The De Villas have one common feature—our eyes. We all have hazel brown eyes, courtesy of our Spanish roots. Si Gian lang ang naiba sa 'min. Kasi sa kanya, instead of hazel, he had dark brown eyes, which worked quite well for his broody, bad boy look.

Kuya Dominique, or Nick for short, and Gian are brothers. Ahead ng four years si Kuya Nick and he was already taking his Masters sa Intersci grad school while si Gian naman, second year katulad ko. Hindi sila magkahawig. Si Kuya Nick kasi, maputi at soft ang features pero matangos ang ilong. Mas mukha pa silang magkapatid nina Kuya Travis at Kuya Chris, sa totoo lang.

Si Gian naman, mas hawig kay Kuya Jacob. He sported a light tan due to his constant travels, and he's got dark, smoky eyes to boot and a perpetually present smirk on his face. According to Ahron, bedroom expression daw. Sabi naman ni Anjo, maangas na hindi maangas. Whatever that means.

Meanwhile, Kuya Paul at Mathev (Mey-tev) were fraternal twins. Magkamukha sila, pero not to the point na hindi mo na sila madi-distinguish from each other. Kaya pa naman. Si Kuya Paul kasi (siya lang ang tinatawag kong kuya 'coz Mathev asked me not to), mas payat nang kaunti pero well-toned. Mas buff si Mathev dahil sculpted ang mga braso kalalaro ng drums. Parehas silang tisoy and their cheeks are pinkish lagi kaya madalas inaasar silang tomato ng boys.

Their prominent difference though were their eyes. Parehas silang mapungay pero yung kay Kuya Paul kasi, laidback. Parang laging inaantok. Kay Mathev naman, yung tipong alam mong hindi gagawa ng tama. To add, Kuya Paul prefers simple and smooth clothes. Laging naka-black kung manamit si Mathev, drummer kasi ng indie band called Constello.

Next, si Kuya Onyx. Sa 'ming lahat, siya lang ang singkit dahil half-Chinese ang mom niya. He's got light brown hair, high cheek bones, and sharp jaw line.

My older brothers naman, Kuya Travis and Kuya Chris, looked exactly alike. Parehas silang mestizo, lean and well-sculpted. Nagkaiba lang sila sa jawline. Mas angular si Kuya Travis kaysa kay Kuya Chris na soft ang panga.

Our third, Kuya Andrei, has soft features as well. Maraming nagsasabi na siya daw ang pinakakamukha ko. Parehas kasi kaming maputi (kami ang pinakamaputi sa 'ming lahat), may deep set eyes, at malalim ang dimples. Kuya's most defining point though are his cheeks and long lashes. Tahimik lang din siya but he's probably the number one heartbreaker sa 'ming magkakapatid, and I think I know exactly why. He's not really a player type of player pero dahil siya ang pinaka-approachable at mabait, maraming nagkakagusto sa kanya. Gotta watch out for him.

Lastly, si Kuya Jacob. He's slightly tanned, probably because of his basketball matches. At dahil athlete nga siya, he's ripped. His prominent features though are his upturned eyes. It gives him a softer look kahit na he looks rugged with that unkempt hair and mischievous expression.

And then there's me. Just turn Kuya Andrei into a girl, and low and behold. Ako na 'yon.

"Dad wants to go to Batangas some time next week or the week after next. Sasama ba kayo?" Kuya Chris asked when the boys quieted down.

"Batangas? Saan sa Batangas?" sagot ni Mathev.

Bumaling ako kay Kuya Chris. "Wait, Kuya. Anong meron?"
"Didn't I tell you?" Kuya Chris said. "Mom and Dad are coming back to New York soon. They want to bond with us before they go. Sakto na rin dahil may imi-meet sila sa Batangas around that time."

Oh. Kaya pala. Babalik na naman sa New York sina Dad para sa business. Kailan naman kaya ang magiging uwi nila dito? Would it take months again? Hay.

Lumingon si Kuya Chris sa grupo. "Ano, sama kayo? Sa Nasugbu 'to."

"Nasugbu?" Gian piped in unsteadily. May tama na ang isang 'to. "Swimming 'yan, bale?"

"Oo."

"Sige, I'm in."

Gano'n din ang naging sagot ng iba. Ano pa nga ba. Always game naman 'tong mga 'to basta ganito. Pack one, pack all.

