labi nito habang nakatingin sa akin.
"Kung kaya mo," I smirked before turning my back again.
Ako? Dadalhin niya sa kwarto niya? In his dreams.
I didn't bring Aleezah to my room like what I said earlier. Instead, sa kwarto niya kami dumiretso. We're just gossiping about random girl things and we even video-called Arlszent, hinayaan lang namin na malakas ang volume since soundproof naman ang lahat ng kwarto dito sa mansyon.
["You look hideous, sister."] Arlszent said which made Aleezah laugh.
I rolled my eyes. "Natural, panget ang taong ginagampanan ko dito."
"Babe, alam mo ba nagkasagutan itong kapatid mo at si kuya kanina? She's trying to piss off my brother by telling him that we're going to his room. And then…" Aleezah paused for a while and giggled. "Sabi ni kuya paano raw kaya kung kapatid niya ang dalhin sa kwarto niya?" she laughed.
Since naka video call kami ay nakita namin kung paano nasamid si Arlszent sa iniinom nitong kape at bahagyang umuubo.
["Dickhead."] Arlszent scoffed. ["By the way, babe, okay lang ba kung mag-usap muna kami ng kapatid ko? In private sana. Just some family matters."]
"Yeah, sure," umalis si Aleezah sa tabi ko at binuksan ang isang drawer para iabot sa akin ang earphones. "Yan, para kayo lang magkarinigan. I'll just take a bath." She walked towards the door that leads to her bathroom. And when she closed it, I plugged the earphones into her iPad and talked to Arlszent.
["Sinabi mo kila Gorostiza na may kapatid akong babae?"] singhal nito.
"No. Pagkarating lang namin doon sa Revel kahapon ay iyon na agad ang ibinungad ng mga kaibigan niya. Maybe they stalked you?" pabulong kong sagot.
["Great."] he sarcastically reacted and rolled his eyes. ["For sure they find you interesting to fuck with now."]
"I can sense that," I agreed. "Lalo na doon kay Bronze. Parang ang manyak niya talaga, Zent."
["All of them are. Kaya ikaw, kung magbo-boyfriend ka, tinuan mo pagpili mo hindi yung katawan lang habol sayo."]
Aww, sweet.
["Kung maaari 'wag ka nalang rin magboyfriend. I won't even consider anyone to court you."] dagdag nito na inirapan ko lang.
"You do know that I date but I don't commit, right? Besides, I can manage my own lovelife, Arlszent. Let's just talk about yours… yung sa inyo ba ni Aleezah ay para lang mapalapit kay X at makasagap ng impormasyon o dahil gusto mo talaga?" bulong ko.
["Neither."] sagot nito.
"E, dahil ano?" I asked.
["Mahal ko."]
"Wow, player no more, huh?" I teased. "Paano kung malaman niya yung totoo? Yung tungkol sa pakay natin sa kapatid niya?"
Napabuntong hininga naman ito bago sumagot. ["I don't know yet."]
Nang makalabas na si Aleezah sa banyo ay binago ko kaagad ang topic. "Kailan daw balak umuwi ni mom dito sa Pinas?" I asked. Pinandilatan ko ng mata si Arlszent para ipahiwatig na nakalabas na ang nobya.
["No plans yet. Alam mo naman 'yon, puro work inaatupag. Tanggalin mo na 'yang earphones, si Yzah naman ang kakausapin ko."]
Like what he said, I unplugged the earphones and gave Aleezah the iPad. "Ako na magb-blower sa buhok mo. Kayo naman ni Zent ang mag-usap," pahayag ko at kinuha ko naman ang blower na isinaksak niya bago siya pinaupo sa harap ng kanyang dressing table.
They're just talking… flirting also, while I'm drying Aleezah's hair. They're soft and silky. I wonder if Xerxes' hair also has this texture?
Bigla akong natigilan. Bakit ko naman iniisip pa kung malambot rin ang buhok ni X?
Oh God, these thoughts about Xerxes are starting to creep me out! I shook my head to stop thinking about it.
"Bakit ka umiiling-iling d'yan?" asked Aleezah who's looking at me from the mirror. I did not even notice that she's already done talking with Arlszent.
"Wala, may naisip lang," sagot ko dito.
"Si kuya?" pang-aasar niya. "Honestly, kung hindi lang mapaglaro ng babae si kuya, gusto ko kayo ang magkatuluyan."
"Never gonna happen, babe." I let out a snort after answering her with a masculine voice.
"Thanks for drying my hair," she worded.
"Walang kiss, babe?" I joked.
"Gross." She acted disgusted.
"Ang arte." I laughed at her reaction. "Ilang beses na ba kayo nagsex ng kapatid ko?"
Binigyan niya ako ng nagugulat na tingin. "I respected your privacy earlier while talking with him. Sana irespeto mo din privacy namin, ano?"
I just laughed more. "Pa-virgin."
"Parang virgin ka ah," ganti nito.
"Virgin nga," I chuckled.
"Hoy, seryoso?!" hindi makapaniwalang tanong nito. "Wala ka man lang sex life?"
"Sana irespeto mo din privacy ko, ano?" I mocked.
She just rolled her eyes and went to her bed. "Matutulog na ako, girl. You can go now to your room."
"Good night," I worded.
"Good— hey, wait! Pakicharge naman nitong phone ko, naandon sa drawer ang charger. Ayoko na bumangon, e." She handed me her phone. Kinuha ko naman ang charger niya at isinaksak iyon sa socket na malapit sa study table. I accidentally pressed the button so her lock screen appeared.
It's a picture of her and Arlszent.
Nilingon ko naman na si Aleezah para sabihin nang lalabas na ako pero pagtingin ko dito ay tulog na ito. Malungkot akong napangiti habang nakatingin sa kanya. When the time comes that she finds out the truth about everything, her relationship with Arlszent will be on the line.
As I came out of her room, I saw Xerxes glaring in front of me while leaning on the wall.
"Chill, we just talked. No sex," I snorted.
"Buti naman kung ganoon," he scoffed. "I'll fire you as my driver if something happens between the two of you."
Ilang beses na nga may nangyari sa kanila, e.
"Matutulog na ako," paalam ko dito.
"What's your sister's name?" he suddenly asked.
Bahagya namang napataas ang kilay ko dahil sa biglang interes niya sa akin.
"Hulaan mo," pabalang kong sagot.
"Sirit agad, pre," sagot nito.
Ganoon talaga siya kaatat malaman ang pangalan ko, huh?
"Bronze showed pictures of my sister last night, right? Those are all in my sister's Instagram account so obviously, he knows her name. Why not try asking him?" pangungutya ko dito.
"Why ask the friend when I could ask the brother itself?"
"What benefit could you get anyway just by knowing her name?" I raised a brow on him.
"What would you lose just by giving me the goddamn name?" he shot back.
"Interesado ka ba sa kapatid ko?" blangko kong tanong dito.
"If I say yes, would you now tell me her name?" his brow creased.
"Not my sister, X. She's not your type," I warned. Because that's how Arlszent would do if he's in this position right now.
"The boss doesn't take orders from its worker," he flashed a smirk and walked closer to me to get a grip of my collar. "What do you even know about the type of girls I like?"
He let go of me and started walking towards his room, leaving me with my jaw dropped. Nagulat man ako ay buti na lamang ay hindi ako nawala sa sarili at nagawa ko pa ring tumindig na lalaki.
I suddenly remembered what he last said.
Did Xerxes just indirectly said that I'm his type?
🌞