May bagong food park na nagbukas malapit sa school. Matagal nang ginagawa 'yon at narinig ko ngang magbubukas na no'ng nag-enroll ako. Sakto pang pasukan yung grand opening kaya no'ng mismong gabi ng first day, kumpleto kaming nagpunta doon. By complete, I meant the barkada and the De Villa. Tutugtog kasi ang Constello kaya heto, magkakasama kami ngayon at hinihintay na matapos ang preparation nila sa stage.

It was a mesmerizing place, this food park. Greek Bites. Part siya ng chains of restaurants, food parks at bars na pagma-may-ari ni Jarett Esquivel na owner din pala ng mga bars sa Timog namely: Olympus, Exude, Exodia at Grandeur. I'd been there once or twice pero 'di gaano dahil mas gusto ko pa rin sa Candid at Aftershot since malapit sa amin.

Nasa kabilang table sina Lhyle, Anjo, Hiromi at Ahron, Maxxie kasama ang iba nilang mga blockmates habang nakaupo ako kasama ang mga kapatid at pinsan ko. Actually, dapat doon ako uupo kasama ang mga friends ko kaso hinatak ako ni Kuya Paul para tumabi sa kanya. Nagulat na lang ako nang umupo sa vacant chair na katabi ko 'tong si Kuya Jacob.

I stiffened right away. Ramdam ko ang attention ng boys sa amin kung magpapansinan ba kami. Gian wasn't mad at me anymore. In fact, siya pa nga ang nagyaya na magsama-sama na lang ang mga grupo namin.

"Ayos ka naman ba?" Narinig kong bulong ni Kuya Jacob sa 'kin.

I froze in shock, snapping my head toward him. Tiningnan ko siyang mabuti. His gaze was on his beer and his lips was set in a firm line before he flicked his eyes over to look at me.

"Medyo," I whispered. "Medyo lang. Galit ka pa sa 'kin, e."

Kuya nodded and said nothing else. Nilayo niya ang tingin niya pero tinapik niya ang likod ng ulo ko as if he was telling me we were okay na. Naguguluhan ako sa ibig niyang sabihin. This new thing between us felt delicate kaya ayaw kong magtanong para linawin. But the others did it for us.

"May nakikipagbati!" biro ni Kuya Onyx na ngiting-ngiti kaming pinapanood. "About damn time, you moron."

Napangiwi ako at tinapunan siya ng masamang tingin. Shut up, Kuya Onyx. Baka ma-jinx mo pa!

Tumawa si Gian. "Tangina mo, Jacob. Nakakahiya kang pinsan. Para kang kupal kung mag-inaso."

Humalakhak si Kuya Nick. "Aba, may nagsalita. Nagsalita si Pontio Pilato."

"Shut up, Nick. Baka umiyak si Gian," kantyaw pa ni Kuya Paul.

Umalingawngaw ang tawanan sa table at lalong nag-asaran ang boys. Nang dumating sina Kuya Andrei at Kuya Chris, may dala na silang bucket of beers. Ang mga loko. Kaka-start pa lang ng klase, bibinyagan na kagad nila.

Napalingon ako sa kabilang table. Dumating na ang mga orders nina Ahron. Hindi naman umiinom si Maxxie at Hiromi pero may hawak na ring drinks 'tong sina Ahron, Anjo at Lhyle.

"Iinom ka ba?" Minata ni Kuya Jacob ang bucket of beers na nasa gitna ng table. Ginala ko ang paningin ko sa mga fries at donuts na in-order ko kanina.

"Baka hindi. Maaga ang sched ko bukas."

"Ah, anong oras?"

"Seven a.m. ang first class ko."

"Hapon pa ako. Kay Andrei ka na lang ulit sasabay?"

"Kahit mag-Uber na lang ako. Sa condo uuwi ngayon si Kuya, e."

"'Di na. Hatid na kita bukas. Gigising na lang ako nang maaga."

Halos mapunit ang mukha ko sa naging ngiti ko nang marinig ko 'yon. Kuya smiled back as well, maliit lang but it was the first one I'd seen since our big fight. Medyo awkward pa kami, ramdam ko 'yon kasi hindi pa rin siya gaanong kumikibo pero at least, 'di ba? This was better than nothing. It was progress, right?

