Warning: R-18
Trigger Warning: explicit language.
Wreck
"Maverick..."
Matagal ang paninitig ko sa aking mga magulang habang nakaupo ako sa sofa kasama ang aking mga kapatid. My little sister and my little brother were looking up at me. Pinasadahan ko ng haplos ang aking buhok at binasa ang labi.
"Kailangan bang ngayon agad?" I asked seriously.
Ngumiti si Mommy at nilingon si Dad na nakaupo rin sa kanyang gilid.
Obviously, my mom would get full custody of my siblings because they're still too young to understand this. Ngunit si Dad, gusto niyang dalhin ako. But Mommy wants me to decide for myself.
Hindi ko alam kung dapat bang mamili sa kanilang dalawa. My father wants to have me, at least. Since my mom has two of my siblings.
"Sige na..." Mommy urged in her soft voice.
"Mom," bulong ko sa seryosong tinig.
My mother's lips stretched. Si Dad ay tumango, bigong yumuko, at kita ko sa ekpsresyon niya ang pagtanggap.
"I know this is hard for you, Mavric. But your dad and I decided to...end things this way. This is for the best," si mommy sa marahang tinig at inabot ang kamay ko.
Huminga akong muli, tiningnan ang dalawa kong mga kapatid na seryosong nakaupo sa bawat gilid ko.
"Sa apartment muna ako," I said, taking my hand from my mom and stood.
Hindi ko na hinintay ang magiging pasya ni Mom. Deritso na ang akyat ko sa kuwarto para makapag-impake na.
Hindi ko alam kung galit ba ako. I haven't thought of it for a while. But I know I'll choose where my siblings are and my mom, who needs me. Ayokong iwanan ko sa kanya ang responsibilidad na iyon nang mag-isa.
I'm mad at my father. But not mad enough to punch him and abandon him. I just can't choose him over Mom. I can't repeat the same mistake he made when he chose someone else over mom... over his family.
My phone beeped while I pulled the zipper of my bag.
Jessica:
U comin over, Mavric?
I licked my lip and walked toward my drawer. Binuksan ko iyon at pinaghahablot ang aking mga t-shirt.
I don't really consider staying at my own unit, especially when it's still summer. The house is the best place because I'd wake up with food on the table, and I could play with my siblings as well.
But our home doesn't feel like a home anymore. It felt...strange.
Kinuha ko ang isang plain black t-shirt at hinila ang likod ng aking suot saka iyon hinubad. I saw my toned body in the reflection of the mirror resting on the side of my door.
Tumunog ang aking phone. Irita ko iyong tiningnan at nakita ang FaceTime ni Jessica. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. I don't have time for anyone's bullshit right now.
Pinasadahan ko ng haplos ang magulong buhok at isinara rin ang duffel bag saka ko iyon isinabit sa balikat. Kinuha ko ang phone at pinaglaruan iyon sa aking kamay habang lumalabas na.
Nadatnan ko sa ibaba ang seryosong pag-uusap ni Mommy at Daddy. I can sense how they're trying to tone down their voices with those little whispers.
Noong makitang pababa na ako, tumahimik sila at tumingin si Dad sa akin.
