Kuya Jacob eventually moved out after a week of cold treatment. It happened so sudden ni hindi man lang ako nakapag-react nang umalis siya sa bahay dala ang gamit niya.

He wasn't talking to me. Not even with Kuya Andrei. Sa tuwing nilalapitan ko siya'y lagi siyang nag-wa-walk out. Gabi na nga din ito kung umuwi. All for the sake of avoiding me.

Ang pinagtataka ko pa, there was a nasty bruise on his face on the day he left. Wala naman 'yon before. Napaaway ba ulit siya?

I only understood what happened when I accidentally saw Angelo at Fullybooked, Taguig.

Mag-isa akong nagpunta doon para magmuni-muni. I needed some me time kaya nagpaalam lang ako kay Kuya Andrei na lalabas ako. Kailangan kong i-sort out ang isip ko. Pakiramdam ko kasi'y pinanghihinaan na ako ng loob. Racel was there to help me every step of the way but it wasn't easy. Sa tuwing malamig ang pakikitungo sa 'kin ng boys ay lalo akong nalulungkot.

Gone were the days that we were so happy. Nagbago ang lahat. Natahimik ang Facebook group namin. Maging ang group chat. Wala na ang mga random messages para makapangulit lang. Even yung mga gimmicks at hang-outs.

In short, our entire bond shattered. All because of my lie.

Sabi nga ni Anjo, ang OA daw nila. Pero naiintindihan ko rin naman. They weren't angry at the relationship so much as they were at the whole lying thing. 'Yon naman talaga ang puno't dulo non. I directly went against their words.

Habang umiikot-ikot ako sa Fullybooked, I received a text message. The notification said Angelo Castillo. I'd changed his name earlier just in case makita ito ni Racel. I didn't want him to think something was going on between me and the kumag.

Angelo Castillo:

Is it me or are u this gorg girl walking right in front of me, Jamie V?

Kumunot ang noo ko at nilinga ang mga mata ko. Sure enough, there he was at the cafe, sitting with an older blonde woman who seemed to be his mother.

Angelo called my name out, waving a hand. Lumingon sa 'kin ang mommy niya.

Bigla akong nahiya. Damn. His mother was a real headturner.

I walked toward him, smiling. "Hello po," bati ko si Mommy niya.

Angelo wore a grin. "Mom, this is Jamie V. She's Andrei's sister."

His mother's eyes twinkled and I noticed sa kanya pala namana ni Angelo ang mga mata niya. They were grey as well, only mas lighter yung kanya.

"Oh, hello. Fancy meeting you here," sabi niya in a heavy British accent. "What are you doing here? Are you alone?"

I nodded my head. "Just taking a stroll around and trying to see if there's a good book to be had."

"A reader. Like your brother. That's great, love," she said.

Angelo chuckled. "Told you. She's a looker, e?"

"Oh, shut it." Mrs. Castillo turned back to me. "Have you eaten yet? Geon and I are about to have lunch. Join us. I insist."

"Sure po," I only said, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Cool. Then I guess I'll be your chaperone tonight, ladies," Angelo said, laughing, as he got up to his feet.

"Now don't be daft in front of the lady," his mother teased.

It fascinated me to know na sa Mommy niya pala nagmana ng ugali 'tong si Angelo. They were both fun and easy to be with, which made the lunch so much fun. Awkward at first, but when I warmed up, I found myself enjoying their company.

It was past one when his mom separated from us to shop around the mall.

Naiwan kami ni Angelo sa Highstreet para gumala-gala. Eventually, we came to a stop and sat on one of the benches.

"So nandito lang kayo para mag-shopping talaga?"

"Siya lang. I'm here lang kasi she needs a driver."

"Naks naman."

"Anyway, how's your brothers? Nagpapansinan na ba sila ni Jacob?"

I flickered my eyes to him out of surprise. "Bakit? Magkaaway ba sila?"

"You don't know? Yeah, dude. It was quite a fight din. Andrei fucking decked Jacob for being an ass to you." He laughed. "Yeah, he deserved it."

"How did you know that? Nagkwento sa 'yo si Kuya?"

