14 years later..

"Earth to Everhart Luca Arlo Velmonte-Montgomery!"

Muntik na ako masubsob mula sa pag kakalumbaba dahil sa gulat ng may sumigaw. I smile at Clooney who is now frowning. "ayos ka lang ba? Kanina ka pa nakatulala. Baka langawin ka na."

Nailing ako ng maalala kung paano nya tawagin ang buo kong pangalan. Sometimes, I just want to get mad at Mom for giving me three names that I don't even know what's the use. Napaka haba ng pangalan ko, idagdag pa ang middle at surname ko.

"I'm fine." I look at the glass wall of the shop from where I'm sitting, "mukhang uulan na naman. Patapos na siguro ang summer."

Narito kami sa coffee shop just three blocks away from our university. We're both in our school uniform. Meron culminating activity ang Engineering department kaya half day lang ang klase.

Tumango ito saka sumimsim sa kape. "kamusta na pala yung kapatid mo?"

Naka ngiting nilingon ko si Clooney. There's frown in his face as if he spits venom just now.

"I think its better if you ask her yourself." ako naman ang kumunot ang noo. "ilang araw na kayong may tampuhan ni Avis. Hindi nyo pa ba aayusin yan?"

Napalatak sya bago umirap sa hangin. I chuckle and shrug it off. "wala akong kasalanan sa malditang yon. Sya pa nga itong may kasalanan sa akin. Nunka ba na sabihin nya sa ka-date ko na may internal disease ako!"

Umayos ako ng upo sa sinabi nya saka umiling. "hindi maldita ang kapatid ko, Clooney. She just wants to protect you from getting crooked just like how I protect her and Rihana from their suitors." I stared at him. "and you look healthy to me."

Manghang tinitigan nya ako. "Seriously, Eve kelan ko ba makikitang galit ka?" mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko.

"What are you talking about? Of course I get mad. I always get mad. Why do you say that?" he's confusing me.

"You look calm to me."

"No I am not." giit ko pa at mas pinatigas ang pananalita pero nginisian nya lang ako. "Clooney." banta ko pero hindi nya sineryoso.

Ano ba ang problema sa pananalita ko. I am mad, I get mad, I get annoyed and sometimes I'm loosing my patience but in those times, they keep on saying I'm calm and collected. Kabaliktaran ni Avis. Pero para sakin, Avis is still the sweetest and calm sister I ever known since Rihana is energetic and always in a hyper mode.

"Know what bro? You're so much like Tita Erin. Pareho kayong kalmado lagi. Minsan nga naiisip ko baka naman si Avis ang lalake sa inyong dala--" hindi nya na natapos ang sasabihin ng salpakan ko sya ng cookies sa bibig. "ich teysht giid huh?"

"Because she's my mother and please, wag mo ipaparinig kay Avis iyan kung ayaw mo na mag away muli kayo." tumayo na ako at akmang aalis ng mamataan ko si Turner kasama si Leib na kakalabas lang mula sa sports car nito. "Why are they here?"

"Who?" Clooney na kumakain na.

"Forcados."

Mabilis pa sa alas kuwatro na humarap si Clooney. At pareho kaming nailing ng matapilok si Turner dahilan para mauntog sya sa likod ni Leib. Leib look st hid coudin and shrug. Agad silang lumapit samin habang may hawak na boxes.

"We've been looking for you, Eve!" Leib. "dumating na yung package ni Mommy at ipinapabigay nya yung mga dress kay Rihana at Rei. Bagong masterpiece nya iyan, at motivated daw syang gawin iyan dahil si Rei mismo ang nag bigay ng layout ng dresses na iyan." kinuha ko iyon saka ngumiti.

"Aren't my sisters so beautiful that even the most well known fashion designer in the world is motivated because of them?"

Hindi na kailangan sabihin sakin dahil alam ko na nag niningning ang mga mata ko habang naka ngiti ng malapad sa kanilang tatlo. I couldn't help but to feel proud of my sisters. They are so beautiful that I won't get tired telling everyone we live in one roof.

They are so beautiful. Avis has this dirty blond curly hair with deep green eyes. While Rihana has our mother's hair, jet black straight hair. Her eyes are green with lighter shade.

"Mun'tanga na sya o." Clooney.

"In love na in love ka sa mga kapatid mo ah." Leib. "baka iba na yan!"

"I envy him.." Turner.

Sumimangot ako. "You will never know how I feel because you are all an only child."

"Much better. I don't need to argue if I need something." Leib answer with a shrug.

Turner held his thick rimmed eyeglass and look at me helplessly. Ginulo ko ang buhok nya saka nginitian. I saw how his eyes glistened and smile at me.

