"Kuya Lucas!"

Masayang bungad ko nang makita si Kuya Lucas. He looks so dashing as usual. Nagmamadaling pinuntahan ko ang direksyon niya habang nakangiti ito sa akin.

"Hello Leigh! Glad to see you again. Sayang lang at hindi tayo nakapag usap ng matagal nung nakaraan. Pinaalis kasi agad ako ehh."

Saad nito. Matamis ko naman siyang nginitian. Kasama ko siya ngayon sa garden, umalis si Tyson dahil may emergency daw. Mabuti na nga lang at dumalaw si Kuya Lucas.

"I still can't believe may kapatid si Vin. I'm quiet curious. Your family is well knowned kaya bawat members ay kilalang kilala. But why we have we never met you? not even once?"

He asked. Napatingala lamang ako sa kaniya saka ngumiti.

"It's complicated po. Mommy and Daddy said, it was very dangerous for me to be outside, that's why I was always at home, hiding from the world. Naiinggit pa nga ako kay Kuya noon. I even tried to escape not that long ago, which made me realize that my family is right. Muntik na akong mapahamak, kung hindi lang ako nasave ni Tyson,"

I told him, then just shrugged my shoulders. Kunot noong napatitig lang ito saakin.

"So all your life hindi ka talaga nakakalabas? why is that?"

He asked,ngumiti ako saka tumango.

"Homeschooled ako mula pagkabata. Gusto ko ngang maranasan pumasok sa school kahit ngayong college lang, kaso delikado raw. Someone seems to want to take me away from my family and I'm scared of that thought."

Napayuko ako roon at malungkot na ngumiti.

"Bukod sa pamilya ko at sa mga maids ay wala na akong masyadong nakakausap. In fact, Tyson is my first friends outside our home actually."

Pagkukwento ko pa. 

Kakikilala lang namin ni Kuya Lucas, pero ang dami ko ng naikwento. Napanguso ako nang maisip iyon. Well he has this sunny vibe on him that I'm really comfortable with. He has warm and happy personality like the sun!

Unlike Tyson. I always felt uneasy around him. Not the bad uneasy but something I couldn't explain. Para akong laging mahihimatay sa bilis ng tibok ng puso ko sa tuwing kasama ko siya. And I feel like jumping with joy while talking to him. Para akong lumulutang. I love his perfume, and whenever I look at him the in the eye, I feel like I am drowing with those pair of beautiful orbs.

I want to get near him at the same time, I don't, because of how overwhelming it was.

"Maybe someday you'll make as many friends as you want. I don't know what the story behind it, but I personally know your parents. Better trust the untill everything gets better, I'll see what I can do."

He said then smiled as he glanced at me.

"Really?"

I poted making him laugh.

"Yes."

He grinned as he patted my head.

"You remind me of my sister, she's as brave and energetic as you."

He said.

"Your sister? really? I am like her? Where is she? I want to meet her too!"

I giggled. Saglit lamang siyang tumitig sa akin habang tila ba may dumaang kalungkutan sa kaniyang mga mata at tipid lamang na ngumiti.

"I want to be one of your first few friends, can I?"

He asked, changing the topic. Napangiti ako ng malapad saka sunod sunod na napatango at pumalakpak pa.

"I would love to! Thank you Kuya Lucas!"

Todo ngiting sabi ko saka niyakap siya. Natawa itong ginulo ang buhok ko,

"Irish!"

A familiar voice called my name. Ngumiti akong humarap sa kaniya saka todong kumaway rito. His expression were dark as he stared at us intensely. 

"What are you doing here?"

Malamig na saad nito habang masama ang titig kay Kuya Lucas. Dali dali itong pumunta ito sa direksyon namin saka hinawakan ang pulsuhan kong inilayo kay Kuya Lucas. Masama ang ipinupukol nyang tingin rito habang si Kuya Lucas naman ay nakangisi lang sa kaniya.

"Why do I not seem welcome here? lagi naman akong nandito ah?"

Ngiti nito saka tumingin sa mahigpit na pagkakahawak ni Tyson sa pulsuhan ko.

"Oouch. . . "

Reklamo kong nagpatigil kay Kuya Tyson at saka niluwangan ang pagkakahawak sa akin nang mukang mapagtantong mahigpit iyon.

"I get it. . ."

He said then glanced at me as he smiled, I smiled back at him, widely. 

"F*ck off Ranaldi! Don't use your charms on her,she's off limits."

