I spent my time helping out for the Youth Camp and working on our dance routines in the next days. I kept in touch with Centrex University's student council president for the preparations. Okay naman pala si Christelle. She was pleasant, professional, and easy to work with. Nagkataon lang talaga na may emergency last time kaya hindi niya 'ko naabisuhan.

Another good thing, there was no reason for me to come back to Centrex anymore, so kahit medyo busy ang buwan na 'to, we were running smoothly. Tomorrow around noon, may meeting kami for the Youth Camp. Kasama na ro'n ang ibang representatives mula sa iba't ibang universities kaya nag-desisyon kaming magkita-kita sa lugar na convenient sa lahat.

"Good morning, Dad," bati ko kay Dad nang pumasok siya sa dining room. I kissed his cheek and then continued placing the plates and glasses on the table.

"Morning, sweetheart," he said back, taking his seat at head of the table.

My brothers filled the seats one by one. Habang hinihintay si Mom na matapos sa pagluluto, may pinag-usapan sina Dad at Kuya Travis so I sat beside Kuya Jacob to listen.

"I already booked the reservations. Tuloy pa ba tayo?" Kuya Travis asked Dad.

"Yes. It seems mapapaaga ang flight namin papuntang New York." Dad turned to face me. "Have you packed up? Nasabihan ka ba nila na bukas tayo babyahe?"

Shoot.

I let out a sheepish smile, rubbing my neck. "I forgot. Also, I have a class, Dad."

"What time's your dismissal? We'll pick you up."

"Three po but I have a meeting afterward. So baka mga five na lang?"

"What about on Monday? You have a class?"

"Wala po. And sa Tuesday, meron but it's in the afternoon."

"Sige, good. Aalis tayo ng Saturday afternoon kaya mag-ayos ka na ng gamit mo. Baka magmadali ka na naman."

"When ang balik? Monday na?"

"That's the plan." Ngumiti si Dad. "Kung gustong sumama ng mga pinsan n'yo, go ahead. Wala namang problema pero siguraduhin niyong hindi na mauulit yung nangyari no'ng nakaraan," he added sternly.

We nodded.

Nilingon ko si Kuya Travis. "Nasabihan n'yo na ba yung iba? Sasama sila 'di ba?"

"Yeah. They're ready. Sa school n'yo na lang tayo magkikita-kita."

"Cool," I said with an excited grin. I turned to Kuya Andrei. "Race tayo, a. Bet ulit."

Kuya Andrei flashed me a cool smile. "Sure."

"Sus. Race pa e wala ka naman, Jav. Lagi ka naman talo e," pang-aasar ni Kuya Jacob.

"Bakit, ikaw, natalo mo na ba si Kuya?" I sniped back.

"Kaya nga hindi ko hinahamon 'di ba?" Kuya Jacob gave me an I-win smug smirk.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Psh. Coz you're a pussy."

Nagulat pa muna si Kuya Jacob, ta's sabay humagalpak ng tawa. My other brothers chuckled at what I said.

"What did you just say?" sabi ni Kuya Jacob habang tatawa-tawa. "Dad, did you hear that?"

Tumawa lang si Dad at napailing.

"Suck it up, Kuya," I told him, wearing a teasing grin on my face.

"Fine, I'll show you," he told me in a confident voice. "Andrei, you better be ready. I'm showing you darn losers how to do real jet skiing."

Umiling lang din sa 'min si Kuya Andrei.

"Just make sure you won't drown yourself like the last time," pasok ni Kuya Chris.

"Drown pa, a. Sumama ka na rin nang makita mo. I'll beat your asses."

Nagtatawanan kami nang dumating na si Mom dala ang breakfast.

"Kayo talaga. Ang aga aga, ang haharot n'yo," sabi niya with a smile. Tumingin siya kay Kuya Chris. "Isasama mo ba si Ara?"

"Hindi siguro, Ma."

"Nag-away kayo, Kuya?" tanong ko.

Bigla naman humirit si Kuya J. "Pag naghiwalay kayo, bro, booze is on me."

"Kuya J!"

"Jacob!"

Sabay kaming sumigaw ni Mama, horrified. Oh, my god! Napaka-insensitive talaga nitong si Kuya. Sinimangutan tuloy siya ni Kuya Chris.

Kuya Jacob shrugged. "Okay, okay. Sorry."

