Nandito ako ngayon sa canteen kasama ang lalaking basta basta nalang hinablot ako kanina. He's eating while I keep on staring at him. Hindi na ako nakapag timpi at ibinaba na ang kutsara ko.

"What do you want from me?" I keep my voice low pero nandoon ang diin at inis.

"Eat Angel." He said seriously while he continued eating. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

"Hindi ako kakain hangga't di ka na nagpapakilala sa akin. Who the hell are you?" I asked again.

"I said eat!"

"Hindi ako kakain. Iiwan na kita diyan, in the first place, ba't mo ko hinila at dinala dito? Stalker ba kita?" I frankly asked.

"Ang daldal, ganyan ka ba pinalaki ni mama?" He asked. I got confused at what he just said.

"What? Anong sinasabi mo?" I asked. He just shook his head at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

"You are so annoying!" I told him.

"And you're so noisy, you better shut your mouth and eat Angel. Huwag mo akong punuin, hindi mo magugustuhan ang gagawin ko." he said at wala nga akong choice kundi kumain at inirapan siya.

How come he knows me? Stalker ko ba siya? Hays. Gusto ko pa naman kumain kasabay ang mga kaibigan ko. They were waiting pa naman for me kanina outside the room. Ang conyo ko yuck.

Kita ko dito sa pwesto ko ang mga kaibigan ko. They were all seriously eating. Even Hannah and Angelika are quiet. And I think it's my fault. I sighed.

"Ang lalim ng problema mo," the guy in front of me talked. Hindi ko ito pinansin at tinapos na ang pagkain. Kahit naman favorite ko ang pagkain na kinakain ko ay wala ako sa mood. Sinira ng lalaking ito!

"Why are you quiet now?" He asked. Napatingin ako sa kaniya and raised a brow.

"You told me to shut up." I said at uminom ng softdrink.

"Sabi nila mabait ka, why are you acting like a bitch to your older brother?"

I looked at him confused. What did he say? Older brother?

"What?"

"Sabi ko ba't nagmamaldita ka sa nakatatandang kapatid mo?" He said again while scrolling his phone. I grabbed his phone and put it beside my plate.

"Don't play games on me mister, wala akong kapatid. Gago ka ba?"

I am in the state of confusion as of the moment dahil sa binitawan niyang salita.

"You're cursing. Stop that, hindi mo bagay." He said. I rolled my eyes again.

"Sino ka nga sabi!" I glared at him. He laughed at napatunganga ako.

"Why do you have to be like that? You can ask me peacefully." He said

"Peacefully? Ilang beses na akong nagtanong! At anong sinasabi mong older brother older brother? Can you get straight to the point?" I questioned him at halatang naiinis na talaga ako. Dumako ang tingin ng mga kaibigan ko sa akin ng makita nilang magkalapit ang mukha namin ng lalaking ito. Lumayo ako at umayos.

"Please, just tell me who you are. Wala akong panahon para manghula at maglaro," I told him. His face got serious at umayos ito ng upo.

Natahimik siya ng ilang segundo. I glared at him ng hindi pa siya nagsalita.

"I'm Kyle, your brother. Your step brother to be exact."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. What the hell is he saying?

"W-what? You're joking, stop saying nonsense!" I raised my voice at lahat ng tao ay nakatingin na sa amin. Kyle looked away at hinila ako sa labas dala dala ang gamit ko.

My friends started standing at nakita ko rin ang confusion sa mukha nila.

"Let me go!" I squeaked.

Napunta kami sa labas ng canteen kung saan wala masyadong tao at doon nagtuos.

"I am not joking Angel. Kapatid mo ako kay mama at matagal na kitang hinahanap!" He exclaimed. I was not able to process everything what he has said.

Nung isang araw ay nalaman kong anak ako sa labas at kami ang may kasalanan kung bakit iniwan ni papa si Tita Helda. Ngayon naman malalaman kong may kapatid ako? What the hell is happening?

"If y-you're really my brother, bakit ngayon mo pa ako hinanap? Bakit-bakit ngayon pa?"  I can feel my eyes teary again.

"Please don't cry, ayoko nang makita kang umiiyak Angel. You had enough please!" He hugged me and caress my hair.

"Then-bakit? Paanong kapatid kita?" I started crying.

Why am I so emotional?

"Let's find a comfortable place first okay? And please stop crying sis, please." He pleaded while wiping my tears away.

Umupo kami sa bench at umayos ako ng upo. Inalalayan ako ni Kyle err kuya?

"Papa was sick that time and mama was the only one who can do the household chores and everything. Nabaon kami sa utang kaya naman  nagtrabaho si mama bilang katulong sa kanila Ma'am Helda at Sir David, naiwan kami ni papa sa bahay. I have to take care of papa. Mama keeps on sending her money, pero mas lumalala lang ang kondisyon ni papa," he sighed as he closed his eyes.

