Madaling araw ang flight namin. I was having a good sleep until someone sang real loud in my room, rousing me awake.

With an arm, I batted my pain-in-the-ass brother away, but he evaded and leaned closer to my ears to piss me off.

"Bangon na, aalis na tayo," Kuya Jacob sang.

Frowning, I checked the clock with half-lidden eyes. Hinampas ko siya ng una nang makita kung anong oras pa lang.

"It's barely three yet, Kuya, ano ba! Saka when I said wake me up, I didn't mean sneak into my room! Dapat tumawag ka na lang."

My brother snickered. "Where's the fun in that?"

Binato ko siya nang unan at umakmang babalik sa pagtulog. Umakma akong babalik sa pagtulog. Kuya Jacob suddenly lifted me up from my bed, making me shriek.

"Fine! Fine! Mag-aayos na! Put me down!" I yelled while hitting him on the back.

Nang binaba niya ako, agad ko siyang tinulak palabas ng kwarto. I could hear his laughter even as he went down the stairs. There were other voices downstairs, too. Gising na rin yata sina Kuya Chris, Kuya Andrei, at Kuya Travis.

Nagmadali na akong mag-ayos. When I was done with my morning rituals and put on a light makeup, I donned a black cropped top, shorts, and matched it with black high-cut chucks. To finish my outfit, I wrapped a denim jacket around my hips.

My brothers were all ready by the time I stepped into the living room. Kuya Travis and Kuya Chris were on the couch, both browsing on their tablets, while Kuya Andrei was idling at the door, may kausap sa phone.

"About time. Ang tagal," bungad ni Kuya Jacob na kita kong nakaupo sa mini bar at nagpapatugtog ng mahinang kanta.

"'Di ka excited 'no? Excited lang for Cebu?"

Kuya Jacob smirked. "No, sis. Cebu is excited to have me."

I made face at him. Unreachable talaga kahit kailan ang confidence level ng isang 'to.

"Where's your bag?" Kuya Travis asked when I sat on the arm of the couch he was sitting on.

"Sa taas pa, Kuya," sagot ko. "Outside my room."

I packed big kasi ngayon. Hindi biro ang Cebu, a. Anything could happen in our stay there lalo na kilala ko ang boys. I knew how spontaneous and adventurous they could get. Just to be sure, nagdala ako ng dress, several bikinis, and basic casuals.

Kuya Travis nodded and went up to get my things.

In a few minutes, kasabay niyang bumaba sina Mom and Dad na nakauwi na kahapon pa from the States.

"Handa na ba mga gamit n'yo?" Dad looked at all of us.

We all nodded, and then we set off to the airport. Kumpleto na ang mga tito at tita ko when we arrived. Ang pamilya lang ni Kuya Onyx ang wala dahil nauna na sila doon no'ng isang araw pa. Kuya's been busy. Ang alam lang kasi ni Tita, sa Crown Royale kami magse-celebrate ng birthday niya. Simpleng buffet dinner kasama ang pamilya sa gabi at pasyal-pasyal na lang sa mga susunod na araw. But Kuya had other plans.

From what I heard, may hinanda siyang surpresa sa Lantaw, isang floating restaurant din doon. He reserved the entire place for her and even contacted her close friends to attend the surprise.

We boarded the plane at exactly four a.m. Tatlong SUV naman ang sumundo sa 'min sa airport. Kasama ko ang mga pinsan ko habang ang iba, doon sa dalang sasakyan ni Tito Osen sumakay.

"Ngiting-ngiti, a," bati ko kay Kuya Onyx nang mapansin ko na busy siya kakatingin sa phone niya.

His chinito eyes lit up as he looked back at me. "It's a happy day."

That's true.

May tinawagan lang siya ng ilang minuto. Then, we were off to Metro Cebu.

***

My eyes were wide in fascination as I stared at the Crown Royale tower. Hindi nga biro na 40-storey high 'to.

An arm fell down on my shoulders. Kuya Onyx chuckled. "You should see your room. You'll love it."

Bago kami pumasok, kinuhanan ko ng picture ang view sa labas. I took a couple of shots before I followed them inside. A tall, chinita woman met us halfway into the lobby, her long curly locks and porcelain white skin standing out even in this grandiose place.

Tita Jackie, Kuya Onyx's mother, greeted all of us with a warm smile.

"Happy birthday, Tita," bati ko. I kissed her cheek.

Niyakap niya ako nang mahigpit. "Thank you, Javee. I missed you."

We deposited our things in our suite afterward. Tama nga si Kuya Onyx. Maganda, malawak, at elegante ang ambiance ng room namin. May 3 bedroom dito at may sarili kaming receiving room at outdoor balcony. I loved it.