Kaya pala bigla na lang umalis si Kuya Jacob. Nag-away din pala sila ni Kuya Andrei. Over me, no doubt. Shit.

He gave me a funny look. "As if your brother ever tells anyone anything. No, dude. I was there. I saw the whole thing. It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together. Alam na ni Jacob, yeah? He flipped and has been treating you harshly. So Andrei flipped in return. Pretty messy, if you ask me."

I cast my eyes to my shoes. "My fault, mostly. For hiding things."

"Nah, it was undestandable. Jacob's not exactly the type of guy you'd go confiding things with." Angelo shrugged. "And besides, they're guys. They're being dumb right now but they'll come around."

"I hope so," I said in a weak voice.

Angelo scrutinized me intently. "How are you taking it anyway?"

"Much better now, I guess. But I feel shit pa rin. Lalo na he moved out. I caused so many things at once. Medyo napapagod na ako makaramdam ng sakit. Sometimes, I just want all of it to end."

"Well. He's a dude. We guys have pride bigger than ourselves and you stepped on it. But he's also a brother. Don't stress so much."

I sighed, nodding. Then I looked at him. Really looked at him.

"Okay ka din pala 'no pag 'di ka malandi."

He chuckled. "Ikaw lang naman, e. It's all part of the charm you know?"

"I wish I can take things in stride like how you guys do. I feel so burnt out about it all."

"Sounds like you need to unwind. Let it out. I usually do that. Take some time off. Clear my head. Before I go back in."

"Usually sa Roxas Boulevard ako nagpupunta. If not there, sa MOA seaside."

"Really? When I'm so down, I go for an adventure. Me time. That's why I've become so addicted to air sports. It's an outlet. They make me feel alive and free, you feel me?"

"Kaya mo ba nadiscover 'yon?"

"Yeah. I was so stressed with my family situation. My uncle offered and I thought why the hell not? After that I discovered trekking. Mountain climbing. Things like those. So whenever I feel like shit, I go out for a drive and crave for the wind and nature. Whenever I skydive, I feel refreshed. As if there are no problems in this world. Those problems can't get to me. I feel superior. You should try it out," he rambled passionately.

A small smile played on my face. Nakakatuwang makita siyang ganito. He's really driven when he's talking about the things he likes. "Maybe. Sometime. Once things settle down."

"Just let me know. You can bring your boy toy, too."

"He's not my boy toy!"

"Yeah, whatever."

I lightly punched his arm, which is by the way, a solid wall of muscles. By the time his mother came back to us, I was in relatively good spirits. Kung kanina ay gloomy akong naglalakad-lakad sa BGC, ngayon ay napapangiti na ako. Angelo can do that to you, I noticed. He's this ball of sunshine and you just can't help but feel better after a good talk with him.

Come to think of it, ganito rin ang nangyari before. Back in Youth Camp. That's when I got to know him better. Our first bonding. Like now, he cheered me up in his own way then, too.

"You about done?" Angelo asked his mother.

"Yeah. Tara?" she answered in an accented voice. "Jamie V, why don't you join us for lunch? Geon, dear, ask Andrei to drop by later. I'll whip something good for you."

Napangisi si Angelo sa Mommy niya. "I think you should call her Javee instead, Mom. Jamie V's my personal nickname for her. I'm possessive of it."

As if confused, she cut her eyes back and forth between us. "Is Javee your name?"

"Opo."

"I didn't know. Sorry, love. Anyway, dinner?" she asked with a nurturing smile.

I didn't have the heart to say no, which was why, exactly two hours from now on, I found myself sitting in the living room of their house at Forbes, Makati, and staring wide-eyed at the interior of their mansion.

According kay Angelo, nasa trabaho pa ang ate at kuya niya but they would join us for dinner. Yung dad naman daw niya ay currently nasa Essex. Been there for two months already.

He introduced me to his little brother though. His cute (quite masungit) twelve year old brother whose name was Aaron. His carbon copy, legit.

For a moment, naalala ko tuloy yung nabanggit dati ni Kuya Andrei. Yung about sa deceased brother niya.