At long last, Constello started their first song for the night. Sinulat ni Andrew ang kanta at medyo alternative rock ang datingan. Malakas ang palakpak na nakuha nila after ng performance na 'yon. Actually, puro taga-Intersci, Ignatio, at taga-UAE ang mga nandito ngayon sa Greek Bites. Syempre since malapit lang kami at 'yon nga, dahil tutugtog ang Constello.

Nandito rin nga ang younger sister ni Dash Lim kasama yung isa pa nilang kapatid at yung kambal niya. I saw her from afar pero hindi ko naman nakausap. Mukhang nagmana din kasi ng ugali sa mga kapatid dahil mukhang 'di rin palakibo.

Habang tumutugtog ang pangalawang kanta ng Constello, nag-ring ang phone ni Kuya Jacob.

"Restroom lang," sabi niya sa amin at tumayo para sagutin ang tawag. Nakangisi na siya habang bumababa ng hagdan. Once he was gone, everybody rounded on Kuya Andrei.

"Sila bati na. E kayo? Kailan kayo magkakaayos?" asked Kuya Nick, referring to me and Kuya Jacob.

Kuya Andrei shrugged his shoulders and didn't bother answering.

"Magbabati rin 'yan. Bukas lang baka 'di na naman mapaghiwalay ang dalawang 'yan. Kita n'yo, bukas lang parang halos magpapalit na naman ng mukha ang dalawang 'yan," sabi ni Kuya Paul habang may ka-text pa rin na babae. Ewan ko kung sino dahil parang hindi naman si Denise 'yon.

Nilingon ko si Kuya Paul at siniko. "Pati ba naman ikaw? You know that's wrong."

"Dude, she's just a friend."

"Really, huh. Behave, Kuya."

"I always am," he answered with a laugh

I grimaced. "Someday magsisisi kayo na ganyan kayo. Someday you will meet a girl who'll make you regret you ever were such douches. You'll trip over love and you'll chase for the girl but she won't even turn around for you. When that day comes, I swear lahat kayo magbabago rin."

All heads turned to me, brows raised in question. Then the boys laughed and poked fun at me.

"Tangina naman, cuz. Para mo naman kaming kinukulam n'yan!" natatawang sabi ni Gian.

"Ganyan siguro 'pag na-i-in love. Nagiging poetic. Well, cuz. Hate to break it to you but I'm gonna be a bachelor for all of my life." Kuya Onyx winked at me.

"Gago. Ganyan din ako dati kaso naisip kong may kapatid akong babae. Makakahanap ka rin ng katapat mo," sabi sa kanya ni Kuya Chris.

"Yeah, on the first day of never."

Nagtawanan na naman sila. Pinagalitan ko sila sa kawalan nila ng pagkagusto sa relasyon pero as usual, it fell on deaf ears again. By the time Constello stopped their songs to join us, medyo paubos na ang beers nila. Dash immediately went ahead to join his siblings while Andrew and Luis sat with us.

"Yo," sabi sa amin ni Mathev. "Heard the news? Your motherfucking bestfriend is around the town," he told Gian.

Gian furrowed his brows. "Sino?"

"Dela Costa, my man."

I froze up. Sakto namang sa time na 'yon piniling bumalik ni Kuya Jacob na natagalan yata sa kausap niya kanina.

"Dela Costa? Anong meron kay Dela Costa?" tanong niya nang umupo sa tabi ko.

"Don't tell me he grew a pair and finally came back."

"'Yon na nga. Nasabi lang ng tropa ko. Nakita daw niya sa Aftershot nung isang araw kasama sina Maico."

"Oh? Sayang. Dapat nakita ko siya. 'Di pa ako nakakapag-thank you sa gagong 'yon," Kuya Jacob said with a smirk habang pinapatunog ang mga kamao niya.

"Oo, magpakita siya nang mas mabilis pa siya sa alas-kwatrong babalik sa America. O sa Canada. Tangina, saan ba nagtago 'yon?"