Habang nagkukwentuhan yung iba, nagpaalam sina Kuya Onyx at Mathev para mag-smoke. May tama na rin ako kaya huminto na rin ako sa shots kanina pa. Yung iba naman, ayos pa. Sige pa rin sa inom. Kuya Jacob and Gian were talking lowly, looking at their phones while laughing. Sina Kuya Trav, Kuya Chris, at Kuya Nick naman puro business ang usapan. Sina Kuya Paul and Kuya Andrei, chill lang, just enjoying.

Medyo nainip na ako dahil inaantok na ako. So I took my phone and decided to play na lang muna nang may naalala ako bigla.

I quickly texted Ahron kung nakauwi na ba sila.

Ahron:
Yea. Safe and sound. Umuwi na kami after you left. Racel's group left too, kasabay namin. Did u know magkaibigan pala sila ni Lhyle?
Hbu? How's ur bro?

Me:
For real? Hoshet, how'd that happen?
Anw, Kuya's good. He's taking it well. It's good he didn't see that group there, tho.

Ahron:
I dunno. Just ask him. U having fun there?

Me:
Sobra, but these dorks are gonna be shitless drunk na soon.

At some point, naubos na yung drinks nila kaya ako na ang nagkusa na bumili sa counter dahil 'di ko mahagilap ang waiter.

"Uy, dude, long time."

Someone walked up to me. A lanky and very familiar dude was grinning at me. I lagged a bit, failing to put a name to the face, but when I finally remembered who this guy was, halos malaglag ang panga ko sa sahig.

Natauhan ako bigla.

Maico Salazar was the best friend of that asshole who left me a few years ago. Shucks.

Oo, few years ago na 'yon and sure, naka-move on na 'ko but I didn't want to see his friends if I could help it.

"Javee, yeah? Kamusta na?" he asked with a smile.

"Okay naman, ikaw?" I said politely.

"Ilang taon na rin," sabi niya, sabay layo. "You look great."
"Thanks," pasimple kong sagot kahit medyo hindi ako kumportable. Notorious Charmer din kasi 'tong si Maico. A very good one at that, too. "Kanina ka pa ba rito?" dagdag ko.

"Nah, kararating ko lang. I'm with my friends. You remember Jason and Pete?" May tinuro siyang table pero hindi ko na nilingon. Naaalala ko sila.

"Yup."

"Nice. Matutuwa ang mga 'yon." Tumawa siya. "You wanna join us?"

"'Wag na. Nakakahiya."

Kumunot ang noo niya at lumapit bahagya sa 'kin. "Ba't ka mahihiya? Tara. Kami lang 'to."

"Raincheck muna, dude. Tsaka bumibili rin kasi ako ng drinks." I stepped away a little to place a comfortable distance between us.

"Bakit, sino ba kasama mo?"

"May problema ba dito?"

Oh, fudge.

Si Gian.

Not good.

Mukhang mabilis na naka-pick up si Maico dahil lumayo siya kagad sa 'kin. In an instant, nawala ang ngiti niya. He looked guarded right away. Ikaw ba naman ang simangutan kaagad nitong si Gian, and he was evidently drunk, too.

"Nothing, dude. I was just talking to your cousin. I haven't seen her in a while," Maico answered smoothly, putting his hands inside his pockets.

Tumalim ang tingin ni Gian. "Yeah, I haven't seen that asshole in a while, too."

Maico's face darkened. "Lay off, man. What's your problem? Kinakausap ko lang naman ang pinsan mo."

"You know what," Gian answered with a growl, "and you stay away from my cousin, Salazar. Keep your bloody hands to yourself."

"Make me."

Ngumisi si Maico. Umambang manununtok naman si Gian, napigilan ko lang. Kinakabahan ako. Baka mauwi talaga sa away 'tong dalawang 'to. The tension was getting thicker, almost palpable. Yung ibang tao, pinagtitinginan na rin kami.

"Gian, tama na," singit ko. "Maico, please, don't provoke him."

Hindi nila ako pinansin which frustrated me.

"C'mon, man. It's been what, two years? Move on." Maico glanced at me. "Okay ka naman na, 'di ba?"