After the introductions, Angelo left me to call Kuya Andrei. His mother, Tita Alice, was busy cooking in the kitchen habang nasa taas na 'tong si Aaron. I had nothing to do (I offered to help in the kitchen pero ayaw ni Tita) so I walked around the living room to check the photos lining the shelves.

They were a family of blonde, I noticed right away. Common sa family nila ang blonde hair and grey eyes. Ang naiba lang ang daddy ni Angelo na instead of grey ay blue ang mata. They looked like pure foreigners.

"That's ate Nally, Kuya Aurel and Miel," Angelo suddenly said, having come back after calling my brother. Tinuro niya yung picture ng five kids na nakaupo sa isang pool bench. "This is me and Aaron."

"You don't look Filipino. Sobrang light ng buhok ng two brothers mo."

"Mine used to be like that, sabi ni Mom. It grew darker lang when I hit one year old."

"Ang weird. Pati eyes n'yo di pare-parehas e. Ang complicated ng family line n'yo. All grey but varying shades."

"Genetics is one fucked up system, Jamie V. I have cousins who are blonde and blue-eyed."

"Saang side?"

"Dad's side. Their mom is part Filipino syempre like Dad, but she married a European dude."

"Wow tapos blonde kids? Awesome."

He grinned. "Well, Mom is really more Brit din. Zalameda is just a surname. Her mom's surname is Clarke nga. And Dad, well, he's part Filipino lang din. His mom is pure American and his dad is half Pinoy."

"Grabe. Foreigner nga talaga kayo. Buti dito kayo tumira?"

"Dad somewhat grew up here. But he stayed a lot in US and Essex, too. Though sa Amsterdam, that's where he met my mom."

"Sa'n ba kayo tumira sa England?"

"Well, iba iba. But we really settled down in London before we went here."

"Buti pumayag mom mo na tumira dito. I don't think nga na marunong siya mag-Tagalog."

Tumawa siya. "She does. She's hirap lang. And she loves him that much so yeah, we're stuck here. Besides, Mom's granddad is half Pinoy. She frequented this place a lot when she was a kid."

"Kaya pala."

"Kaya pala what?"

"Kaya pala grey-eyed ka. You're mixed pala talaga. And you're more of a foreigner than you are a Pinoy."

"Hey, I'm a full Pinoy at heart, a?"

I laughed at that.

"If tayo naman ang magka-kids, what will be their eyes kaya? Your hazel or my grey?"

"Asa ka naman na papatulan kita. I'm in love with someone else right now, thank you very much," I said but then napaisip ako. "Although we have a mix in our family din e. That's why our eyes are light brown daw."

"Naks. Magiging cute pala if we'll have a family."

"Feeling mo naman." I rolled my eyes.

"Why not?" He laughed out loud then nudged me with an elbow. "So kilig."

"So feeling."

"How many kids do you want anyway?"

"I don't know. Never thought about it. Ikaw?"

"Kung ilan ang gusto mo." Tumawa ulit siya.

I threw him a dry look.

"Biro lang. I know you have a dude and," he shrugged, "I won't ever marry so you're safe."

When dinner came, the table was filled with lots and lots of food. Dumating si Kuya Andrei just in time para saluhan kami. I was introduced to Ate Annalise, or Nally for short, and Kuya Aurel. Both were working in their company sa Makati. I learned na painter pala 'tong si Ate Nally at gawa niya pala ang lahat ng nakapost na painting sa palibot ng bahay nila. As for the youngest, si Aaron, nandoon lang sa taas at naglalaro ng Xbox. That silently explained to me na si Miel pala yung tinutukoy ni Mom dati.

Masaya ang naging dinner namin. It was warm and fuzzy. It felt like family kaya na-miss ko ang parents ko. Kuya Andrei looked like he was enjoying himself. Katulad ni Angelo sa 'min, Kuya truly belonged here with them. It was a nice picture. Gumaan ang loob ko ngayon na alam kong kapatid din ang turing nila kay Kuya.

Paglubog ng araw, nagyaya si Kuya Aurel na uminom. We were out in their yard kung saan inaayos ni Ate Nally ang magiging table namin.

Lumabas muna sa parking sina Kuya Aurel at Kuya Andrei dahil may ipapakita daw 'tong bagong sasakyan sa kapatid ko. Ewan ko kung ano ba talagang pinag-uusapan nila. They were taking their time.

