Page 35 of Not My Type, Not Yet.

"Congrats for winning the trophy baby," I said softly. Napangisi sya at pinatakan ng halik ang labi ko sa harap ng madla.

"Thank you for coming kahit medjo na late ka na, you had me worried for goodness sake," he pursed his lips kaya napatawa ako. I snatched his waist and pulled him even closer.

"I will climb mountains, defy the storms just to get to you—so don't worry I'll always show up in front of you, baby. No matter what..." I said sincerely—wholeheartedly. I mean it, kahit saang dako pa sya ng mundo isang tawag lang, pupuntahan ko sya agad kahit gaano pa sya kalayo.

The things that I would do to return in his embrace is more than I could fathom. Pareho kaming napangiti, pinagdikit nyang muli ang noo namin.

We stayed in that position until we heard a clap...napatingin kami sa paligid at nakita namin don ang sari-saring reaksyon ng mga estudyante. Other were shocked...I mean I couldn't blame them, samantalang walang pakialam ang iba.

"WHERE'S THE TROPHY WE JUST COME RUNNING OVER TO ME!!!" Si Abigail habang patalon-talon dahil sa sobrang kilig. Na sinabayan naman ng iba kaya napatawa kami.

Isang nakakabinging hiyawan at palakpakan ang pumalibot saamin, nagkatinginan kami, mga ngiting nagsasayawan sa labi namin na para bang nahanap ang tempo na para sa aming dalawa.

I'm ready to be ridiculed the moment his lips touch mine, I'm ready to risk it all the moment I see him running over to me.

"What a show off," natatawa kong saad kay Knox na syang tinawanan nya. Lumayo sya sa akin ng unti, brushed his hair up and lick his lips. His eyes changed color the moment the sunlight kissed his face.

"Ang hirap mong itago eh, kung kani-kanino ka nalang shiniship. Nakakaselos," para bang bata nyang saad. Napakagat ako sa labi ko to stifle my smile.

"I didn't know na shiniship na pala ako sa iba, buti sana kong tayong dalawa ang shiniship baka matuwa pa ako," ngumisi ako sakanya. He scoffed but the grin on his lips danced.

Hihigitin ko pa sana ang beywang nya when Devin's voice cuts through the crowd kaya napatingin kami don. The moment he clapped his hands, I clenched my jaw.

"So he's your princess huh? Or are you his princess?" his mocking smile makes the corner of my eyes twitch.

"What do you want?" I spatted and hid Knox behind me.

Matunog syang napangisi. "Does your father know about this?" napaigting ang panga ko dahil sa kakapalan ng mukha nya.

Does he think na matatakot ako once he mentioned that God forsaken father of mine?

I raised him an eyebrows. "Does this concern him?" I asked na ikinakibit ng balikat.

"I thought he would want to know that his only son won't be giving him a grandchild anytime soon," he laughed slightly.

Napakuyom ang kamao ko dahil sa kakapalan ng mukha ng isang to.

I released my fist, relaxed my shoulder, cock my head in his direction. "Go on, do you think matatakot ako?" I said smugly. His smirk flattened and it made the corner of my lips raise.

He took a step forward and was about to open his mouth ng biglaan syang napaliyad because someone pulled his hair.

"What an actual fuck!" he roared and was ready to throw a punch to the person who pulled his hair when his fist halted mid air.

"Ano? manununtok kang kabayo ka?" isang maarteng boses ang nagpatigil sa kanya. I tilted my neck to see the person who can make my devilish cousin to shut up.

I saw a lean and fair boy, standing in with his hands on his hips. Mas lalong tumaas ang kilay nya.

"Lakas ng loob mong mag simula ng away ha," he reprimanded him.

"This is not your business, Eziah, stay out of it." Devin drawled at him. Napairap sya sa sinabi ni Devin at nag lakad papunta sa kanya, he tip toe and pulled Devin's ear.

"Ah, none of my business pala ha, what if gawin kong tinola tong tenga mo. Tama na yang kagagohan mo at mag si punta kayo sa line nyo," aniya na may pagbabantang tono. As if Devin would actually obey.

I was waiting for him to shut him off when he lowered his head.

"Fine." He said and turned his heel.

Bumagsak ang panga ko dahil sa nakita. The actual fuck? Devin didn't retaliate? Really?!!! The fuck?

