My Brother-in-law is Nasty (Nasty Series #2)

제 4 장

사

Annoyed.

But I am very alarmed.

You're my priority! Leche! Erase! Erase! Nababaliw ka na yata, Winona? Napakasentimental mo naman yata! Bakit ba ang lalim ng ibig sabihin no'n? Of course, you are a priority, kapatid ka ng asawa. Siya ang naghahatid sa 'yo. Alangan namang ibang tao ang priyoridad. Baliw ka na! Maghunus-dili ka! Please lang! Your brain is probably damaged with all the drama you are watching.

Erase! Erase! Ha! Gusto kong matawa. It was just a freaking text message but it blown my soul away. I am really... am sentimental.

Pagkauwi namin ni kuya Marckus ay diretso ako sa kwarto ko, soaking wet because of the rain and running. Naghahalo na yata ang ulan at pawis ko. Hindi ko hinintay si kuya na pumasok sa campus kaya tinakbo kong muli ang distansya ng building papunta sa gate. I bet there's a CCTV and the security will be laughing at my misfortune when they get back and monitor it. Imagining that scenario making want to bury myself to the ground. Kumukulo ang dugo ko! Nakakahiya! I hate having these undeniable thoughts. This is because of that two bitches!

Naghintay ako sa waiting shed kanina habang iniignora ang mga tawag at messages ni Rafaela. Blanca also tries to call but she had no chance on me. Hindi ko mapapatawad ang ginawa nila. They're two people, my friends, I don't think they have forgotten to text me. Or even if it's true, how dare them forgets me? They're unbelievable. Ang hirap kumalma! Nagpupuyos ako sa inis. I can feel the discomfort. Is it because of my misfortune? Or the rain? Or what?

Katangahan ko man din ay hindi ko mapigilan ang pagkainis. Kahit ang jacket na binalot sa akin ni kuya ay hindi man lang nagpakalma sa akin. Kumukulo ang dugo ko na para bang walang makakatunaw sa galit ko. May sinasabi si kuya habang nagmamaneho pero hindi ako nakikinig. Ang hirap intindihin kapag umaapoy ka sa galit. Ang hirap kumalma kapag hindi mo gustong kumalma. Good thing hindi kami na trap sa baha. Maraming tanong si kuya sa akin pero pinili ko nalang ang manahimik. I don't really like to talk when I'm cranky. It makes me feel sick and more angry. Nangmaneho na lang siya nang hindi nagsasalita kalaunan. Alam na niya na hindi ako makakausap ng matino. Not for now.

I can't read any reasoning. I can't get hold of any explanation. I'm pissed, so mad to forget.

WhatsApp (Group Chat):

Rafaela:

Win?

Rafaela:

Nandito na kami sa school.

Blanca:

Nakalimutan ko talaga, Win. Sorry :(

Rafaela:

Did you leave? Are you that mad?

Rafaela:

Ano? Aalis na ba kami?

I am ignoring the chat room. To hell with you, bitches! I am very hurt and mad.

Blanca:

Hoy Winona! Parang ito lang, galit ka na?

I rolled my eyes in irritation. Tinapon ko ang dalang bag, kinuha ang tuwalya, lumabas muli at tumungo sa banyo. Everything is happening so fast and consequently. Hinuhubad ko ang suot kong jacket. At tinignan ang sarili sa salamin. Namumula ang aking pisngi. Mainit ito at ramdam ko na parang aapuyin ako. Magkakalagnat pa yata ako. Ha! You're weak, Win. Talo ka pa rin! Ulan lang 'to, huwag kang magkasakit!

Oh no, you're not sick. Halos lamunin ko ang mga vitamins ko araw-araw para magkasakit. Then why? I want to be sarcastic! I want to be grumpy and no one can mend it.

Ang lakas ng pintig ng puso ko. I touched my face with my palms. I looked at myself thoroughly. What has gotten me? What just happened to you, Winona? Bakit ka galit? Dahil ba hindi ka na inform? Well, you know you are better than that! Bakit naman ikakasakit pa ng dibdib mo 'yon? You're wasting your energy for something stupid.

