Kabanata 4
Sentimental
I lost track of how many minutes before the three of them exited the study room. Nakaupo lang ako roon at nag-iisip. May kinagalitan na naman si Mommy dahil kay Kuya Rameses. Usually, she'd really keep a blind eye on my brother's troubles because she seemed to favor him a lot. Pero simula noong nalaman namin ang tungkol sa iisang babaeng nagustuhan ng mga kapatid ko, dumalas na ang away nila.
"Kuya," I called softly.
Hindi ko natiis ang hindi pagtayo. Sinalubong ko na sila. I'm worried of them and their problem. Parang hindi pa nasolusyonan kahit sa nangyaring agahan noong nakaraan. I thought it's already done.
Kailan ba mabubura lahat ng ito?
"Tell her you're sorry," utos ni Mommy na hindi pa tuluyang nakababa ng hagdan.
Umawang ang labi ko. Nasa harapan ko ang mga kapatid na kapuwa malamig ang ekspresiyon. Kuya Ram sighed. Umabante siya at lubos kong kinagulat ang pagkabig sa akin para sa isang yakap.
"Wait..." I whispered in confusion.
"I'm sorry, Crescent," garalgal ang kaniyang boses.
Puno ng tanong ay binalingan ko si Kuya Euly. He gave me an assuring smile. It faded quickly but his eyes reflected the same answer. Medyo matagal bago ko nasuklian ang yakap ng kapatid.
"I'm sorry... for making you so upset."
Hindi ako sanay sa naririnig kay Kuya Ram. For a second, I felt embarrassed of our position because we've never done this hugging thing, but I also realized I must take our time. Hindi ko na alam kung kailan ulit ito mangyayari.
Did he do this because Mommy told him to? Mabilis iyong dumaan sa isip ko. Maybe. Maybe he's just... obliged to. Kumirot ang aking dibdib ngunit hindi ako bumitiw sa yakap.
"The next time, think about us first," Mommy's sternness was very audible. "Ano ba kami sa inyo ni Crescent? Mga kung sinong babae lang?"
That hit a spot. Marahan kong tinulak si Kuya Ram. His bloodshot eyes fell on me miserably. I gave him a sad smile. Dumistansiya ako.
"Never, Mom," Kuya Euly answered.
"Then, do the right thing! Itama n'yo naman ito. Kayo na lang ang magkakambal. Magkakapatid. You're not supposed to ruin each other's lives and cause your parents a hard time."
Yumuko ako. Bigla-bigla, ayaw ko na lang makinig sa sinasabi ni Mommy. In any minute, my tears would just fall and I can't guarantee I can still forbid them at this moment.
"I'm backing out."
Kuya Ram was vulnerable. Allover. Tanging mga mata niya ang naglalakas-loob na maging matapang. Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin, mas nakita ko sa kaniya ang sakit na pilit niyang tinatago. His clenched fists were the evidence.
"Eulyses?"
Mommy's sharp eyes darted to my ever enduring brother. He's a bit gloomy but he just took a deep breath and gave her a nod. Sa ginawa niyang iyon ay parang nabunutan ng malaking tinik si Mommy. She even massaged her nape.
"We're done, then. I'm going out to check your father. Wala na akong makikita, maririnig, o mababalitaan, malinaw?"
Palabas pa lamang si Mommy ay nanggulat na naman si Daddy sa biglang pagpasok. Sa pagkakataong ito, hindi niya narinig ang lahat. No one raised their voice, anyway. Rience pushed his wheel chair. Now I'm curious why he could walk yesterday and now cannot.
"You're going home, Rience?" gulat na tanong ni Mommy.
Nasa sala kami. It's seemed like a family meeting again. This time, Rience had his seat on the single couch adjacent to our sofa. Katabi ko ang mga kapatid ko. Ako ang mas malapit kay Rience.