Matapos kong tumulong kina Tita sa paglilipat ng pagkain sa yard, pumasok na sila sa loob ni Ate. They wouldn't be drinking with us tonight. May pasok pa daw ito bukas nang maaga.

Angelo whistled and sat on the bean bag beside me.

Lumingon ito sa taas at pumito ulit.

"Did you know, Jamie V, that we have billions of stars out there, and four thousand, eight hundred die per second. Science, huh? So many mysteries, so little understanding," sabi niya.

I brought my gaze up to the heavens and almost gasped at the beauty of it. Stars were in full visibility tonight, displaying a beautiful array of constellations.

"I know right," I breathed out. "So beautiful."

He turned to me, the faintest traces of smile showing up at the corner of his lips. "Very."

"It's my dream, you know, to name a star after me."

He arched his brows. "Talaga? Why won't you?"

I threaded my fingers together, drawing a content sigh. "I want it to be special. I don't wanna use my parents' money. Saka I have a bucketlist of things I want to do. Someday I'll do them all."

"Like what?"

"Own a star. See stalactites. Travel to Greece. Have a puppy. Be immortal. Marami."

"Be immortal?" Angelo laughed. "What the hell. You've told me that before. Serious ka pala?"

I glared at him playfully. "Shut up."

He laughed until silence lapsed between us. It felt good to just sit there, talking with a friend who understood you and enjoying the moment.

"Ang tagal naman nina Kuya," sabi ko to break the quiet, looking around. "Ano ba'ng ginagawa nung dalawa?"

"Mamaya pa 'yon."

"Bakit daw ba?"

"Malay." He shrugged and then pointed a finger to the sky. "You think out in that sky, among those billions of stars, may other world pa like ours?" he segued suddenly.

My brows knotted. "You mean like aliens?"

"Maybe. I read somewhere there might be another world who looks the same like ours. That we have another versions of us there."

"Like parallel worlds?"

"Pwede. Or not. I don't know."

Natawa ako. "So you're into quantum physics now? The many worlds theory?" biro ko.

His face lit up excitedly. "Cool. You know about it?"

"Medyo. That theory says we all have different options but one outcome. You think the path you're on, that's the outcome the world wants you to have? Your destiny?"

"I don't know." He looked up again. "Pero 'di ba sabi nila, there are billions of people in the world but only few ever find their soulmates."

My face tilted as his words sunk in. "Naniniwala ka ba sa soulmates?"

"I don't," he answered quickly. "You know I don't."

I hummed thoughtfully. "I do though. Even penguins have them. Why can't we?"

Tinitigan niya ako, a serious expression replacing the lopsided smile on his race. "You think siya na 'yon? Your soulmate. You think you found him?"

"I hope so. Kung 'di siya, pipilitin kong maging siya." Napangiti ako at the reminder of Racel. Kanina, nasabihan ko na siya na nandito nga ako. He was okay with it. Tinawagan ko pa nga just to make sure it wouldn't cause any problem but he was surprisingly supportive. Sabi pa nga niya, natutuwa siyang I could finally have fun despite what happened.

I loved him more for that.

Angelo tilted his head, looking confused and intrigued at the same time. "Why go all through this? Why fight the odds?"

"It's worth it naman."

"All this hurt? Fighting your brothers?"

"Yeah. Coz I love him."

He sighed. "Love really breaks people, doesn't it?"

I frowned softly. "That's where you're wrong. It hurts, oo. But love is also the greatest thing. It heals. It bonds. I guess, someday, you'll understand. When you fall in love. When you find her, you'll want to fight too coz nothing is worth letting her go. I promise."

"Imposible." Ngumisi siya at umiling. "Napakaimposible."

"You'll eat those words. Mark my words."

He was shaking his head as if he was fully bent on denying it. Bago pa ako makapagtanong kung bakit ba ayaw na ayaw niya ng commitment, he spoke again.

"You really love him?"

"Sobra."

"Wow. Hindi ko akalain. But I guess I should've known. The way he looked at you back in Youth Camp, it's a dead giveaway."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "Really?"