Gian blazed with anger. "Bastos ka din, 'no!" Humakbang si Gian papunta sa harap ko at hinatak ako papuntang likod niya. He grabbed Maico's collar and said, "You don't get to say that. You don't get to fuckin' say that to her."

"I wasn't talking to you."

I was getting desperate. Pilit akong pumapagitna pero walang kwenta. Screw their tall frames!

"Gian, please stop. Maico, sige na, umalis ka na."

Umambang mananapak ulit si Gian. Mabuti na lang nahawakan ko agad ang braso siya bago pa niya matuloy 'yon. Holy shit, ang lakas niya. Nahihirapan na akong pigilan siya.

"Gago ka! Layuan mo pinsan ko o babasagin ko mukha mo. Your ass of a friend owes some beating from me. I wouldn't mind taking it out on you in his stead."

"Oh, yeah?"

Maico looked seriously grim. Mukhang napansin na ng mga kaibigan niya yung nangyayari dahil naglapitan na sila. I froze. Hoshet. They were all prepared to pounce.

"Fuck, guys stop!" I yelled, completely stepping in between them.

This couldn't be happening right now. Did we get out of a potential ramble just to get into another one?

"Javee, umalis ka d'yan," mariin na utos ni Gian.

"Gian, tama na!"

"Sinabi nang umalis ka d'yan!"

"For Pete's sake, bumalik ka na do'n!"

"Tabi!" Gian yelled.

"What's happening here?"

I sucked in a breath.

Kuya Andrei!

With the guards.

Oh, my god. Buti na lang.

I breathed out a sigh of relief. Pacifist si Kuya Andrei. He wouldn't let this turn into a brawl. I looked at him, pleading. He nodded in understanding and darted his eyes to Maico's group. Pete and Jason immediately backed off while Maico furrowed his brows in a frown. Hindi na makakakilos 'tong mga 'to now that Kuya Andrei was here.

"Just leave, Salazar," Kuya Andrei ordered calmly.

"You kidding me? Matino kaming nag-uusap ng kapatid mo dito. Tell this dick to go the fuck away," Maico answered humorlessly.

Ang bilis ng sumunod na nangyari. Nakawala si Gian sa hawak ko at malakas na sinapak si Maico na napaupo kagad dahil sa pagtama ng kamao niya. Bago pa makalaban yung mga kaibigan niya, inawat na sila ng guards at dumating na rin sina Kuya Travis at Kuya Nick. One look from Kuya Nick and they all froze. They all knew Kuya Nick was a no-nonsense person and that he could fight. The guy knew his martial arts well.

"Get lost," Gian fumed.

Tumayo si Maico at naningkit ang mata. "I'll remember this, De Villa."

And they left the place. Hinatak na ni Kuya Nick si Gian pabalik, my brothers tagging after them. I stayed in place though, shaking terribly. Ang lakas ng kabog ng puso ko. Kinabahan ako doon.

Kuya Travis noticed me and paused in his tracks.

"Javee, let's go."

Hindi pa muna ako nakakilos kaya bumalik pa siya para hatakin ako. Nakita kong nakatingin sa 'min yung iba pagbalik namin. Sa hitsura nila, mukhang gusto na rin nilang lumapit kanina at pumatol. Malamang sa malamang, pinigilan lang sila ni Kuya Travis. Siya lang naman at si Kuya Andrei ang hindi mahilig sa away. Kahit ang tahimik na si Kuya Chris, pumapatol din lalo na kapag sangkot ang pamilya.

"What happened there?" tinatamad na tanong ni Mathev na nakabalik na pala kasama si Kuya Onyx.

"Gago kasi. Pinopormahan 'tong si Javee," Gian told him gruffly. "Parang hindi pa sapat yung ginawa ng Dela Costa na 'yon?"

Sasabihin ko sanang hindi naman talaga pero ayoko nang makisawsaw at salubungin ang inis niya. Medyo disoriented pa rin ako kasi ako kaya nanahimik na lang ako habang nagpapababa ng emosyon.

"Sayang, akala ko live brawl na." Humalakhak si Kuya Onyx. Siya lang ang natuwa sa sitwasyon.

"Kuya!" saway ko. "Hindi magandang biro."

He raised his hands in surrender, flashing his signature eye smile.

"Hayup. Akala yata nakalimutan na natin yung ginawa ng Dela Costa na 'yon," Gian seethed. "Wag ko lang talaga makita 'yon, pupulbusin ko 'yon. Basta talaga galing sa grupong 'yon, walang kwenta."

