DV Series: decoding the boys (under revision) ??

22 - interested || edited

That's true.

May tinawagan lang siya ng ilang minuto. Then, we were off to Metro Cebu.

***

My eyes were wide in fascination as I stared at the Crown Royale tower. Hindi nga biro na 40-storey high 'to.

An arm fell down on my shoulders. Kuya Onyx chuckled. "You should see your room. You'll love it."

Bago kami pumasok, kinuhanan ko ng picture ang view sa labas. I took a couple of shots before I followed them inside. A tall, chinita woman met us halfway into the lobby, her long curly locks and porcelain white skin standing out even in this grandiose place.

Tita Jackie, Kuya Onyx's mother, greeted all of us with a warm smile.

"Happy birthday, Tita," bati ko. I kissed her cheek.

Niyakap niya ako nang mahigpit. "Thank you, Javee. I missed you."

We deposited our things in our suite afterward. Tama nga si Kuya Onyx. Maganda, malawak, at elegante ang ambiance ng room namin. May 3 bedroom dito at may sarili kaming receiving room at outdoor balcony. I loved it.

Kasama ko rito sina Kuya Jacob at Kuya Andrei. Kasama naman nina Kuya Travis at Kuya Chris sina Mom sa suite nila.

I jumped into the bed and buried my face in the pillows.

"Do we have other plans after the celebration?" I heard Kuya Andrei ask outside.

"Parang wala," Kuya Jacob answered. "May balak ka bang mag-aya?"

"Maybe. We'll see."

I grinned at their conversation. We'll see, indeed.

Maya-maya, tinawag na kami ni Kuya Onyx para mag-breakfast.

Malalim na ang kwentuhan ng parents namin nang saluhan namin sila sa restaurant. May pinagtatawanan silang kung ano at natagalan bago ako nakasunod sa usapan nila.

"Anong sa 'kin?" sabi ni Dad, tumatawa. "Hindi ako ang unang magkakaapo dito. My boys are good boys. Baka 'yang si Nicollo ang mauna."

Tumawa ang papa nina Gian at Kuya Nick.

"Tito naman. Sino sa 'min ni Gian ang inaakusahan mo?" sabi ni Kuya Nick.

"Malamang ikaw. Alangan namang ako?" sagot sa kanya ni Gian, which made their mother laugh.

"Ah, basta bahala kayo d'yan. My twins are safe. Matagal pa 'ko," Tito Matthew chimed in.

I stifled a laugh. Safe daw? Sina Mathev at Kuya Paul? If only he knew.

I shot a glance in the twins' direction. Parehas silang nakangisi at mukha namang tawang-tawa sina Kuya Jacob at Kuya Onyx.

"What, Tito?" Kuya Onyx piped in. "Natanong n'yo na ba 'yang si Paul kung anong pinagkakaabalahan n'yan sa Pangasinan?"

Nag-angat ng kilay sina Tita Pauline at Tito Matthew habang nagsitawanan naman ang boys.

"'Wag mong ibato sa 'kin ang araw-araw mong ginagawa, dude," nakangising sagot lang sa kanya ni Kuya Paul.

"Is this true?" Mom said, eyes slightly wide. "I can't believe you boys, ha. Pinagbibiruan natin but that doesn't mean you should."

Naging maingay ang breakfast namin. Puno ng batuhan ng asar at kulitan, catching up about family, school, and business.

I missed this.

Tahimik lang ako sa buong conversation, smiling fondly. I was savoring the moment. Ilang buwan din kaming hindi nagkita-kita. It felt absolutely blissful to be here with them right now.