Breakeven (The Script Trilogy 1)

5

Nanatili akong nakatalikod sa kaniya dahil hindi ko alam kung bakit ayaw akong paalisin ng mga paa ko. He's getting into my nerves!

"So you're insulted?"

Inagaw ko sa kaniya ang kamay kong hawak na niya ulit.

"Who isn't? With that attitude of yours? Kaya ka siguro iniwan 'no?" That's what I assumed.

Nagulat ako ng bigla niya akong hinarap sa kaniya. He's breathing heavily with the cold eyes of his piercing mine. Namumula ang mga mata niya, he looks drunk... and mad.

"You crossed the line." Malamig niyang tugon.

"Likewise." Humalukipkip ako.

Duh?! Didn't you count how many times you've stepped on me?

He suddenly became weak, he fell into the bermuda grass. Wasted na yata 'to. Mabuti at kaunti nalang ang tao rito sa park, mga mag-jowang nagti-TikTok nalang yata.

"Oh, anong nangyari sayo?"

I leveled myself at him at napaatras ng makita na lumuluha na siya. Nakapikit siya at mukhang broken na broken.

"Huy, anong nangyari sayo?" With concern, I helped him get up then made him sit on the bench. DESPITE of all that he'd thrown me.

"I'm sorry if I was this jerk. Kaya nga siguro ako iniiwan— oh wait, hindi pala ako iniwan kasi hindi naman talaga ako pinili." He chuckled with tears running down his cheeks.

Hala siya, madaldal pala ito kapag lasing, nagda-drama pa.

Umupo nalang ako sa tabi niya at tinahan siya. Should I comfort him ba? Pero diba galit ako kanina? I'm sure he has reasons naman kung bakit he's acting this way.

"Hala, minor ka pa rin kaya, bakit umiinom ka na?" I tried to change the atmosphere.

Tumawa nanaman siya ng malalim at tinanggal ang kamay kong nakapatong sa likod niya dahil pinapatahan ko nga siya.

"Can't you see? They're setting us up."

"Huh? Pinagsasabi mo?"

"They think this'll make me move on but, no."

"H-hindi kita maintindihan."

"No one really does."

Tinapon niya sa damuhan ang upos ng sigarilyo niya. Namayani ang katahimikan habang pinapakalma niya ang sarili. Bakit ba naman kasi hinahayaan siyang mag-bisyo ng tatay at kuya niya? Ano bang problema nitong Agosto na 'to.

"I might not understand but I can listen." I said after the long silence.

"Then what's the point of telling you."

Umirap ako at tumayo, "Bahala ka na nga."

"Stay." Pigil niya.

Inis akong umupo ulit, "Just burst it out."

Huminga siya ng malalim at tumingin sa itaas.

"I met a girl, I loved her, she doesn't love me but my brother. I gave way. My mother had a lover and wanted to be with her other family, I gave way."

Hindi na siya lumuluha ngunit nararamdaman ko ang pagkabasag ng boses niya as if he's fighting back the tears.

"I always give way because they always leave me in a choice I never wanted to pick. Is it that hard to choose me instead?"

Lasing talaga siya dahil walang umiiyak na lalaki lalo sa harap ng mga babae, a man will never do this when sober. They never tell anyone how they feel neither cry on one's shoulder because of gender stereotypes we're living, which sucks. When they show that side of them they'll be called names 'cause they tend to be strong and not that crying weaklings. Pero may feelings din naman sila, and I'll be that point one percent of person who's willing to listen.