Up Where We Belong

Chapter 39

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I allowed them to explain what's going on even when I didn't ask them to. I just wanted a space where I could be alone. I'm not in the mood to ask. Palipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa kanila habang nagpapaliwanag kung paanong nakapunta si Kuya Terron sa unit at nandoon sa kwarto ni Camille. I can't believe I actually understood their discussion even some of the details were missing.

"In short, nothing happened, Tiff. He just slept in my room. I'm here on the couch the whole time," paliwanang ni Camille.

Wala sa sariling tumango ako.

"I can't do that to your friend, Tiff. I may have been drunk last night but I wouldn't touch her. Ever," mariing sabi ni Kuya Terron at sumulyap kay Camille.

Nakita kong inirapan ni Camille si Kuya. Hindi yata matanggap ng ego niya ang narinig sa kapatid ko.

"Okay," matamlay kong sagot. Gusto ko lang naman ng peace of mind. At maling lugar yata ang napuntahan ko dahil nagbangayan pa silang dalawa.

Tumigil lang sila nang makitang hindi ako umiimik.

"Tiff, ano ba talagang nangyari?" si Camille na hindi maitago ang pag-alala sa boses.

"I saw them together," sagot ko.

Nagitla sila sa narinig. "Sino?"

Sumulyap ako sa kanilang dalawa. "Si Gab at Cheryl."

Kumunot ang noo ni Kuya. Si Camille naman ay nagsalubong ang mga kilay.

Kuya Terron sighed. "You might have mistaken it, Tiff. Baka wala namang ibang kahulugan iyon. It could be purely coincidental. Cheryl and Dad got back together." Sa tono nito ay parang kampi ito kay Gab.

"Ano iyong nakita ko na magkasama sila sa hospital?" mataray na tanong ko.

"Tiff, it's an issue only you and your husband could solve together. Kung hindi kayo mag-uusap, paano mo malalaman ang panig niya?" dugtong pa ni Kuya.

Gusto ko naman siyang kausapin, pero huwag ngayon! Everything was too much to take. I can't face him yet.

"I won't be coming back to our house for a while. Dito lang muna ako kay Camille," sabi ko.

"What? Do you expect your friend to help you with your marital matter? I would advise you to go back to your house and talk to your husband! Pronto!" Tumaas ang boses ni Kuya na nagpapitlag kay Camille.

"Hindi mo ako mapipilit, Kuya," nanghihina ang boses ko.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin? Na hindi ko matutulungan ang kapatid mo?" si Camille na may himig pagtatampo sa pananalita. Now, I feel that I have an ally.

"Wala akong sinabing ganyan. I'm just saying that she should have all the pertinent information and should sort out things first with her husband before jumping into conclusion." Nagpakawala ng malalim na buntong-hininga si Kuya Terron at tumungo.

"Tiff, maybe your brother is right," sang-ayon ni Camille. Biglang nag-iba yata ang ihip ng hangin?

I rolled my eyeballs.

"Camille, pati ikaw ba naman? Please, let me stay here. I don't want to see him yet."

She heaved a sigh. "Okay."

Wala silang nagawa sa pagmamatigas ko.

Kuya Terron went back to the room and prepared to leave after leaving advice to think rationally and to see the two sides of the coin. I took his advice to heart, but I don't think I can do it right now.

"Dito ka lang muna. May bibilhin lang ako sandali," paalam ni Camille na umalis na may bitbit na eco bag. I'd like to join her to buy grocery but she's ready to go and I'm not.