As the Sun Burns the Sky

5

I was standing in front of Helios' black SUV while we wait for him. May kinuha lang siya sa loob kaya naiwan kami ni Mang Nick, ang driver ni Helios.

"Buti napapayag mo si Sir na sumama." Sabi ni Mang Nick nang maging malapit kami sa loob ng dalawang minuto.

"Oo nga po, e. Basta raw sumama ako kaya heto po ako ngayon." I chuckled as I wiggled my hand, like throwing confetti to present myself.

"Maayos na ring may kasama si Sir! Mahirap nga naman kung mag-isa lang siya gayong puro pamilya pa ang kasama niya." Pagkukuwento ni Mang Nick.

This leaves me wondering...

"Nasaan nga po pala ang pamilya ni Helios? Wala po ba siyang makakasamang family member?"

Hilaw na ngumisi si Mang Nick sa akin. Pinag-isipan muna niya kung sasabihin niya ba ang tungkol kay Helios.

"Okay lang po kung huwag niyo na lang po i-kuwent-"

"Ah, okay lang naman. Hindi naman sikreto ang relasyon ni Helios sa kanyang pamilya." Napakamot sa ulo si Mang Nick.

My attention was all over to the storyteller.

"Kamamatay pa lang ng Mommy niya last year. Ang Ama nila ay laging abala sa kanilang business at ganoon din ang Kuya niya."

I was left astounded by the heavy news. Her mother died last year. Not to mention, busy ang ama at kapatid niya. No wonder he's all alone in this big house, sulking.

"Ano po ikinamatay ng Mommy niya?" Nag-aalangan kong tanong.

I don't want to sound insensitive but I am concerned with his situation that I have this urge to know all about him. Honestly, it was weird for me to show concern to a new guy who has done nothing but be arrogant to me. Well, half of the time he was a bit kind.

Napatingin sa langit si Mang Nick bago niya sinagot. The air became thick as the clock ticks by.

"Pinatay siya."

All the colors on my face left me the moment he said that. My heart started to race like it was in a marathon, thus my palms began to sweat.

Silence enveloped us. The only thing that I hear is the sound of the car engine and faint footsteps.

I didn't know that he was grieving. How can I if he is this secretive and hides his pain through his anger?

"Let's go." Nanghihina akong lumingon kay Helios nang dumating na siya.

After learning a tiny portion of what he is going through, I can't look at him the same way I did yesterday and the other day—a brutal man with no soul and heart.

I genuinely smiled at him the way I always smile at Mori whenever she's in a foul mood.

He opened the door and ushered his hand, signaling me to go in first. I obliged his bidding. Pagkaupo ko ay siya naman ang sumakay.

Napasinghap ako nang isara niya ang pinto. Para bang bumaba ang oxygen levels sa loob ng sasakyan kahit nakabukas naman ang air condition.

I feel like a trespasser into his life after hearing a part of his situation with his family. It's more comforting if I hear it directly from his mouth rather than knowing about it from his driver.

Mukha akong tsismosa. Wow! Hindi pa ba?

Mabuti at naibsan ang namumuong tensyon sa pagitan namin ni Helios nang sumakay si Mang Nick.