Chapter Forty

Eyes widening in shock and horror, body stilled on top of the bed as the IV tube that was poked into the back of my palm limited me from moving away from the bed, I watched as Kuya Yoongi quickly disappeared in front of me as I found him flying across the room. Kahit ang mga bagong dating ay nabigla rin sa ginawa niya dahil natigilan ang mga ito sa pagpasok sa loob ng silid.

Everything happened so fast that we hadn't done anything other than gawked at how the way Kuya Yoongi was hardly pinning the still stunned form of Kuya Jimin against the wall, leaving Ate Hannan at the door who stood also shocked about the sudden attack on her boyfriend.

When Kuya Yoongi told me earlier that he called Kuya Jimin to inform them about his arrival and about what happened, it didn't seriously cross my mind that he would turn like this towards his friend. I meant, he wasn't even mad earlier, it was like he was just telling me something that was supposed to happen since he thought, his friends also needed to know everything. Ni hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla-bigla siyang naging bayolente ngayon, ni hindi pa tuluyang nakakapasok ng kuwarto ang mga kaibigan niya.

"W-Wait, Kuya, let me e-explain…" Kuya Jimin attempted to speak in stutter while trying to take away the firm grip on the collar of his loose flannel shirt. I couldn't see Kuya Yoongi's face since he had his back on me but the way his pale arms were cording from the tight and firm grip he had on his friend, I could fairly say that he wasn't pleased.

Mukhang ang pagsasalitang iyon ni Kuya Jimin ang naging dahilan para makabawi sa pagkabigla si Ate Hannan. She instantly stepped into the room and bravely tried to yank the raging man away from her boyfriend, to no avail.

Nanlalaki ang mga mata ni Kuya Jimin nang makita ang ginawa ng girlfriend niya saka mabilis na umiling. "No east, step back! I'll handle this, go to Fraye…" malumanay na sabi ni Kuya Jimin kahit na halata na sa mukha na nahihirapan na siya sa paraan ng pagkakadiin sa kaniya ni Kuya Yoongi sa pader.

I just hoped Kuya Yoongi wasn't thinking about beating his friend though clearly, from the way he was tensing, it could be beyond just beating.

"No! He's obviously hurting you!" Ate Hannan tried again to hold Kuya Yoongi in attempt to take him off Kuya Jimin but another figure appeared from the door, quickly pulling her away from the two and bringing her near the bed where I was. "What the hell, Taehyung! Let me go!"

Walang kahirap-hirap na binitbit siya ni Kuya Taehyung palapit sa akin habang patuloy pa rin ang pagpipilit niyang kumawala. I seriously didn't know what to say or how to react to things. I hated violence, and I just came from a not so good incident, I was still at the point of trying to accept my loss, though that loss had never been mine.

Hardly pursing my lips, my fingers tightly clutching at the tail of the hospital gown I was wearing when my heart felt like being squeezed again, I forced myself not to cry because I didn't know what was happening. I didn't know why Kuya Yoongi was being mad, but I hoped he would consider what I just got through and give everything a break. Sana lang hindi niya maisipang gumawa ng gulo kung saan puwede siyang makapanakit at puwede siyang masaktan.

Clearly, the struggle that the blonde guy was having through in the hands of Kuya Yoongi didn't come far from the struggle the blue haired man was going through in the hands of Ate Hannan. Kulay pula ang kulay ng buhok ni Kuya Taehyung noong huli ko siyang makita at mas maiksi kumpara sa buhok niya ngayon, bumagay rin naman sa kaniya ang bagong kulay pero nakakapanibago pa rin.

"Tae, please watch out for Julie first, I'll just knock some sense into this stupid thug…" Kuya Yoongi said, not even looking back at us. The horror that instantly shaded Kuya Jimin's pair of small eyes was what told me that for whatever Kuya Yoongi was planning to do, it wouldn't be good. Bago pa man kami pare-parehong makapag-react sa sinabi niya ay mabilis na niyang kinaladkad si Kuya Jimin palabas ng pinto, ang malakas na pagkakasara noon ang gumulat sa amin.

"And you think I'd let him?! Bitawan mo ako, Taehyung! You know he has to beat me up first before he can lay a finger on my boyfriend! Let me go!" Si Ate Hannan ang unang nakabawi, halos paghahampasin na niya si Kuya Taehyung na mahigpit pa rin siyang hawak.

