One of the Boys 1 & 2 (Published by Pop Fiction)

Chapter Forty One

Chapter Forty One

Uncle Julius was the best uncle any niece or nephew could ever have. No, let me rephrase that. He was the best person anyone could have. He was my first in almost everything and he was with me when I experienced my other firsts- love, heartbreak, sorrow, pain, and more.

Every struggle and problem I had, he was the first to know. Paano naman kasi, kahit hindi ko sabihin sa kanya, nahahalata niya just by looking at me. Minsan nga, nafifeel na lang niya.

When I was born, uncle told my parents he would take care of me just like his own child. Gustung gusto niya kasi talaga ng anak na babae. Unfortunately, puro lalaki mga anak niya. Swerte niya dahil I was here to be his daughter.

Just like what I told him before he left, no man could ever replace him. No man. No one.

"Auntie..." I hugged him. We were at his wake and it felt surreal. Matagal na palang hininto ni Uncle Julius inumin mga gamot niya at matagal na rin niyang inayawan mga treatments kaya lagi na siyang nasa bahay.

Yung mga perang napalanunan namin sa battle of the bands, sinave niya para sa med school ko. Dinagdagan pa niya. Yung mga perang inipon ng mga anak niya, inipon niya para sa kanila. Until the very end, ibang tao pa rin iniisip niya.

He even wrote a letter to auntie and told her how much thankful he was for marrying him. He was thankful 'cause she had learned to love him. I wanted to punch uncle for writing that. I mean, who wouldn't love him?

"He was such a good man." Auntie cried, while hugging me tight.

"I know."

Halata naman dahil kahit first day pa lang ng wake niya, ang dami ng tao. Mga family members, relatives, friends, business partners, at syempre, yung mga natulungan niya. They were all here.

"AA!" Francis hugged me.

Syempre, hindi mawawala bandmates ko na tumulong sa pagpapatakbo ng burger restaurant ni uncle. Before pa mawala si uncle, kinausap na niya sila. He gave them his burger resto and made them promise they would study and work harder.

"Kamusta?" Tanong ko. Sinara muna nila yung resto, pero itutuloy rin nila after ng funeral ni uncle. Gusto nilang palakihin pa 'yun at palitan yung pangalan ng resto into Julius' Burger Resto.

"Hindi ba dapat ako ang mag tanong sa'yo niyan?"

"Tama na nga. Alam naman nating yung sagot eh. Mukha lang tayong mga tanga." I tried to laugh.

"San boyfriend mo?" He asked.

"Hindi pa niya alam."

My friends didn't know yet. Hindi ko alam, hindi ko rin maintindihan sarili ko. Maybe I just didn't want to see Apa. Ayoko pang sabihin sa kanyang mag hiwalay na kami. Masakit na eh. It was like rubbing salt into the wound. Hindi ako sadista at masokista.

I thought last year was the worst year; I was definitely wrong. Last year was one of the best years. Marami mang nawala, mas marami namang dumating. Ngayong taon, nagsisimula pa lang, ang daming nawala at mawawala.

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi?" Tanong ni Francis.

I shrugged.

He smirked. "Pero mukhang alam naman na niya."

Nakatingin si Francis sa likod ko kaya dahan-dahan akong tumalikod. I saw Apa, Bri, Ygona, Tigs, Paz, and Bianca. Hindi nila ako tinanong kung bakit hindi ko sinabi sa kanila. Yinakap na lang nila ako bigla.

"P-Paano niyo nalaman?"

"Pinuntahan ka ni Apa sa bahay niyo. Nakapatay kasi phone mo," Sagot ni Bianca. I didn't look at Apa, but I was sure he was looking at me.