The boy called Eziah turned to face me and offered a sincere smile. Knox wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him. Minata ko sya at nakitang magkasalubong ang kanyang kilay habang deretsong nakatingin kay Eziah.

A shiver ran down my spine. A jealous Knox. I covered my mouth with my palm to try and hide the grin that's about to dance on my lips.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to steal someone's boyfriend," he said and raised his hands. "Pasensya na sa ginawa ni Deb, I'll talk to him. Sana mapatawad nyo sya," he bowed his head apologetically.

Knox eyebrows relaxed. "He busted my lips and you think I'll forgive him just like that?" he said coldly.

Inangat nya ang kanyang ulo at ngumiti ng payak.

"I swear, mabuting tao si Devin sadyang na pressure lang ata.

Please don't take it to heart, ako na ang humihingi ng pasensya.

" He then shifted his gaze towards me. "You're Austine right?

Hello pasensya na sa naging asal nya," he said softly kaya nagkasalubong ang kilay.

"Why are you trying so hard to defend him?" I asked. Humugot sya ng isang malalim na hininga, tilted his head and smile...defeatedly.

"Dahil kilala ko sya, alam ko kung anong klaseng tao sya. I know naman na a lot of people misunderstood him but I saw who he really was so I want you to look at him the way I saw him," malumanay nyang saad. Napahawak na lang ako sa batok ko.

Aside sa masama ang ugali ng isang yun hindi ko alam na may side pala sya na hindi ko alam.

"Funny cuz why is he acting like that if he doesn't want others to misunderstand him?" Knox snorted, halata mong iritado pa dahil sa ginawa sa kanya ni Devin.

"You know that very well, Knox..."He said meaningfully. My eyes landed on Knox. He looked taken back for a moment before a wide grin crossed his striking face.

"I see," aniya. Ngumisi si Eziah at tumango.

"I'll make sure na hihingi sya ng tawad sa inyo," he assured before he turn his back and walked towards their bleachers.

I shot a glance at Knox. Pinaningkitan ko sya ng mata. "What was that?" I said suspiciously. "Bat parang may hidden message don ha?" tinusok ko ang tagiliran nya na syang ikinapitlag nya sabay tawa.

"Jealous?" he taunted with a grin. I pursue my lips.

"Daya," maktol ko.

After announcing the winner humirit pa ang emcee at pinatawag ako sa gitna ng court para isama sa picture.

With the basketball team, I was standing in the middle with Knox by my side holding the trophy they just won.

I smiled at the camera...awkwardly. Ang daming nanonood.

Kabaliktaran naman ng mga ka teammates ni Knox, they were beaming with pride and joy.

Finally after a long time of being trampled by St. Louise they finally regained their name and brought honour to our school.

After that Hyacinth and Knox got into an argument na hindi ko narinig dahil pinaligiran din naman ang mga ka teammates ni Knox, introducing themselves. Kilala ko naman sila mostly.

"Apparently, Hyacinth didn't like you and asked Knox to break up with you," Si Abigail. Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko dahil sa narinig.

That bitch!

"Why would she do that?" My jaw clenched. Puta.

Abigail shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe because he likes him?" seryoso nyang saad . Napakagat ako sa labi ko habang pinagmamasdan silang dalawa.

Knox looked at her coldly as her eyes started to swell up with tears. I shrugged my shoulders and put my hands inside my pockets.

"They can try and snatch him away from me," I said cooly, sumunod sakin si Abi.

"Wow ha, di kaba natatakot? ang ganda kaya ni Hyacinth crush ko rin yan dati," aniya.

I smirk. "Kampante ako Abi, kahit iharap mo pa ang sandamakmak na nagkakagusto sa kanya, ako at ako pa rin ang pipiliin nya." Mayabang kong sabi.

"Bat naman? sure ka ba na hindi magbabago nararamdaman nya?" she asked as she leveled my pace.

I side-eye her, lick my lips and comb my hair with my fingers. "Dahil ako lang ang nilalaman ng puso at isip nya Abi," I said proudly.

Mga papansin lang yung mga lumalapit sa kanya, report ko account ng Hyacinth na yun eh.

Speaking of account inaksep na ako ni Knox sa pesbok. Set ko nga status namin. Married ilalagay ko, sinabi ko lang naman yun just to make myself good dahil naiirita ako sa babaeng yun.