"Your siblings are so lucky." Turner

"Its fun to have siblings. Hindi mo na kailangan humanap ng bagay na pag kakaabalahan mo. Dahil sa kanila pa lang, masaya na ang bawat oras ng buhay mo. You'll take care of them. You'll love them more than anything at mag kakaroon ka ng dahilan para mas mag mature para protekatahan at alagaan sila. Siblings are the best friends you could ever have, guys. And I love them so much like they are the best gifts God ever gave to me." I smile when I remember how I need to search how to built a tent because my sisters wanted to play bahay-bahayan. Ayaw namin guluhin sila Dad na busy lagi mag lambingan. Rei and I understands it but Riha don't. "They are my motivation."

Nang lingunin ko sila ay naka titig silang tatlo sakin habang naka salo ang mga mukha sa palad.

Kumaway ako kay Isaiah na naka uniform pa. I shrug when he showed his middle finger before hopping in his sports car. Sa likod nya ay ang pinsan ko na si Hadeus na naka pikit pa habang nag lalakad at nakasunod naman ang kambal nitong si Thaddeus na may sigarilyo sa labi. Tjey both salute to me, and I smile. Hade even waved his hanf while eyes are closed saka sumakay na rin sa sariling kotse.

"Look at those twins. They are inseparable." Clooney. "Just like you and that she-devil."

"No she's not." kunot noong sagot ko.

"Thad is a badass. Just like Isaiah." Leib.

"Why don't they just study? Walang mapapala ang mga kagaya nila kung puro kalokohan lang ang aatupagin nila." sabay sabay kaming lumingon kay Turner na may hawak ng encyclopedia, "What? Of course, Eve is an exception." sabay ngiti sakin.

"Tang'na ka! Baka nakakalimutan mo, samin dalawa ni Eve ako ang pinsan mo." Leib

"But you're a badass. Just like those guys." bulong pa nito. "and I hate the likes of them."

"So you hate me is that it?"

"Ahm.."

"Okay that's enough. Para na naman kayong may LQ nyan." Cloon.

Nailing nalang ako saka ng paalam na aalis dala yung boxes para kila Avis at Rihana. Wala din naman makakaintindi ng nararamdaman ko bukod sa iba na may kapatid din.

Narinig ko pang bumulong si Clooney pero rinig ko naman.

"I should've told Mom to at least give me a younger brother." Clooney.

"Fuck off, Cloon. Okay ka lang. Nineteen years age gap for a younger brother?" Leib.

"Miracle babies do happen." Turner answer as if he discovered the best formula to solve Binary codes. "God is so great.."

Mababaliw lang ako kung makikinig pa ako. I immediately hop inside my car after putting the boxes on the compartment and drove off. Mabilis na sinagot ang tawag sa phone ko when I saw who's in the line.

"Yes, Reese?" I answer through Bluetooth headset.

"Can I ask you a favor?" kumunot ang noo ko. Masyadong maingay sa paligid nya pero narinig ko sya. "Can you fetch me, Kuya? My driver is.. Uhm.. Busy and I need to go home because.. Ahm.. Basta, please sunduin mo ako?"

"Reese, where are you right now?" may diin sa boses ko. I know those sounds and I can't be wrong. "are you in a race track again?"

"Kuya.." alanganin na nyang sagot. "I love you and you're the sweetest, most lovable, most appealing and the most handsome male specie in the world, next to daddy?"

He only talks like that when he did something wrong.

I gritted my teeth. "Tell me where you are."

I immediately turn my car to go where he is. I drove as fast as I can. Hindi na ako mag tataka kung may humabol na police patrol sakin for over speeding. Nakita ko agad si Reese na nakatayo sa entrance ng race track.

"Reese."

Alanganin syang ngumiti sakin saka pinag salikop ang mga kamay sa likod.

"I love you, kuya." he blink his eyes multiple times while walking slowly towards me. Rocking his shoulders. "I love you so so much. And you're the best kuya in the whole wide world and I miss you, and I love you again, and you look so handsome and dashing and sparkling and--"

"Get in the car. Now." gusto ko pisilin ang pisngi nya dahil napaka-cute nya. Pero pinigilan ko ang sarili.

Matulis ang ngusong sumakay sya. Agad akong humarap sa kanya and I saw him looking at me like he's a lost puppy that needs to get pet. So I did. I pet his head, and his pouted lips turned to a cute smile.

I heave a sigh. "Hindi ba pinag bawalan kita mag punta sa race track kung hindi ako kasama. You're a minor, Reese. Paano pag napahamak ka?"

