Alejandro's Hombre

Ch.42: Khyle Jude and Khairie June

"no sibling is perfect. We argue, we fight. We even stop talking to each other at times. but in the end, we are family. and our love for each other will always be there."

"You don't get to choose your siblings. They're God's gift to you, as you are to them."
----Anonymous
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"eherm."

Xander look up from staring down too long at his now empty venti cup, and see Chandler looking at him boredly.

"in case you're not aware, kanina pa tayo dito, Alexander. mga kalahating oras na, just so you know." wika nito na halata ngang kanina pa ito nababagot. "tingnan mo nga, oh. dalawang venti at dalawang grande cup na ng Americano at French Vanilla latte ang naubos ko. habang ikaw naman dyan, wala ka ng ginawa kundi ang titigan yang baso mo. napa'no ka ba, ha?"

Xander didn't replied and just sighed heavily. hindi nya alam kung pa'no uumpisahang sabihin sa kanyang pinsan ang lahat. Hindi sya pinatulog ng kanyang nalaman at mas pinabigat nitong lalo ang kanyang nararamdaman.

"Xander, wala tayong mapapala dito kung puro ka ganyan. kung may problema ka, sabihin mo na para  mapag-usapan natin ng maayos."

Xander could feel his eyes heating up and tears then fell on his face. He recalled how thunderstruck he was when he read the confidential file sent to him. He felt as if his soul left his entire being.

"Chan... naalala mo pa ba yung nangyari sa 'kin dati? that time that I have to leave the country for two years?"

Chandler looked puzzled, but nodded.

"uhm, oo. sa natatandaan ko, ang sinabi lang ni Tito Teodorico noon ay kinailanangan kang mag-aral  temporarily sa America. He never stated specifically why, and hindi na rin naman kami nagtanong. knowing that father of yours, he always have something up on his sleeves."

Xander stared directly at his cousin and he could see the utter surprise on Chandler's face seeing his tear-stained face.

"damn. hindi ko napansing umiiyak ka pala dyan." bulalas nito na agad tinawag ang staff ng coffee shop para dalhan sila ng isang box ng facial tissue. Chandler pulled one layer and gave it to him, ngunit hindi nya ginamit. hinayaan lang nyang pumatak ng sunod-sunod ang kanyang mga luha. "you're scaring me, Alexander. ganyan ba kalubha ang sitwasyon at naiyak ka na talaga?"

"Chan... 16 years ago...n-na...nakapatay ako..."

Xander starts trembling as his fingers started fidgeting so bad on his lap. He's starting to have panic attacks, kaya kaagad syang hinila patayo ni Chandler palabas ng coffee shop. Chandler opened the front seat and immediately closed the doors of the car. His cousin blasted the car's AC and made him drink water. tinulongan sya nitong kumalma.

"that was close, goddammit. ano ka ba naman, huwag ka ngang magsalita ng ganun! anong nakapatay ka? nasisiraan ka na ba, Nathaniel Alexander? tingnan mo nga ang nangyari. para ng suka sa putla yang mukha mo, nanlalamig ka rin."

"Chan..." Xander said and sobbed hard, pulling his hair up and hit the dashboard with his fist. natataranta namang inawat ni Chandler ang pinsan nyang hindi nya matantya kung bakit ito umaaktong tila wala sa sarili. though kanina pa lang ng sunduin nya ito sa penthouse ni Khairie, batid na nya na may kakaibang nangyayari dito.

"Xander, calm down. You need to calm the fuck down. walang patutungohan ang lahat ng 'to kung hindi ka hihinahon." Chandler said, patting his cousin's back. "now, breathe. Inhale, Exhale. repeat. mas mauunawaan kita kung hindi ka magpapadala sa panic ng sistema mo."

Xander tried to calm himself, as his tears still falls like torrents from his tired eyes. He bit his nails but Chandler took his hand away from his mouth.