"Yes. I actually told him off, you know, said he shouldn't mess around with you. But maybe he's serious about you since he went through all of these?"

Now that he mentioned it, parang naaalala ko nga na nakita ko silang magkausap no'n.

"He is," sabi ko.

"If you say so. But you realize your brothers are just protecting you, right? You crushed their ego. Imagine. Their princess frolicking with the enemy. That must've made them feel shit. But that's only coz they love you."

"Thank you ha. You're making me feel bad here. I thought this is supposed to make me feel better."

"It is. I'm trying to make you see their side. These are your brothers. You love them. You treasure them. See, what's happening now? It ain't worth breaking your family over. Just make them understand."

"I'll try."

"That's my girl. You know it's okay to fall down. But I'll let you in on a little secret. I realized some time later, you'll eventually have to go back up. You're strong, Jamie V. Hell. Gonna be even stronger after this. That's why I like you. You're not like the other people I met. You're a fighter. And I hate seeing you like this."

I blinked hard at that. "What did I do? Okay naman ako, a?"

He looked at me weirdly. "You think? No, you're not okay. You're too quiet and your smiles don't reach your eyes. I actually asked Kuya and Andrei to give us time to talk. I wanted to tell you something as a friend."

My mouth opened to say something but no words would come out. Hoshet. Had I been that obvious? Hindi ko napansin, sa totoo lang. I thought I was acting the same.

In the end, I just sighed, letting the words bleed into that one action. "I'm just confused and hurting, I guess. Ang hirap kasi habulin ni Kuya. Natatakot akong dumating sa point na magsasawa ako at mapapagod sa kanya. Sometimes, I just wanna run away which sucks dahil ako naman ang may kasalanan dito."

"Don't do that. Listen, I'm not saying it's wrong to get tired. If you ever wanna rest and stop for a while, find me. I'll bring you somewhere really nice. But you need to get back in the game. And when you do, do what you have to. Do it right. What I'm saying is, don't run away. Be honest with them all the way. They'll appreciate it. Not now but someday. We're guys. Sometimes we can be slow. Sometimes you have to knock it into our heads real hard but we'll eventually come around. Be patient with your brothers."

"Naks naman. Ang mature na niya," biro ko. I softened into a smile. "Thank you, dude. Really."

His face erupted into a grin and he lifted to show off his biceps. "Ayos. Once again, Geon has saved the day."

I chuckled. "Feeler ka naman."

"Bakit, totoo naman, a? I'm telling you, Jamie V. You're no Lois Lane but I may be your Superman."

"Baliw." Tumawa ako.

He grinned and placed his arms around my shoulders. "But seriously. If you need to unwind, I'm just a call away. I'll bring you to places your brothers haven't even set foot in. I swear."

"Just like a bestfriend. Since when did you become like a bestfriend?"

Napatingin siya sa 'kin, contemplating on the idea. A sudden mischievous grin filled his face, the dimples on his cheeks showing. "Naks. I've been promoted to bestfriend. Pero ouch. Did you just bestfriendzone me?"

Tumawa lang ako. We watched the night breeze in peaceful silence. I'm grateful for his presence. I needed his laidback chill in my life. Iba talaga kapag kasama siya. He could turn the worst scenarios into good memories.

Lhyle was right. Between Racel and them, I was getting burned. And Angelo served as my shield.

"Thank you, Angelo. And thank you din sa family mo for being so nice to me and my brother."

"Kayo pa ba?" he said then his expression flickered into something else, something I couldn't fathom. He was staring at me.

"Why?"

"Nothing," he said, turning away.

"Ano nga?"

I waited. Parang may gusto siyang sabihin. This was a rare moment. Bihira lang siyang magseryoso and I'm not going to let this moment go.

"I was just thinking."

"About?"

His gaze slid back to me. "I was thinking how he's one lucky bastard to have you and he better be worth whatever this shit you're going through right now. He better make every chance count. He can't hurt you, Jamie V."

Every word, every second was filled with sincerity and care. I melted into a puddle. Without really thinking, my body moved on its own. I hugged him.

"Thank you talaga," I said again.

"Anytime," he whispered back.