Lost, Lose (Loose Trilogy #1)

Special Chapter II

Ethane Silvestre: The Nightmare

"What happened that night, Ethane?" The police asked me.

I felt my mind was being blown away. I can't think straight. I don't know how to respond. I just continued playing with my fingers.

Nilinga ko ang mga mata sa paligid. Nasa isa akong silid, puro puti ang lahat ng paligid. May isang pulis ang kumakausap sa akin. Napahawak ako sa ulo ko, nang makaramdam ako ng pagkahilo.

It was still a blurry vision to me. I was inside of my room that night.

"What's that noise, Papa?" I ask curious when I heard three loud sounds. Mukhang may paputok kung saan malapit lang sa kuwarto ko.

Tinignan ko si Papa na tila kuryoso rin. This is always our setup every time we wait for my Mom to be home. Papa is beside me, helping me with my assignment. Tumingin ako sa pinto nang bumukas ito.

Until I found Tito... my facelift up seeing him. I've been never close to him. He's always distancing himself from us. Nasa iisang bubong lang kami nakatira, along with my grandparents on my mother side. Nakababatang kapatid siya ni Mommy, but not biologecally.

His eyes have the same resemblance as mine. Namana namin ito kay Lola.

"Tito... kasama niyo na po ba si Mommy?" I asked clueless. Tumayo ako papalapit sa kaniya. They're working on a same firm na pagmamay-ari ni Lolo.

Madalas na sabay ang kanilang sasakyan sa pag-uwi.

Iniwan ko muna si Papa sa puwesto namin kanina. I was seven, and I sound so hopeful and innocent.

Pinagmasdan ko ang itsura niya. He has blood stains on his forehead, it seems bleeding. May dugo rin sa kaniyang damit. Walang mababakas na ekspresyon sa itsura ni Tito. His eyes looks so lifeless. Hindi siya expressive na tao kahit noon pa. He's always been distant to us, even to Lolo who always throwing madness on him. Lolo treated him as disgrace to this family.

'Cause he's not a 100% Silvestre. Anak siya ni Lola sa iba. Hence, everytime I heard Lolo's anger towards him. I felt sympathy. Kaya rin siguro, palagi siyang malayo. Kasi pilit siyang itinutulak papalayo.

"Ahm, Elias. May kailangan ka ba sa amin ni Ethane?" I felt my Dad's hands on both of my shoulders. "Elias, ayos ka lang ba?"

Nakatingala lang ako kay Tito na walang imik. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay niya. My brows knot in confusion, seeing his both hands full of blood.

"She's dead," he casually stated which made me confused.

Mabilis umangat ang paningin ko sa kaniya. There's a smirk plastered on his face. It was creepy.

"I'm tired living to this household." Umigting ang kaniyang panga sa tugon niya kay Daddy. "It feels unfair, that Ate always been treated right. Dad even accepted you, dahil mahal ka ni Ate."

His eyes were glistening. His voice broke, it was full of pain.

"Samantalang ako. I tried everything. Excel everything just like what Ate does! I spent sleepless nights to be on top, to be recognized by him because of my achievements." He started walking towards us.

Napaatras kami ni Papa.

"Pero ikaw? Anak ka lang naman ng katulong sa bahay na 'to! Pero bakit mas mahal ka nila kaysa sa kadugo nila?" His voice roared my room, I closed my eyes tightly. I can feel his rage, and frustrations.

"Mahal ka nila, Elias."

"Then why they're pushing me away?!" I gasped some air when he pulled a gun.