Iseset ko na sana ang status namin when someone called me. Agad na nanlaki ang mata ko ng makitang si nanay Melda ang tumatawag. It's probably Elise kaya agad kong sinagot ang tawag.

"Eli–" My excitement got cut off by nanay Melda's sobs.

Agad na nagkasalubong ang kilay ko. "Nay, ano pong nangyari? asan si Elise?" agaran kong tanong.

"S-sir, kelan po kayo uuwi dito?" aniya sa mababang tono.

"Bakit po? Ano pong nangyari?" Nag-aalala kong tanong.

"Si ma'am Elise po kasi sobrang taas ng lagnat. Hindi ko rin sya madala sa hospital dahil ayaw nyang umalis hinahanap ka nya," aniya.

"Yung magaling kong ama asan na?" he should be at home right now.

"Isang linggo na pong hindi umuuwi dito. Kasama nya si madam. Di ko na alam kong anong gagawin ko sir," she sobbed.

"Asan sila?"

"Nasa Milan po sir, nagbabakasyon."

Agad na kumulo ang dugo ko dahil sa narinig. Walang kwentang ama. They have the time to fuck around but don't have enough time to care for their daughter. At talagang iniwan pa nila ha. The audacity!

Agad akong dumiretso sa dorm namin ni Knox para kunin ang mga gamit ko. Kong hindi kayang maging magulang kay Elise pwes ako na ang gagawa. Nakakaawa ang bata, may nanay at tatay pero ni hindi nya man lang maramdaman na nandyan sila.

"Baby, san ka pupunta?" Knox's hand landed on my shoulder.

"Bat ka nandito? Akala ko nasa court ka pa?" I said and reached for his hand bago halikan ang likod nito.

Lumuhod sya sa tabi ko, fix my hair and grab my chin to face him. "Nakita kitang nagmamadali kaya sinundan kita." He uttered softly. Binitawan ko ang damit na hawak-hawak ko at sumandal sakanya.

"Elise needs me. Habang nagbabakasyon ang magagaling nyang magulang nandon sya sa bahay naiwan at inaapoy ng lagnat.

She wanted to see me...hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko.

I don't want Elise to suffer the way I did," mahina kong ani.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder at hinalikan ang tuktok ng ulo ko.

"Hmm...dalhin natin si Elise sa bahay. Don muna kayo pansamantala. Akong bahala sa inyo. Shut your brain and I'll take care of the rest, Austine." Napakagat ako sa labi ko dahil sa sinabi nya, napayuko na lang ako. I hugged his side and buried my face in the crook of his neck.

"I'm sorry for being a burden, Knox. Ayaw sana kitang idamay pero ikaw lang ang mapagsasabihan ko..."

He caresses my back tenderly. "Dadamayan kita mahal.

I won't let you suffer alone again. Nandito ako, your burden became mine as well.

I want to carry them all, I want you to breathe—to lean on me kaya wag kang manghingi ng sorry, Austine.

Mahal kita kaya willing akong gawin ang lahat ng yun because I know how vulnerable you get pag si Elise na ang usapan.

" Malumanay at puno ng pagmamahal na aniya.

Huminga ako ng malalim. I feel safe for the first time. In his arms I can be as vulnerable as I want, I can cry and he'll offer his shoulder. I don't want to hide myself from him because I know that no matter how ugly my side can be.... he'll always be there.

When two hearts collide it is undeniable that you don't want them to be hurt by not telling the things that drown and break you into pieces and the other thinks the opposite. They want you to lean on them, to cry on their shoulder and tell them things you keep hidden behind your facade.

Nakakagaan sa puso when you can finally shut your brain from thinking.

Iniwan namin ang celebrasyon, nong hapon na yun agad kaming umalis at bumyahe papuntang bahay. Nasabi ko sakanya lahat-lahat ng hinanakit ko sa mga taong yun. Buong byahe hindi ako mapakali at panay ang tawag kay nanay Melda.

"Hindi nya po hinahanap ang magulang nya, ikaw daw po ang gusto nyang makita."

Ang huling saad nya bago ko patayin ang tawag. Knox's squeezed my hand to reassure na nandyan lang sya sa tabi ko. I manage to give him a small smile before I close my eyes and shut my brain from thinking.

