The Archer

Untitled Part 2

It was so sudden. I cannot think properly. It happens so quickly that even I don't have the time to digest all the things that happen.

In this lifetime, who could stay with me?

Everything was a blur. All I know was Kuya Alas was almost out of breath when they get him inside of our broken car. Blood was all over his face. People with some medical equipment came rushing in. While I was on the side crying and trembling don't know what to do. I can feel some fresh cuts and pain within my body but I couldn't care more as I look how medical people revive my almost lifeless brother.

"Hey" I was taken back to reality when someone tap my back.

"Binilhan kita ng sandwich, kanina ka pa kasi walang kain." Saad ni Fay habang umuupo sa tabi ko. Worriedness was written all over her face. I know, I worry them so much but I just couldn't help to spaced out sometimes.

"Salamat." I said and smile at her as I stand up and pack my things.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Fay asked. But, I decided not to answer and just wave her a bid of goodbye.

I just want to spend time alone. I don't have the energy to sit in our classroom and listen to whatever our teacher would discuss.

My life was... okay... not perfect, but okay.

"Kuya, aalis ka na?" Tanong ko ng makita ko siyang nagmamadaling mag ayos ng gamit habang pababa ako ng hagdan.

"Yup, Kailangan kong puntahan yung tatlong stores eh. Kung di pa ako aalis, I'll be late for my 1:30 pm class." Saad niya at niyakap muna ako bago nag tungo sa pintuan at tuluyan ng umalis.

Since our Father died due to cardiac arrest when I was 13, kuya Alas who is still 16 at that time handled our 3 stores because our Mother cannot take all the pain she is dealing with when she loses my Father. Kitang kita ko kung paano nag hirap si Kuya na matutunan ang pag papatakbo ng business namin habang sinasabay niya ito sa kanyang pag-aaral. I wanted to help him but he wouldn't let me at first but I insisted kaya pinayagan niya rin ako. He trusted me to run one of our stores while he takes care of the two. Habang si Mommy naman ay halos hindi na lumabas ng kwarto simula ng mailibing si Daddy.

I close my eyes as the memories of my past keeps on flashing.

It was so stressful for us lalo na kay Kuya na halos hindi na natutulog. Sometimes I felt that Mommy was too selfish to only think of her feelings, but I shrugged it away. Ayaw kong mag tanim ng sama ng loob sa kanya kahit na halos kaming dalawa ni kuya ay hindi man lang nakapag luksa sa pag kawala ni Daddy.

I took a deep breath as I continue remembering it.

It takes almost 2 years bago naka pag move on si Mommy. After she fully recovered, Mommy helped Kuya Alas. It takes months before she takes full in charge of the business. We thought everything would be okay but we're wrong. We found out that Mommy's been spending money to casino. Halos maubos ang pera namin sa banko sa laki ng mga itinaya niya. Kuya Alas was furious ng malaman niya even I cannot deny, that I hate what Mommy did. Mayroon pa siyang utang na si Kuya na mismo ang bumayad gamit ang pera na kinikita ng stores. They fighted. Yun na ata ang pinaka malalang sagutan na nakita ko kay Mommy at Kuya. Mommy was hysterical while Kuya Alas was enraged. After that Kuya Alas decided na siya na ulit ang hahawak sa dalawang stores at muling ipagkatiwala sakin ang isa pa which I did agreed. I know, he can't deal with all of this at once. Kuya couldn't handle all the stress that he's been experiencing. He was being pressure to do a lot of stuffs lalo pa at sa susunod na taon ay 4th year college na sya.