Shot Through the Lights

Kabanata 55

Thank you for making it to the last chapter! I am so, so honored to have you guys read this. I am not very confident when I was writing this piece. And I've experienced multiple breakdowns because I was frustrated most of the time. But now, we're here! Thank you so much and I love you.

Start

We don't have to like every beginning to love the ending. Because life is not really about getting to where you want. It's the journey, the in-betweens, the pauses, the triumphs, and the losses that make every single breath worthwhile.

Just because you had it rough right from the start, doesn't automatically mean you will end things in misery. Sa huli, nasa 'yo pa rin 'yon kung hahayaan moa ng mga bagay-bagay... o kung may gagawin ka para mabago 'yon.

"T-Tama na 'to. Uh, m-mauuna na rin ako. Salamat, Ate."

Simple lang ang mga binitawan niyang salita. Hell, I shouldn't even be affected by this! Pero... si Evelyn 'to, e. Ito ang kapatid kong ilang taong kinimkim ang sama ng loob sa akin. And I endured as much as she did.

Because love is endurance. Love is always patient.

"Okay," ngiti ko. "T-Text me kapag nakauwi ka na nang maayos!"

"I will."

"Bye, Eve."

I patted her head and smiled one last time before she wordlessly turned away.

Sinamahan ko siya sa mall ngayon para mamili ng damit sa upcoming launch niya ng bagong branch. I was actually really surprised when she called me last night. Hindi ako nakatulog, sa totoo lang. Paulit-ulit kong inisip ang tawag at baka guni-guni ko lang 'yon lahat!

Ngunit nang maabutan siya sa lobby ng condo na tinutuluyan ko sa Taft, hindi ko na kailangan pang sampalin ang mukha ko para masabi na ito nga'y realidad at hindi pawang imahinasyon lang.

She looked away when our eyes met.

"Uh, y-you have a great sense of fashion. So... I thought you might want to help me."

"Of course, Eve. As always."

At nasundan 'yon ng iilan pang pagkikita.

We were awkward, alright. Lalo na kapag kasama namin si Alex! Walang pag-aalinlangan 'yong titingin sa amin at oobserbahan ang bawat galaw namin. Hindi niya lang ginagawa 'yon kapag kasama ang nobyo.

But nonetheless, I'm happy. I'm so, so happy. I never thought it would hurt to be this happy. Sa kasiyahang nararamdaman ko, paminsan-minsa'y maiiyak na lang ako kapag naaalala ang mga panahong kasama ko si Evelyn.

I never thought this day would come. Ni hindi ko alam kung sisikatan pa ba ng araw ang relasyon namin bilang magkakapatid. Bagama't naninibago, pareho naming sinusubukan 'to.

"Napag-uusapan niyo ba si Tatay?" tanong ni Alex.

Umiling ako.

We never once talked about our father. As much as possible, iniiwasan naming pareho 'yon.

"Then, kailan?"

"When we're both ready, Lex. Ayokong madaliin si Evelyn. She only opened up to me now. I don't want to risk that."

She nodded.

"May tamang panahon naman talaga para diyan. Hintay-hintay lang, Ate. Darating din kayo sa puntong 'yan."

This is one of the rare moments in which Alex is serious. Kaya imbes na asarin siya ay ngumiti na lang ako. I also prayed for that. Inaasahan ko rin na balang araw ay tuluyan na kaming maging maayos.