ICARUS: THE GOD HAS FALLEN

Kabanata 7

"Oh, bakit busangot 'yang mukha mo? Akala ko ba na-settle na ang nangyari sa maisan." Kapapasok lamang ni Icarus sa kanilang mansion ay iyon kaagad ang bungad na tanong ng kapatid na si Athena. Imbes na hahalikan ito sa pisngi ay pasalampak na lamang na naupo siya sa malambot na sofa kaharap ang kapatid. 

Icarus immediately spread his arm on the inside back of the sofa. Tinaasan niya ng kilay ang kapatid. "Why do you sound like you are enjoying yourself? Come on, Athena, hindi nakatutuwa ang nangyari."

"You're imagining things, Icarus," ani Athena na may ngiti sa labi. "Seriously, dude, that woman must be amazing. Funny how she's getting into your nerves."

"The hell! I hate her. I hate her guts! Tinawag niya akong kabute. Seriously, sa gwapo kong 'to?"

Natawa si Athena. Itiniklop din nito ang laptop na kanina pa tinitingnan. Her eyebrows rose while looking at her twin brother. Alam kaagad nito na hindi natutuwa ang kapatid sa ginagawa niyang panunukso rito.

"Is that the reason why you're still upset?" she teased. "Ang babaw mo, ah."

"No, of course not!" tanggi ni Icarus.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Athena. "Well, I'm very sorry, brother. Ikaw ang inatasan nina mommy at daddy sa hacienda kaya wala akong magagawang tulong sa 'yo. Saka, ikaw naman kasi, why don't you let it pass? You know, limang baka is not that much."

"Tssk! No way. Ang suwerte naman niya kung papayag ako sa gusto niya. That brat," Icarus murmured.

"Bahala ka. Ikaw rin. Gusto mo bang malaman pa ng parents natin ang gulo na 'to?  This might ruin their vacation. I’m telling you.“ Tumayo si Athena at tinitigan ang kambal nang mariin. She was obviously challenging him.

"Damn! Can you contact Uncle Kraius for me? Maybe he could help." Problemado ang boses ni Icarus. Napasabunot din ito sa sariling buhok.

Umiling si Athena. "Sorry, bro."

"Seriously, Athena, kanino ka ba talaga kampi? I thought you're with me," himutok ni Icarus.

"You're just exaggerating, Icarus. Hindi naman kailangan na umabot pa kayo sa korte ng kabilang hacienda. Why not give her what she want? Magtanim na lang tayo ulit. Easy. And. . . I'm too busy for this childishness, bro."

"Busy o may lakad ka lang talaga? Are you going somewhere? Saan? Sino ang kasama mo?"

"Now, you sound like you're going to eat whoever I'm with. Relax, I'm not the same naive girl way back. People changed, you know." Kumindat si Athena sa kapatid.

Napabuntonghininga si Icarus habang pinagmamasdan ito. Sure, his sister changed, from the way she look, talk, and act. Malaki ang ipinagbago nito lalo na sa ugali. But she was still her little twin sister— the most vulnerable that should be taken care of. Though she looked fancy in her all red corporate suit and dark make-up paired with bangle earrings, for his eyes, Athena was still as delicate as glass.

"Sasama ako sa 'yo! You're not going anywhere without me." Tumayo si Icarus. Ibinuka nito ang mga braso. "What? Ayaw mo?"

Athena shook her head. She took her small black purse from Louis Vuitton that was placed on top of the center table. Pinasadahan din nito ng tingin ang kapatid. "Well, bahala ka. Hindi naman sana ako magtatagal. May kikitain lang ako sa coffee shop sa bayan."

"Good, then let me be your driver for today." Ngumisi si Icarus. He was acting like a protective brother again. Sanay na si Athena roon lalo na at alam nito ang dahilan kung bakit ganoon na lang kung umasta ang kambal. "Tara na?" Nauna pa itong lumabas.

"Fine. Fine. Hindi ka man lang nagbihis, ah."

"Gwapo naman ako, 'di ba?" Tinuro ni Icarus ang sarili. "Mabango rin." Inamoy pa nito ang damit.