CHAPTER 5

The tune of the viral pop song greeted us when we came to the venue of Sandro's party. It was held on the rooftop floor of a condominium building na pagmamay-ari rin nila Sandro. Aside from their telecommunication company, they're also a real estate broker.

The place was totally packed up. The place was surrounded by partygoers and most of them were girls. All of them were cheering the night up, grooving to the music, having three sheets in the wind, at ang iba naman ay nasa infinity pool. I could say na karamihan sa mga ito ay dumalo lang para makipag-flirt.

Paano ko nasabi iyon?

Simply because some of them were making out anywhere. Tch!

I'm weighing my steps while nakasunod ako kay Sabrine. Yes, dalawa lang kaming pumarito dahil wala naman kaming nadatnan ni anino ni Soren sa basement.

He was maybe preventing something unpleasant because of the fact that Sabrine caught him waiting for me, which made Sab remotely surprised.

Mukhang kailangan na talaga namin ng masusing pag-iingat dahil parang sumisikip na masyado ang mundong ginagalawan namin.

Then we spotted the birthday boy performing the role as a disk jockey on the man-made stage. Two women were accompanying him, touching him everywhere in an explicit manner. The Sandro Monteviejo was shirtless while the women were only in their scanty two-piece bikinis.

“Look at that kid, Sab! He looks cool tonight. Who would have thought that he's a fucking virgin?” Sabrine enunciated behind my earlobe to make sure that I'll wise up to her statement.

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. “Well, I felt sorry for those women who are trying to get inside Sanro's purple underwear.” Komento ko pa at humahighik.

Kumaway ako kay Sandro nang namataan niya kami. He waved back at us in response. He looked delighted when he saw us. Sandro Monteviejo is really a virgin boy and noong mga bata pa lang kami ay paborito niya talagang masuot ng kulay purple na briefs.

We headed to the left corner of the floor. Naroon na si Santino at may babae pang nakapuwesto sa ibabaw ng kandungan nito. Salix is also there, and what surprised me the most was when I saw Amélie and Willem here as well.

Si Salix ang unang nakakita sa 'min at tinapik niya si Santino na mukhang abala sa pakikipagbolahan sa kasama niya para ipaalam dito ang presensya namin ni Sab. Si Amélie kasi at Willem ay mukhang seryoso sa kanilang pinag-uusapan.

“Hey, brother jerk!” bati ni Sabrine sa kapatid niyang si Salix. Salix gestures for us to take the seats on his both sides.

I patted Salix's shoulder as a greeting bago umupo sa bakanteng upuan sa tabi niya. Sa kanan naman niya si Sabrine.

“I'm expecting you to bring that wholesome doctor with you tonight, twin.” Napangiwi ako dahil sa sinalubong sa 'kin ng magaling kong kapatid.

“Here you go again, Sants!” I almost hissed at him. He just smirked at me bago niya binalingan muli ang babaeng nakakandong sa kaniya na halatang tuwang-tuwa rin habang live nitong minamanyak ang topless na katawan ng kakambal ko.

Sanay na ako sa ganitong eksena lalo pa't woman magnet itong kapatid ko at mga pinsan ko. At kung tutuusin ay yakang-yaka naman nilang magpalit ng babae in just a snap of their fingers pero hanggang laro lang naman sila at duwag sa totoong commitment.

“Babe, could you give me a moment with them? Be with your friends for awhile. I will just find you up later, okay?” Malinis na pagtaboy ni Santino sa babae niya. The girl obeyed without having any second thought and abandoned Santino's lap.

“She's too plain for your type, Santino. Nagbago na pala ang taste mo sa babae. 'Di ba pakwan ang gusto mo? Kailan ka pa natuwa sa babaeng tomato-sized ang dede? Downgrade na ba?” Nanunuyang usisa ni Sabrine sa kakambal ko. She was smirking.

Sabrine and her smart mouth really!

Matatag kasi ang loob niya na supalpalin ang sino man sa mga pinsan namin. Kay Kuya Saxxon lang siya tumitiklop. Well, kahit rin naman ako at si Amélie. Sa 'ming lahat kasi ay si Kuya Saxx lang ang pinangingilagan namin. None of us wants to mess up with him ever since. Stoic 'yun e atsaka ubod sa kaistriktuhan. Papasa na nga si Kuya Saxx na disciplinarian uncle sa pamilya kung titignan. Walang sino man sa mga lalaki sa mga Monteviejo ang makakapantay sa pagiging cold at pormal ni Kuya Saxx. Natatangi lang s'ya and I admire him for that. 

“Watermelon or not, it doesn't matter to me as long as she could satisfy my needs as an insatiable man.”

Sinamaan ko si Santino ng tingin dahil sa sinagot nito. Ang kalat niya talaga kahit kailan!

“Gross! Manahimik ka na nga lang, Sants.” I told him ngunit nagkibit lang ito ng balikat bago natawa.

“'Yung doktor na nabanggit mo, si Doc. Scott ba?” Amélie chimed in. Obviously she heard Santino mentioned him.

“You also know him, Amélie?” Santino confusedly asked.

