Shooting Star (Completed) [R-18]

6 : E

Martee

My name was called. I stood up to move up the stage. I felt him stand up too to accompany me up stage. Gulat ang meron sa mga mukha ng mga kaklase ko pati narin ang mga magulang at kasama nila. But I remained expressionless.

I don't have any award exept my high school diploma. Hindi naman kase ako kagalingan. Hindi katulad niya na sobrang galing.

Magkatabi kaming nagpapicture. I smiled halfy. Atleast despite everything that's happened, I have this moment to realize that good things also happen in life. I cannot drown myself to negativities all the time. I still have a reason to smile sometimes.

With his presence, It's enough for me to realize that he somehow still cares. Kahit alang alang lamang sa pinagsamahan namin. Kahit hanggang dito lamang. I may not be his little sister anymore the next day or even his friend. Atleast today, he has been my brother and my friend.

Natapos ang seremonya makalipas ang isang oras. Nagpapapicture pa iyung iba ngunit napagdesisyonan ko ng umalis. I don't have all the time in the world to do all those things. Kinabahan pa ako dahil sinundan niya ako hanggang sa kotse. He was approached by some people but had chosen not to comment on anything and decline each questions politely.

Lumapit ito sa akin. I was about to reach into my car's door when he advanced on me and stopped me from opening the car's door.

I looked at him meaningfully. What else should I tell him. Telling sorry won't change that fact that my family destroyed his. That is as good as putting an end to whatever friendship we have.

I did not speak nor did he. We just looked at each other's eyes.

Masyadong mabigat ang kasong sinampa nila sa ama ko. My mother has also been charged of a very difficult case. Hindi ako abogado pero alam kong mabibigat ang mga kasong sinampa nila sa mga magulang ko.

" Have you eaten?" Iyun ang una niyang sinabi sa akin sa loob ng halos isang linggo na hindi kami nag-usap.

I did not. I have not eaten on time these past days. And I have not eaten this morning.

" Oo kanina." Sagot ko. Tumango naman ito.

" Thank you for accompanying me. I should leave. May gagawin pa ako" I told him but his hand remained on my car's door forbidding me to leave.

" How are you" It wasn't a question.

" I'm working on the cases you filed against my parents." Malakas ang loob kong wika sa kaniya. He just eyed me.

" You're out of it Martee. Labas tayong dalawa-" Ako naman ngayon ang nagsalita ng hindi siya pinatapos.

" We will never be out of this mess my family created. Sa mata ng Diyos at sa mata ng mga tao, makasalanan ang pamilya ko. And my blood won't be enough to pay for the sins my family inflicted on yours." I said almost a whisper.

" We can no longer be friends, Santi. I am not even worthy to call you my brother. Let's just be civil and accept the fact that I am your enemy. Sa batas at sa tao." My voice was low almost unheard.

Napayuko ito.

" Your father will rot in prison Martee and so will your mother." Masakit ang mga salitang binitawan niya. And he said it with too much conviction.

Mapait akong tumingin sa ibang direksyon dahil ayokong salubungin ang galit sa kaniyang mga mata.

" I may hate your parents to the core but I will never hate you." Saad niya. Galit ang nakikita ko sa kaniyang mga mata. He showed me how he wanted to put the law in his hands which is what is happening. Para akong lumalaban sa isang labanang matagal na akong talo.

" Hate is not killing me right now, Santi but guilt is. Kahit magpakumbaba ako, hindi iyon sapat para tugunan ang mga kasalanan ng pamilya ko." I muttered.

" You are out of it Martee" He insisted

" I am not! Anak ako ng taong nagpapatay sa ama mo. Anak ako ng taong sumira sa pamilya mo. Tell me, kaya mo bang lunukin ang katotohanang dugo ng isang criminal ang nananalaytay sa dugo ko. My mother slept with your father. Anak ako ng isang kabit. Now, can you swallow that fact and still tell me that I am out of it?" I said.

I looked straight at his face.

Void of any emotion he answered me with a single word.

" Oo"

——