"Who cares?" Mathev shrugged. "I'm just saying. One of these days we'll be seeing real action again."

I let out a huge sigh.

"Mathe, ayoko ng gulo. Hayaan n'yo na lang si Rohann," I said, purposely leaving out the fact that I did see Rohann before.

Tumingin sila sa 'kin.

Kuya Onyx said, laughing, "Ayos lang. Hindi naman ikaw ang makikipaggulo, e."

"Kahit pa. He's not worth your time."

"Yeah, but he's worth my fist."

I looked at Kuya Andrei and Kuya Chris to ask for their help in the matter but they casually shrugged off my silent request.

"Sige, bigyan n'yo ng isa kapag umepal pa. Pero mag-ingat-ingat kayo. You're graduating soon."

"'Wag ko lang makasalubong 'yon, mapupulbos talaga ang kupal na 'yon. Jav, na-contact ka na ba no'n?"

And here I was again, standing between the choices of lying and speaking the truth. This time, I opted not to lie despite the repercussions.

"Yeah, nung kailan lang."

"Ano?! Lakas ng loob, a!" Gian fussed.

"O anong sabi?" Kuya Andrei pressed. He seemed curious, too curious on the subject.

"Kung ano lang din sinabi n'yo. That I should break-up with. . . my boyfriend," I said. Hindi pa rin ako comfortable na banggitin si Racel with them.

Nilingon ko si Kuya Jacob pero blangko ang emosyon sa mukha niya.

"At bakit daw? Para balikan mo siya? Tangina talaga no'n e 'no? Makapal ang bungo," fumed Mathev. Napansin ko ang pagkalito sa mukha nina Luis at Andrew dahil hindi nila maintindihan ang nangyayari. Kuya Paul took the time to explain what was going on and by the time he was finished telling the tale, I felt awful. Nakatingin ang dalawa sa 'kin na parang naaawa dahil sa nangyari. I hated this kind of attention.

Andrew whistled. "De Villa na, sinayang pa? Gago nga 'yon."

Luis nodded. "Oo nga. Sinayang ka niya."

"Sayang talaga. Pero okay na 'yon. Wala akong balak i-share ang pinsan ko sa gano'ng klaseng lalaki. No balls, dude. Sayang si Javee do'n. Abonado pa," sabi sa kanila ni Mathev.

"E bakit ka nga kinausap no'n? Ba't nakikialam siya sa relasyon mo ngayon?" tanong ni Kuya Nick na hindi pa rin binibitawan ang kaninang tanong ni Kuya Andrei.

Nanonood din sa amin sina Lhyle na tahimik lang na nakikinig sa usapan. His friends were quiet as well, looking over at our family discussion. My cheeks heated up at the idea na alam na nila ang nakaraan ko.

"Hindi ko rin alam, Kuya. 'Di na ko masyadong nakinig sa kanya kasi wala namang sense," sagot ko na medyo nawawalan na ng gana sa usapan.

"Tama 'yon. 'Wag ka nang makikipag-usap ulit do'n."

"Sus. Inuutusan kang makipag-break? Kami nga 'di ka namin napapayag," sabi ni Kuya Paul. Parang wala lang naman sa kanya ang sinabi niyang 'yon pero nailang pa rin ako.

"Wala siyang tiwala kay Gutierez? Takes one to know one ba 'to?" Gian said.

I frowned at him, slightly nonplussed. I opened my mouth to defend my boyfriend but my brother beat me to it.

"Shut up, dude. Don't start another fight," sita ni Kuya Andrei sa kanila.

I sent a thankful glance at him which he returned with a tightlipped smile.

"'Wag n'yo nang masyadong pag-initan 'yang si Dela Costa. Naunahan na kayo ng iba," Ahron cut in, taking all of our attention. Nakatuon siya sa iPhone niya. Inabot niya sa amin 'yon at nakita kong pinagpasa-pasahan ng boys ang picture ni Rohann. Naka-zoom-in 'yon sa parang pasa sa pisngi niya.