Tiim bagang na saad nito. I'm kinda curious, mag kaaway ba sila? Bahagya pang natawa si Kuya Lucas.

"So you do know she's off limits? I mean no harm buddy, but you? you don't seem to think clearly, by the way you are acting towards her."

Kuya Lucas said on a mocking tone.

"Seriously Tyson?Palibhasa mas gwapo ako sayo kaya bothered ka. Sheez, Vin will surely kill you, kaya wag mo ng subukan."

Dagdag pa nito. Tyson gave him a deadpan look.

"I won't. Wala akong balak."

Kuya Lucas just grinned at him playfully. Ano bang pinag uusapan nila? hindi ko gets?

"Then quit acting like a jealous boyfriend, you disgust me."

Sambit niya habang tila ba nandidiri pa.

I'm confused. Gusto ko sanang kumawala sa pagkakahawak ni Tyson pero hindi ko magawa. Ang laki ng kaniyang palad kumpara sa kamay ko. 

"I am. Not."

Mariing sagot ni Tyson. Napailing na lang doon ang kaniyang kausap.

"What are you doing here anyway? Get lost"

Dagdag niya pa. Ngumiti lang si Lucas saka ibinaling ang tingin sa akin. Nginitian ko rin ito pabalik.

"Bye Leigh,dalawin nalang kita uli sa susunod."

Ngiting saad nito sabay kindat na nagpatawa saakin saka tumango tango. I waved at him good bye,sinundan ko lang ito ng tingin hanggang sa makaalis na ito. I'm really glad I made a new friend today.

"What was that?"

Kunot noong saad ni Tyson,I just gave him a confused look.

"huh?"

I asked confused. Tyson glared at me.

"Don't talk to him. Baliw ang lalaking iyon."

Nakabusangot na saad niya na bahagyang nagpamulagat sa mga mata ko.

"What?!"

Tyson nodded his head.

"Nabagok kasi ang ulo saka naalog kaya ganoon."

Paliwanag niya na nagpakunot ng noo ko.

"But he seems okay."

I said confused. Tyson just shook his head.

"Well he's not and he's a crazy bastard so don't talk to him,understand?!"

Sinimangutan ko ito.

"I don't care if he's crazy or what. He's my friend. Minsan lang ako magkaroon ng kaibigan, so I won't do get away with him. Diyan ka na nga!"

Nakacross arms pang sabi ko saka tinalikuran na sya at nagmartsa na papasok ng mansyon.

"Irish! I'm not done talking to you!"

Pag tawag niya, ngunit hindi k o siya pinansin. Napansin ko ring makulimlim na ang buong paligid dahilan para lalo pa akong mapasimangot, mukang uulan pa.

~*~

Malakas ang ulan at kanina pa ito walang tigil na bumubuhos. Nakatalukbong lamang ako ng kumot sa madilim na kwartong kinalalagyan ko. A loud Thunder roared, making me cover my ears as tears started to fall from my eyes out of fear. 

I hate lightnings and thunders!

I couldn't handle the loud cry of the sky. I was a kid back then. I sneaked out to play in our garden at night with our neighbors dog.

But then it started raining, so hard I got stuck inside the cage with the dog because I was too afraid to go home. There is a loud thunderstorm and I was in there all night. Good thing, the dog helped me, so our neighbor noticed.

That moment engraved in my mind until now.

I shivered as my knees began trembling in fear when I heard another loud roar of thunder. Para bang galit na galit ang langit ngayong gabi. I bit my lower lips while crying. Kahit takot na gumalaw ay tumayo ako. Pupuntahan ko si yaya sa kwarto niya. Natatakot akong mag isa.

Dahan dahan akong naglalakad sa malamig na simento habang nakapaa pa. Mariin akong napapapikit sa bawat malakas na sigaw ng langit na naririnig ko. Napabuga ako ng marahas na hangin habang nakatakip sa dalawang tenga gamit ang mga kamay ko at mariin akong napapikit saka nagmamadaling naglakad.

Muli ay isang malakas na kulog matapos ang liwanag na gumuhit sa kalangitan. Nangangatog ang tuhod kong nagpatuloy na lang sa paglalakad at pilit na tinatatagan ang aking sarili.

Bahagya pa akong nanghina nang kasabay ng sumunod na malakas na kulogat kidlat, ay ang bigla namang pagkamatay ng ilaw sa buong kabahayan. Nangangatog ang tuhod kong napaupo nalang sa isang tabi, habang nanginginig sa takoy. Nag uumpisa na akong lamigin, pero hindi ako makagalaw sa kinalalagyan ko.

