SHIELDER (CPAGS Epilogue)

Part 8

Kuya Hunter started to train me. Ngayon ko nalaman kung anong pinagkaiba ng actual training instead of just watching. I thought I could already do it as I watched him and dad train before. I thought I could do all those tips and lessons I've heard and seen as I was a fast learner. Akala ko magaling na rin ako.

Akala ko lang pala.

"Wait, wait, Kuya! Teka lang!"

Napatigil si Kuya sa akmang pagsuntok sa akin nang sabihin ko 'yon. I was already on the floor but it seemed like Kuya Hunter didn't want to stop unless I said those words. My hand was outstretched, stopping him from punching me again habang ang isa kong kamay ay hawak ang tagiliran kong nasaktan dahil doon tumama ang suntok n'ya bago ako natumba.

He frowned.

"Anong teka lang?"

"Saglit lang! Hapit ka naman, eh." I coughed.

Hindi makapaniwalang napatingin sa akin si Kuya. As if I've said something ridiculous.

"Hindi ka pwedeng ganito sa actual na laban, Gray! Hindi titigil ang kalaban mo kapag sinabihan mo ng 'teka lang!'"

"I know! Pero ikaw naman ang kalaban ko ngayon, eh."

Kuya Hunter groaned. He looked so frustrated. Nawawalan na ng pasensya sa 'kin at may palagay akong maya-maya ay magagalit na s'ya. It seemed like I was always testing his patience whenever we train.

"Mamamatay ako sa kawalan ng pasensya sa 'yo, Grayson James!" he said frustratedly.

Natawa ako.

"Edi ayos! Pwede ko na lang pa lang ubusin ang pasensya ng kalaban ko tapos mananalo na agad ako," mayabang ko pang sabi.

But Kuya Hunter was not impressed. He glared at me. Nawala kaagad ang ngiti ko. His hand was still formed into a fist and I was worried he would continue what he was about to do earlier.

Ilang sandaling tumitig lang sa 'kin si Kuya bago marahas na bumuntong-hininga. He stood in front of me, hands were now on his hips, as if he was thinking what he should do with me.

Napatingin s'ya sa kamay kong nakahawak sa tagiliran ko. Maya-maya ay muling bumuntong-hininga s'ya at naglahad ng kamay sa 'kin.

"C'mon. Get up."

I smiled widely. Gustong-gusto ko talaga si Kuya. Kapag sa tingin ko ay malapit na s'yang maubusan  ng pasensya at magagalit sa 'kin, bigla s'yang kakalma. Para bang hindi n'ya talaga kayang magalit sa 'kin. As if he was soft for me.

Ah... I love my brother so much!

But you hate him too.

Natigilan ako. My smile faded. Something like that always happened. My inner thoughts contradict me at times.

If only I could shut them off, I would gladly do it. I don't want to hear these thoughts inside my mind.

But I couldn't. Because it's normal, right?

"We'll rest for a while," sabi ni Kuya Hunter na nagpabalik sa wisyo ko. Kinuha n'ya ang bottled water at uminom doon.

I frowned at him. Sinundan ko s'ya.

"Hindi pa tayo tapos mag-train?"

Si Kuya Hunter naman ang napasimangot sa 'kin.

"Of course. I'll just let you rest for a while. Ikaw na rin ang nagsabi ng 'teka lang', 'di ba?"

"Oh... Kung sinabi ko pa lang ayoko na, tapos na 'yung training?"

Kuya Hunter looked at me with an expression as if he already had enough.