I crossed my arms, frowning. "It's been years. Kalimutan n'yo na. Naka-move on na ako, okay?"

"Ikaw oo, kami hindi pa. Gago 'yon. Siguraduhin niya lang na hindi siya magpapakita sa 'kin kundi babangasan ko talaga 'yon."

"Tsaka 'di pa kami nakakabawi do'n. You don't get to hurt a De Villa and just get away with it," gatong pa ni Mathev while taking a swig of his drink.

I kept my mouth shut. Hinayaan ko na lang sila. Naiintindihan ko naman kung bakit sila naiinis. Rohann was my first in everything. I was young and deeply smitten with him. Cool kasi siya at super sweet pa. Nadadala ako sa bawat salita niya. At some point pa nga, dapat isusuko ko na 'yon kung hindi lang ako natauhan. They were so riled up because of that. Simula pa man kasi, ayaw na nila kay Rohann para sa 'kin so when he just suddenly upped and left na parang hindi naging kami for how many years, gano'n na lang ang galit nila. I couldn't blame them. Ilang buwan din akong umiyak no'n.

After a while, kumalma na si Gian. Nabaling na sa iba ang usapan nila kaya nakahinga na rin ako nang maluwag. I didn't really like remembering my past. I'd always been a person who lives in the present after all.

Time passed quickly. Hindi ko namalayan, almost midnight na rin pala. Lasing na ang mga pinsan ko. Isang pasada lang ng tingin sa kanila, mapapansin kagad na wala na huwisyo sina Mathev at Gian. Halakhakan nang halakhakan kahit wala namang nakakatawa.

"Lasing na kayo. We should go," I announced.

"Drunk? Hindi pa," natatawang hirit ni Kuya Jacob.

I glanced at Kuya Travis for help. He was in deep thought. Tumingin siya kina Kuya Andrei at Kuya Chris. Silang tatlo na lang kasi ang hindi pa lasing.

"We can't let these idiots drive. Sa bahay na muna natin pauwiin."

"Mabuti pa nga," Kuya Chris agreed, getting to his feet.

"Can you still drive?"

"Oo." He downed his last shot.

"Sumabay ka na sa 'kin, Jav," Kuya Andrei told me.

"Sa bahay ka ba uuwi ngayon?"

"Yeah."

Tumayo na si Kuya Travis, holding his phone. "Dito lang muna kayo. I'll take some calls."

"You'll call Tita?"

He nodded and went outside.

"Uwian na?" Kuya Nick asked, looking around.

"Alat. Pero sige. Tuloy natin 'to sa inyo, bro. Ubusin ko lang to," Mathev told Kuya Jacob.

"Oo ba. Saglit, labas lang ako." Kuya Jacob stood up and gestured for a smoke. Sumunod sa kanya si Kuya Onyx na may kausap sa kanyang phone.

While waiting for Kuya Travis to return, nakinig na lang ako sa pinagkukwentuhang babae nina Kuya Paul at Kuya Nick. From the sound of it naman, hindi tungkol sa conquest o ano. Parang seryosong usapan kasi. Something about a model he met in Pangasinan. Bukod pa do'n, wala na ako masyadong nakuhang details pa.

But wow. Mukhang may nagugustuhang babae si Kuya Paul. Himala!

Well, if that was the case, good for him. Sana seryoso siya this time around. Gaganyan-ganyan lang 'yan pero dakilang bolero din 'yan. In today's terms, he could be categorized as a soft boy.

Maya-maya pa, bumalik na si Kuya Trav at nagbigay ng go signal. We all stood up to go outside. On our way out, a guard close to my brothers approached us. Sa hitsura niya, evident na hindi magandang balita kagad.

"Sir, yung kapatid n'yo ho, nakikipag-away sa labas! 'Di namin mapigilan, sir," the guard informed, scratching his head.

My eyes widened in shock. Away? Parang halos kalalabas pa lang nila, a!

Nagtakbuhan sina Kuya palabas ng bar. Adrenaline rushing through me, I ran after them. Sa sobrang bilis ko, may nabunggo ako.

"Bloody hell!" hollered the dude.

But I didn't stop. My mind was only on Kuya Jacob.

