The Brotherhood

Chapter 23 (Part 1)

Yuri

One month, three days, seven hours, 23 minutes, and 42 seconds had passed since the last time I saw Yago.

It's been a month since I decided to leave him; to follow my dreams and not to walk away from our relationship. But maybe he thinks I did walked away. Maybe Yago thought I really left him for good.

Naghintay ako sa kanya. Akala ko susundan niya ako. Knowing Yago, he would follow me wherever I go. But this time, he did not. Natatakot ako sa mga posibleng rason kung bakit niya ako hinayaang lumayo sa kanya. Binibigyan niya kaya ako ng space? O sumuko na siya?

Noong mga unang araw ko dito sa Boston, hindi ako makatulog 'pag gabi kaya naman ay kumuha na lang ako ng night classes. Di rin kasi ako makapag-concentrate kapag umaga. Di ko alam kung dahil naninibago ako o sadyang namimiss ko lang talaga si Yago. Funny how I chose to leave him yet I'm the one who feels sad.

I feel sad everyday.

Lagi akong nagigising na malungkot. I would always start my day feeling lonely and unthrilled. Wala akong gana na mag-aral. Ang hirap hirap pala mag-isa. Nasanay kasi ako na laging nandyan si Yago para sa'kin.

Dati, noong nag-aaral pa kami pareho, gigising ako na nasa kwarto ko na si Yago kasi lagi akong late maggising kaya late na rin kami sa school. Even my coffee, Yago would always bring me coffee. And now, I find it so hard to brew my own.

Life is so hard without him.

The clock ticked to 8 pm. I have no classes today. But I spent the whole day doing nothing.

I decided to watch netflix but then Erin sent me a Zoom Meeting invitation.

Right, of course. Tomorrow is my 25th birthday. But since the Philippines is 12 hours ahead of Boston, MA, USA, birthday ko na ngayon sa Pinas. 8AM na ngayon doon.

I clicked the 'join' button.

I was greeted by Erin, Raven, Zeyn and Ethan.
"Happy birthday, Yuriiiiiiiiiiiii! Miss na kita! Life is so boring without you here. There, aamin na ako na miss nga kita kasi birthday mo naman. But, oh, don't flatter yourself." Erin said sarcastically.

Nasa office siya ni Mommy ngayon sa Wyatt Academy. Mommy greeted me yesterday thinking it was my birthday. Nakalimutan niya raw kasi sobrang marami siyang ginagawa ngayon. I know, and I understand.

"Happy birthday, Yuri! Kailan ka uuwi? Mag uwi ka naman ng chicks" I rolled my eyes at what Ethan said.

He is still being his old self. How disappointing. Erin mentioned last week about Zaina Sanders and Ethan. Akala ko pa naman magseseryoso na si Ethan. I guess I'm wrong. Maybe Zaina is really just a one-time thing for Ethan.

"Ugh, grow up, Ethan!" Erin scolded him.
Ethan raised his middle finger at Erin. Matapang lang yan si Ethan kasi hindi sila magkasama ni Erin ngayon.

Then, Raven opened his camera. Nasa loft siya at mukhang nagmamadaling magbihis. He is in his room. May pasok siguro siya ngayon.
"Happy birthday, Yuri! How's school?" Umiling ako at umirap. God, I hate school.

"Mukha ba akong na-eenjoy? Buti ka pa fresh parin kahit pinagsasabay mo ang trabaho at law school. Tas akong Masteral's degree lang naman sana ang inaatupag, sabog na sabog na. Bwisit 'yan."

"Baka need mo ng vitamin Yago?-Ay sorry" Nadulas si Ethan kaya naman sinenyasan ito ni Erin. Nagkibit-balikat lang ako.

Asan kaya si Yago? Nakalimutan niya kaya na birthday ko ngayon?

"Happy birthday, Yuri! Tamang tama nag text si Yago..." Zeyn said. Akmang bubuksan niya pa lang ang mensahe pero napansin ko na sa reaksyon niya na hindi iyon ang inaasahan kong text ni Yago. He revealed it, anyway. "May game raw ngayon sila Yago. Punta na lang daw tayo mamaya. Pakisabihan na lang daw sila Jaimie, Clary, Leo, at Zaina." All of us waited for a greeting. Zeyn continued, "Yun lang ang sinabi. Di pa ba tumawag sayo, Yuri?"