Tiniis ko ang sarili na wag syang amuhin dahil nangilid agad ang luha sa mga mata nya.

"But Tito Sai said at the age of ten, Dad already let you drove a car. At the age of fifteen, you're good at racing. Why can't I follow your steps? I'm thirteen and I'm still not allowed to drive a car in the ring." humawak sya sa manggas ng polo ko. "I want to be like my Kuya Arlo." parang tinunaw ang puso ko sa sinabi nya.

"You're still a baby." iyon lang ang naisagot ko. Pakiramdam ko kasi nabalutan ng bulak ang tunaw kong puso. Lumambot iyon dahil sa bunso namin. "please understand."

"I'm not a baby anymore!" nag simula na syang may tantrums. Yes. He's not a baby anymore, but he's still a toddler for us.

"You'll be our forever baby." iyon nalang ang sagot ko.

"I'm not your forever baby." naka halukipkip na bulong nya. Nailing nalang ako.

I started the engine. Imbis na pauwi ang daan ay piraso ko ang kotse sa race track.

"Buckle up." paalala ko kay Reese.

Agad nag liwanag ang mukha nya saka hinigpitan ang seatbelt nya. I stepped on the gas as the the speed rises to its limit. I drift when I saw the pin curve. I maniover and step the break together with small press on the gas as I let the back tires slide and the front tire turns left when should be right. The car drift smoothly at the first pin. I did the same to second and third pin. Pakiramdam ko nabuhay ang dugo ko habang nag mamaneho.

Matapos ako umikot ng limang beses sa race track ay huminto na ako. Naka ngiting nilingon ko si Reese at parang nawala ang pagkabuhay ng dugo ko ng makita siya na kulay putla at hilong hilo. Mabilis itong lumabas ng sasakyan at dumuwal sa pinaka gilid.

"I'm so sorry." hinagod ko ang likod nito. He just give me a thumbs up pero dumuwal ulit. "Shit.. i forgot he's with me.."

Napag desisyon namin umuwi ng makapag pahinga sya ng konti. I carry him on my back dahil tulog na sya ng makauwi kami.

"Kuya!" Agad sumalubong sakin si Riha and hug me tightly. "Pasalubon--anyare sa sutil na yan?" Riha

"What happened to Reese--Oh gosh, he's pale! Riha, call Mom!" Avis look at me with worry in her eyes. "What happened to him? Is he okay?"

"I'll explain." mabilis na umakyat ako ng hagdan. Naka salubong ko pa si Mom. "he's okay, Mom. I'll bring him in his room."

Nag paiwan si Avis kasama si Riha para ayusin si Reese. Mom snake her arms around my waist as we walk to the garden. Naihilamos ko ang palad sa mukha ko ng maka upo na kami ni Mom. A maid immediately gave us foods and juice.

"What happened, sweety?" malambing na tanong ni Mom habang hinihimas ang buhok ko.

"I'm sorry, Mom." I gave her a pleading look. Naramdam kong may tumapik sa balikat ko. "Dad, I lost control. I had so much fun that I forgot Reese was riding my car. I drove fast and do drifts and tricks. When I'm done that's when I noticed he's with me. I think I shook him so much he vomit and passed out."

"You're spoiling your brother so much, Eve." Dad said, as he sat beside Mom. He immediately wrap his arms around mom's waist. Making mom and I smile. "sabi ko na sayo, wag ka magpapadala sa pagpapaawa ng kapatid mo." naiiling na sabi pa nya habang inaamoy ang buhok ni Mom. "why do you smell so good? Not to metion you taste--"

"That's enough, Ri. It will be very uncomfortable for your son." lumingon sakin si Mom at alam kong namumula na ang mukha ko. Tumango ako bilang pag sang-ayon.

Dad chuckle and look at me. "I'm sorry, son. Its just that your mother is so beautiful when she blushes." ngiti lang ang sagot ko na pinaka titigan ni dad. "you are so much like your mother, Eve. You don't talk much, you don't give your opinions about things. You will just gladly do everything without asking why. Without complaining." the softness in his eyes is still like an achievement for me. I no longer remember when was the last time it turned cold when it lays on me.. Just the soft, warm, and loving eyes now. "You may have my face and cock but you are so much like her, making me love all of you so much more."

"Is it that bad, Ri?" Mom ask with her sweet calming voice.

Dad shrug. "I love you more because of it."

"I know. And I love you too."

Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako sa sinabi ng tatay ko o hindi. He don't need to say the differences. He never bothers to sugarcoat his words. Pero nakikita ko naman ang pag mamahal sa mga mata nya habang nakatitig samin magkakapatid.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I won't do it again." mahina kong bulong.