The charming man, who I didn't see for long, was also struggling to hold the raging lady in his arms.

I could only see what would seriously happen if he let her go. Noon ko pa alam na pagdating sa pagiging palaban, si Ate Hannan ang katapat ni Kuya Yoongi kaya hindi nga maganda kung pakakawalan siya ni Kuya Taehyung at hahayaang siyang lumabas para sundan ang dalawa. Pero hindi rin naman puwedeng hayaan na lang iyong dalawa. Paano kung may mangyaring hindi maganda?

I wasn't doubting Kuya Yoongi, I wasn't thinking about him actually hurting his friend, but what were the perks when clearly, he was beyond mad just now? We actually should be thankful because he still managed to hold himself back a while ago and bring his rage outside the room where we couldn't see. Mukhang iniisip pa rin naman niya ang kalagayan ko o sadyang hindi niya lang gustong nakakakita ako ng gulo.

"Calm down, Hannan! Alam mong hindi mapapatay ni Kuya si Jimin! He might just break Jimin's jaw, or wound his eyes—"

"I'll freaking break your jaw and wound your eyes if you won't let me go, Taehyung! Oras na masaktan si Jimin, ikaw talaga ang sasaktan ko!"

Could Kuya Yoongi really do that to his friend? It was already too long ago since he last went violent to me, he never did it again, and I didn't have any idea if he was also violent to other people but for how much I let fear reign in my heart, my mind was refusing to believe that he could really do that. Hindi niya iyon gagawin, alam ko. May dahilan man o wala…

Nakangusong pinanood ko ang dalawa. Kuya Taehyung was having a hard time in making Ate Hannan stop struggling, his long sun-kissed arms were strongly wrapped around her squirming form. Lalaki siya kaya kahit na anong pagpipilit ni Ate Hannan na kumawala ay hindi nito gumawa. They looked fun to watch only if Kuya Taehyung wasn't frowning from the struggle.

Nakakatakot na baka masaktan nila ang isa't isa…

"Fine! Fine! Break my jaw or my neck! Pull my eyes out or punch my nose! But I'm sure, he won't go beyond giving Jimin just one punch! You know that!" Tumaas na ang boses ni Kuya Taehyung dahil talagang nahihirapan na siyang patahimikin si Ate Hannan pero nang makita kong unti-unting kumalma si Ate Hannan ay unti-unti ring gumaan ang loob ko dahil katulad niya, alam ko, sigurado rin akong tama si Kuya Taehyung.

Sucking in a deep breath, Ate Hannan lightly tapped Kuya Taehyung's arm to signal him that he could already let her go because she had eased up already. Matagal muna siyang tinitigan ni Kuya Taehyung bago unti-unting lumuwag ang mga brasong nakapulupot sa kaniya.

I silently watched as they both flopped down on the couch, both breathing heavily as if thinking deeply.

Ilang segundo silang ganoon saka pa lang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin si Kuya Taehyung na para bang ngayon lang niya ako naalala. Though I saw the hesitancy from his eyes, he still pulled his lips up for a boxy smile I had always loved about him, it seriously brightened up a little bit part of me.

Hindi ko rin naman maipagkakailang na-miss ko ang magandang ngiti niyang iyon.

"I'm sorry about that, Fraye. I hope you're doing okay…" he causally said as if he was just talking to someone who wasn't going through something bad. It didn't make me feel bad, if anything, it only made me feel like I wasn't really going through something. Maybe it was his own way of making the other feel that everything was going to be fine… which was I thought, indeed it would, now that Kuya Yoongi was already here.

I was already at the point of my life where I knew, I would be fine for as long as I had Kuya Yoongi by my side. We both lost someone, but we were together. That was what mattered, right?

"I am…" simpleng sagot ko, ibinabalik ang parehong ngiti sa kaniya. I didn't need those people who would remind me about what happened only to salt the wound in my heart and make me bleed again, what I needed were people who knew when to rightfully dismiss such topic so no sensitive parts of me would be triggered.