Kinutuban ako. Racel said nagkita sila ni Rohann no'ng hapon right after he met with me. Ito kaya 'yon?

Tahimik na ako nang buong gabi na 'yon hanggang sa matapos ang jamming namin. 'Di ako nakatulog nang maayos kakaisip kung anong nangyari sa kanila. Racel said he was fine so I thought 'di naman sila nag-away like the first time. Pero 'di ko maalis sa isip ko yung pasa ni Rohann. Dammit. The thought that I drove a wedge between two friends left a bitter taste in my tongue. Ano na lang ang sasabihin sa 'kin ng parents ni Racel?

Kinabukasan, sinabay ako ni Kuya Jacob papasok. Halatang inaantok pa siya kaya na-guilty ako nang inaya na niya ako. I'd say no sana kaso nakabihis na siya. Naghanda talaga kaya baka lalong ma-badtrip kung tatanggihan ko pa.

Tahimik lang kami sa buong byahe. Music lang ang bumabasag sa katahimikan at medyo 'di ako mapakali. Bukod kasi sa awkward pa kami, nangangati rin akong i-text si Racel para kamustahin siya. I wanted to kaso magtatanong naman 'yon bakit ako curious. So kailangan kong banggitin sa kanya na nakita ko ang picture ni Rohann. I could say the real reason naman but everything was still so delicate kaya ayokong dagdagan nang dagdagan yung tension niya. He said he trusted me pero rinig ko naman sa boses niya na may wariness pa rin.

We finally arrived in Intersci. Bumaba ako at sinilip si Kuya Jacob. "Uuwi ka ba after?"

"I'll crash at Andrei's place na lang."

"Bati na kayo?" I asked, eyes wide.

He nodded. "Hindi pa."

"Then . . . ?"

"Magbabati pa lang. Sige na, Jav. Ma-le-late ka na."

Napalingon ako sa relo ko at napamura. Right. Shit. 5 minutes left.

"Sige, Kuya. Thank you ulit." At tumakbo na ako papuntang first class. Swerte ko lang dahil late din naman pala ang prof ko.

#

As first week goes, laging early dismissal dahil discussion lang naman ng grading system at class rules ang pinag-uusapan. I intended to text Racel na makipagkita sa 'kin after his class pero naunahan na niya ako.

Baby ♡:

You free? Giz wants to meet you.

Me:

Giz? I'm done now. Ikaw ba?

Baby ♡:

No prof. I'm leaving. I'll pick you up.

Me:

Aryt. Who's Giz?

Baby ♡:

Giselle, my cousin.

Me:

Oh! Okay. I'll meet you at the entrance.

#

Racel arrived in less than forty-five minutes. Sa cafe ko na siya hinintay kaysa sa entrance para hindi na siya masyadong mapansin ng mga ka-univ ko. When I received his text, lumabas na ako kaagad at sumakay sa BMW niya.

My eyes zeroed in on the fading bruise on his cheek. Kaya pala puro calls kami since that day. 'Di rin kami masyadong nagkita kasi busy din naman talaga pero madalas kasi, face time video call ang ginagamit namin at hindi naman audio calls lang. Kaya pala.

"Napa'no 'yan?" I asked right away.

"Wala. Wear your seatbelts."

I settled down and wore the seatbelts. Pinaandar na niya kaagad ang sasakyan.

"Sa Marikina tayo, a. We'll meet Giselle there."

Tumango lang ako. "Nagsuntukan kayo ni Rohann?"

He swept his eyes over at me. "Slight. It was over right away so no big deal."

"No big deal? May pasa ka na naman. Katatapos lang ng away n'yo ni Kuya J and now you got another one because of me. Your mom will hate me."

"No, my mom loves you and this, this is a badge of honor. Wala 'to kumpara sa nakuha niya."

Yeah, nakita ko ngang napuruhan si Rohann. Dammit. Just what happened between them?

"I'm so mad at you right now, baby," sabi ko sa kanya.

Napalingon siya sa 'kin dahil sa sinabi ko. Worry flickered on his face.

"Hey, I didn't mean to hide it from you. Ayoko lang mag-alala ka."