"Your brother idolize you, because you've shown the best." Dad smile.

I smile, "but I idolize you for being the greastest. You've shown me what I could do behind wheels."

He frowed making me laugh. Alam ko naman kung bakit. "don't let your brother hear you. Tama ng gabi-gabi gusto nyang tumabi samin ng Mommy mo. Ayoko na sumakit ang ulo ko para malaman na naka sunod sya lagi sakin para kulitin ako mag maneho."

"Pero ikaw ang nag turo sakin mag racing, Dad." sinadya ko talaga na lakasan iyon. He eyed me, making me laugh again. "you're my idol. Reese will be happy."

Yes. My dad is a good racer. I never knew about it not until he brought me at Tito Sai's race track. I was so amazed to the point I don't sleep and just bug him to tell me everything he does. And he told me that when Mom and him was not okay, racing is also one of his past time.

"Eve!" Dad hissed. Alam namin lahat kung gaano kakulit si Reese.

"But.." sagot ko.

"Hubby, Reese must learn from a legend." Mom answer. Kanina pa kasi sya nangingiti samin.

"Don't say legend, I'm not old." sumimangot pa ito.

"But you are." Mom answer innocently.

"Of course not! Hindi matanda ang Daddy ko." nilingon namin si Riha na may hawak na box. Making dad smile but frown as she talks again. "Uugod-ugod lang sya pero di sya matanda!"

"Riha! I'm your father unless you forgot."

"Same difference, Dad." sagot ni Avis na naka sunod na pala. Naka yakap sa kanya si Reese habang maputla pa rin. Agad itong lumapit kay Dad saka kumalong dahilan para humiwalay si Dad kay Mom.

"I feel so sick, Daddy. I need your love and strength, and muscles, and handsomeness, and sex appeal and everything so I could get better." sabi pa nito sa nagpapaawang boses habang naka siksik sa leeg ni Dad. "Can you do it for me? I'm your forever baby."

"And now he's the forever baby again. Kanina lang hindi na daw sya baby." natatawang sabi ko.

"I don't remember saying I'm not your forever baby.." nakaramdam ako ng awa dahil talagang matamlay sya. I'm so sorry bunso.

Dad smile and hug him tight. Making us all roll our eyes. Mom immediately took a photo of the two in her phone.

"Here, Daddy gives you unconditional love, strength, muscles, handsomeness, and very oozing sex appeal. This will get my baby better, right?" Dad answer while rocking Reese a little na tango lang ang sagot. Ilang sandali lang tulog na ito. "My forever baby."

Riha pouted and look at me. I spread my arms. Agad syang kumalong sakin saka yumakap.

"Why baby him? Matanda na yan." Riha.

"You're the one to talk, sissy." naka ngiting sagot ni Avis saka yumakap kay Mom. "I need your love, Mommy."

"I love you." yun ang sagot ni mom.

Napapangiting pinagvmasdan ko ang pamilya ko. Could it get any better? I doubt it. We experience how we almost broke up. Muntik na kaming hindi ma kumpleto pero lumaban kami. Hindi namin sinukuan ang problema na binato samin. Dad was so brave. Kahit parang imposible ang lahat para sa kanila ni Mom, pinag laban nya pa rin iyon. It was all worth it. He keeps on saying.

"I love you all. So much." Dad say, as he look at us lovingly especially Mom. "I can't believe we're now complete. I love you and thank you for giving me another chance, Erin. Thank you."

We all smile to Dad. We love him so much, he commit mistakes but he promised he will do everything to make things right.

"I love you too." sagot ni Mom at pinisil ang kamay ni Dad.

Avis, Rihana and I look at each other. I smile to Riha. Nakita kong naluluha na sya kaya kinurot nya ako sa braso saka yumakap at tinago ang mukha. Avis look at me too. There are tears in her eyes, but she manage to hide it as she hug Mom.

Alam ko na darating yung panahon na may hihiwalay kaming lahat pero sisiguraduhin ko, we may not be physically together, but our hearts will remain intact to each other.

Dadating yung panahon na hindi kami mga bata. At gagawa na ng sariling pamilya but I will promise that no matter what happen, I will be like that.. He may did a very huge mistake that is unforgivable but because he loved, he fight and succeed. And I will do it too. I'll fight and won't give. Even if it takes so much time. I'll make sure its all worth it.

Just like our family. I'll make the woman I will love worth it.

----
•FIN

First of all thank you for the patience my babies! FINALLY, Velmonte-Montgomery is now done! Thank you for the tears, babies. I hope you enjoyed it!