I threw him a glare. "Filter, okay?"

Nagsimula na kaming kumain kaya wala na masiyadong usapan. Nawala na sa mood si Kuya Chris pero hindi naman siya nag-react or anything.

"Trav. Start your preparations," Dad said suddenly. "Baka isama kita next month sa New York para sa business expansion natin. It's about time you meet our foreign investors."

"Yes, Dad."

"Ikaw din, Chris."

Kuya Chris just nodded quietly.

Minsan naaawa ako sa dalawang kuya ko. They could barely enjoy their prime dahil sa family business namin. Sabi naman nila, gusto nila ang ginagawa nila pero I couldn't help but feel like this. I feel a bit guilty kasi hindi ako nakakatulong. Maaga ko kasing na-realize na hindi 'yon ang passion ko. Hindi rin naman namilit si Dad. Gano'n din kina Kuya Andrei at Kuya Jacob.

When Kuya Andrei told them na Chem Eng talaga ang gusto niya, they were the most supportive pa nga. Sometimes I wonder kung gano'n pa rin kaya kung hindi pumasok sa business 'tong dalawang nauna sa 'min.

Pagkatapos namin kumain, nagpaalam na kami. On my way outside, inakbayan ako ni Kuya Jacob. Ayos na ayos siya, halatang may kikitain. I wrinkled my nose at the strong scent of his perfume.

"Babae mo na naman," I replied, pretending to snort.

Tumawa pa siya. "Why do you always assume the worst of me? I'm meeting a friend."

"Make sure lang. I'm telling you, dapat tigilan n'yo na 'yan. It's not good," sagot ko, slapping his hand away. He only pinched my cheek bago ako pumasok sa Aventador ni Kuya Andrei.

Gusto ko rin talagang sumasabay kay Kuya Andrei. Maganda kasi ang taste niya sa music. He's eclectic pero parehas kaming mahilig sa alternative rock. Besides that, tahimik lang din siya pero hindi yung tipong nakakailang. I like the silence when I'm with him. Comforting.

Habang nagda-drive si Kuya, I eyed his casual get up. Simpleng long sleeves lang na pulled up around the arms and plain pants and sneakers.

"Wala kang klase?" I wondered.

He tore his gaze off the road briefly to look at me. "Wala. Just need to pass some papers. Then I'm meeting some friends after."

Hindi na ko sumagot. I just nodded. Kuya Andrei looked at his phone and texted.

Nakarating na rin kami after a while. Nasa parking lot pa lang kami pero pansin ko na yung tingin at titig ng mga babae sa 'min. Unlike Kuya Jacob, Kuya Andrei would barely give them the time of the day but unlike Kuya Travis, he wouldn't completely ignore them either. Instead, he was all smiles, polite and ever so charming.

Tapos ang hook?

Parang wala siyang pakialam sa epekto niya sa tao. As if he wasn't aware, as if he didn't care. He barely acted on their attention kaya hindi ko rin siya masyadong masita.

Beware!

Kuya Andrei can be classified as a player under the Casanova type. (Or at times, pwede rin under the Don Juan)

Hook, Line, Sinker

Sinkers are cool, relaxing to be with, and damn right friendly. They'll really get you going kasi comfortable kang kasama sila. He won't do a thing, won't even make a single move on you. He's chill lang. Mysterious pa. Pero that's exactly his game. Without even lifting a finger, nahuli ka na nila. You'll end up falling madly in love with them.

Tapos sila? Walang responsibility kasi ikaw naman ang na-fall on your own. Of course you're aware pero wala ka nang magagawa. Nahuli ka na e.

That's them. They're confident na they can get girls without doing a single thing. Instead, they're just being themselves. But they know that you're falling. This can be a gradual or very fast process. Beware. You might get hurt real bad kasi sila yung type na hindi mo i-e-expect na player pala. They treat you well pero wala silang intention na saluhin ka. Worse, they'll probably turn you down in the gentlest way possible kaya mas mahirap kalimutan sila.

Very similar sila sa Silent Killers in that aspect. They're considered players kasi they know exactly what's going on with the girls, but they have no plans to address it.

A group of guys walked over to us. Members sila ng swimming team kung saan kabilang si Kuya Andrei. Binati nila ako and I nodded back in return. Then I headed straight to class.