I couldn't even talk or shout for help.

Tears continued running down my cheeks. Walang ilaw na makikita bukod sa ilaw na nagmumula sa kasalukuyang galit na kalangitan na kitang kita ko sa malawak na bintana. Napahinga ako ng malalim saka nag buong tapang na tumayo.

Wala akong makita dahil sa sobrang dilim at tanging itinukod lamang ang kamay sa ding ding bilang suporta.

Paano na lang kung makakita ako ng multo rito?! Lalo akong natakot roon, saka binilisan pa ang paglakad. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay bigla na lang may white lady na bigla na lang susulpot sa harapan ko.

Bahagya akong napangiwi sa kaisipang iyon. Maaaring tulog narin ang mga tao dahil medyo may kalaliman narin ang gabi. 

My fear just doubled. 

Hindi ko mahanap ang daan patungong kwarto ni yaya dahil sa dilim kaya binilisan ko na lang ang paglakad.

My heart is pounding really fast while I'm walking on a fast pace.

Malalaki ang hakbang habang nanginginig na tila ba'y pinagpapawisan pa ng malamig.

Napaisip tuloy ako bigla,Tulog na kaya si Tyson?I sighed,pilit kong nilalabanan ang takot ko kahit sobra na talaga akong kinakabahan. I feel like someone's gonna grab my feet and just take me.

"Ahhh!"

Malakas na tili ko nang maramdamang may kung sinong humawak sa braso ko.

"It's me Irish."

A very familiar voice whispered calmly in my ears.

Slowly, my nerves calmed down when I realized who is was. Napasinghot singhot pa ako saka sinunggaban na lamang ito ng yakap.

Suddenly I felt safe in his arms yet my heart kept racing faster than it was earlier, as he embraced me back.

"Your mom called and told me that you're afraid of lightnings and thunders. So I imidiately went to your room but I found nothing. I was worried Irish. Saan ka ba pupunta?"

He asked calmly while still helding my waist.

"I'm afraid so I decided to go to Yaya Barney's room. Tapos bigla namang nawalan ng kuryente,  so I couldn't find it. "

I cried frustrated. Tyson sighed as he leaned closer and held my hand, probably trying to calm me down.I again suddenly felt uncomfortable with our position. I tried getting out from his grip but it's just too tight. As if he was too afraid to let me go.

"Listen to me Irish."

Tyson started.

"From now on, I'll be here for you. So whenever you feel afraid, sad, lonely or even happy. I want you to come to me first,understand?"

He said. Again lightnings and thunders roared. I looked at him straight on his eyes while crying. Humigpit na lang ang pagkakahawak ko sa kanya.

"But you're always mad at me."

Humihikbi kong saad. Tyson sighed as he wiped my tears while looking at me softly. Like I am some fragile porcelain doll.

"I'm sorry if you felt that way."

He whispered while looking at me straight on my eyes. That moment, I felt like the world slowed down. I couldn't hear anything other than my heartbeat. Not even the thunderstorm outside. The only storm remaining right now seems to be in my chest.

Am I sick? should I go to the doctor?

"Let's go to your room Irish."

He said then carried me to my room. Dahan dahan pa niya akong inihiga sa aking malambot na kama, habang titig na titig sa akin.

"Good night Irish."

He blurted out as he kissed my forehead making me smile at him sweetly. But when he was about to leave, my hand moved on its own and held his hand.

"Tyson can you stay?"

I asked while looking at him directly.

"Please? I-I don't want to be alone."

Dagdag ko pa. Tyson sighed harshly as he intently stared at me.

"I'll just watch you, till you fall asleep"

He again answered making me smile at him and nodded my head.

"Can you lay beside me,Please?  I'm scared..."

I asked cutely with my eyes still in tears. Medyo nagdalawang isip pa ito bago tuluyang mapatango. He sighed harshly then slowly climbed into my bed.

"Fine."

He said. kinumutan ako nito habang nakahiga sa aking tabi. He couldn't even touch me. Para bang napapaso siya sa tuwing magdidikit ang mga balat namin. Nanatili lamang kaming nakatitig sa isa't isa hanggang sa tuluyan na akong dinalaw ng antok.

"Sleep tight My love."

That's the last thing I heard, Till I finally fell deep into sleep.