No words were spoken but I could feel his presence.

Pagdating namin sa bahay agad akong bumaba sa kotse at tinakbo ang daan papuntang kwarto ni Elise habang nakasunod sakin si Knox. Naabutan kong mahimbing na natutulog si Elise kaya dahan-dahan ko syang nilapitan at umupo sa gilid ng kama nya.

"Elise, Kuya's here na," I said softly. Inayos ko ang towel sa noo nya. Yumuko ako and kissed her burning forehead. "Nandito na ang kuya baby," mahina kong bulong.

She shifted at dahan-dahan nyang binuksan ang kanyang mata. She blinked twice before her eyes focused on me. I smiled and caressed her hair. "Kuya?" nanghihina nyang saad sa garalgal na boses.

"Hmm?"

Dahan-dahan syang umupo kaya inalalayan ko sya. Kumimbot ang labi nya habang nakatingin sakin. "B-bakit ngayon ka lang?" she finally broke down.

Unti-unting tumulo ang luha nya and I swear to god that it broke me. Malumanay ko syang nilapitan, I gently grabbed her small and fragile hand. "Kuya is sorry baby, a-akala ko you're doing good here."

Agad syang umiling. "I've been waiting for you but you wouldn't even answer your phone po. I just wanted to play with you..." she sobbed.

My jaw clenched and then it hit me. I was so busy dealing with my own emotions that I've already forgotten that there's a person dealing the same fate I had back then. Oh dear god just why.

Kinarga ko sya at pinaupo sa kandungan ko. "Sorry Elise, Kuya is here na. Ako ng bahala sayo, babawi si Kuya ha? M-magpagaling ka muna..." My voice came out croaked.

"You don't hate me?" she sobbed.

"No, I love you."

Natahimik sya, maya-maya pa her shrilling voice echoed in every corner of her room. "That god! Kuya loves Elise," she sobbed and sobbed until my own vision blurred.

May naramdaman akong mainit na kamay na humahaplos sa likod ko, I crane my neck to see Knox...smiling. He bent his knees and hugged us both.

Ilang minuto kaming umiyak ni Elise hanggang sa tumahan na rin sya. She cupped my face and wiped the tears from my cheeks. "I miss you Kuya," she said habang naiyak-iyak pa.

I kissed her cheeks, "I miss you too sunshine."

She giggled hanggang sa napunta ang mata nya sa likod ko. She crawled out of my lap and don pumunta kay Knox. She cupped his face and kissed his forehead before hugging his neck. Napangiti ako.

"You came back po," she said sweetly. "Are you here to play with me also?"

Knox chuckled. "Even better. Kong ok lang sayo let's go to the beach, mag cacamping tayo don kasama si Kaycee, what do you say hmm?" He said softly habang nilalaro ang buhok ni Elise.

Palihim kon kinuha ang cellphone ko at kinunan sila ng larawan na magkayakap. Ang pink ng kwarto ni Elise, parang di bagay sa sigang katulad nya.

Elise gasped in excitement, "Really?!" she exclaimed. "Camping at the beach?!" her eyes basically twinkled.

Tumango si Knox. "Pero bago yun, magpapagaling ka muna. Payag ka ba na don muna kayo ni Kuya mo sa bahay namin? Makakasama mo don si Kaycee."

"Yes po please!!! I want to go where my kuya goes, it's better to be with him and be here all by myself."

Mapait akong napangiti. Knox eyed me, he extended his arms as if welcoming me for a hug. Without a second thought I hopped in and hugged them. Elise giggled.

"We are like a happy family po, both my Kuya Austine and Kuya Knox. I can't wait to meet Ate Kaycee! We're going to play at the beach, and swim in the ocean." She turned her head to see me. "And kuya I want to go on a picnic with you."

I nodded. "Where else do you want to go?" I said, smiling.

"Amusement park! Let's ride all the rides po!!!" nagniningning ang kanyang mata kaya mas lalo akong napangiti.

"Sure, let's do that." I said na mas lalong ikinaliwanag ng mukha nya.

"Let's sama ate Kaycee ha!"

"We are all going." Knox replied.

I failed to protect her and let her experience all the bad things pero hindi pa naman huli ang lahat. Hanggat hindi pa tapos ang kwento may pag-asa pa.