I would also understand if the blonde lady beside him would choose to stay silent. Wala naman akong sinisisi sa mga nangyari kung hindi ang sarili ko. Also I was just too sensitive earlier that was why I acted so different towards my Mommy, I was still blinded by the pain that my mind chose to blame people who was there for me to point a finger to.

It was my wrong, and I hoped, my parents could give me time to get through this catastrophe before I asked forgiveness from them. Sana rin maintindihan nilang magagawa ko lang na maka-usad mula sa pangyayaring ito kung kasama ko si Kuya Yoongi, sana lang hindi na sila gumawa ng paraan para mailayo kami sa isa't isa. It would seriously ruin me for good if I would again lose Kuya Yoongi… not him please, not him when I had already lose a very precious part of us.

We just stayed silent inside my room, once in a while, nurses would come and visit me for my hourly monitoring and Kuya Taehyung would enthusiastically talk to them, making them all blush crimson. He didn't seem like flirting to be honest, it seemed like he was just being friendly. Naka-ilang beses din siyang nakatanggap ng irap at pang-iismid mula kay Ate Hannan na tila hindi nagugustuhan ang ginagawa niya.

"What's with the constant rolling of the eyes?" takang-tanong niya habang nakanguso matapos kaming iwan ng huling nurse na bumisita sa akin.

"Can't your boner stay still in your pants? Bakit pare-pareho kayong magkakaibigan? You all seem to be a ready-to-serve course for ladies?" Masyadong nakaka-eskandalo ang sinabi ni Ate Hannan kaya bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata ko samantalang mukhang hindi naman naapektuhan si Kuya Taehyung doon, sa halip, nakita niya ang reaksiyon ko.

"Hey, watch your mouth. There's a kid with us."

"She's eighteen, ikaw lang naman dito iyong isip-bata…" Muling umirap si Ate Hannan at nang tumama sa akin ang mga mata niya ay nagpakawala siya ng malalim na buntong-hininga saka nag-iwas ng tingin. Surely, they were already told about what happened to me.

Sana hindi niya iniisip na may kasalanan sila sa akin. I was actually thankful to them for giving me comfort that night, it wasn't their fault that I was weak and I needed alcohol to cope up with everything.

Kuya Taehyung revealed his boxy smile. "Girls won't ever understand how men do their things, tsk. Your boyfriend's the most expert and yet you still don't know?"

Mabilis na nanliit ang mga mata ni Ate Hannan saka marahas na nilingon si Kuya Taehyung. "Come again? Make sure you repeat every word you said, Taehyung."

Imbis na sumagot ay nagkibit-balikat lang si Kuya Taehyung, may pang-asar na ngisi ang naglalarong lumitaw sa mga labi niya saka siya sumandal sa couch's back rest na para bang ayaw nang makipag-usap. Ate Hannan seemed to still be in a mood to pick on Kuya Taehyung but just as she was about to get violent again towards the charming man, the sound of the door being pushed open was what caught our attention again.

Unang iniluwa noon si Kuya Yoongi na kalmadong nakapamulsa lang, magulo pa rin ang kanina pang magulong buhok niya at nang magtama ang mga mata namin ay kusang gumuhit ang ngiti sa mga labi niya na tila sinasabing ayos lang ang lahat. He didn't have any idea how that pretty gummy smile of him was all enough to send my heart into serenity. He casually strode towards me, carefully sitting on the edge of the bed and reaching for me.

Wala namang mali sa kaniya, makinis pa rin ang guwapo niyang mukha kaya gumaan ang loob ko, hindi ko yata kakayanin kung makikita ko na naman siyang nasasaktan.

Sunod na lumitaw si Kuya Jimin na may hawak na icepack habang ngumingiwi, magulo ang blonde niyang buhok at halata ang pasa sa gilid ng mga labi niya. Napagtanto kong hindi nasaktan si Kuya Yoongi kasi si Kuya Jimin ang napuruhan niya. Hindi pa man tuluyang nakakapasok si Kuya Jimin ay nasa harap na kaagad niya ang girlfriend niya.

"Did it hurt? Damn, Jimin, I swear to God, I'll break Taehyung's neck if Kuya Yoongi went beyond one punch!" Matigas ang galit na boses ni Ate Hannan pero hindi maipagkakaila ang pag-aalala sa roon. She quickly attend to Kuya Jimin, taking the icepack from him so she could carefully do the tending.

