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

48 | new year

"Of course," he said before they left.

The hype catapulted to great heights nang hinain nang buo ang mga pagkain sa table. Mayroong chicken, litson, crispy pata, mga kakanin, palabok at kung anu-ano pa na niluto ni Mom.

"'Di ako nalalasing," mayabang na sinasabi ni Mathev nung pinagsabihan na siya ni Kuya Travis. Kababalik lang ng tatlo at ang dami ng dala nilang mga beer.

"Really, huh. Lorie told me you called her last time. You were shitless drunk," Kuya Andrei told him.

His hands rose up in defense. "I didn't call her. She called me. A true gentleman will never reject a girl's call."

"New name na naman?" I crossed my arm over my chest. "Makakarma din kayo. Someday, all of you will fall in love tapos magsisisi kayo that you ever played with girls."

"I'd shit bricks before that would even happen," Mathev said, pinamimigay ang beer na binili nila.

"Then shit bricks now, Mathe, because it will happen," I said determinedly.

"Yeah, right." He snorted.

"Someday talaga matatauhan ka. Watch out. That'll be your greatest karma, I swear it."

Maingay na ang paligid dahil sa mga nauunang magpaputok. Humanap ako ng magandang posisyon. Gusto kong kumuha ng candid picture nila bago mag-midnight. Ang lilikot ng mga boys. Kunwari pa silang nag-uusap tungkol sa resolutions nila samantalang puro kagaguhan lang naman ang sinasabi nila.

"Tell me, Jamie V, what's your biggest wish?" Angelo asked suddenly, following me to the pool.

"To be an immortal," I said instantly, playing with the SLR on my hands.

"Really?" he said, puzzled.

I knew he mulled over it kasi natahimik siya. Kinuhanan ko ng litrato ang nalilito niyang mukha pero hindi niya 'yon pinansin.

"But how do you become an immortal at this time and day?"

"Exactly. Kaya nga wish ko." I grinned.

I positioned to a safe space and took a snapshot of the boys playing around the yard. Sinimulan na nilang lantakan ang ribs na inihaw namin at yung iba naman ay kumakain na nung barbecue.

"Hoy, Geon. Tangina mo! 'Wag mong pormahan ang kapatid ko!" Umalingawngaw ang boses ni Kuya Jacob galing sa kung saan.

I laughed out, taking more pictures of them.

"I wonder if it's normal for brothers and cousins to be this possessive and close," Angelo chirped, grinning at their madness.

"Baka nasa dugo lang namin. I mean, I'm possessive of them, too."

"Hindi ba hassle for you?"

"Hassle, well, yes. Last time may sumubok lumapit sa 'kin, nakipagsapakan pa si Kuya Onyx sa labas ng school. High school ako no'n. Ayun. Suspended siya for a week."

He grinned. "Ouch. Remind me not to cross limits."

Around eleven thirty, lumabas na kami ng bahay para hintayin ang new year. Naka-position na kami malapit sa pinto habang nilalatag nina Tito Osen at Kuya Chris ang mga paputok namin.

Kuya Travis lit the fireworks. Tumakbo siya palapit sa amin. I watched as the fountain came alive and lit up the streets. Hiyaw nang hiyaw ang mga pinsan ko na nagpapakabaliw sa lusis at sinturon ni hudas.

Then, midnight struck. All at once, fireworks exploded in the sky, engulfing it with a display of colors and sounds. It seemed surreal, magical. I watched in amazement habang napuno ng mga paputok ang madilim na langit.