I waited for him to come out. I fixed the hem of his shirt that was still lifted. Inakay ko siya para maupo sa higaan.
“Kuya Maddox,” pukaw ko sa atensyon niya.
Magmula paglabas niya ay nakayuko na siya. Kinuha ko ang towel na hawak niya at kinuskos muli ang buhok niya para matuyo.
I combed his hair during our silence. Nothing is more loud than my pulse.
Hindi na rin naman siya kumikibo kaya nanahimik na lang din ako. After that, I went out of his room. Noong handa na ang almusal ay naghatid lang ako sa kuwarto niya. He didn’t utter a single word so I went completely silent too.
Katanghalian noong pumasok muli ako para maghatid ng pagkain.
He didn’t even move a bit.
Pumunta ako sa gilid niya at nakitang mahimbing ang tulog.
I crouched a bit as I tapped him on his shoulders.
“Kuya Maddox, I have your lunch.”
Nakailang tapik ako bago siya dumilat. Mapupungay ang mga mata na tumatagos sa akin.
“Sorry to disturb your sleep. Kain ka na para makainom ka ng gamot.”
He tried getting up so to help him is just one of my reflexes. Nagulat ako noong itulak niya ako palayo sa kanya.
He started hissing. Unti-unti ay humawak siya sa ulo niya at dumaing.
“Kuya,” mahinahon kong tawag at alo. His head seems to be hurting too much.
Umikot muli ako sa tray at kinuha ang tubig niya ro’n. Maybe he’s dehydrated and all.
“Miki’s d-dead…”
Namilog ang mga mata ko at naudlot ang pag-aabot sa kanya ng hawak. The glass almost slipped on my grasp and the water inside splashes a bit.
Nabasa si Kuya Maddox sa hita at parang nasagot ang mga katanungan niya. He stopped pulling his hair out and became frozen.
“No… no. Kuya Maddox,” I shook my head.
“Miki’s dead! Miki’s dead, Achie! Y-you’re a liar. You’re all lying to me!”
Umiling-iling ako at napatakip sa bibig. Dinaga ang dibdib ko at hindi malaman ang gagawin. I tried to close our gap but I couldn't move.
Nanginig ang mga labi ko at nanlalabo ang paningin.
Kuya Maddox is obviously struggling. I should help. I should help! But he can already remember!
Napatingin ako sa pinto para tumawag ng kung sino pero bumalik kay Kuya Maddox. His shoulders shook so I decided to go to him.
“Should I call your Doctor? J-just drink some water, Kuya. Uminom ka muna para maibsan ang sakit-”
“Don’t go near me! Who are you even?! Achie! Achie?!”
“K-kuya…” garalgal kong tawag.
Ilang ulit kong narinig ang pangalan kong binabanggit niya. He looks like recalling who I am now. Hindi maganda ito.
“Kuya Maddox! Kuya! Hear me, hear me… okay? Stop straining yourself. Tatawag na ako! Alin ba rito ang iniinom mo,” halughog ko sa kalapit na lamesa.
“He is dead. Miki… my brother. I saw him. That was him. His face. Blood,” he lifted his hands and trembled.
Tinungo ko muli si Kuya Maddox at hinawakan ang mga kamay niya. It’s too cold and white.
“Leave me alone! I don’t even know you!” he spat.
My hold of him loosened voluntarily. Suminghap ako at halos maluha.
I bit my nails as I ran out of his room.
Sa salas ay nangangatog akong tumawag kay Manang at kay Tita Chona. Salit-salit ang tawag ko pero walang sumasagot.
“Ano’ng nangyayari, Achie? Si Sir?” ani ng isang kasambahay. Lumingon sa kuwartong pinaglabasan ko.
We both jolted when we heard glasses shattering.
“Si Sir Maddox!”
Naalarma ang lahat sa bahay. Tumakbo ako pabalik at nakita ang nagkalat na pinggan at pagkain.
“Kuya Obeng,” I murmured. “Kuya Obeng!” I called out. Hindi ko na alam kung sino ang hihingan ko ng tulong.
Kapuwa hindi namin kaya ng mga kasambahay si Kuya Maddox at tanging si Kuya Obeng lang ang makakapagharang dito.
“Iwan niyo akong lahat! You all made me look like a fool!” sumunod ay ang malakas na paghikbi ni Kuya Maddox. “I am s-such a fool… for not remembering Miki…”
I gasped loudly as he sat on the floor holding his head. Tapping it. Slapping his face. Hurting himself.
“Kuya, h-hindi…”
“Huwag kang lalapit!” banta niya.
My arms are stretched, hoping to hold him and sit him up. Pinantayan ko si Kuya Maddox at napaluhod sa harap niya.
“Liar. Sino ka? Sino ka ba?! Just… you wait. W-wait ‘til I remember you,” turo niya sa hangin.
“Dox! Dox, huy?!” pasok ni Kuya Obeng.
Pilit niyang itinatayo si Kuya Maddox na pumipiglas naman. Maging si Kuya Obeng ay itinitulak dahil sa galit. I stood up and tried to get closer.
“P-paano niyo nagawa sa akin ito? Don’t I deserve the truth?! Wala lang maalala kaya ginawa niyong tanga?!”
“Kuya, hindi ganoon…”
“Achie, hawakan mo riyan.”
“Ano pa ang hindi ko nalalaman?! Tell me now!”
“Maddox!”
Tumango ako kay Kuya Obeng. Nakalapit ako pero agad din napaatras noong itulak ni Kuya Maddox.
“Achie! Diyos ko!”
Napapikit ako sa hapdi na nararamdaman sa palad. My palms met the floor with shredded glass. Ang paglagapak ko sa sahig ay bumalot sa buong paligid.
“Maddox! Umayos ka!” si Kuya Obeng. “Achie!”
“Halika rito, hugasan natin agad iyan,” lapit sa akin ni Ate Linda.
I winced while looking down at my palms. Various cuts are evident on the thin skin. Blood like red wine flows too slowly from the wound.
Umawang ang bibig ko at parang lumulutang. All I can see is the red liquid. Mariin akng pumikit at iniling-iling ang ulo.
“Achie! Achie! Hija!”
The flashing lights, cold tiled floor, air, noises, and blood.
I shook my head. The same dread fills my stomach. Kahit anong takbo ko ay pilit akong naabutan.
The lump on my throat grew bigger and I heard a thinning silence.
BINABASA MO ANG
Seen There, Done That (Sensara Series 1)
Roman d'amourThe thing about Kashina Eve Natividad is you'll never see her struggling. People though, don't realize that just because she appears strong, quiet, and calm doesn't mean she doesn't have much to say. She'll never be your favorite sunshines or sunri...