"No, it's not that. Nakakainis na hindi mo inaalagaan ang sarili mo. You fight a lot these days."

"I fight a lot even before. Remember, we had a lot of run-ins with your brother."

"Yeah, but not to this extent. I mean, as far as I know, laging sina Marco 'yon. 'Di ka naman talaga physically involved. But now, iba na."

"Syempre may mag-iiba. I wasn't involved with any girl then. I am now." Inabot niya ang kamay ko at pinisil 'yon. Pumungay ang mga mata niya. "Don't be mad. I won't do it again."

"Who started it anyway?" I asked him. When he didn't answer, I added, "Did you?"

He shrugged. "He asked for it."

"He's your friend."

"Not anymore. Not if he's creeping around you."

"What happened to dicks before chicks? I thought guy friendships are stronger than that?"

Racel took his eyes off the road to actually look at me, his face taking on a very serious and confused look. "You actually think I'd choose him over you? You're my girlfriend. Of course I'll burn him if he so much as try to steal you from me. And that's exactly what he was doing."

"No, he wasn't," I said not in an attempt to defend Rohann but to clarify the situation. "He just warned me to stay away from you. Everyone's just mystified at our relationship. And why not? Up until recently, everyone thinks you hate the De Villa and they hate you back. We never gave them any heads-up."

"I don't care what he meant to do. Ang alam ko lang, sinubukan niyang pumagitna at ayoko no'n. Kung totoo siyang kaibigan, titigilan ka niya."

"Tinigilan na niya ako. I told him to piss off and he never tried again. I dissed him, you know. Medyo na-guilty nga ako sa mga pinagsasasabi ko sa kanya."

"Did you diss him hard?" he asked with the lightest of smile on his face.

"Yeah. Kind of." Napangiti ako.

Pride twinkled in his eyes and he kissed the palm of my hand. "That's my girl," he said.

#

The first second I saw her, I was stricken with admiration at the way she carried herself. Giselle Esquivel was a girl of sophistication and delicate grace. So unlike that crying mess I saw for the first time in Aftershot. Nakalugay ang kulot niyang buhok at simpleng light green dress lang ang suot niya but it spoke volumes about her quiet personality. It wasn't revealing but it wasn't too covered din. Just right.

Tumayo si Giselle nang makita kami. Racel led me toward her, his hand entwined with my own, as we walked further into Pan De Amerikana. I liked the place. Ang ethnic ng datingan, very cozy. It reminds me of Ilocos, the restaurant inside the Hidden Garden.

Her face instantly brightened up when she smiled at us.

"Cuz," bati niya kay Racel sabay tango sa 'kin. "Hi, Javee."

I nodded my head, smiling as well. Racel told her, "Kanina ka pa ba?"

"Hindi. I just got here lang din."

We sat down and made our orders. Medyo nabigla ako sa price dito sa Pan De Amerikana. For a restaurant that looked so good, the price was pretty reasonable.

Habang hinihintay ang orders namin, Racel made a small talk with his cousin. I mostly listened to them kahit paminsan-minsan ay kinakausap nila ako. I wasn't that comfortable with her yet-not when I knew what my brother did to her-and I think Racel was aware of that kasi hindi niya inalis ang kamay niya sa balikat ko. It was his silent way of telling me he was here with me.

Nabanggit sa 'kin ni Giselle kung bakit gusto niya akong makilala. Wala kasi siya noong naipakilala ako sa family kaya pinilit niya talaga si Racel. She was glad to hear I wanted to meet her din daw. Gulat na gulat daw siya nang marinig ang tungkol sa 'min but she was happy and voiced out her support for us. Mabait si Giselle, sobra, pero nahihimigan ko rin ang closeness at protectiveness niya kay Racel. This is a girl who can change in the blink of an eye the moment na masaktan ang mahal niya sa buhay. I guess parehas kami doon.

The conversation shifted to something else. It was only when they were talking about their cousins were I able to make the connection. Holy fudge. Esquivel. As in, THE Esquivel. Tito nila ang may-ari ng Esquivel Empire at pinsan nila yung Jarett Esquivel na may-ari ng Greek Bites. Yung young entrepreneur na marami ring bars. Oh, my God. Small world.

