Behind the Scenes

Author's note: Here's chapter 3. Di masyado pulido ang pagkakagawa nitong third chapter. Madalian eh. Babawi ako sa next chapters. Promise. :)

Kath stood frozen, unable to process what Albie just did. After some time, she was able to gather back her wits and said, "Wha- What was that for?" "I'm sorry. I just wanted to thank you. Are you mad?" Albie smiled cutely to Kath. Kath, in reply, said, "No, I'm not. Sige na, Albie. Baka ma-traffic ka sa daan."

Unknown to Albie and Kath, Kathryn's Daddy, Gabriel was looking at them at the window.

Albie went into his car with a silly smile plastered on his face. As he drove home, he kept on thinking of Kathryn and he shuddered as the thought of Kath's dad entered his mind. He felt odd upon realizing that it's the first time that he's been spending so much time and effort on a girl who isn't his girlfriend. He just shrugged off the thought and focused on his driving.

As he entered his home, he was greeted by the image of his mom and younger brother, Adam, bickering, while his dad was sitting comfortably on the couch while watching Mara Clara.

"Oh, Albie! Nakarating ka na pala. Tapos ka na bang mag-dinner?" Rina asked. Albie on the other hand just kept on smiling, as if he didn't hear his mom. "Hoy, Albie! Kinakausap ka ng Mommy mo. Ano bang nangyayari sa'yong bata ka at kanina ka pa nakangiti?" Benjo asked. Still, no reply from Albie. "Hoy, Kuya!" Adam screamed at his big brother as he playfully hit his arm. Albie snapped back to reality, "Ha? Anong sabi mo?" "Tinatanong ka ni Mommy kung kumain ka na. Kuya, ano ka ba? Para kang timang! Kanina ka pa nakangiti jan!"

"Ah? Oo, Mommy. I had dinner with Kath and her family po. Ito nga po pala, pinagbalot po kayo ni Tita Iya ng food na niluto niya." Albie said with a smile. "Sige Mom, Dad, Bro, akyat na ako sa room ko. Good night."

Albie went to his room, leaving his family confused. "Ano daw? Did he just say he had dinner with the Bernardos?" Rina asked. "Ano bang pinakain sa kanya doon at di siya maiwan-iwan ng ngiti niya?" Benjo seconded. "I will have to investigate on this." With that said, Adam left as he followed his brother to his room.

"Hoy, kanina ka pa nakangiti jan, Bro ah? Baka naman gusto mong i-share sa'kin." Adam said to Albie in a teasing tone. "Wala, 'Tol. Masaya lang talaga ako ngayon. Kung tatanungin mo ako kung bakit, pasensya, Bro. I also don't know why." Albie replied with all the firmness of his voice. "Pero dahil ba kay Kath? I thought you don't like girls younger than you?" Adam asked again. "Bro, okay ka lang? Who said anything about me liking Kath? I mean, yeah, I like Kath, but only as a friend." Albie replied with a shift in his voice. "Mag-ingat ka, Kuya ha? Love is lethal. Baka kainin mo 'yang pagdi-deny mo ngayon." Adam said, still teasing his older brother.

Albie was silenced by his brother's words. "What? Am I actually liking Kath? By means of like, like as in L-I-K-E?" Albie asked himself. Albie's train of thoughts was cut off when his little brother threw a pillow on him and said, "Ano? Ba't natahimik ka jan? Is it true? You like Kath?" Albie remained silent for some time.

As he gained back his mind, he changed the topic and said to his brother, "Lumabas ka na nga, Adam! Matutulog na ako. May mall show pa ako bukas." "Talaga? Sinong kasama?" Adam asked, attempting to prolong the conversation with his big brother. " "Halos lahat ng cast, why?" Albie returned the question. "Wala lang, bakit? Masama bang magtanong?" Adam defended himself. "Sige na nga, matutulog na ako. Lumipat ka na dun sa kwarto mo?" Albie commanded to Adam. "Sige na, sige na, if I know tatawagan mo pa yung Kathryn mo eh, kaya pinapalabas mo na ako." Adam again teased. "Loko! Lumabas ka na nga." Adam finally left Albie's room.

As soon as Adam left his room, Albie quickly fished his phone from his pocket and text messaged Kath. They exchanged a series of text messages before they hit the sack.

Their text messages came like this:

Albie: Hey, Kath. I'm home now. Thanks for dinner. T'was delicious.

Kath: Glad you're safe. You're welcome. Mom said balik ka daw soon.

Albie: Sure will. Hey, you received the info for tom's mall show?

Kath: Nope, I guess. What mall show?

Albie: May mall show daw tayo tom sa MOA with whole MC teens. 3PM. 11AM call time at ABS Compound.

Kath: I see. Thanks for the info.

Albie: Sabay na tayo tomorrow, I'll pick you up at 10. If it's fine with you.

Kath: Sure. Will tell Mom about it now. Thanks for the offer.

Albie: Walang problema! Bossing nga kita, diba?

Kath: Mom said yes. Albie, I'm sleepy na. Sleep ka na rin.

Albie: Yeah, good night. Sleep well, Bossing.

Kath: Likewise, sleep well, Albie. See you tomorrow.

Albie: Yeah, see you tomorrow. :)

Albie was smiling the whole time they were exchanging text messages. "Hoy, Kuya, iba na 'yan ha? May pa-bossing-bossing ka pang nalalaman kay Kath! You like her, right?" Adam disturbed his brother. Albie was shocked upon realizing that his younger brother was sitting beside him, reading his text messages the whole time. "Kanina ka pa ba, jan?" Albie asked as he was confused on how his brother entered his room without him knowing. "Oo, kaninang-kanina pa. Ikaw, Kuya, sabi mo walang lihiman? Mukhang nagsi-secret ka na sa'kin ngayon ah?" Adam continued teasing his brother. "Alam mo ikaw, nagiging pakialamero ka na." Albie said. "At ikaw naman nagiging sinungaling na!" Adam replied.

"Admit it, Bro. You're slowly being drawn to Kath." Adam said, still in his hyperactive teasing voice. "C'mon, Bro, alam mo naman yung mga type ko eh, diba?" Albie said in defense of himself. Adam replied, "Oo, alam ko. Yung maganda, mabait, matalino, caring, malambing na palaban, etc. diba?" Albie smiled on how his brother described his "ideal girl." "At lahat ng yun, na kay Kathryn na." Adam continued. Albie was again caught off guard by his younger brother's statement. It seems he could not hide anything from his brother after all. Before he could defend himself again, Adam left his room leaving him dumbfounded.

Albie couldn't sleep since his brother's words never left his mind. "I like Kath?" he kept on asking himself. He was able to sleep after hours of thinking about his feelings, but to no avail, he ended up sleeping with his question unanswered.

End chapter note: Ang slow ng pacing ng fanfic! Sorry! Will try my best to advance the pace of the story on the next chapters. Promise. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Stay tuned for Chapter 4. :)