Kasama ko rito sina Kuya Jacob at Kuya Andrei. Kasama naman nina Kuya Travis at Kuya Chris sina Mom sa suite nila.

I jumped into the bed and buried my face in the pillows.

"Do we have other plans after the celebration?" I heard Kuya Andrei ask outside.

"Parang wala," Kuya Jacob answered. "May balak ka bang mag-aya?"

"Maybe. We'll see."

I grinned at their conversation. We'll see, indeed.

Maya-maya, tinawag na kami ni Kuya Onyx para mag-breakfast.

Malalim na ang kwentuhan ng parents namin nang saluhan namin sila sa restaurant. May pinagtatawanan silang kung ano at natagalan bago ako nakasunod sa usapan nila.

"Anong sa 'kin?" sabi ni Dad, tumatawa. "Hindi ako ang unang magkakaapo dito. My boys are good boys. Baka 'yang si Nicollo ang mauna."

Tumawa ang papa nina Gian at Kuya Nick.

"Tito naman. Sino sa 'min ni Gian ang inaakusahan mo?" sabi ni Kuya Nick.

"Malamang ikaw. Alangan namang ako?" sagot sa kanya ni Gian, which made their mother laugh.

"Ah, basta bahala kayo d'yan. My twins are safe. Matagal pa 'ko," Tito Matthew chimed in.

I stifled a laugh. Safe daw? Sina Mathev at Kuya Paul? If only he knew.

I shot a glance in the twins' direction. Parehas silang nakangisi at mukha namang tawang-tawa sina Kuya Jacob at Kuya Onyx.

"What, Tito?" Kuya Onyx piped in. "Natanong n'yo na ba 'yang si Paul kung anong pinagkakaabalahan n'yan sa Pangasinan?"

Nag-angat ng kilay sina Tita Pauline at Tito Matthew habang nagsitawanan naman ang boys.

"'Wag mong ibato sa 'kin ang araw-araw mong ginagawa, dude," nakangising sagot lang sa kanya ni Kuya Paul.

"Is this true?" Mom said, eyes slightly wide. "I can't believe you boys, ha. Pinagbibiruan natin but that doesn't mean you should."

Naging maingay ang breakfast namin. Puno ng batuhan ng asar at kulitan, catching up about family, school, and business.

I missed this.

Tahimik lang ako sa buong conversation, smiling fondly. I was savoring the moment. Ilang buwan din kaming hindi nagkita-kita. It felt absolutely blissful to be here with them right now.

Halfway through the breakfast, the waiter arrived, holding an enormous cake in his hands. Kasabay niya ang mga tumutugtog ng violin at kumakanta ng happy birthday na mga staff.

We stood up and sang Tita Jackie a happy birthday. Tears were in her eyes when she blew the cake and kissed the cheeks of Tito Osen and Kuya Onyx.

Tumambay pa kami ro'n ng isang oras kahit na tapos na kami kumain. By eight, we went back up to our suites to rest. Bumawi ako ng tulog dahil panigurado, hanggang madaling araw kami mamaya.

Nang magising ako ng tanghali, nag-aya na sina Kuya Andrei para mag-roadtrip lang. Humiwalay kami sa mga parents namin. May balak silang puntahan na kung saan kasama ang ang-kong at ama ni Kuya Onyx na kadarating lang.

"Where are we going?" tanong ko sa boys nang palabas na kami ng entrance.

"Temple of Leah muna tayo," Kuya Onyx answered. "Then let's go to Tops, gusto n'yo?"

I nodded. Nakapunta naman na kami doon noon several times, but since those places were really solid, 'di naman nakakasawa na balikan ulit.

"Sige. Hanap na lang tayo nang matatambayan pagkatapos," sagot sa kanya ni Kuya Jacob, and then we took our seats in the SUV. Si Kuya Onyx ang magda-drive.

I took several snapshots of the temple after we arrived and posted it on my social media accounts. I saw my friends liking the photos and grinned when Angelo's message popped up.

Tazmanian Devil:
Cebu? D nag invite. Daya. :(

Me:
Hehe. Fam thing.

Tazmanian Devil:
:p Andrei told me pala. Lets skydive soon.

Me:
Really? Set na yan soon!

"Jav, picture."

Pinasok ko na ang phone ko sa shoulder bag na dala ko at tumabi sa mga kapatid ko na nakapwesto na sa harap ng temple para sa picture. May stranger na nag-volunteer to take a photo of us.

After a couple of shots, we thanked the lady. We stayed there for a while, and then nag-aya na si Gian na lumipat.

The heat was beating down on us when we returned to the sedan. Pinusod ko ang buhok ko para hindi sumabog sa likod ko 'pag humangin. Mas maraming tao sa next destination namin when we arrived at the Tops lookout. Fortunately, naging makulimlim kaya 'di gaanong mainit. From our vantage point, tanaw na tanaw ko ang kagandahan ng Cebu, and I still felt the same excitement that I had when I first saw this view.

