I Could Fall

Chapter Forty-Eight

Orion casually sat beside me. Iyong inuupuan ni Kuya Hadeon. Hindi siya tumingin sa akin kaya malaya akong nakapanood sa kilos niya. There's a small smirk on his lips, as if he knows a secret that I don't.

"That's my seat," Kuya Hadeon snidely remarked.

"Oh? You can sit on my lap." Tinapik ni Orion ang hita niya.

"Fucker." My brother nudged Orion's head. Sa halip na masaktan ay natawa pa si Orion sa pananakit ni Kuya sa kanya. Kuya Hades ended up sitting on the chair he originally reserved for Orion.

Nakangising lumingon na sa akin si Orion. Naabutan niya akong nakatingin sa kanya. His smirk transformed into a soft smile. "Hey."

"Hello," I modestly greeted.

"Anong kakainin mo?" He gestured at the menu in front of me.

I showed him the menu. "Grilled Spanish Seafood."

He moved his chair closer to mine. I stiffened at my seat. Seryoso ang mukha niya habang tinitingnan ang menu. My eyes raised at the opposite side of the table and easily found Ali.

His dark eyes were set on Orion. Kunot ang noo niya at walang bahid ng ngiti sa labi. Lumipat ang mga mata niya sa akin.

I breathed in sharply and avoided his eyes. I diverted my attention to Orion who was still browsing the menu.

"A-Anong order mo?" tanong ko para maalis ang atensyon kay Ali.

He turned to me and mischievously smiled. "I think I'll have the Smoked Salmon."

Lumapit na sa amin ang staff para kunin ang orders namin. Si Orion na ang nagsabi ng order naming dalawa.

I subtly glanced at Ali's way again. He wasn't looking our direction anymore. Kausap niya ang mga pinsan ko. The girls were giggling but he remained unsmiling.

"Stop staring at your ex," a whisper near my ear startled me. I looked at Orion. That's the only time when I noticed that he was leaning so close to me. There's a smile on his face but his eyes denote otherwise. "Nakakaselos."

Nag-init ang mukha ko. Was it obvious that I was staring too much? Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya. "H-Hindi naman ako tumititig."

"Stop monopolizing my sister," Kuya Hadeon hissed.

"Why, Hades?" Orion gave his full attention to my brother. "You want me to monopolize you instead?"

"Monopolize my ass," my brother snorted.

"That's the idea." Orion suggestively grinned.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. I understood that remark! Mukhang narinig din ni Kuya Zeno na nasa tabi ko dahil bigla siyang tumawa.

"Gago!" Sinapak ni Kuya Hadeon. "You're corrupting my sister!"

"She knows what I'm talking about. Besides, she's old enough. No need to baby her. Right, Little H?" Orion smugly grinned at me.

Kuya Hadeon facepalmed. "You're such a bad bet, Saldivar."

Lumipas ang oras na puro asaran lang ang ginawa nilang dalawa. Nalibang naman ako sa pakikinig.

The food was served in a timely manner. Naramdaman ko na ang gutom nang ihain na ang mga pagkain sa gitna ng lamesa.

We offered a short prayer before resuming with dinner.

Kuya Zeno placed some rice on my plate for me before placing rice on his. I thanked him.

"Want to taste my salmon?" Orion asked as he sliced a small portion.  Nakakatakam din naman 'yon. I want to taste everything.