For a moment, akala ko sina Maico ang nakaaway niya. Imagine my shock nang makita ko kung sino.

Yes, sila.

Sila lang naman na pilit kong iniwasan na makita ni Kuya Jacob kanina. Sila na pinagdarasal kong hindi makasugapa ng mga kapatid at pinsan ko ngayon. Yes, I just spotted Racel and Justin outside the bar. Hindi sina Maico ang kaaway ni Kuya Jacob but the Centrex varsity team.

What the hell? Anong ginagawa nila dito? Kanina pa ba sila dito?

When I registered the scene, my hand immediately flew to my mouth.

One of the Centrex players was raging mad like a bull. May tama na ang mukha pero nagngingitngit pa rin sa galit. His friend was holding him back habang pinipigilan din ng mga kapatid ko sina Kuya Jacob at Kuya Onyx na may tama na rin. The rest of them were watching cautiously, ready to break into another fight.

Shit.

"You fucking loser. Sinabihan na kitang lumayo ka!" fumed the guy with the broken nose.

Ngumisi si Kuya Jacob despite his bruised lip. "Hindi ako ang lumapit. Hindi ko kasalanan na hinahabol niya pa rin ako. I already broke up with her, so why the fuck are you coming after me?"

"Aba't gago ka talaga!" Umamba ulit na susuntok yung lalaki. Lumapit sa kanya si Justin at may binulong kaya huminto siya kahit nagngingitngit pa rin.

"Wala ka nang masabi? What, your dick suddenly turned into a pussy?" Kuya Jacob mocked, wiping the side of his mouth with a hand.

"Tangina ka! Hindi ka lang talunan, gago ka pa!"

"What did you say?" sigaw ni Kuya Jacob, pasugod ulit, pero mabilis na humarang sina Kuya Nick at Kuya Chris.

I stood on the side lines, mildly frozen and eyes wide in fright. Ilang minuto lang silang nawala pero parang ang tindi na ng nangyayari between them. I trembled in shock.

I flicked my eyes over to the other group. Obvious na iritado rin sila, hindi lang makakilos dahil sa utos no'ng Justin. My eyes locked with their captain, Racel Gutierez. He was staring me down. Kalmado lang siya, medyo grim ang mukha, pero obvious na hindi siya natutuwa sa nangyayari dahil sinasaway niya rin ang mga kasama. May nakayakap na babae sa arm niya, umiiyak. His body was positioned in such a way na parang he was shielding her away from us. Bumulong siya kay Justin. Tumango naman 'yon at nilapitan yung inis na inis na lalaki.

There were people taking photos of the incident pero kinakausap na ng mga guards.

Kuya Travis stepped in front of me, blocking the fight from my line of vision.

"Javee, get in the car," mariing utos niya.

"Pero Kuya . . ."

"Just get in the car!"

I winced. My eldest brother rarely raised his voice at me.

"Sige na, Jav. Get inside. Kami na ang bahala dito," Kuya Andrei coaxed, handing me his car key.

Tumango ako. Lumingon ako one last time kina Kuya Jacob bago dumiretso sa dalang Aventador ni Kuya Andrei.

When I climbed in, I released a shaky breath.

Holy shit.

First time kong makakita ng totoong ramble. Humahataw ang dibdib ko sa nakita ko. Partida, iilan pa lang 'yon. Paano kung nakisali yung iba? What then?

Ilang minuto ang lumipas bago dumating sina Kuya Andrei. Nasilip ko rin na nagpasukan na yung iba sa kotse nina Kuya Chris at Kuya Travis.

"Sorry you had to see that," Kuya Andrei said quietly, revving the car.

"'Di na ako bata, Kuya."

"Even so, that's not something you should see," and he pulled out of the parking lot.

No one talked. Tahimik lang kami pauwing Las Piñas, the air hanging over us dangerous and intense. Awkward. I was shaking madly from the anxiety, the adrenaline, from these treacherous emotions. Napapaaway ako pero nothing serious. Ganito pala katindi yung away sa pagitan ng grupo nila. I had no idea.

At ano ba kasing problema no'ng kabila? Nananahimik na si Kuya, sumugod pa talaga sila?

Napapikit ako when the memory of the brawl went to the forefront of my mind. My heart almost stopped kanina. Oh, my god. Mamamatay yata ako sa sobrang kaba.