The Secret's Magic

Kabanata 15

"Jess, tara."

Kumunot ang noo ko when Rod pulled me. "Where are we going ba? Rod hindi mo pa ako naaayusan!"

He continued dragging me palabas ng backstage hanggang sa nakarating kami sa likod ng gym. I scanned the place. What are we doing here? It's so masukal kaya dito. What if there's a rat? Or worst a snake?

"Madali lang 'yan. Bilisan mo, may supporter kang dumating." He excitedly said. "'Yun sila!" He pointed the other part of the place.

Nanlaki ang mata ko when I recognized who Rod's pertaining to!

"Ate!"

"Oh my gosh... Cole!"

I run towards him and hug him the tightest way I can after bending my knees. 

"I miss you, ate." He said.

Nilubog ko ang mukha ko sa leeg ng kapatid ko. Oh my God! He's really here! I can't believe it. Akala ko si Tita Nathie lang ang manunuod.

I look straight, and there I saw my Tita and her husband, Tito Damien. Both are smiling widely as they watch me and my brother reunite.

"Tita..." I said.

Lumapit silang mag-asawa papalapit sa aming mag kapatid. "I'm sorry you have to meet us here, Calla. You're friend told us your situtation when we bump with him kanina sa labas." Tita Nathie said.

I look behind me to see Rod. Nakangiti siya ng maluwag sa akin and he even gave me a thumbs up. "Thank you." I mouthed to him.

"I didn't imagine you would bring Cole with you, Tita." I said while brushing my brother's hair using my fingers.

"Me too, ate. Tita Nathie and Tito Damien told Mama na they'll treat me dinner. I'm so happy na sayo pala kami pupunta, ate." 

Marahan kong ginulo ang buhok ng kapatid ko. He's so bubbly. "You happy?" I asked him.

Mabilis siyang tumango tango. "Of course, ate! Tita Nathie said you'll be joining a pageant. I know you'll win, ate. You're beautiful and smart as well."

Natawa kaming lahat sa kadaldalan ni Cole. I can't still believe that he's here.

"As much as we want to finish the program, we can't Calla. Sinabi ko sa bruha mong ina na iuuwi namin si Cole before your Papa arrived from Manila." Tita Nathie said.

"What's bruha, Tita?"

Binalot ng malakas na tawa ni Rod and buong lugar. He gave us a peace sign when we all look at him. "Sorry, mamsh. Ang kyut ni Cole eh."

Napailing na lang ako. I look at Cole again and hug him once more.

No one knows kung kelan ko ulit makikita ang kapatid ko. Nothing is certain with the situation I am into, kaya as much as possible I want to make the most out of this moment. Even if it's just a limited amount of time.

"Ate I want to watch you!" Umiiyak na si Cole when Tita Nathie and Tito Damien tried to told him na kailangan na nilang umalis.

"Cole, listen. Papa's near na sa bahay. You need to go home na." Paliwanag ko sa kanya but he still wont stop from crying.

"No, ate. I just w-want to stay here muna."

Hindi ko magawang magsalita. This is one thing that I hate to see. Seeing Cole crying is one of my Achilles' heel. Mas maluwag ang mga magulang namin kay Cole but they can't deny that they are also controlling his life. Just like me, bahay-school lang din ang route niya every day.