Into The Spectrum Of Life

chap 13

"Ma! Nandito na po ako!"

Vlander entered the house but got frozen on his spot the moment his eyes landed on his brother.

"Hi"

Valsten wasn't even sure if that was a statement or a question.

His brother eventually recover from his momentarily shocked state and continue to walk his way straight to their kitchen, in which their mother was cooking.

"Hi, ma, you invited him?"

Even though Vlander knew his older brother is not that far away from where they are, he still doesn't hesitate to ask that question.

Sa totoo, hindi naman talaga close ang dalawa sa isa't isa. Just how Valsten is kinda closed off, his brother is the same as well, that's why they never really had the chance to be close to each other just like how normal siblings are.

"Oo Vlan, matagal tagal na rin kasi ang kuya mong nakauwi rito since his last visit"

Hindi naman sumagot si Vlander, nagpatuloy lng ito sa paglabas sa kusina at tumungo sa kanyang kwarto.

Lumabas naman ang mama nila sa kusina at tinanaw si Valsten sa sofa sabay sabing pagpasensyahan na ang kapatid.

************

After everything was done, I helped my mother in arranging the table for our dinner.

"I'll put the rest, you go ahead and get your brother"

With a tight lip smile, mama shooed me away.

I release a deep sigh before I proceed to my brother's room.

Once I was outside of his room, I hesitantly knock on his door.

"That's open"

What I heard as a reply.

I sneak my head into the doorway and find where my brother is - who is currently looking at our family picture.

"Food's ready"

The moment he heard my voice, he quickly closes his laptop.

"I'll be downstairs"

"Sumunod ka ha"

Bumalik na ako sa kusina at nakita kong nakaupo na si mama nag-aantay.

"Bababa rin daw siya ma"

"Sige, antayin na lang din natin"

Di kalaunan ay dumating din ang kapatid niya at umupo kaharap ng silya niya.

"Kumusta naman ang pag-aaral Val"

I broke the deafening silence.

"Fine"

Maikli at tipid niyang sagot sa'kin.

I know, as a brother may pagkukukalang din ako sa kanya, but I couldn't just fully blame myself for I was struggling too during those times. Hinahanap ang pagmamahal at sekyuridad na dapat nahanap ko sa pamilya.

"Do you, by any chance free this Saturday? Gusto ko sanang yayain ka lumabas"

"Sumama ka na Vlan, minsan lang naman mag aya ang kuya mo"

Pangungumbinsi ni mama bago pa makasagot si Vlander.

"I dunno, titignan ko"

Wala ka gana-ganang sagot niya.

Napabuntong hininga na lang din ako.

**********
Di kalauna'y natapos na rin 'yong hapunan namin at nagsimula na akong magpaalam kay mama ng masiguradong okay na ang lahat.

"Paalam lang ako sa kanya ma"

Tanging tango lamang ang isinagot ni mama.

Tinungo ko na ulit ang kwarto ni Vlander at kumatok.

"Vlan? Uuwi na ako, 'yong sabi ko ha, sa sabado, diba may number mo naman ako? Text mo'ko or tawagan sakaling G ka, okay?"

Tanging humm lamang ang nakuha kong sagot sa kanya. Alam ko darating din 'yong araw na lalapit din to sa'kin.

"I love you, contact mo ko ha"

Huli ko pang sabi bago tuluyang bumaba.

Pababa na ako at nadatnan ko si mama na hinihintay ako sa sofa at may bitbit na plastic na may lamang tupperware.

"Wow ma! May pabaon pa talaga ha"

Natatawang saad ko sa kanya.

"Syempre naman, minsan ka lang din naman makakain ng niluto ko"

I hug her and kiss the top of her head before heading to the door.

"Wag kang mag-alala ma, dadalasan ko ang pagbisita. I love you"

Tuluyan na akong tumalikod at dumiretso sa sasakyan ko.

Wala naman talagang problema between Vlander and I. Siguro tampo lang sa akin. Both of us knew what our father did to us, and what I am not sure is he really understand all the reasons.

But one thing for sure, I was wrong for leaving him during the times he needed someone else too. Mama and I were much busy mourning na inakala kong kaya niya at kakayanin. I guess I was wrong again.

Pero babawi ako. He lost a father but I will promise that he won't lose his brother.

**********

Pagkarating ko sa building ng apartment namin ay dumiretso na kaagad ako sa kwarto.

"Oh for fuck's sake, wala ba talaga kayong delikadezang dalawa?"

Nadatnan ko lang naman silang nagtutukaan sa sofa namin.

"Can't you keep your dick inside your pants Amos?! You are corrupting my roommate!"

"Alam mo Em, dapat talaga isama natin tong si Valsten sa relasyon natin, para di na siya bitter, three-way ba"

"Emery, ligpitin mo 'yang boyfriend mo ha, pag ako talaga na puno riyan, ako ang liligpit sa kanya"

"Napaka angas mo talaga babe, siguradong tanggal angas mo pag pinasubo ko sa'yo 'to"

Dali-dali kong kinuha 'yong kutsilyo sa kusina at hinabol siya.

"Hoyyy!!! Biro lang, Valsten, joke lang naman 'yon eh"

Sigaw niya habang tumatakbo parin.

"Pwes, hindi para sa'kin"

Tawa nang tawa naman si Emery habang tinitignan kami.

"Em, love, tulungan mo naman ako, kutsilyo 'yang hawak niya oh"

Paghihingi niya ng tulong.

"Bahala ka, ginawa mo 'yan sa sarili mo"

Kalaunana'y pumasok siya sa kwarto nila, pilit ko namang binubuksan pero mas malakas siya sakin.

"Pag ikaw talaga nadakip ko Amos, puputulin ko 'yang hotdog mo gago! Ulol!"

"Hindi ka talaga mabiro!"

Sigaw niya pabalik habang tumatawa.

Tinutok ko kaman kay Emery 'yong kutsilyo.

"Oh, ba't nakatutok sa'kin 'yan?"

"Asikasuhin mo 'yang boypren mo at baka matuluyan sa'kin 'yan"

"Okay po sir, copy po"

Natatawang sagot niya sa'kin.

"Ediwow talaga kayo, porket pinayagan ko kayo aabusuhin niyo"

Hinagis ko 'yong throw pillow sa mukha niya, habang tawa nang tawa pa rin siya.