After those brain-wrecking subjects, I went to our dance rehearsals. Hindi na ako ang nag-choreo ng buong routine namin kaya tumutulong-tulong na lang ako sa pag-refine.

When we took a water break, my org mates approached me.

"Uy, Javee, alam mo bang may pinopormahan ngayon si Mathev?"

Mabilis akong napalingon kay Janella at Pauline pero hindi ako nagsalita. Hinintay ko lang sila magpatuloy while observing their movements. Si Janella yung nagsalita, still cool like her usual self. Kay Pauline ako naintriga. Nakatingin siya sa 'kin pero her fingers were fiddling with her ring.

May idea na ako sa sasabihin nila.

"You know that girl from the theater club? Si Clarissa?"

"I think I've heard of her before. Why?"

"Ayun, sa tingin mo sila na kaya?"

"I don't think so," simpleng sagot ko.

Their faces lit up.

"Sure ka?"

"Yeah."

"YES!" sigaw ni Janella, sabay hampas sa likod ni Pauline.

I suddenly got worried. "Pau, may gusto ka kay Mathe?" I asked gently.

Agad siyang namula. "H-ha? H-hindi. Inaasar lang ako nitong Jaja na 'to."

Hm. I shouldn't push it. She was probably too embarrassed to admit it.

"Wag, Pau. Magkagusto na kayo sa ibang guys pero wag sa mga 'yon. 'Di sila marunong magseryoso. Lalo na 'yang si Mathe. Mabilis mawala atensyon nila, masasaktan ka lang."

I saw the disbelief on Pauline's face. Hindi 'yon ang hitsura ng babaeng may crush lang at in denial.

Tangina, Mathev, I'm gonna to kill you.

Malamang pinormahan niya rin dati 'tong si Pauline at biglang binitawan nang nakakita ng bago. Damn!

"Parang 'di naman. Yung kuya niya, si Paul, okay naman?" Janella said, slightly frowning.

"Sana nga, but please be careful." I sighed. "Ayokong masaktan lang kayo."

Since I felt awkward, umalis na ako do'n para ibalik yung water jug ko sa bag. Bago kami magsimula ulit sa practice, siniko ako ni Kuya Jim.

"You didn't tell me your brother's tight with Geon," bulong niya.

"Sinong Geon?" I asked him. "At sinong kuya?"

"Si Andrei. I saw him talking to Geon earlier," he informed. "Well, wala naman masama. Mabait naman si Geon. Nagulat lang ako."

Before I could even ask what he was talking about, the music started. Hindi ko na rin natanong kasi umalis kagad si Kuya Jim after practice. Hinayaan ko na. Baka hindi naman importante.

***

Saturday.

Ngayon yung meeting kasama yung ibang representatives. Last night, I received a text na sa Old Beans na lang kami magmi-meet which was of course, very convenient for me. Malapit-lapit lang do'n ang campus namin.

Good news din pala. Hindi ako male-late dahil free cut na kami. And because I got nothing better to do, kahit 1 p.m pa lang at mamayang 2 p.m pa ang schedule, pumunta na kagad ako do'n.

I wanted some me time kahit isang oras lang. This week was so busy, I thought magkakasakit na 'ko.

Hindi pa man ako nakakapasok, I could smell the delightful aroma of coffee already.

Kakatapos ko lang um-order ng frappe and banoffee pie nang may napansin akong dumating na familiar tall figure. He settled near the window, parang may hinihintay kasi tinitingnan niya ang phone niya.

I frowned, deciding to just ignore him. Umupo ako as far as possible from him.

Me time ko ngayon. Hindi ako papaapekto sa kanya. And hindi na rin naman ako naiinis sa ginawa niya. I don't hold grudges but that didn't mean I was going to let him ruin my mood today.

Yep, si Racel Gutierez 'yon. What was he doing here, anyway? Hindi naman malapit dito ang Centrex. Was he trying to attract trouble? Puro Intersci students pa naman ang tumatambay dito.

Anyway, I didn't care. I'd just ignore him hanggang sa umalis na siya.

But too late.

The damn dude suddenly turned and locked gazes with me. Fudge. I didn't even realize I was already staring at him. Hindi ko pinahalata na nabigla ako. With my poker face on, I slowly looked away.

I preoccupied myself with my food.