Is there something else, then? My breathing is ascending and descending accordingly. I was staring myself with no time limits. Kumukurap-kurap ako at mariin pumipikit. I'm trying to change my strategy to somehow forget what's at the back of my mind. I know I am thinking something else but I have to resort that.

Umiling ako. Stupid! Stop that thinking. No! Para akong mawawalan ng dugo. Kung kanina ay kumukulo, ngayon ay sasabog na. Hindi na ako kakalma pa! It's overflowing. I couldn't determine the exact feeling. Ni hindi ko ma-differentiate kung anong klaseng emosyon ito. Kakaiba! I'm not sure, how to react. No, you need to throw that thoughts to the bin Winona.

"Win?" Rinig ko galing sa labas.

I didn't closed our bathroom so I can hear kuya Marckus clearly calling me out of nowhere.

"Nasa banyo ako!" Sigaw ko.

Then out of a sudden, he appeared. Napatalon ako sa pagkabigla. I didn't know he's too near.

I was flustered. Nilakihan ko siya ng mata na parang binagabag nga ako ng biglaan niyang pagsulpot. My heart beating is out of control. May sakit nga siguro ako! This is insane. Bakit gano'n? What's happening to me?

"Okay ka lang? You were soaking wet. You should take a shower." Pag-aalala niya.

"Y-yeah... I'm fine. Naligo na ako kanina. I'll just wash my face." Trying to hide my fluster self.

Damn it, Win!

"Ayos ka lang ba talaga? Mukhang lalagnatin ka." Pumasok siya na para bang dati na niyang ginagawa. Without a permission. The next thing I knew, his hand is touching my forehead, checking if I'm having a fever. He paused like he's scanning it well. Umaapoy muli ako. It's rising and falling and now rising. My fluster heart is pounding so bad. "You're hot! Lalagnatin ka, Win." He declared, in his baritone voice and honestly concerned.

You're hot! I'm hot? I'm blinking like I'm learning new words. Alam ko kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin pero hindi ko mapigilang mag-assume. Nakatunganga lang ako sa harap niya't naghihintay ng himala. Mas lalong uminit ang pisngi ko. May kung anong bagay ang naglalaro sa tiyan ko. Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang kakaibang galaw ng sistema ko. It's like I'm feeling new sensation... new things... new system.

Nababaliw ka na ba, Winona? Are you even conscious? What sensation? New things? New system? You are out of your mind, b***h! You're out of this world. Those terminologies are not for you to use. Sa bayaw mo pa talaga? Hindi kapani-paniwala. Hindi ko rin maintindihan.

"Win?"

He was about to touch me again but I stepped back even though I am trap because of the sink. Hindi ko na kakayanin ang sunod niyang galaw. Baka sumabog na ako sa walang oras at wala na talaga ako sa sariling pag-iisip.

Nagpakita siya ng pagtataka na reaksyon dahil sa ginawa ko. He tilt his head like he wants to dig. Damn it!

"Hey..."

His expression says everything. He showed his concern. Huminga ako ng malalim. If this isn't temptation, I don't know what this is called.

"O-Okay lang a-ako, kuya. Let me change m-my clothes. Talagang magkakasakit ako kung hindi ka lalabas." Stuttering, hindi ka talaga marunong umarte, Winona. Jusko!

On that cue, he realized it. Tumango siya, alam na niya ang gagawin, I supposed.

"Oh yeah! Sure, sis."

But he ain't moving. He's like stoned in his stand.,

Bumaba ang tingin niya na mabilis ko namang sinundan ito. Kunot noo kong nahanap ang kaniyang tinitignan. Nanindigan ang balahibo ko nang sabay naming nasilayan ang basa kong damit. Umangat ako ng tingin sa kaniya agad. Mabilis ang kaniyang paglunok at umiwas agad ng tingin. He gritted his teeth as his jaw clenched. Now he really knows what he should do.