"Papa had cancer. Nahirapan ako dahil 8 years old lang ako noon, hindi ko alam anong gagawin ko. I contacted mama and told her about papa's condition. She got so worried at umuwi siya ng probinsiya. But I noticed something different from her, I keep on asking her kung ayos lang ba siya, she'll just say yes and smile. Papa died, nahirapan kasi kami sa pagbayad sa bills at kulang noon ang mga machines para mapagaling siya. At doon ko nalaman na buntis na pala si mama. Wala akong kaalam-alam noon, all I know is that, she's pregnant and I'm having a sister. Nabuntis ni Sir David si mama."

I got stucked on my chair the moment I heard kuya's story.

"Mama was falling hard. We went to manila at iyong bahay  na tinitirhan mo ngayon, iyon ang ibinigay ni Sir David sa kaniya. Hanggang sa nanganak si mama, Sir David was with us hanggang sa lumaki ka. I felt envy towards you kasi ikaw, kumpleto pamilya mo. Ako, namatay ang tatay ko. At ang feeling ko noon, feeling ko sobrang layo namin ni mama. Hanggang sa nalaman ko na may ibang pamilya pala si Sir David. Itinago iyon nila mama hanggang sa lumaki ka."

"B-but, but how come I never saw you? Even once?"

He chuckled.

"Umalis ako, ang sabi ni mama, doon muna ako kina lolo at lola. Pumayag ako, kaya nakuntento na lang ako sa pagtingin sa'yo mula sa malayo. Nakikita ko namang masaya ka kasama sila mama at ang papa mo. Kaya lang, nagkasakit si mama at kailangan niya tayong iwan. Sir David's family waa wrecked.  I was brokenhearted. I lost my family. Malayo ka sa akin. Sinabihan ako ng papa mo na layuan kita, which I did. Mabuti na lang mabait si Ma'am Helda, pinatira ka sa kanila, inalagaan, at tinuring na parang anak ka. She even let me see you. Kaya lang patago, kung alam mo lang kung gaano kita kagustong hawakan at yakapin ginawa ko na." I cried at what I've heard.

"All my life I thought na kami ang tunay na pamilya ni papa. Hindi pala. Bakit ganoon kuya? Bakit kailangan ko pa makaramdam ng ganito? Bakit kailangan itago sa akin ni papa ang lahat?" I asked him. He hugged me.

"Sssshhh. Lahat ng bagay may rason Angel, ginawa iyon ng papa mo dahil mahal ka niya at ayaw ka niyang masaktan."

"But he lied. He hurted me kuya." I sniffed.

"Oo, alam kong nasaktan ka at hanggang ngayon masakit pa rin. Pero alam kong kakayanin mo naman lahat diba? Ginawa niya iyon dahil mahal ka ng papa mo. Mahal ka niya. Okay? Iyan lagi ang ilagay mo sa isip mo. Mahal ka ng papa mo Angel." He said, I nodded and hugged him back.

I fixed myself and looked at him. He's now laughing. I glared at him.

"Stop laughing kuya!" I scold him.

"You're so funny, kanina ang amazona mo ngayon cry baby ka. You feeling better now?"

I nodded and pouted.

"Oo, who would've thought na may kuya pala ako? Gwapo mo pala kuya, kaya pala maganda din ako!" I exclaimed and laughed a bit.

"Oo naman, nasa lahi natin 'yan. Sige na, tumayo ka na diyan, may pasok ka pa." He fixed my hair and patted my shoulders.

"Teka lang, hindi ba kita schoolmate? You told me you're my schoolmate!"

"I was just joking you silly. I just really want to talk to you that time. Hahatid na kita sa classroom mo. May trabaho pa ako." He said at tumayo na kami.

I feel better now. Siguro, kailangan kong kausapin si papa. Pero hindi na muna ngayon, hindi pa ako handang harapin siya.

"Kuya?" I called his attention.

"Hmm?"

I hugged him and he seem shocked at what I did.  He patted my hair and I hear him chuckled.

"It feels so good to hear you calling me kuya."

"Thank you kuya," I said. Bumitaw siya sa yakap at ginulo ang buhok ko. Napasimangot ako tumawa lang siya. Nagpatuloy kami sa paglakad papuntang room.

I went back to my room and kuya left me. I sighed and smiled. My friends were in a form of circle and they were talking about something.

"Paano kung may mangyaring masama kay Angel? Ha? Anong gagawin natin?" I heard Hannah.

"Love, calm down nasa likuran mo na siya." Alex said and smiled at me. I smiled back and sighed.

They looked at me at isa isa silang tumayo at niyakap ako. The girls were hugging me so tight.

"Okay, okay stop naiipit ako!" I laughed.

"Namiss ka namin! Ang attitude mo nong sabado!" Phobe said while pouting.

"I'm sorry okay? I just really want to be alone for a moment. Pero ayos naman na ako ngayon, and I have to tell you guys something."