May mga iilan na nakakilala kay Kuya Jacob habang nando'n kami. The boys were teasing him when several girls lined up to ask for a photo. Kahit nang makalipat na kami sa cafe, patuloy pa rin siyang inaasar nina Gian at Kuya Onyx na fame-whore.

We stayed in that cafe for the rest of the afternoon. Doon na rin inabutan ng pagka-lowbatt ang phone ko because I forgot to bring my charger.

Nai-charge ko lang 'yon nang makabalik na kami sa suite. When it turned on again, my brows rose when I saw a notification. Kay Racel galing 'yon.

My heart thudded fast.

I opened it quickly and saw a picture of a New Adult book.

I was thinking if I should buy this or not.

Naalala ko bigla ang nangyari do'n sa Fullybooked.

Me:
I didn't know you're into that pala. ;)

His reply came in a beat.

I could be if you are...

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sagot niya.

Me:
Behave, shh

Hindi na siya sumagot. Tinago ko na rin ang phone ko.

My cousins were now huddled in our room, watching a horror movie habang hinihintay naming mag-alas sais. Wala pa rin sina Mom. Saan kaya sila nagpunta?

Nakaupo sa sofa ang mga kumag habang ang iba, nasa sahig. Sumiksik ako sa pagitan nina Kuya Onyx at Kuya Nick sa sofa.

Sinubukan kong makinood sa kanila pero 'di ko trip ang palabas. My mind inadvertently shifted over to Racel, but I quickly brushed it off and tried to focus on the movie.

"Prepared na ba lahat sa Lantaw?" I heard Kuya Travis ask Kuya Onyx.

"Oo. Pupunta na lang tayo do'n."

"Bakit pala do'n ang pinili mo?" I chimed in.

Lantaw, see, is a chain of native restaurants. Ang alam ko, Western food ang hilig ni Tita Jackie.

"Wala lang. Maiba naman. Mukha namang maganda no'ng tiningnan ko online."

"It is." Nakita ko kasi ang photos kanina. Maganda nga.

Bandang six, dumating na rin sina Mom at tumulak na kami papuntang Lantaw. Nandoon na ang mga kakilala at kaibigan nina Tita Jackie.

The floating restaurant, as expected, was a stunner. The pictures didn't even give it justice. Native na native ang dating. Para kang nasa kubo except mas malaki at mas enggrande.

The railings were comprised of bamboo shoots and the floor were made of wooden panes. There were a number of lights and ornaments around. Lantaw is a floating restaurant. This is the reason kung bakit mabentang mabenta 'to bukod pa sa magandang service at pagkain nila.

I took an angled shot of the lights lining the sides by the railing. Paniguradong mas maganda na dito kapag lumubog ang araw at nagbukasan na ang mga ilaw.

Naging abala si Kuya Onyx sa mga bisita. The whole place had four structures and could accommodate hundreds pero parang napuno ng mga kakilala nila. Kilalang pamilya kasi sila dito. Tita Jackie is a renowned attorney while Tito Osen is an established businessman. Meron silang law firm dito sa Cebu at kung hindi ako nagkakamali, may dalawa pang real estate business sa Bohol at Camiguin.

"Dito daw tayo," sabi ni Kuya Travis.

He towed us across a small wooden footbridge leading from the main restaurant into the second wing. Doon nakalatag ang mga handa at malaking cake ni Tita Jackie. I marvelled at the cake. Malaki 'yon at talagang pinagkagastusan ni Tito at Kuya. It's a three-layered vanilla cake; sa gilid nito, may isang chocolate fountain.

"How come we never went here before?" asked Kuya Jacob. He was staring into the horizon.

Palubog na ang araw. The skies were now painted in orange and pink as the night chased away the last traces of the day. Nilabas ko ang phone ko at kinuhanan 'yon.

"We don't really like native food, dude," Kuya Paul answered.

Nagkibit-balikat lang si Kuya Jacob.

'Yon nga ang napansin ko sa 'min. We go for Western, Asian, and Italian food all the time. Bakit nga kaya hindi namin nahiligang kumain sa native restaurants?

Kuya Onyx gathered us back toward the entrance later on. Nag-text na pala si Tito Osen na malapit na sila. Pinamigay agad ni Kuya ang mga confetti sa amin.

"Simple lang gagawin mo, a? Baka naman pumalpak ka pa," Kuya Onyx told Gian with a teasing smirk.

"Sige lang. Sa mukha mo 'to sasabog, loko."

"Quiet na. Ayan na si Tita!" sabi ko.

