WINSTON AND RINGO (Montana Series 3 | BXB)

13: Marigold

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The significant moment of having my first kiss with Ringo kept flashing in my head. I never dated before, and it never came closer to my interest. Siguro ay dahil noon pa lang ay hindi na ako sigurado kung babae o lalaki ba ang hanap ko.

I do like girls, but having a deeper connection with Ringo gave me more realization about my sexuality.

"Hoy!" sigaw sa'kin ni Austin habang nakaupo ako sa veranda. "Nababaliw ka na ba?"

Mabilis kumunot ang noo ko. "Anong sinasabi mo dyan?"

"You're smiling like an idiot!"

"Bakit? Pati ba pag-ngiti ay bawal sa pamilyang 'to?"

He scoffed, "I just don't want anybody to see you acting like a fool. Nasa veranda ka pa naman. Baka isipin ng iba ay may kapatid akong baliw."

Napalingon naman ako sa ibang turista na nasa labas, at muli kong ibinalik ang tingin ko kay Austin. "Kailan ka pa nagkaroon ng pakialam sa sasabihin ng ibang tao?"

His eyebrows met. "And when did you not care about what other people say? Hindi ba't katulad ka rin nila Dad? You are all obsess to please other people."

Napatayo ako sa aking kinauupuan. "Huwag mo akong simulan Austin," banta ko. "And don't you dare compare me to our parents. I do care on what other people might say because I want to protect this family. Unlike you, puro sarili lang ang iniisip mo."

Nilapitan niya ako at tinitigan sa mata. "Protect this family? Tignan natin kung gugustuhin mo pa ring protektahan ang pamilyang ito sa mga susunod na araw."

"What are you saying?"

He giggled like an evil. "Just wait and see."

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita pa at pinanuod na lamang siya na maglakad paalis habang iniisip kung ano ang nilalaman ng mga salita niya. While I was in deep thoughts, my Mom went out of their room.

"Winston, samahan mo ako sa supermarket. I need to buy ingredients for our dinner," she said.

"Okay, Mom," I responded. "But where is Lolo?"

"Sinamahan siya ng Dad mo. Kumuha pa sila ng isang suite dahil hindi enough ang kwarto dito. If you want, you can join him para may kasama siya."

"Sure. I'm okay with that."

"Let's go. Baka abutin tayo ng gabi."

Since they went here using our family vehicle, we didn't rent a car anymore. As we headed to the supermarket, I couldn't help but overthink about my brother's statement. I knew Austin, he would never say such thing just to piss me off. Alam kong may pinaggalingan ang mga salitang iyon, ngunit hindi ko mawari kung anong ibig niyang sabihin.

"Did your Lolo tell you what he wants to eat for dinner?" Mom asked that woke me up from my half-conscious state. Naglalakad na kami sa loob ng supermarket.

I snapped her a look. "No Mom, but you know Lolo, hindi naman siya mapili."

"I don't know him well, you're the only one in our family who knows him better," she corrected, which surprised me.

I was quite confused with her abrupt seriousness, but I had known better. Every simple conversation seemed heavy for my parents. Hindi na ako sumagot pa at nagpatuloy na lamang sa pagtulak ng shopping cart.

"Winston, I always tell you not to displease your father, but above all, you must also watch your actions and words to avoid disappointing your Lolo."

"Lolo is different from, Dad," I mumbled, and I tried my best not to sound rude.