"Regular na yata doon ang Constello," I mentioned to them when the subject was brought up. "I think, every Saturday night sila since may regular gigs din sila sa Bistro."

"Really? I wanted to go nung opening but I had to do something that time. How's Mathev and the others?"

Ngumiti ako. She sounded genuinely curious about them. "Okay naman sila. Mas gumagaling pa."

"They've always been a talented bunch. How about your brother? Kamusta na si Jacob?"

I froze at the mention of his name. Hindi ko akalain na siya pa ang mag-bi-bring-up kay Kuya. Was Racel right then? Giselle still cared for Kuya Jacob even though he broke her heart?

"He's fine, I guess," sabi ko, careful not to say anything that will hurt her.

Giselle's eyes cut between me and Racel and she gestured with her hand, "How about this thing between you two? He's okay with it na?"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Racel. Bumaling ulit ako kay Giselle.

"Not really. But we're okay na. Nag-uusap na ulit kami."

A wistful look danced on her face and she said in a tender voice, "Just be patient with him, that boy. He's not really good with his emotions. I told Racel this before. Jacob is not as tough as he makes himself out to be." She smiled at me. "But you already know that, don't you? You're sibs."

Tumango ako at tinitigan siyang mabuti. It was written in her eyes, displayed in her smiles, ringing in her voice. The way she reverently spoke about my brother. My God. She was still in love with him. And I didn't think she even harbored ill feelings toward him.

Guilt reared its ugly head and I cast my head low, unable to meet those gentle eyes.

"About that, sorry about my brother. Play boy talaga siya. Sorry kung nasaktan ka niya."

"Oh, baby girl, don't be." Giselle let out a sad laugh. "I should be sorry because if anything, I broke his heart. Not the other way around. Jacob's been nothing but gentle to me. Ako ang nakasakit sa kanya. My feelings were too much for him and I understand that. I'll always feel sorry I ever burdened him. But believe me, he didn't do anything to hurt me."

Sa sinasabi niyang 'yon, lalo akong naguluhan. Racel stiffened beside me. Obviously hindi siya gaanong naniniwala sa sinasabi ni Giselle. I couldn't say I fully believed her either. These were words from a girl in love. Her take on things could be subjective lalo na at kilala ko ang kapatid ko. I was unfortunately a witness to his casanova ways. But at the same time, he was also my brother. Alam kong he could be sweet and gentle when he wants to. Ang tanong: anong side ba ni Kuya Jacob ang naipakita kay Giselle?

"You don't believe me, that's fine," Giselle told us. "But Jacob's a nice guy. The rumors are not true at all. I hope things will work out between you three soon."

Sinulyapan ko si Racel. His face had a thoughtful look. I looked back at Giselle and smiled.

"Sana kayo rin. Whatever it is between you and Kuya, sana maayos din." I meant what I said with my whole heart. Kung siya ang magiging sister-in-law ko in the future, I wouldn't mind. But how would that work out?

Magpinsan sila ni Racel and Racel and I...

I shook my head and banished the thought. Hoshet, Javee. Stop thinking ahead.

Giselle didn't say anything to that. Dumating na ang order namin kaya nalipat na rin sa iba ang usapan. All throughout, I watched as the cousins interacted. Hindi ganito si Racel noon nung nakita ko ang mga pinsan niya dati. Maybe he was closest with Giselle. Ibang-iba ang alaga niya dito kaya naiintindihan ko na kung bakit gano'n na lang ang naging galit niya sa kapatid ko nang maghiwalay ang dalawa.

Gian would react the same way kung kami ang maghihiwalay. In fact, he reacted exactly like that when Rohann left the country for good.

When they noticed my staring, Racel and Giselle stopped and turned questioningly at me.

Tumawa ako. "Wala. Ang cute n'yo lang tingnan."

I saw a new side of him today. Nakakatuwa. May chance din talagang magkasundo ang mga pinsan ko at 'tong si Racel. They have a similarity. Who knows? Maybe their overprotectiveness would serve as their common ground after all.