Nagkatinginan silang lahat at tumango. Umupo na kami at nagsimula nga akong magsalita. Various reactions silang lahat and they were really serious listening to me.

Hannah hugged me tight. I smiled and patted her head.

"Beh, ayos lang ako." I said.

"But I didn't know na you were having a huge problem!" she said habang teary eyed. I smiled again.

"Kailan mo kakausapin ang papa mo?" Jameson asked.

"Sa totoo lang, hindi pa talaga ako handa. I'm still having thoughts tho." I said in a small voice.

They all nodded.

"We're here Angel, don't be too hard on yourself okay?" Alex said and smiled. I also smiled. I started crying. They panicked.

"Ba't ka umiiyak?!" Kathlen asked.

"I'm sorry, I'm just emotional. I'm sorry if I ignored all of you earlier. Sorry."

They sighed. I saw Hannah crying too.

"Beh, huwag ka nang umiyak. Umiiyak na din ako oh!" She squealed. They laugh and wala din akong choice kundi tumawa.

"Naiintindihan ka naman namain beh," Angelika said while hugging me. They all stood up and hugged me.

Nang matapos sila sa pagyakap ay pinalo ako sa puwet ni Jinace.

"Hoy, pakilala mo naman ako sa kuya mo sis." Jinace joked at tumawa naman si Christopher.

"Para namang magugustuhan ka ng kuya ni Angel, ang gwapo kaya nun." He said. I shook my head. Kahit kailan talaga!

"Gusto ko lang makilala gago, tumahimik ka nga diyan!" Jinace said.

"Napaghahalataan ka namang nagseselos Christopher eh, umamin ka na kasi!" Jeyden joked. We all laughed. Pero pansin ko lang, wala si Kurt.

"Where's Kurt?" I asked.

"Hinablot ng bruhildang step sister mo," Hannah said. I laughed at her remark.

"Miss mo na jowa mo?" Kathlen asked. I rolled my eyes.

"Gagi, tapos na deal hoy!" I said.

Nagklase kami sa iba pang subject at natapos ang klase.

"Well, well, look who's here!" I heard someone behind. Nasa classroom pa rin kasi kaming magkakaibigan.

"Glydel?"

I looked around only to see Glydel with someone. May kasama siyang dalawang tao na hindi ko kilala pero mga staffs ata ng school at kasunod nito si Kurt nasa pintuan lang.

"Anong kailangan mo?" I asked.

"I think there's a misunderstanding kasi Angel, you see, you've submitted an entry for this friday's event. And I think may mali. Right ma'am?" She said at napakunot ang noo ko.

"What?"

"Ay miss Angel, mali daw po kasi ang name ng submission, pangalan mo po kasi ang naka register, at sabi po ng kapatid niyo na mali daw ang name na naka register. Pangalan niyo daw po kasi instead her name." The staff explained. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko.

"W-what p-pero tama naman iyon. It's really my name." saad ko pa.

"Liar!" Glydel shouted. 

"Glydel what is this? Ano na naman ba ito?" I asked her calmly. "Umalis na ako ng bahay niyo, ano na naman ba 'to?"

"You're obviously claiming my songs! Akin iyong mga ipinasa mo!" she shouted.

"Hoy gaga!" Hannah shouted. Pero pinigilan ko siya. I sighed and closed my eyes.

Hanggang kailan ako lulubayan ni Glydel. Kurt was looking at me intently.

"Okay, sorry. It's really her. Sorry. Palitan niyo na lang ang name." I said and sighed.

"What? Angel?" Mikael asked. I looked at them and smiled.

"It's my fault ma'am. Pakipalitan na lang po ang name ko." I said. And they did.

"Thank you and pasensya na sa abala miss Angel. Uuna na kami." The staff said.

Naiwang kaming lahat dito kasama si Glydel. 

"Stupid," she whispered and looked at me.

"Ano pa bang kailangan mo Glydel? Ayon na, nakuha mo na ang posisyon ko. Now get lost," I said.

"Poor you." she smiled and sighed. "The house is so peaceful by the way simula noong umalis ka,"

"Hoy gaga kang Glydel ka! Anong problema mo sa kaibigan namin ah? Namumuro ka na!" Hannah said. Inawat ko si Hannah.

"Beh, stop."

"Huh, you're bunch of losers!" Glydel said at umalis na. She was surprised to see Kurt in the door.

"K-kurt? Kanina ka pa ba diyan?" she stammer. She looked at me and glared.

"Uh, no kadarating ko lang." Glydel sighed and leave.

"Beh! Ba't mo binawi? That's your chance to prove yourself!" Hannah asked me.

"Hayaan niyo na," I said. "Umalis na tayo."

"Angel? Diyan tayo eh! Bigla bigla ka na lang sumuko!" Hannah said once again.

"Love, hayaan na natin ang desisyon ni Angel." Alex said.

"Ewan ko!" Hannah exclaimed at umalis. I sighed. I'm sorry Hannah.