WINSTON AND RINGO (Montana Series 3 | BXB)

03: Carnation

˖ ๋࣪⸙˖

My third day at Coastal Paradise was as normal as the previous days. I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and put on my shorts and white linen shirt. After sliding into my slippers, I headed to the dining area for breakfast, but before I could reach it, I heard Dad's loud voice.

"Seriously, Austin? Are you out of your mind?!" he yelled.

"I can't believe you can do this," followed Mom. "Paano kung may ibang nakakita sa inyo?"

"Hindi ka ba nag-iisip?" sigaw muli ni Dad. "Did you even realize the consequences of your actions?"

Sumilip ako sa dining area at nakita ko si Austin na nakaupo habang nakaharap sa aming mga magulang. It was clear from his posture and the way he sat that he felt small and vulnerable. Kahit ako rin siguro ay magmimistulang maamong tupa kung ako ang nasa posisyon niya.

"I'm sorry," said Austin while lowering his head.

"Sorry?!" Dad blared. "You smoked weed, Austin, and now you're saying sorry?!"

"Sana ay nag-isip ka muna bago mo ginawa!" dagdag pa ni Mom.

"Hindi ka na nahiya! Hindi ka ba napapagod na bigyan ng kahihiyan ang pamilyang 'to?" tanong ni Dad. "Sa tingin mo, anong sasabihin ng Lolo mo kapag nalaman niya 'to?"

Austin remained silent, biting his lips in both fear and frustration. It was like two rifles were shooting him at the same time. Gusto kong maawa sa kalagayan niya, ngunit maling-mali ang ginawa niya. He knew clearly that our parents would be angry with what he did, but he did it anyway.

"Go to your room!" Dad ordered. "And don't ever go out unless I said so!"

Mabilis na tumayo si Austin at padabog na naglakad papunta sa aming kwarto. Nakasalubong niya ako at binigyan niya ako ng masamang tingin bago niya ako lagpasan. I knew he had enough with our parent's rage, and I despised talking too much, but as his older brother, I followed him to give him a lecture.

"Bakit mo ginwa 'yon?" tanong ko nang makapasok kami sa kwarto.

"Wala kang pakialam," madiin niyang sabi at naupo sa kama.

I loosened a breath. "Dad's only rule is never do something that would embarrass him. Mahirap bang gawin 'yon?"

"Kahit ano naman ang gawin ko ay mali sa paningin niya, kaya bakit pa ako magaaksaya ng oras para gumawa ng maganda kung hindi rin niya mapapansin? Mas mabuti ng ganito, kahit nagagalit siya ay natititigan naman niya ako sa mukha."

"That's your fuckin' reason?" I said with hardness. "C'mon, Austin! You should start behaving yourself."

Binigyan niya ako ng matalas na tingin. "Kung umasta ka ay parang mabuti siyang ama sa'yo."

Napakurap ako sa kanyang sinabi at mabilis na iniwasan siya ng tingin. "Not because I'm not saying anything, doesn't mean I'm not hurt and complaining."

"That's what I hate about you!" he spat and stood from his position. "You act so mighty as if you're a good son, well in fact, you have so many bad things to say about him in your head."

"Kung tutularan kita, ano sa tingin mo ang mangyayari sa pamilya natin?" tanong ko. "Do you think Mom could handle us both?"

He sniffed in frustration. "Just shut up! You're making my blood boil even more because of your saintly words."

The energy I got from sleeping felt like being drained out of my body. I wanted to speak more, but I knew that the next words that might come out from my mouth would definitely lead us into another physical fight. Nag-desisyon na lamang akong umalis, ngunit bago lumabas ng kwarto ay nilingon ko siya.