Nagulat na lang ako nang may biglang umupo sa harap ko. "Hey," sabi niya in a quiet tone.

I glanced up at him in surprise. Yeah? Ngayon pinapansin na niya ako?

I only raised a brow at him, saying nothing. I was being petty and rude but I couldn't help it. I didn't wanna give him the satisfaction of getting my response after he rudely ignored me last time.

I heard him sigh. Just when I thought he was going to speak, he didn't. Fine, then. Kahit curious ako kung bakit siya nandito sa harap ko, hindi ako nagsalita. Two can play this game.

Sumagi na sa isip ko kanina pa na baka representative siya ng Centrex Pupunta din si Christelle so baka dalawa sila. Well, whatever. I'd just try to be as civil as I could.

Isang oras ko ring nakasama 'tong isang to nang walang usap-usap. He didn't even order, didn't even move. He just plugged his earphones on and said nothing. That worked for me. Easier for me to pretend na wala siya sa harap ko.

After what felt like a decade passing, dumating na rin yung iba. Three boys and five girls. We were eight in total. Seven universities were working together to pull this event off: International Science and Arts University, World Centrex University, Ignatio University, La Consuello University, Unibersidad de San Miguel, Asian Excellence University, at University of Technology and Arts.

Nagpakilala kami isa-isa. Mukhang okay naman yung iba. Makakasundo ko silang lahat.

"Okay. So we have five things to discuss today," Christelle began, pulling out her iPad. "Venue, lodging, giveaways, food and transpo. Naisip kong mag-divide na lang tayo para by pair natin asikasuhin lahat. For starters, may target na ba kayo kung sinu-sino ang mga sasama sa inyo? Doon kasi tayo babase kung magkano ang fee at kung gaano kalaking venue ang kukunin."

"Sa amin, student leaders na lang. Team building at leadership training naman 'to 'di ba?" answered the girl from USM, si Melissa.

Tumango si Christelle. "Sa amin din, gano'n lang plus a few students na ni-recommend ng professors. Sa inyo?" She looked at the rest of us.

Nakausap ko na si Ahron at Joshua about this. We extended the invitation sa college councils, org leaders at iba pang student models. Konti lang ang sasama dahil may mga ibang commitments yung iba.

So I told them that.

Gano'n din ang naging sagot no'ng ibang reps.

We moved on to the other line items in the agenda. Mahigit isang oras din namin pinagplanuhan yung food at budgeting. Tapos sa iba, medyo nagkakaproblema kasi iba-iba kami ng gusto. Like sa venue. Nag-raise kami ng iba't ibang suggestions. Ang ridiculous ng iba. They were suggesting Pampanga, Davao, at Ilocos. Ang lalayo.

I raised a hand. "How about Tagaytay?"

Napaisip sila. Nadaanan ng tingin ko si Racel. It was slight and quick but I caught how the corner of his lips tugged up into a smile.

"Not far, not near. Pwede na," the guy named James said.

"Or Baguio, pwede rin," Ivan, the other dude, added.

"Matagal ang byahe 'pag Baguio. Sayang yung oras," Christelle said.

"Oo nga. Kung Baguio, e 'di patulan na rin natin yung Pampanga," natatawang sinabi ni Gwen.

"Fine. Tagaytay then," Ivan concluded.

The conversation kept on going. Kanina pa kami nag-uusap. 'Di na yata matatapos. Puro kalokohan kasi ang sinasabi nitong si James, halatang joker. Medyo uneasy na rin ako kasi anytime soon, darating na sina Dad sa Intersci. It was 4 p.m na. Nagpasundo ako ng around 5 and knowing them, they'd be here early.

Napansin kong puro si Christelle yung nagdedesisyon para sa Centrex. Tahimik lang si Racel. So what was his purpose for being here? Labo. Si Melissa at Gwen naman, okay sila. Madaling pakisamahan si Melissa at gano'n din naman si Gwen. Sina Ivan at James lang ang maloko. Mukha din magkakilala. Si Sheena, tahimik lang din pero mukhang matalino. Wallflower type.

Nakakatuwa lang kami kahit na nagtatalo-talo. At least we were respectful pa rin.

May hinirit na joke ulit si James.

"Shut up na, man. Nagtatagal tayo, o," pambabasag ni Ivan habang nakangiti nang nakakaloko. "Baka ma-turn off na sila sa 'tin."

