HYEORAEK

Part 22: The Infected

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"Get ready guys," I heard kuya reminded everyone.

Ilang beses na akong nagpabalik balik ng tingin kay kuya, at sa iba pa na mabilis na naghahanda para sa kanilang paglabas sa kombento.

Kanina pa nagtatalo ang isip ko kung kakausapin ko nga ba siya o hindi.

You'll just talk to him and that's it! My mind reminded me pero nanatili pa rin ako sa kinalalagyan ko malapit sa pinto habang malayang nakatingin sa mga kasamahan ko.

"Matt, hold this one," Xavier called Matt.

Mabilis na hinagis ni Xavier ang hawak niyang bag papunta sa kinalalagyan ni Matt. Agad naman niya itong nasalo at sinilip ang nasa loob.

"Hubarin mo na kasi 'to!" I heard the voice of Drew behind my back kaya napalingon ako roon.

"Ayoko ko nga kasi," Rhimson insisted.

Parang mga bata kung mag-agawan ng salamin si Rhimson at Drew. Pilit na hinihila ni Drew ang salamin ni Rhimson palayo rito pero nagpupumilit naman si Rhimson na ibalik ulit ito sa mga mata niya.

"Let's go," Nang marinig ko na naman ang boses ni kuya ay hindi na ulit ako nagpatalo ng kaduwagan ko at malaking hakbang ang ginawa ko para makalapit agad sa kanya.

Napatingin sila sa 'kin pero nanatili lang ang tingin ko sa nakakatanda kong kapatid na wala atang balak na magpaalam man lang sa 'kin.

"Erros," mahihimigan ang panginginig ng boses ko dahil sa inis pero nagawa ko pa ring tawagin ang pangalan niya.

He was planning to leave without informing me?

How could a big brother do that to his little sister!

As soon as our eyes meet I immediately regret what I've said. Tiredness is evident to his eyes down from his pale face.

I breathed so hard before I let my words out.

"We have to talk after this," I said to him without taking away my eyes to him.

Kahit alam kung nakatingin lang sila sa amin ay hindi pa rin ako pinanghinaan ng loob na papansinin ako ni kuya. D*mn this siblings quarrel!

I blinked so many times when I received unexpected response from him. He just give me his sweetest smile and patted my shoulder.

"Don't worry. I'm not mad at you or anything, I forgive you already without you asking my forgiveness," he said while grinned. By that word of him I immediately removed his hand from my shoulder and a bitter laugh slip out from my mouth.

He's back from his old self again.

"I'm not the only one who have to apologize!" I blurted out.

He smiled at me again and fixed his large bag hanging on his shoulder.

"Take care of yourself and the baby. Your old brother will be back, safe and sound." That's the last word he said and quickly pulled the door of the convent with the help of Xavier.