“Sino ba iyang pinag-uusapan ninyo?” Salix cut his silence. Salix is Sabrine's elder brother and sa lahat ng pinsan kong lalaki ay ito ang kaugali ni Soren kaya nama'y magkasundo sila sa maraming bagay.

And speaking of the devil! Nasaan na kaya ang isang 'yon?

“I've got the same question, actually.” Sabrine said, stealing her brother's Scotch. “Sinong doktor? At bakit may doktor?”

Amélie and I exchanged a subtle perplexed look. Nakuha ko naman kaagad ang ibig niyang ipahiwatig.

“Ah... Uhm, he's a friend of mine. I've met him through the chemist who worked in my company.” I answered a bit comfortably.

“A friend my ass! Ide-deny pa talaga. Manliligaw niya 'yon kamo.” Santino stubbornly knocked my statement off. At nagawa pa niya akong akbayan kahit maliwanag pa sa sikat ng araw na naiinis ako sa kanya.

“Oh for real?” Galak na bulalas ni Sabrine. “Wow! Ang sabi mo kanina ay wala ka pang manliligaw. Nakakatampo ka, Selene! You can lie to me na. Akala ko ba ako ang unang makakaalam kapag may nanligaw na saiyo.” Napanguso si Sabrine at in-straight ang natitirang scotch sa baso ng Kuya niya.

Salix just released a slight frown for his sister.

“Hindi pa naman siya nanliligaw.” I said as a matter of fact. Nagpapadala nga siya ng mga bulaklak pero hindi pa naman ito pormal na nagpapaalam na manliligaw siya. Though I am not sure if I could entertain him. Hindi kasi puwede dahil sa rason na kami lang ni Soren ang nakakaalam.

“Pero may balak kang magpaligaw? Type mo naman ba sana 'yung doktor na 'yun, Selene?” Seryosong tanong ni Salix na direktang nakatingin sa 'kin. I can see something behind those teak wood eyes of him.

Minsan naiisip ko—baka may alam si Salix tungkol sa nangyayari sa pagitan namin ni Soren. Hindi ko alam kung nagkakalkula lang ako ng sariling paranoia, pero hindi ko maalis sa isip ko kung paano silang dalawa ay laging magkasama. Parang imposibleng walang nasisilip si Salix.

At tuwing siya na ang kaharap ko, pakiramdam ko ay kusa kong dinadala ang sarili ko sa hot seat. Para bang hindi man niya ako tinatanong, pero nararamdaman ko ang bigat ng titig niya—mga matang nagsasabing: "Pwede kang magsinungaling sa iba, pero hindi sa akin." Wala siyang sinasabi, pero ramdam ko ang paninimbang, ang tila tahimik na interogasyon sa bawat sulyap.

“Why not, brother? E single naman itong si Selene atsaka matagal nang hinahanapan nina Tita ng boyfriend itong pinsan natin.” Sabrine nearly mocked her brother.

“Let me rephrase that, Sab. She's a divine single lady ever since.” Amélie seconded.

Napalingon na lang ako sa direksyon nila ni Amélie at inismiran siya. Bahagya namang natawa si Willem sa inasta ko.

Minsan naiisip ko—bakit laging relationship status ko ang ginagawang pulutan? Parang wala na silang ibang mapag-usapan.

Nakakatawa, ‘di ba? Na nakakainis at nakakailang.

Kung alam lang nila… kung pwede ko lang sabihin na mali ang lahat ng iniisip nila tungkol sa akin.

Hindi ako single. Hindi rin ako available. Taken ako—oo, pero hindi sa paraang kaya nilang unawain.

I’m in a relationship so wrong, it shouldn’t even exist.

A love hidden in shadows, one I can’t name out loud.

I’m in love with my own brother.

Taken, yes. But taken by something forbidden.

Something no one should ever know.

“Hey, everyone...” Sabay kaming napalingon kay Sandro. He joined us at our table. He's barely showing his ecstatic set of dimples to us.

“Happy birthday, Sandro!” Bati ko sa kanya at isang kindat naman ang itinugon niya sa akin.

Thanks, God he came! At least na-divert na ang usapan mula sa 'kin.

I chuckled mentally.

Women could kill for that wink—Sandro’s wink. He has that quiet kind of charm, the type that sneaks up on you without even trying.

Hindi siya gaya nina Santino at Sinjin na basta may dumaan lang na naka-mini skirt, ay halos magpaalipin na. Si Sandro, iba siya. Simple kung umatake. Walang fanfare, walang yabang—pero epektibo.

Yes, he does have his flings. Pero ang totoo? He's still a greenhorn. Wala pa siya sa level ng mga lalaki na pinapangalandakan ang “bedroom experience” nila. He plays the game, sure—but not the way people think he does.

Sandro Monteviejo is different. And that’s exactly what makes him dangerous.

“Oh, there you are, virgin birthday punk. S dnem rozhdeniya!” Sab greeted him with energy, tossing in a bit of Russian flair for good measure.

“Thanks, Sab but quit calling me like that.” There's a stain of irritation in Sandro's voice.