Christelle cleared her throat and presented another issue. Habang nagdidiskusyon kami, nararamdaman ko na may nakatingin sa 'kin. Kanina pa. Ewan ko kung pinagti-tripan ako nitong Racel na 'to. Kung no'ng last time halos 'di niya ko tingnan, ngayon naman hindi ako tinigilan. Napansin na nga ni Gwen at binulungan ako kanina.

Tinanong ako kung anong meron.

Uminit ang pisngi ko sa hiya. Hoshet, that was awkward. Ta's halata pang narinig niya kasi napangiti siya kahit saglit lang.

Bakit alam ko? Pinuna kasi ni Ivan. Syempre hindi siya sumagot.

Damn, I couldn't get this guy at all!

Finally, patapos na kami. Sheena suggested draw lots para sa pairing. There were eight papers. Apat lang ang nakasulat. Transpo, Giveaways, Venue and Lodging, at Food.

Sabay-sabay kaming bumunot.

I got venue and lodging. Nag-apir sina James at Ivan dahil magkasama sila sa transpo. Sina Sheena at Melissa sa food, at sina Racel at Gwen sa giveaways. Kasama ko si Christelle. Buti na lang.

Nilahad namin yung mga papel habang nililista ni Christelle.

Bigla siyang pinahinto ni Racel.

"Exchange with me."

Nagulat si Christelle. Mas nagulat ako.

Kung magpapalit sila, then . . .

That meant . . .

Ka-pair ko siya?

I schooled my surprise even as the other boys started teasing us.

He lifted his silent and broody gaze to look straight at me. Deep and probing. Gauging my thoughts out. I kept my face blank pero hindi ko mapigilang ikuyom ang mga kamay ko. What the hell are you trying to do, Racel Gutierez?

Hindi ko siya ma-gets. Hindi ko siya mabasa and it was freaking me out.

He kept on staring at me, studying me. Ako lang ba o parang may hint na ng amusement behind that cool facade? Parang hinihintay niyang mag-falter ang control ko habang siya, nananatiling chill sa tapat ko. Okay, then. Hindi ko ipapakita sa kanyang madali akong matalo. Game on.

Come at me.

"Sure ka?" tanong ni Christelle.

Pinutol niya ang pagtitig sa 'kin para bumaling sa kanya. "Yes."

The other representatives exchanged meaningful glances, sabay tingin sa 'kin for any sign of reaction.

"May mga alam akong lugar sa Tagaytay," simpleng sagot ni Racel. I couldn't help but notice how deep his voice sounded.

"Well, okay," sagot na lang ni Christelle. Lumingon siya sa 'kin nang bahagya, tapos bumaling pabalik kay Racel. She sighed. "Look, I know our universities aren't exactly the best of friends pero sana maging civil tayo sa isa't isa. Lalo na, uh, kayong dalawa. I hope that extends to the rest of the students that will participate in this camp."

Ano pa nga ba? Sana lang wag malaman ng mga kuya ko 'to.

If I didn't know any better, may pinaplano siya. But he looked the same, parang wala naman. Sadyang malabo lang. But I couldn't be too sure.

"Sige. It's a wrap," announced Christelle. "I'll send a memo about the next meeting. Keep in touch na lang."

They left one by one. Dapat ako rin pero no'ng paalis na ako, bigla niya akong sinabihan na magpaiwan para pag-usapan yung venues.

I didn't want to but I did.

I took the courage to begin, keeping my voice as civil as possible. "Do you have any place in mind?"

He nodded, his hooded eyes never leaving mine. "I know a few. You wanna go there today?"

"Can't. I have to get back to Intersci ASAP," I cleared, unfazed. "Maybe next week?"

Nag-isip siya. "Wednesday good?"

So this was how it felt like, talking to the Racel Gutierez. The confidence was there, alright.

"Yup. Off ko na by ten."

"Mine's at twelve-thirty."

Natahimik kami nang panandalian.

I cleared my throat. "Alright, let's meet at one, then."

He gave me the exact location of the three different venues that he was considering.

"Okay," sabi ko, sabay kuha sa mga gamit ko. Pinanood niya lang ako habang ginagawa ko 'yon. Aamin ako. Nailang ako sa ginawa niya.

Without saying anything more, I excused myself and left him there.