That Summer Night of August

Kabanata 27

Slightly mature content ahead!

Also, listen to That Summer Night of August while reading that part of this chapter to add more thrill hehe.

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Kabanata 27

Nang pumasok si Timothy mula sa labas ay hindi na maipinta ang mukha nito. Agad naman akong napatingin sa direksyon niya nang padabog niyang isinara ang pinto ng bahay. Kumunot ang noo habang sinusundan siya ng tingin papuntang kusina.

Something probably happened. I don't wanna pry into his personal life, but I got used to him sharing about what makes him mad. Nagpaalam muna ako kay Gabriel at tumayo para sundan ang kapatid ko sa kusina. Nakita ko siyang nakasandal sa kitchen island habang umiinom ng wine. Lumapit ako sa kanya saka inagaw ang baso at ininom din iyon.

Napatingin siya sa akin saka sumimangot, "I'm nineteen, Kuya," he said dryly.

"I know that, but how about tell me what pissed you off? Don't bottle it up, Tim. I'm worried." Sabi ko saka nilagyan ulit ng wine ang baso.

Timothy sighed heavily, "Nothing really major, Kuya. It's just..." He trailed off, looking away, clearly struggling with his thoughts.

I waited patiently, giving him the time he needed to gather his words. Finally, he continued, "It's my Club President. We've been friends for a while, but recently he's been acting weird, like he's avoiding me. I confronted him today, and he just brushed me off. I don't get it. Did I do something wrong?"

I'm not really sure what to say since I'm not really good at giving advices. Timothy was the one who's good at it.

Sumimsim akong muli sa baso na may lamang wine bago nagsalita, "Baka may pinagdadaanan lang siya, Tim. People act out in strange ways when they're dealing with their own issues. Kinausap mo ba siya nang mahinahon?"

Tumango naman ang kapatid ko, pero kitang-kita sa mga mata nito ang pagkalito, "I tried calling him few times kanina, but he keeps shutting me down. It's frustrating. He used to tell me everything, and now it's like there's this wall between us. I'm worried about him, but I'm also hurt. I don't know if I should push or just back off."

Inilapag ko ang baso sa lamesa saka isinandal ang aking ulo sa balikat ni Timothy. Wala ako sa posisyon para mag-assume kung ano ang rason kung bakit siya iniiwasan ng kaibigan niya. Pero hindi ko maiwasang hindi mag-alala sa kapatid ko. Bago sa kanya ang lahat ng ito kaya't naiintidhan ko kung bakit siya naguguluhan.

"Give him some space, but let him know you're there for him. Sometimes that's all you can do." I said to my brother, "Also don't forget that I'm always here for you too."

I heard him chuckled, he managed a small smile, "Thanks, Kuya. I'm so glad you're here right now. Can I sleep in your room tonight?" He grinned.

Agad naman akong sumimangot sa kanya, "Huwag ka ngang magpanggap. I know you've been sleeping in my room. I could smell your perfume there, ginagamit mo pa 'yong shampoo ko."

Natawa naman nang mahina ang kapatid ko, "It's not the same when you're not around, Kuya. Terry keeps bugging me since you moved. He always plays in my room, why did you spoil him that much?" Timothy said, holding his laugh. "Also, I'm starting to hate Kuya Gabriel, that boyfriend of yours is always soloing you." He whispered to me.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang tawa ko sa mga sinabi ni Timothy. "Hoy, hindi niya naman ako 'solo' palagi. Minsan lang!" sabi ko, halata ang pagtanggap ko sa biro niya tungkol kay Gabriel.