In Every Hues

Chapter 13

Drunk

"Yohan, nagpadala na naman ng pera ang Daddy mo," ani Mommy habang nasa hapag-kainan kami kasama sina Lola.

Lolo scoffed as he stuffed some rice in his mouth. Vanna looked at me with wonder, as if she was gauging my reaction after hearing the 'Dad' word again.

"Oh, tapos?" Lola raised her brows at her.

She placed the plate full of bacon and ham as she sat beside Lolo. Si Mommy ay nasa dulong bahagi ng mesa. Katabi ko naman si Vanna.

May kanya-kanya kaming kape sa mesa. While Vanna was drinking her milk. I wiped her upper lip because of the milk mustache.

"I just reminded my son, Mama," malamig na sagot ni Mommy.

"Alam niya 'yan. Sa pangalan niya pinapadala, Vanessa," mariing sinabi ni Lola.

"Ma, I don't want to start a fight with you. Kumakain tayo." She hastily dropped her spoon and fork.

"Sige, mamaya kapag wala na tayo sa hapag-kainan," bawi pa ni Lola.

Lolo stifled a smile. Bumuntong-hininga ako at binilisan ang kinakain dahil ipapa-print ko pa ang isang plates ko na ipapasa sa Martes kahit na Sabado pa lang ngayon.

Didiretso na rin ako kina Cali dahil may kaunting handaan daw sa bahay nila since birthday niya.

November 9. Nag-aaya pang uminom ang gago na hindi ko naman tinanggihan.

I wonder if Trever would come... I want to ask him if he was also rejected by Maureen. Kasi kung wala... malaki ang posibilidad na siya yung nagugustuhan na ni Maureen.

Ang yabang niya kapag nagkataon. Ang lakas pa naman ng bilib ko sa sarili noong sinabi kong liligawan ko kung sakali si Maureen, tapos hindi pa 'ko nakakapagtanong, nag-aya lang ako ng date, tinanggihan na agad ang balak ko!

Gusto ko pa sanang kilalanin lalo kaso ang pangit talaga tignan na na nililigawan din ng kaibigan mo... dati. Kaya bounce na lang siguro ako.

"I'll pay for Vanna's tuition fee, don't worry," malamig kong sinabi at sinulyapan ang kapatid kong ngiting-ngiti.

"Really, Kuya?" Sumigla ang mata niya.

"Yep..." I ruffled her hair and took a glance under her chair, only to see her duckling laying down like a damn dog. "Pupunta ako sa school niyo sa Lunes after ng game namin ni Kuya Trev mo."

"You'll go together?!" masiglang tanong niya.

Ngumiwi ako at sumulyap kina Lola. "I don't know... Maybe?"

"Try to talk to him, Kuya. Communicate!" she pleaded cutely with her both hands placed like she's praying.

"Aight." I heavily sighed.

I remembered what Maureen had said last time. Hindi rin iyon mawala sa isip ko. I'm confused and my thoughts are quite a push and pull.

I know now that he envied me. He distanced himself because it was getting toxic. It was affecting his thoughts and his confidence stooped low because of it.

He compared his achievements to mine. If I was the same Yolo back then, I would definitely say to shrug it off, or maybe say that it was just a phase.

But I realized that those sickening feelings led him away from me. He find it hard to handle. Kaya nga mas mabuting lumayo kaysa malunod sa inggit.

He would think over it for countless nights, seeking assurance in the thought that he is worthy enough.

So why would I add another turmoil inside him if all along that was the thought that has been running in his head? If the best thing I could do is to be gentle with him?