Since we were 18

Chapter 19

"Ikaw.."

Tito Ralph entered the room.

He looked at me and then to Kuya Laslo.

"Get your things and leave this room. Baka mahawa ka sa kabaklaan ng pinsan mo." he said to me while intensely looking to Kuya Laslo.

I didn't bring anything in this room. I just go here to check Kuya and I didn't know that Tito Ralph will enter his room. Tumingin ako kay Kuya Laslo na ngayon ay tinanguan lang ako. Dahan-dahan akong lumabas ng kwarto at nagulat ako sa biglaang kalabog sa loob ng kwarto kaya napabalik ako.

Kuya Laslo is now lying in the floor.

I help him to get up and looked at Tito Ralph. "Tito, tama na po." I said.

Dumudugo ang labi ni Kuya Laslo ngayon dahil sa pagkakasapak sa kaniya ni Tito. Hinatak ako ako ni Tito palayo kay Kuya Laslo. "Pack your things and never go back here. I don't want to see your face!" he shouted.

We leave the place together.

"Don't go near with him kung ayaw mo mahawa sa kabaklaan ng taong 'yon." pilit na lang akong tumango kahit sa kaloob-looban ko gusto ko siyang sagutin.

How dare him to disrespect his own son. His own blood.

We are now heading downstairs, and I excused myself para puntahan sana si Lolo. I asked the maid where the room of my Lolo is, tinuro rin naman niya agad at hindi na ako nahirapan hanapin ang kwartong 'yon.

I knocked first before entering the room. He didn't answer so I entered the room. I saw my parents and Tita Helena. They are talking about someone and looks like arguing of something. Lumapit ako at nagmano kay Lolo, he just smiled to me.

"What are you doing here, Alex?" Mom asked.

Tita Helena looked at me.

Wala siyang ka-alam-alam na sinaktan na naman ni Tito si Kuya Laslo. I want to tell her but for sure they will fight again. Mabuting si Kuya na lang magsabi and I don't want to interfere anymore baka maging dahilan lang ng panibagong away nila.

"I just want to greet Lolo po, hindi ko po kasi siya nabati kanina because on what happened earlier.." I said.

Tumikhim lang sa gilid si Tita Helena, tila pinapanood ang mga bawat galaw ko. I walked near to Lolo and greet him a very happy birthday even on what happened earlier. He opens his arms so I can hug him, lumapit ako ron para yakapin siya.

I excused myself then, may mga gusto pa sana akong itanong kay Lolo kaya lang nandiyan naman ang parents ko at si Tita Helena so I will save these questions for now and whenever I have a time to go here, I will ask him then.

Tuluyan na akong nakalabas ng kwarto at makalabas sa loob ng mansion. Hinanap ko ang mga kaibigan ko sa alon ng mga tao, marami pa rin ang tao rito na para bang walang nangyari kanina.

Sa isang banda, kumaway sa akin si Juri na kasama ang iba naming mga kaibigan. Kasama rin nila ang kapatid ko. Tinungo ko ang daan papunta roon at umupo sa mahabang lamesa kung saan kami nakapwesto kanina.

"What happened? Nasan sila Mama?" my brother asked.

I whispered that they are in the room of Lolo.

He just nodded. Inabala niya ang sarili sa pagdutdot sa kaniyang cellphone kaya ang mga kaibigan ko na lang ang binalingan ko ng atensyon.

"Where have you been?" Crescentia asked.

I answered her that I went to my Lolo's room. They just nodded and I saw the curiosities in their eyes, mukhang may gustong malaman sa naganap kanina. I don't want to say something to them, masiyado na nakakahiya ang nangyari kanina and I don't want them to think that this family is very problematic.