His entrance wasn't a good idea. Damn it!

"Y-yeah..." his repeated.

"Go!" I turned him around and pushed him out of the door.

Trembling. Dang! His stares sent shiver to my frigging spine. Nanginginig ang tuhod ko't kamay. Nakita niya ang itim kong bra nang dahil sa basa kong uniporme. My breathing hitch like I'm going to die any minute. Bakit lagi siyang yumuyuko kapag nagkakaganito?

Is he tempted? I mean... shit...

No! Umiwas ka sa ganiyang pag-iisip Winona. You are better than this actually. What the f**k!

Two weeks passed by and the couple went back from their trip. It is normal to me and ate Kath to be in good terms after days without talking. It comes naturally, I think it applies to all siblings. Yung bang mag-aaway kayo ngayon at kinabukasan ay mag-uusap at magtatawanan nalang kayo nang hindi kailangang pag-usapan ang pinag-awayan. Sometimes, you'll forget what it is all about. Nagkaayos din sina kuya at ate na para bang normal lang itong nangyayari. That's how it works for us here. Wala pa namang major na pinag-awayan silang dalawa kaya hindi ako natatakot na magkakahiwalay sila. Ate Kath is benefitting to kuya Marckus' wealth. Me too... he he...

Like Rafaela, Blanca and me, we were back to normal too. Siblings, friends and all relationships goes through that. Siguro, hindi sa lahat ng oras kailangan mong humingi ng tawad. Because some 'sorries' and 'apologies' are fake. Many were true but let's face it, nowadays?

"Did you get me Kangaroo, ate?" Excited akong humilata sa kanilang kama at halughugin ang kaniyang bagahe. Australia is famous for Kangaroos, Koalas and some wilds. So, it's rare to get some stuffs there. "What did you get me? Clothes? Jewelries?!"

Key chains.

I stared blankly at the key chains. Australia's geography shape, AUSTRALIA, the flag, Koala's designed, Kangaroos. Well, like I said, rare stuffs.

"What are these?" I said, mocking.

She smiled, such a witch. "Kangaroo! Aussie! And Koalas! You like? Good."

I pouted. Be careful what you're wishing.

"Yey!" In sarcasm.

Fxck.

Pumasok si kuya na nakatapis lang ang lower part ng katawan. Hindi na ako nagulat pero napatunganga ako nang mala ala slow motion siyang naglalakbay patungo sa kanilang walk-in closet. The thing is, we have one bathroom and two toilets. The one toilet is for visitors so it's near our kitchen and living room. And the other one is near our bed rooms beside our bathroom. So, we have to go out and share one bathroom. Well, not a problem! Kuya Marckus is a family.

Not minding me staring at this Adonis like structure. It's not an issue to me at all. Bakit ko pa 'yon pinupuna? Umiling nalang ako.

"My, I'll be home late." Ani kuya, imagining him wearing his boxer... and uhm... what?

"Okay, dy. Me too."

Separate ways. Not new but I'm still wondering though. Siguro ay wala akong pinagkakaabalahan sa buhay kaya pinagtitiisan ko ang love story ng dalawang ito. I'm not bored but I'm just sneaky. I want to know every thing. Ito siguro ang tinatawag nilang 'hopeless romantic'.

"Magpaparty ka ate? Sama ako!"

"Pupunta ako kay Gigi. Magpapamanicure ako sa kaniya. Your school doesn't allow colored nails." Pagtatama niya.

Well, that's true. But does she there's a colorless nail polish? Nakaligtaan niya yata o ayaw lang niya talaga akong isama? I rolled my eyes. Ate and her monkey business.

"But if you're going home late. I'll be damn alone here. You know I can't stand it!" Patuloy kong hinahalughog ang bagahe ni ate at kinukuha kong anong nagugustuhan ko. She's letting me so I guess I got her permission. "Don't tell me mag-isa ako habang kayo late na uuwi? Saan ka ba pupunta kuya?" Oh, I like this branded hand cream. Taking this! Magpahatid kaya ako kina Blanca?

