The Guy I Met Online のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 61 - チャプター 70

One thing about their family: marami sila. Like… a lot. Sabi pa ng isang Auntie niya, hindi sila maramot sa pamangkin at apo. They were blessed with a lot of family members, kaya sobrang dami niya’ng pinsan; and that means, sobrang dami niya ri’ng binibigyan ng regalo tuwing pasko at birthdays. One tradition of the family every Christmas season: uuwi silang lahat, no exemptions, sa probinsya kung saan pinanganak at lumaki ang great grandlolo nila— the man who started it all for them. Hindi nga lang sabay-sabay minsan, but the most important thing, lahat sila present sa Pasko at Bagong Taon. But imagine all of them boarding a plane together, they might as well bought their own aircraft dahil occupied nila lahat ng seats sa dami nila. Kahit i-divide sila into two groups, marami pa rin sila. Silang magpipinsan palang, puno na agad ang half part ng eroplano. The fact that half of them were already in the province and half of them still in the mansion, the first t

             “Jowa mo na ba?”            “No!” her answer came as quickly as denial. “I mean, we’re not…we’re just friends.”            Pinagtaasan lang siya ng kilay ng dalawa.            “I swear!”            “Then why is he here? To celebrate an intimate family tradition?”            “Papa invited him over, I have nothing to do with that.”            “Wala ba siya’ng pamilya to celebrate the holidays with?” usisa ni Rich. 

It was almost twelve midnight and most of Asia’s family are still up, though some of them have gone up to bed early, the rest of them have decided to do a few shots. Karamihan mga pinsang lalaki ng dalaga, at mga kapatid niya, including himself. Europe couldn’t really say no to the Acosta’s now, could he? Fun fact (not really): the Acosta’s could seriously hold their liquors. They’ve been drinking for the whole two hours and a half now, and yet, none of them show any sign of being drunk. They still could talk without slurring, they can still walk straight, and he’s pretty sure that they would still remember everything that is happening around them. While he’s playing safe with the alcohol, Asia’s family was drinking with reckless abandon. Drink ‘til they drop. He carefully declined another drink. Hindi naman na rin siya pinilit ng mga ito, which he was glad about. He’s done with alcohol for the night. It’s not in his nature to drink u

“San ta’yo?” was Kian’s question after the event. May iilan pa’ng libro’ng tinatapos na pirmahan ni Rafa, kaya hinihintay nila ito sa may tabi. “Nag-aya si Rafa, e. Libre niya raw.” “Tapos deretso overnight?” umaasa’ng tanong ni Greg. “Oo yata.” “Saan tayo mag-o-overnight?” asked Niel and everyone’s eyes flew over where Awa and Europe were standing. Mukha’ng napansin ito ng binata kaya agad ito’ng lumingon sa kanila at pinagkunutan ng noo. “What?” “Overnight daw,” “Geh,” was his only reply. Binalik ng binata ang tingin niya kay Asia. “Coffee?” Asia turned to face Europe, a wicked, teasing smile on her lips. “Ikaw, ha, are you low-key trying to ask me out on a coffee date?” Europe shrugged and looked at her straight in the eyes, “Maybe.” For a brief moment, they held each other’s gazes, as if they were in their own little bubble, like everything around them turned into a blur. “Absolutely,” Asia beamed, “pero pwede ba’ng iba puntahan natin? I know a place.” Tumango lang n

“Wait,” Last urgently said, she could swear she’s making this sniffing sound. And knowing Last, kinakabahan na siya dahil sa talas ng memorya at amoy nito. Sigurado si Awa na may ideya na ito kung sino at kanino’ng amoy iyon. “I know this smell…” “What?” naguguluha’ng tanong ni White. “This smell is familiar,” “Baka si Raf lang,” dinig niya’ng sagot ni Ember sa background. “Nandito siya, e.” “No,” mabilis na sagot ni Last, “I know how Kuya Raf smells…” “The fuck?” natatawang sabi ni Raf, “And how exactly do I smell, Last Alaine?” “Amoy malandi at playboy.” mabilis na sagot ng nakababatang pinsan, na tinawanan nilang lahat. “Totoo kaya!’ “That was rather harsh, Huli.” “Truth hurts, Kuya, suck it up.” “Para’ng hindi tayo mag-pinsan, ah, need I remind, you that we’re all basically carved from the same wood.” “True, but you were carved first, so there might be slight differences here and there.” Last retorted back quickly. “Anyway, as I was saying, Ate Awa… sinong nagnakaw sa