Ngumuso ako nang marinig ko ang bahagyang paghalakhak ni Kuya Yoongi habang marahang hinahaplos niya ang likod ng palad ko kung nasaan nakasaksak ang tube, wala sa mga ito ang atensyon niya dahil mataman siyang nakatitig sa akin pero halatang nakikinig naman.

"Rest in peace, Taehyung's neck…" he lowly said in his deep cold voice, indicating that he really went beyond giving Kuya Jimin just one punch. Hindi na ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataong pansinin pa ang ginawa ni Ate Hannan dahil tuluyan nang nakuha ni Kuya Yoongi ang buong atensyon ko. He softly cupped my face with one of his cold hands, as if making me feel how he wouldn't be gone from my side ever again, not anymore. "You'll have to stay here for long, until we make sure you're completely fine."

Mabagal akong tumango habang ngumunguso dahil naiintindihan ko iyon. Ilang beses ko na iyong narinig sa mga nurses na bumisita sa akin. Isa pa, hindi pa tuluyang nakakabawi ang katawan ko. I was also concerned about school, but it was already in the least of my priority because there was a lot of things that came first that I needed to think about.

I also overheard my parents talking about my school. Naka-usap na nila si Dean Ong tungkol sa akin pero kinailangang ilihim ang totoong kalagayan ko para maka-iwas sa kahit na anong isyu lalo na at may mga usapan pa ring kumakalat tungkol sa pagitan ng mga pamilya namin.

"I hope you don't mind if I told them about what happened… they're my friends…" The way he trailed off as he gulped told me that aside from he was hesitant about telling me, he knew to himself that my opinion mattered since it was about us. I was even surprised about the fact that he really thought about what I would feel about his friends knowing. Pakiramdam ko, nasa ibang level na talaga iyong relasyon naming dalawa. It felt like we were already at the point where everyone could try to ruin us but we would both hold on tightly so it would be impossible for them to be even shake us.

We were already at the point where we were invincible, where we were both indestructible. Masakit lang isipin na kailangan muna naming pagdaanan ang mga pinagdaanan namin para lang maging ganito, kailangan muna naming mawalan at masaktan para maging malakas at maging matatag pareho.

"I d-don't. They're your friends, Kuya, so I u-understand…" I answered lowly, enough for the two of us to hear. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa mga kamay ko nang makita ko kung paanong humigpit ang hawak niya sa mga ito. His pale hands complementing so well with my white ones.

"I… I needed people to take this a-all out. When I left Korea upon having the go signal that I could already see y-you, when at the plane being informed about your condition minus about the most important part, o-our Luna, and when at the airport being too eager to finally see you, it didn't e-ever cross my mind that you were in so much complicated and painful condition. It felt horrifying that what I was only thinking about earlier w-was the fact that I would be able to finally see you again, so when you broke to me about our baby…" Yumuko siya bago unti-unting manginig ang mga balikat. "It first hung me up, crying felt so light, it wasn't enough but it was the only thing I could do. I badly wanted to punch myself, to bury myself for being too weak, how could I seriously let this happen? How could I seriously let our baby go just like that?"

I hardly shake my head at him. "K-Kuya, it's not your fault—"

"No, baby, let me speak first. Mahihirapan na akong magsalita kapag hindi ko ito nailabas ngayon, hm?" Nang mag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin ay puno na naman ng luha ang mga mata niya, at pulang-pula ang mga labi dahil malamang sa kakakagat niya. "Naisip kong kung hindi ba ako pumayag na umalis, kung binantayan na lang kita mula sa malayo, hindi sana nangyari ang ganito. We couldn't have lost our baby, I could still have the chance to… to s-see you bloated with our baby and I would have been the happiest man alive, but then I had to be w-weak, I had to be vulnerable, I had to be a very weak Daddy—" Even before he could finish, he already broke down, once again showing me his vulnerability but this time, without restriction, it seemed like he forgot that it wasn't only two of us here.

Seeing him crying in pain, seeing him crying in regret and agony, it triggered my tears, also making me cry. Yes, we were invincible, we were indestructible, but what happened would always remind us how we were once too weak to protect what could have been ours now.