"Family dinner, Win." Lumabas siya ng walk in closet na naka-pants lang. Topless! It's funny how I almost drop all the clothes I'm declaring mine because of how attracted his well sculpted body. Jusmiyo! "You can sleep in our room to make you feel safe. Whoever comes home first, will wake you up. May gustong pag-usapan si dad kaya tingin ko'y matatagalan ako."

Businessman. The last time I had dinner with them I was extremely bored. They just talked about digits, shares, expansion and more about business. My head almost burst with all of it. Wala akong maintindihan. So, I'm not gonna offer myself. He knows I'm out. Not gonna come with him, even though I want to see kuya Pius but not for a family dinner.

Sa huli ay naiwan ako. Kuya and ate went out separately. Kakauwi lang nila galing sa travel, iba na naman ang pinagkakaabalahan nila. Sanay na talaga ako! Convince yourself more. Kuya Marckus will just stay home for 3 more days and my ate went back being workaholic. Habang naghahalukay ako ay may nakita akong mga papers, I just knew that they went to a 7 days Holiday in New Caledonia and Vanuatu when they were in Sydney. Kaya pala they extended two days there. Kinapos sila sa oras doon. Ha! Ang sabi ni ate kailangan nilang umuwi ng maaga, 'yon pala na-enjoy nila ang iba pang islands outside the Australian Boundary. Mas lalo akong nainggit! I really can't wait to get married, too.

I found some make-ups and jewelries. Whatever looks nice and not baduy on me, I took it all. Akin ang mga 'to! I like material things. Kaya lagi akong pinapahiram ni Rafaela ng mga gamit niya dahil may mga sponsors siya at binibigyan ng mga mamahaling bagay. Minsan ay binibigay na niya sa akin, lalo na kapag bagay sa amin. This too, the gown. She bought this? It's a fuchsia pink cocktail gown. Kinuha ko ang cocktail niya't gagamitin ko sa Juniors and Seniors Promenade.

WhatsApp (Group Chat):

Me:

*sent a photo*

Me:

Bagay ba?

I tried it on and took photos on it.

Blanca:

Mas bagay sa akin

Me:

Jealous? Inggit ka lang! Ate bought it from their Aussie trip.

Blanca:

Mas bagay talaga sa akin.

Blanca:

Rafaela:

Looks good on you. Ganda mo bes!

Wala akong ginawa buong gabi na wala sila kung hindi ang i-try ang mga nahalukay ko kay ate Kath. Ang gaganda ng ibang damit at bagay sa akin. It really feels good when you first try it. Alam ko, magsasawa din ako kapag ilang beses ko nang nasuot. But I know, ate and kuya can afford to buy me more clothes.

Teka, nasaan na ang 'independent woman' goals ko? Well, since bata pa naman ako. Skip that part muna!

When I checked the time, it's 9 past 20 in the evening already, nakaramdam na rin ako ng konting antok kaya pinagtatabi ko na ang mga gamit at pumanhik na sa kwarto nina kuya at ate para matulog. I don't know if I can sleep comfortably but I'll try. Wala namang pasok bukas so I don't really have to try falling asleep so early. Kanina pa sila umalis. They didn't even joined me on dinner.

Nakakalungkot pala minsan. I mean, umalis sila week ago, umuwi at umalis ulit. Fullboard ang schedule nila! Totoo nga siguro ang kasabihan, people come and go. Wow! Ang drama ko, a. Matapos ang treinta minutong papikit-pikit ay hindi ako makatulog. Nasaan na ang antok ko kanina? Bumalik ka! Charot!

Dinalaw din ako ng antok matapos isa pang trienta minutos. I guess, it can't be help!

