Fragments of Serenade (Medical Course Series #1)

Kabanata 2

Kabanata 2

Sleep

"Mae...tulog na sila papa." Bulong niya.

Naamoy ko kaagad ang alak sa kanyang bibig. Pa lihim akong ngumiwi. Dumaan ako sa gilid niya upang makalabas sa aking kwarto. Me inside my room only means he can trap me inside, so it's safe to be out.

"Mae saan ka pupunta?" Bulong niya.

Nagbihay ito kilabot sa akin. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nag tungo lang sa sala. Sumunod si Kuya. Pabagsak siyang umopo sa sofa.

"Mae halika, tabi ka kay Kuya." Tinapik niya ang bakanteng pwesto sa tabi niya.

His eyes, halfway closed and distant, stared at me intensely. His smile looked strange, like it didn't quite reach his eyes. His teeth seemed too sharp, making his grin seem scary. His gaze felt dark, like there was something bad hiding behind it. It made me feel uneasy, like I was staring into something dark and scary. Nagsitayuan ang balahibo ko. A sense of danger surged through my body like an instinct.

"Magpapahinga na ako Kuya." Yun lang ang sinabi ko.

He groaned. "Tsk! Ang sabi ko tumabi ka sa akin!"

Kahit na iirita na, nanatili akong kalmado. Walang patutunguhan kung magagalit rin ako.

"Hinihintay na ako ni Aly. May pinapagawa pa siyang assignment sa akin."

Tinalikuran ko siya at nag tungo sa hagdan tumili ako ng dakmalin niya ang aking braso.

"Pag sinabi kong lumapit ka. Lumapit ka! Tangina mo!"

Nag pupumiglas ako sa hawak niya. He leaned in, his unpleasant scent off alcohol filling my nostrils, as his arms wrapped tightly around me, restricting my movement. I felt a brief, unwelcome touch on my leg before his hand moved to my back, urging me closer to him. Nandidiri ako sa amoy niya at sa lagkit ng kanyang katawan.

"Ma!" Sigaw ko. "Ma, tulong!"

"Manahimik ka!"

"Bitawan mo ako!" Sigaw ko pa balik.

Pasigaw kong tinawag si mama ng paulit-ulit. Then when I heard the door of their room open, my heart was slightly reliant, hoping for her comforting presence to emerge and envelop me in a reassuring embrace telling me that i'm safe. 

"Anong..." naring ko ang boses ni Mama. "Calvin, bitawan mo nga si Mae!" Ani ni Mama at nagtungo sa amin.

Tito Edwin came out of his room with a deep frown etched across his face, his brows furrowed in anger. Aly and Ema emerged from their respective rooms, their curious gazes fixed on us, silently observing the scene unfolding before them.

"Gabing gabi na nagsisigawan pa kayo!" Inis na sabi ni Tito.

Galit akong Binitawan ni Kuya kaya tumakbo ako agad sa likod ni mama.

"Calvin pumasok ka na sa kwarto mo! Dali!" Galit na utos ni Tito Edwin.

Kuya glared at me once more before swaying to his room. Muntik pa siya matipalok sa hagdan dahil sa kalasingan. One thing is for sure, Kuya is afraid of Tito. There was a time when they got into a fight, and Tito, being a skilled taekwondo trainer, easily overpowered Kuya, bringing him down effortlessly.

Inis akong nilingon ni Mama.

"Ikaw naman Mae, hindi mo kaylangan sumigaw! Ano nalang sasabihin ng nga kapit bahay saatin ha?" Si mama. " Nag lalambing lang ang Kuya mo pambihira!" Galit niyang saad sa akin.

Nanlumo ako sa narinig mula sa aking ina I can't believe that she didn't see it as a physical assault!

Mabilis ang pagtaas baba ng dibdib ko. My chest felt tight, as if it were being squeezed by invisible hands, and my whole body felt like melted paint, devoid of any strength or structure. Tremors ran through me, causing my limbs to quiver uncontrollably. It was a sensation I had never experienced before, overwhelming and disorienting. Every nerve in my body seemed to be on edge, reacting to the shock and disbelief of the moment. It was as if my entire being was shaken to its core, unable to find stability amidst the chaos of emotions swirling within me.