Gusto ko ring kontrahin ang sinabi niya dahil maling-mali iyon. Hindi namin pareho kasalanan dahil kung nalaman lang sana namin, hindi naman sana ako magiging pabaya, hindi rin sana siya naging mahina. We would both have something to fight for, something too heavy and too valid to fight for. Hindi namin alam pareho…

"I needed my friends to at least s-sober me up, to at least make me see that it's not the e-end of us. You're so fragile and sensitive, you needed assurance from me while I needed assurance from other p-people—"

"He broke down in front of me after giving me three strong punches." Kuya Jimin cut him off with a light chuckle that somehow made the atmosphere a little bit lighter. Bahagya ring humalakhak si Kuya Yoongi habang dahan-dahang umiiling, tila natatawa sa ala-alang tumatakbo sa isipan niya.

"Yes, I won't deny that. You're too hurt already, I couldn't show you the broken part of me so the hope I told you w-won't go in vain." Despite his own tears, he still managed to gently wipe my tears off my cheeks so I raised my hands to also wipe his tears for him. I wanted us to be each other's comfort every time we were facing problems in this relationship.

I loved how we were both coping up with this phase of our relationship. Nasasaktan kami pareho, siyempre, at hindi ko alam kung may panahon ba kung kailan kami maghi-heal pero ang mahalaga ay sinusubukan naming maging open sa isa't isa. One can show vulnerability, not because of weakness but because of trust.

"You don't have to show me you're strong when we're both hurt, Kuya. I'd understand because it's o-our loss…"

"Can you even handle how crybaby I am?" He teased me, finally coming down from his crying.

"You've handled my crying fits, so why not?" sagot ko, tuluyan ko nang hinawakan ang buong pisngi niya saka marahang pinisil, malalambot iyon at maninipis kaya hindi na ako nagulat nang mabilis na namula ang mga iyon. Lightly caressing them to drain the blood from his cheeks, I slowly leaned towards him to place gentle kisses on both his cheeks. "Uh, they're s-still crimson…"

"That's probably a blush, Fraye. Kinikilig iyan…" Kuya Jimin once again interrupted from the couch so we both turned to look at them. I almost forgot that they were there so my cheeks heated up, knowing they must have seen what I did.

"Shut up, thug. I'm still not over what you did while I wasn't here. Aside from you let her drink, you also let her kiss somebody in a public place!" matigas at malakas na sabi ni Kuya Yoongi na nagpatikom ng bibig ni Kuya Jimin saka sumiksik sa girlfriend niya na para bang nanghihingi ng tulong. Alam niya kasing tapos na si Kuya Yoongi sa kaniya… pero hindi sa akin.

Ate Hannan just hugged him to her side, intently watching us while Kuya Taehyung just crossed his arms in front of his chest, watching the couple beside him with a big frown in his face.

With my heart pounding so hard inside my chest, I slowly retrieved my hands from Kuya Yoongi as I slowly backed away, pushing myself towards the headboard because I knew, he would then vent his anger to me. Akala ko iyon ang gagawin niya kaya halos yumuko ako nang muli niya akong binalingan, malalamlam ang mga malapusang mga matang bahagyang natatabunan ng ilang hibla ng bangs niya.

"Come here, I can let it pass, just promise me you'll never do it again…" Hindi ako lumapit kaya siya ang umurong palapit sa akin. He once again touched my face as my body instantly caved into him like usual. "I won't ever forget how your precious lips touched his lips but I can trade that kiss with my own…" And before I could lean backward, too late to realize what he was about to do, he had already pressed his soft lips on my unprepared ones for a gentle and steady yet long kiss.

"Yah, don't kiss too! Don't make me more of a third wheel than I already am!" Umalingawngaw ang malakas at medyo inis na boses ni Kuya Taehyung sa buong silid na nagpa-igtad sa akin.

I was about to back away, my palms on Kuya Yoongi's firm chest were about to push him away when his hand that was on my cheek snaked around my nape to stop me from pulling away.

Nag-init pang lalo ang mga pisngi ko nang maramdaman ko na ang dahan-dahang paggalaw ng mga labi niya kasabay nang dahan-dahang din pagsasara ng mga mata niya. It was actually enough. Though my cheeks were burning in embarrassment, my mind was already losing all of it as if already to be swallowed by my demanding heart, I let my eyes slowly close feeling his soft lips claim mine again and make me feel how he truly loved me.

