Salmon

15: Job

15: Job

   Kahit madilim na ang paligid, mukhang wala pang planong umuwi sila Ate. Ayos lang naman dahil siguradong busy na sila bukas, at ngayong araw lang sila napahinga.

   "Everything's alright?"

   Umawang ang labi ko nang may tumabi sa akin. Kasalukuyan akong lumayo sa kanila saglit at tumambay sa mas malayong parte para huminga.

   "Kuya, ikaw pala," bati ko nang makitang si Kuya Nate iyon.

   My eyes were fixed on him, but he was just looking straight ahead, where the moon was exactly located. Hindi na ako nagdugtong dahil hindi ko alam ang sasabihin lalo't hindi naman siya nagsasalita. Siguro ay naingayan na rin kay Ate, kaya lumayo— napakadaldal eh.

    "How have you been?"

   I glanced at him, and smiled a little. "Ayon lang naman, ganoon pa rin naman ang routine." Natawa ako. "Kayo ni Ate?"

   Napangiti ako nang sumilay ang maliit na kurba sa labi ni Kuya Nate. It was fascinating to see a person who didnn't smile often, smile because of someone.

   I remembered when I was new to a relationship. I knew how to smile, then, but it felt different— it was different to smile because of someone. It was like something wanted to burst from my heart everytime I think of... of Salmon...

   Ay, ewan. Iba na ngayon.

   Now, I wanted to smile for myself.
   
   "Your sister's the most amazing gift I have ever received."

   Gulat kong nilingon si Kuya Nate nang magsalita siya.I didn't expect him to say something like that. I thought he was the type of person who would say, "we're okay", in a conversation.

   Was he really this whipped?

   "I actually don't know how to put it in words, but... but I'm thankful I met her."

   Halos bulong ang boses niya na parang hindi na niya sinasagot ang tanong ko. Parang sarili na lamang niya ang kinakausap habang tulala sa isang direksyon.

   I squinted my eyes and tried to look at where he was looking, and there— I saw my sister typing on her phone. Wala sa sarili ko tuloy inilibot ang paningin para hanapin si Kaden dahil mag-isa lang si Ate sa puwesto namin kanina. 
  
   "And I want to thank you too."

   Nagtatakha kong nilingon si Kuya Nate dahil doon. This time, sa akin na siya nakatingin kaya naman hindi ko mapigilang mamangha sa kulay lupa niyang mata na kapareho lang ng kay Kaiden. Kaiden actually looked like the younger version of him, and softer version.

   "You're welcome?" walang kaide-ideya kong sagot.

   I pursed my lips when he chuckled lightly. That was... surprising.

   "Do you know that because of you, Ken has learned how to stop working on his free time?" tanong niya. "He doesn't like going out with his acquaintances, because he rather work, than drink."

   Ngayon ko langn narinig na magsalita ng ganito ka-haba si Kuya Nate kaya naman nagugulat pa rin ang tainga ko at halos hindi makapag focus sa pinagsasabi niya.

   Pero naiintindihan ko ang ipinupunto niya. Kaiden had already told me that, but hearing those from his brother was concerning than how I expected it.

   "Does he have... traumatic experience from people?" nag-aalinlangan kong tanong.

   Kuya Nate's mouth went ajar, and stared at me for a second. Emotion I couldn't name flashed through his eyes before he shook his head. "None. He just doesn't like booze."