Nagising ako nang umuga ang kabilang banda ng kama kung saan ako nakahiga. Yung dibdib ako parang sasabog. Masakit sa mata ang biglaan kong paggising. Nagulat ako kasi baka may nakapasok sa bahay na hindi pa umuuwi sina ate at kuya. I thought I was dreaming of dark and scary scenario that can happen when I'm alone. I'm not dreaming bad dreams usually but when I do, I panic a lot. Napabalikwas ako't halos mahulog sa kama dahil baka kapag hindi ako magising ay hindi na ako hihingi. Para akong mawawalan ng hininga habang nanaginip. Is this real? Where am I?

May humila sa kamay ko at buong lakas niya akong hinatak. Para akong linipad ng hangin patungo sa isang matigas na bagay. It was too fast and I couldn't catch it. Who was it? Am I alive? Where am I? Muntikan na akong mabugok? Who am I? Who is this hard thing? Ate? Really? Ni hindi 'yon nag-eexercise! Rapist? Unending thoughts are rumbling my awaken mind.

And then, all suddenly, I heard a very loud pump. It's a familiar sound. Now, I'm totally awake. I'm alive! It's a heart beating. Ang bilis ng t***k ng puso niya. It was like a drum. Ang lakas sa pandinig na nagpapagising ng sistema ko. It was like a music to my ears. Parang slow motion kong ninanamnam ang bawat musika.

"Winona! What the fxck!?" Sigaw nito sabay ng kaniyang pagtulak sa akin.

Fuxk! That's why he is familiar. What was that all about, Winona? Are you shooting a movie?

"K-kuya!" Nang magkamalay na ako sa mundo ay mabilis akong umatras. "W-what are you doing here? Wait..." it's him. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman. I feel safe. Naging kampante ako nang makita ko siya. It was anyone else after all. It was a very bad dream. Next time, I am not staying home when they're not around. I barely survived that week that they were in the trip but this time, I'm getting lost at it. I can't do this! Do I need to find a boyfriend? Baka may pangangailangan lang ako. Well, it's not s*x. Puno na ako dahil sa mga wet dreams ko.

"What do you mean? Did you invite someone else here? Are you kidding me? Alam ba 'to ni Kath?" Aniya na magulo ang buhok. Antok na antok na ang kaniyang mukha.

His eyes are about to fall but because of the commotion... at now his accusation...

"Ano? Pinagsasabi mo diyan, kuya?" Tinalikuran ko na siya. My heart beats like thunder.

Nakaluhod akong umaalis sa kama. Magulo ang buhok at maging ang utak. What's with the accusation? And for Pete's sake ba't siya tatabi sa akin? Is he out of his mind? Does he think I'm ate Kath? Well, hindi siya bulag. Ni hindi ko binalot ang sarili sa kumot para kapag may magnanakaw o rapist, makatakbo ako o makapanlaban. Ngayon ko napagtatanto na halos magkamukha nga kami ni ate Kath dahil parang napagkakamalan na niya ako. Ridiculous! I'm sexier, she's a bone. Tsk!

Why does his heart beats like that? Of course, he's alive. He quite masculine. Parang pader na kapag nabangga ka matigas pero hindi ka nasasaktan. I wonder he really is that kind of man. s**t! Why am I even wondering?

Umiling ako. What the heck, Winona! Nasaan na ba si Ate Kath? Her absences make me think like these. Kasalanan niya 'to! Ha! Ha! Ha! Winona! Nambitang ka pa. Umiling pa ako ng marami. Weird thoughts, layuan mo ako!

"Saan ka pupunta?" I was about to get off the bed and he stopped me. Lumalayo na nga ako't tinatanong pa niya. What exactly does he want?

Nilingon ko siya't sinipat. "Baka nakakalimutan mong hindi ito ang kwarto ko kuya. Since you're back, I'm going back to my room. Ikaw na ang maghintay kay ate Kath kung gusto mo."

Lumalayo na ako. Nang binuksan ko na ang pinto para makalabas ay...

"A-akala ko tatabi ka." Mahina niyang bulong pero parang sigaw sa tainga ko.