When he stopped, he carefully leaned his forehead against mine, his breathing was lightly quick as he tried to breathe through his mouth, taking and giving back my own air supply because we still had our lips pressed to each other.

"I love you…" he bluntly said, finally pulling away but forehead still on mine, eyes once again glistening but this time, I knew they were because of too much overwhelming emotions.

"I love you…" I answered, knowing too well how those words weren't enough to let him know how I loved him and how I could let him dominate me all over again because that was us…

Hindi niya ako iniwan. His friends left already and our parents came back but he still stayed with me. Minsan ay nananatili siya sa couch habang may pinagkaka-abalahan sa phone niya, kung minsan ay ipinagbabalat niya ako ng mga prutas, at sa buong mga oras na iyon, hindi niya iniimik ang mga magulang namin.

I understood his point, and his resentment. I could have done the same… but not like him, my heart was too light and too soft to get mad at my parents for long, or at any people for that matter.

"Yoongi, anak, why don't you go home first and take a shower?" From the other side of the room where a long couch was also stationed, Tita Bella who sat beside Tito Thomas spoke to somehow break the silence that filled the room. Wala ang mga magulang ko dahil nagpaalam silang may aasikasuhin pero babalik din naman kaagad.

Her eyes first were focused on her son that was still busy with peeling me fruits, but when her eyes found mine, she sweetly smiled at me. Kahit na nakitaan ko ng guilt ang mga mata niya ay pinilit kong ngumiti pabalik para ipakita sa kaniyang hindi ako galit. Nalulungkot ako sa nawala sa amin pero ayaw ko nang manisi…

No answer from Kuya Yoongi were heard aside from the sound of what he was doing. I understood why Tita Bella had said that. Mukha nga naman kasing hindi pa siya naliligo. Simula nang dumating siya rito kagabi ay hindi pa siya nagpapalit ng damit, hindi pa kasi siya umuuwi, ni hindi siya malinis nang dumating siya rito! It seemed like upon knowing he could already go back here, he instantly flew to the airport.

"I'll just ask Yexel to bring him clothes—"

"Don't you ever show him in front of me, Papa. I'm not going home while he's there, I'm not going to be in the same place with him." Stern and cold, Kuya Yoongi's voice resounded around the room. Hindi man lang siya lumingon at nagpatuloy lang sa ginagawa.

"Son, he didn't mean what he did. Nabigla lang din ang Kuya mo—" Once again, Tito Thomas got cut off.

"Kapag sinabi niyang dalhin niyo ako sa mental hospital, alam kong gagawin niyo. Because you only believe whatever he has to say. You never listen to me…" I saw how he stopped what he was doing as he stared down at the fruits. Ramdam ko rin mula sa tono ng boses niya iyong itinatago niyang sakit at hinanakit sa mga magulang niya.

I guessed, this wasn't just because of our loss, this was something in between him and his parents.

I wanted to move so I could go to him and give him a comfort, but I knew, he needed to sort it out himself. Kailangan niyang patunayan sa mga magulang niya ang sarili niya at hindi ko kailangan manghimasok doon. I would just stay silent, and be ready for him for when he would be needing me.

"Hindi sa ganoon, Yoongi. He's just worried about you. We were all just worried about you," Tita Bella softly said, voice too pampering as if she was afraid to pick on a wrong side of her son.

"Yoongi, son, please, I know we were wrong. I admit, we wronged you. You're our son, we would never bring you to a place where your sanity will be compromised but we want you to be better. I was even too willing to give you everything, you wanted Fraye, I literally begged her father to let you be together. Kinailangan ka lang naming ipadala sa Seoul dahil iyon iyong gusto ng Daddy niya, not for your betterment but for you to take the end of the deal. And it's Fraye…" From how the way Tito Thomas' voice was very low and broken, I could see him too ready to kneel in front of his son just so he would get the forgiveness he wanted.

Daddy was right, Kuya Yoongi was his parents' weakness.

