chapter 10

It was Saturday today. I was already up around 9 am since I slept early last night. I sent a message to Flynne before I went straight to bathroom to do my morning routine. Couple thingy.

After that I headed downstairs. My parents and my brother were already eating their breakfast. They greeted me when they saw me. My brother only glimpse, formed a small smile at me. Bigla tuloy nag-bounce back ang nangyari kahapon. I immediately looked away. 

I still didn't get it. Why he had to leaned closer to me? Bigla tuloy akong nag-freak out! We're siblings for pete's sake! Hindi pwede 'yun! But, duh, why is it so big deal to me? Siguro ganoon lang talaga ang mga tao sa probinsiya. Unpredictable. Ugh. Ika nga nila, expect the unexpected. Eventually, masasanay din naman ako sa ugali niya.

I shove it away from my mind and quietly took a seat beside him. As usual, he's eating his food with poker face. 

"Since it's Saturday. Why don't you go to the mall today?"

I quickly looked up at my mom. Nagising ang diwa ko sa sinabi niya. She wanted us to stroll in the mall! Bigla akong na-excite!

"Your brother also needs a phone. Buy a one. Ilibot mo na din siya sa doon para naman maging familiar siya sa lugar dito." she looked at him, smiling. 

He stopped eating and glanced back at my mom. 

"Great idea. Use my card, Shanna. Buy what you want. Huwag mong titipirin ang kuya mo," Dad chimed in as he smiled at us. 

I smiled widely, "Yes, Dad!" 

Lumingon ako sa kaniya. His face lighten up a little. I smirked. 

-

"Navy polo shirt and white trouser. Wear it." I handed him those. His brows furrowed when he looked at it. "That's the usually outfit when going to the mall." I added, avoiding his gaze. Hindi naman kasi totoo ang sinasabi ko. Bakit ba! Mamaya, outfit ng magsasaka ang suotin niya 'e! 

We're going to buy everything he needs later naman, so I decided to lend my father's old clothes to him.

"Sige." he simply answered and was about to close his door when I speak again. 

"Put the belt tapos i-tuck in mo 'yun shirt, okay?" 

He stared at me for a second before he nodded and closed his door. 

I enthusiastically clapped my hands. All right!

I went back to my room to change and get ready. 

Isang white flutter sleeve top na abot sa kalahating braso ang maluwag na sleeve at lagi kong sinasamahan ng khaki square pants ang outfit ko. After that I took my white back-strap wedge sandal. 

I only applied foundation and lip balm on my face. Just to make my face glow. Hindi naman ako fan ng make-up.

When I'm all ready, lumabas na ako ng room ko. Sakto din ang paglabas ni Kuya. 

Napa-ayos ako ng postura dahil sa itsura niya. 

My lips parted as I scanned him. 

His body was more defined by the shirt since it's fitted. I didn't know he has such a built. He really looks good on his outfit. Hindi ako nagkamaling kunin ito sa closet ni Daddy. He didn't take off his necklace. Maybe, the only thing that is not suit to him was his long hair. He needs a haircut. I scanned him for a minute before I decided to walk towards him.

He's rubbing the back of his head while looking at his outfit. Akala niya yata hindi bagay sa kaniya. Pwede nga siyang maging model 'e!

"Ang gwapo ng kapatid ko!" puri ko saka siya tinapik sa balikat. "Bagay sa'yo!" nag-thumbs up pa ako. 

He looked away. I slowly form a smile when I saw his face turning to red. "S-salamat." 

I tapped his shoulder again. "Kaya lang, you'll need a haircut." I chuckled. 

-

I chatted my friends that we're at the mall. Si Elisse nga lang nag-respond. Ang bilis, ah! Palibhasa, I mentioned my brother. 

She replied that she wanted to go but she's grounded every weekend. No fun allowed. I almost forgot that. 1 month pala siyang grounded because she did something against her parents. 

Spoiled problems.

I shrugged and called Flynne instead. He didn't answer though. Busy din? After a while, he sent a message. 

From: Flynne <3

church with my parents, call u later :))))

Napasapo ako sa noo. I should have known it! I bit my lower lip as I replied 'sorry' to him. 