Tita, along with our parents, ambled toward us. Hindi niya kami napansin dahil nakatuon ang atensyon niya sa cellphone.

As soon as they neared us, we fired the confetti.

"Happy birthday, Tita!"

I saw the flash of pleasant surprise in Tita Jackie's eyes. Napangiti ako. Sinalubong siya ni Kuya Onyx at niyakap nang mahigpit.

"Happy birthday, Ma," malambing na sabi nito.

"Kaya pala," natatawang wika ni Tita Jackie, "kung saan-saan ako dinala ng mga tito at tita mo. Salamat, anak."

Pumalakpak kami sa tuwa.

Habang lumulubog ang gabi, lalong nagkakasiyahan ang mga tao. Kuya Onyx did great in organizing this.

After eating dinner, nagpaalam ako sa kanila para umikot. I wanted to take a good shot of the lake.

I found myself wandering around, just taking picturesque shots: of the cake, the place, and the people. Pictures are way better when they are candid. Doon mo kasi makikita ang tunay na emosyon ng tao. They're not scripted and projected, and for me those are the best photos.

When I was satisfied with my shots, huminto na 'ko at sumandal sa railing. The horizon was a lovely, calming sight and helped ease me down.

Mabuti na rin talaga na sumama ako ngayon. Nabawasan ang mga iniisip ko. Even my stress over Racel, medyo nabawasan.

Speaking of him, hindi na siya nag-reply sa text kanina. Okay na rin siguro 'yon. The sooner I can move on from this crush, the better for us.

But luck didn't seem to be on my side. My phone pinged and anticipation rushed through me as soon as I saw the number.

Another text from Racel. Speak of the devil . . .

Unregistered Number:
I hope you're thinking about what I told you. I really meant it.

Napakunot ang noo ko. He was consistent with this. Even now, hindi ko talaga maintindihan bakit bigla siyang nagkaroon ng interest sa 'kin.

Was it because I was their sister? Because I told him off? Because I posed a challenge? Hindi ko talaga alam.

Me:
You know we can't

Unregistered Number:
Is that really how you feel?

Me:
Sorry. I really think this should be the last time we should talk to each other...

Unregistered Number:
You keep saying that and yet we keep seeing each other.

Me:
You know it's complicated, right?

Unregistered Number:
You're not your brothers.

Me:Ik but I'm their sis

After that, my phone rang when he called.

"Hello?" napapaos kong sagot.

Kainis. Bakit bigla akong kinabahan?

"I'm not asking you to choose," came his smooth, baritone voice.

Nagtindigan ang mga balahibo sa braso ko. I missed his voice.

"I just want us to be okay," he finished.

"We're okay," tipid kong sagot. Natatakot akong marinig niya ang pagwawala ng sistema ko.

"You want to stop talking. Does that sound like we're okay to you?"

Natigilan ako. Pinag-isipan kong mabuti ang sunod kong isasagot. I didn't want him to see my weak side. It was bad enough that I was reacting to him like this.

"What do you want from me? Really." Nagulat ako sa conviction na narinig ko sa boses ko.

Mabilis ang sagot niya.

"To be friends. Is that too much to ask?"

"Why? Alam mong complicated. Kapatid ko si Kuya Jacob. He hates you. You hate him back."

"I don't hate your brother, and even if I do, it wouldn't matter," Racel said firmly. "You're not your brother."

Napabuntonghininga ako. I wasn't winning this conversation.

"We-we really can't," I said, faltering for a bit. We can't. Baka magkagusto ako sa 'yo.

Racel chuckled deeply. Butterflies flew wildly in my stomach.

"You say that but you're still not hanging up. I can only assume you also like talking to me."

"Wow, that confidence. Wish mo lang?"

"Yeah..." Narinig ko ang bigat ng paghinga niya. "I am wishing for that because I do like talking to you, too."

I took a deep breath. Pabilis nang pabilis ang tibok ng puso ko. I felt as if I was on overdrive. Asar.

"And why is that?" I asked in a quiet tone. "Are you flirting with me, Gutierez?"

"Maybe. Did it sound like it?"

"Well, don't. I don't take to flirting well. I hate players."

"Is that how you see me?

"I don't know," I said, biting my lips. "I haven't seen enough of you to know for sure."

"Good."

"What?"

"That means you need to see more of me to prove that." He chuckled again. "I'll take all chances I can get.

I sighed. "You know, delikado 'tong ginagawa mo."

"I can't help it," he breathed. "You're interesting, Javee. And I'm very very interested." In you, was the silent message that I could almost hear from his end.

I shivered at the way my name rolled off of his tongue.

"I'll let you be with your family. Goodnight."

I held my chest after he hung up. The butterflies in my stomach wouldn't stop fluttering kahit ilang beses kong sabihin sa sarili ko na... hindi kami pwede.