“Oh?” Sab ejaculated. “Why not? Aren't you proud to be called as such, boy?”

Natawa ako nang binato ni Amélie ng cracker ang malarong si Sabrine. “Give him a break, Sab. It's his birthday so tantanan mo muna siya sa mga panunukso mo kahit ngayon lang.”

“Ate?” Pinanliitan ni Sandro ng mata si Amélie. He doesn't like someone to be his protector.

Noong mga bata pa lang kasi kami ay inaasar na ni Sabrine si Sandro at parati namang at his service si Amélie para ipagtanggol ang bunso nila which ay ayaw na ayaw naman ni Sandro.

Bahagya kong inalis ang atensyon ko sa usapan ng mga pinsan ko at palihim na sinipat ang buong venue. I was searching for Soren kung nandito na ba siya. Ang buong akala ko kasi ay nauna na siya rito kanina kaya hindi na niya ako nahintay sa basement. But he's still out of sight.

“Oh myghad!” My awareness flew back at Sabrine when I heard her scream in surprise.

Sinundan namin kung saan siya nakatingin. I saw Sinjin coming our way at kaya gano'n ka-exaggerated ang reaksyon ni Sab because for a record ay may kasama si Trevor na unfamiliar na babae. Bringing women isn't Sinjin's thing. If he wants to blow his horniness off ay naghahanap lang siya ng babae sa paligid. Bukod kasi kay Celine ay ngayon lang ito nagsama ng babae sa ganitong pagtitipon.

I could say that she's something special.

All of us gave Sinjin a speculating and teasing look nang nakalapit sila sa table namin. The girl is obviously not that comfortable with her surrounding. With all of us around her.

“Amanda, hi!” Amélie reacted in a specified manner when she recognized the woman. “Wow! You look stunning tonight. Mas gumanda ka ngayon.”

Ow? Kilala na pala siya ni Amélie? Mukhang gusto ko rin siyang makilala.

The woman blushed with Amélie's statement. “Uh, s—salamat po, Ma'am Amélie.”

Ma'am?

“There are creations here who also appreciated your gorgeousness, Miss.” My prick for a brother butted in. Basta maganda talaga.. Naku! “Sin, do you mind introducing her to us?” Santino's wicked side outwardly displayed.

He can't take his eyes off the woman.

“Not necessary. She's not interested to know you anyway.” Malamig na sabi ni Sinjin sa loko-loko kong kapatid. As if I know. Binabakuran lang ni Sin ang date niya mula kay Santino.

“Woah! Selfish asshole!” Santino childishly blurted out and rose from his seat.

“Where do you think you're going?” I asked him. “Stay! Baka magkalat ka na naman dito!”

“I'll just go get us some drinks, twin. Ano pala ang gusto mong kainin?”

Ah! Akala ko naman...

“Barbecued chicken pizza will do and pineapple colada shake na rin. Thanks.” I smiled.

“Cantaloupe Salad sa 'kin.” Dagdag pa ni Sabrine pero nginisihan lang siya ng kakambal ko.

“Serve yourself! Hindi ka naman person with disability.”

“Asshole!” Asik ni Sabrine at tumayo ito para sundan si Santino.

Pagkaalis ng dalawa ay lumipat ako sa inabandunang upuan ni Santino para makipag-usap sa babaeng kasama ni Sin. Salix excused himself for awhile also. May sariling mundo rin kasi ang isang iyon.

“Oh, you're Sinjin's secretary, I see.”

Tumango-tango ako habang nagkikuwento si Amanda. I see myself in her kaya magaan ang loob ko sa kanya. She's simple but obviously brainy base sa pananalita nito. “Buti napapakisamahan mo ng maayos itong si Sin?”

“Why wouldn't she, Selene? As if I'm kinda a crazy wolf and eat her alive.” Depensa naman ni Sin sa sarili niya.

“No, you know that's not my point. Tsk! I know you too well, Sinjin Monteviejo, and I also know how you deal with women.” I said at bumaling ulit kay Amanda. “Kapag may ginawang masama sa'yo si Sin just let me know.”

Mahinang natawa si Amanda habang nakasimangot naman ngayon si Sinjin.

The party went wilder and bolder as the night sank. Dahil may selebrasyon naman daw kaya pinagbigyan akong uminom ni Santino. Hindi ako sanay uminom unlike Amélie and Sabrine pero madali namang nagkasundo ang matapang na Bourbon Whiskey at ang aking lalamunan.

Kaming lima na lang ang naiwan sa table namin. Amélie, Willem, Sinjin and his date tapos ako. Si Sabrine kasi ay mukhang nakahanap na ng biktima. Gano'n din si Santino siyempre at maging si Salix ay may kasama na ring babae.

“Soren's here..” Anunsyo ni Sin kaya mabilis na hinanap ng mga mata ko kung nasaan ito. Agad namang nag-react ang puso ko nang makita ko siya pero parang sumikip ang dibdib ko nang mawari kong hindi ito nag-iisa.

He's with someone and that someone is none other than Natalie Balducci.