Umangat ako ng tingin nang biglang tumigil si Kuya sa paglalakad. Nagtataka ko siyang tinignan.

He glanced at me, raising his eyebrow. Then he shifted his gaze in front. 

Again, I lightly hit my forehead. I didn't realize that we're already in front of the salon. Infairness, he knows it. Duh, of course, Shanna. Common sense lang. 

"Tara!" hila ko sa kaniya. 

Agad kaming nilapitan ng isa sa mga staff at tinanong ang purpose namin. I answered them. Lumingon ako kay kuya para tanungin kung anong preferred niyang haircut. But he didn't answer. Pinagmamasdan niya lang ang loob ng salon. There he goes again. 

"Just cut his bangs short. Make it clean and neat po." I responded, instead and glared at him. 

Almost all the people inside were taking a glance at him. As usual, wala siyang paki. I rolled my eyes. 

"Boyfriend mo, miss?" tanong ng isang staff. 

My eyes suddenly widened. "What? No po! He's my brother!"

Nagulat naman siya at ilang nakarinig sa sagot ko. Lumingon ako sa kuya ko. Nakatingin na siya sa akin ngayon. I glared at him. 

"Hala! Sorry! Akala nami—"

"Just start cutting his hair." I answered before I took a seat in a waiting area. I gulped as the moment I sat down. Agad naman siyang in-assist. 

Tumingin muna siya sa akin bago umupo sa barber chair. I looked away. My brows furrowed as I felt again the feeling yesterday. Gosh. Ano na naman 'to?!

Nanahimik na lang ako sa isang tabi. I played on my phone. At the same time, I'm waiting for Flynne to text or call me. Miss ko na agad siya! Nakakainis!

After a while. I stopped playing when a shadow covered me. 

"Tapos na."

I looked up and almost dropped my phone. I immediately stood up while my lips parted and eyes widened.

I didn't know what kind of hairstyle did they make for him to look more now attractive. The top of his hair was loosely swept back and has a side part. Revealing his innocent face. Mukha na siyang Manila boy!

"Gra—"

I was cut off because whispering and murmuring started to prevailed the Salon.

"Ang gwapo niya!"

"Magkapatid daw sila. Parang hindi ako naniniwala."

"True! Mag-jowa yata?"

My eyes widened. Nandidiri ako sa mga naririnig ko!

Instead of minding them, I walked straight to one of the staff who cut my brother's hair to pay for it. After that, I immediately pulled my brother out of the Salon.

"You heard them, right?!" I ran my hands through my face, being frustrated as I faced him just as we left that place. "Mag-jowa daw tayo?! Harujusme!" I shook my head and walked towards the Bench.

Sinusundan lang ako ni Kuya.

"Ano 'yung mag-jowa?" inosente niyang tanong na siyang nagpatigil sa akin.

I stared at him for a moment. "Magkasintahan!" sagot ko bago ako tuluyang pumasok sa loob.

I started to choose clothes for him. Still, frustrated. Nakakainis! Bakit ba nila nasabi 'yun? I know we're not alike, iba naman kasi ang tatay namin! Still, sana hindi na lang nila sinabi 'yun! Argh. Tumataas pa din balahibo ko.

I picked up the blue  V-neck shirt and turn around to face him.

"Kuya! Bagay sa—"

I dropped the shirt that I'm holding just after my eyes darted to someone who texted me that he's with his parent at the church but the truth is, he's freakin' here with other girl while holding each other's hands. 

Kakapasok pa lang nila. Good thing, nasa bandang dulo kami. Hindi niya kami nakita.

Napalunok ako at unti-unting nanghina. 

Until someone blocked the view. I looked at him. Hindi ko alam kung namamalik mata ba ako. I just saw him clenching his jaw while his serious eyes peered at me.

"Sa tingin ko kailangan kong humingi ng permiso sa'yo bago ako gumawa ng gulo," diretso ang tingin sa akin habang seryoso ang tono nito.

I stared at him, thinking of what he have said until I realize what he meant. 

My lips parted.