"Plus, you're wrong, your brother will never suggest such a thing. Hindi niya gugustuhing ipasok ka sa kahit na anong mental institution, Yoongi. He was actually too against about the idea of you going to Seoul, he said he knew how hard it was to be away from us and he didn't want you to go through the same struggle he went through. It just so happened that he found your medical documents, but he never wanted to send you away." Tita Bella slowly stood up and walked towards him, he was too focused on what he was staring at that he didn't see when Tita hugged him from behind him. "We never wanted you away too, but it was the only way for you to have the girl you want."

Akala ko magmamatigas pa si Kuya Yoongi pero nang dahan-dahang siyang pumihit paharap at mahigpit na niyakap pabalik ang Mama niya ay kusa nang gumuhit ang isang ngiti sa mga labi ko. He gently wrapped his arms around her as he dropped deep kisses on her head. Tumayo rin si Tito Thomas at lumapit sa kanila.

"Uh, can I also hug my son?" he hesitantly asked.

"Yes, Papa."

Hugging my knees, I watched as Tito Thomas spread his arms widely and hugged his wife and his son, I watched as a slight glitch of the Min family was easily repaired, sealed with a tight hug. Ganoon kabilis lang na naayos ang gulo sa pagitan nila. It would really take just a peaceful talk with everyone lending understanding to fix what was misunderstood.

"Here, Fraye, you should eat more oranges, it'll help you gain your lost strength."

"Thank you, Tita…" I happily took from her the orange pulp she was handing me, her face was too bright and still too pretty as she busied herself with the fruits Kuya Yoongi was peeling earlier.

Napagpasyahan ni Kuya Yoongi na umuwi na nga muna para maligo, si Tito Thomas ay nakatanggap ng tawag mula sa kumpanya nila kaya kinailangan niyang umalis samantalang nagpaiwan si Tita Bella para bantayan ako. We had been talking just about trivial things and I couldn't help but remember how I was too comfortable with her.

Hindi ko na rin inisip pa iyong mga sinabi ni Dawn dahil ngayong nakikipagtawanan ako sa kaniya ay mas na-realize kong hindi kailanman gagawin ng mga Mins ang magpakalat ng ganoong balita. For sure, it was only made up by some people who also attended the said welcome party for Kuya Yexel. Malamang gumawa lang sila ng balita dahil wala kami roon, and it wasn't like the Mins would keep the truth about Kuya Yoongi and I. Siguro namali lang ng pagkaka-intindi ang mga tao.

Wala pang isang oras kaming naiwang magkasama ni Tita Bella ay dumating na si Mommy at may dalang mga pagkain. She was even surprised to see Tita Bella with me. Hindi ko naman talaga maipagkakailang pareho silang awkward at tila hindi magawang titigan ang isa't isa. I gave them that, they were friends since time immemorial, I was sure, they could find their way back into each other… maybe they just needed time.

Nang muling bumukas ang pinto ay si Kuya Yoongi na ang iniluwa noon, guwapong-guwapo at fresh na fresh sa suot na black pullover at black pants, may itim ding bucket hat sa ulo at higit sa lahat, ang pinakana-miss ko sa kaniya, iyong specs niya. He casually strode into the room, instantly going towards me but stopped when he spotted my Mommy on the couch.

"Hi Tita…" he shyly greeted my Mommy.

"Y-Yoongi, hello." Also, hindi ko mai-aalis kay Mommy ang maging awkward dahil hindi pa rin sila nakakapag-usap. We all seriously needed to sit in a table and talk about what happened, somehow, someday.

"Son, it hasn't been long since you left…" Tita Bella moved to give a way to Kuya Yoongi who immediately took the spot his mother left to.

"I couldn't take being far away from her for too long, Mama." And could he stop being so blunt and shameless in front of our parents? Alam ko namang wala lang sa kaniyang magpaka-sweet sa harap ng mga magulang namin, pero hindi ako! I was still trying to get used to everything. Plus my Mommy from the couch was intently watching us!

"You're hopeless, son…" naiiling na sabi ni Tita Bella saka niya hinarap ang couch. "Should we leave them first?" she carefully asked my Mommy.

"Please." Si Kuya Yoongi ang sumagot kaya bahagya ko siyang hinampas at nang mahuli ko ang mga mata ni Mommy ay binigyan ko siya ng isang ngiti.

Before they left, she first gave me a kiss on my forehead assuring me that I didn't need to worry about anything anymore because all was well already. Yes, because indeed finally, everything was fine.