Subject; LOVE

Subject;71

"PAN?" His deep voice echoed in my ears. I sigh and slowly face him. I wear my smile and look at him.

"H-hi—" I didn't finished my words when he close our distance and hugged me tightly. I gripped on his shirt. Binaon ko ang aking muka sa kanyang dibdib at doon humagulhol. I heard him sobs too.

I felt him caress my hair, calming me.

"Hush, what happened?" Nagaalalang tanong nito. Nang hindi ako nagsalita ay inakay nya ako papasok sa kanyang bahay. Pinaupo nya ako sa sofa at mabilis na umalis sa harapan ko. Seconds later, he came back carrying a glass of water. I drank it. He kneel in front of me.

Magulo ang buhok nito, maputla at may itim sa ilalim ng kanyang mga mata. He look so worried while staring at me.

"Can you speak, baby? You're making me worried so much."

"Nagkabalikan na kayo?" Walang buhay kong tanong. I saw how his lips parted because of my question.

"N-no! I won't come back to her. You see? I'm miserable because I'm not with you. I want you besides me, baby. I only want you..." Bumuhos na naman ang luha sa aking mga mata. Tangina. Hindi pa ba ubos luha ko?!

Mabilis nya akong hinila sa braso pagkatapos ay niyakap.

"Hush, baby... sayo ako uuwi diba?" Pangaalo nito. Sakin nga but I'm still waiting for you to said those three words.

IT TAKES a couple of minutes before I calmed down. He wipe my cheek. Titig na titig ito sa akin.

"What really happened?" He asked. I lower my gaze and play with my fingers.

"M-masama na ba akong a-anak at k-kapatid?" Mahinang tanong ko.

"Why? Care to tell me, hm?" I bit my lip.

"Kanina... d-dapat sana aalis kami. Ako, si mommy at daddy, at si kuya... I don't really know kung saan kami pupunta... sabi ni daddy, it's a surprise. Until I realize something. Nahanap na nila ang nawawala kong kapatid." I looked at him. He nod.

"You should be happy." He said in a low tone.

"I-i should? I... I don't want her..."

"Bakit? It's your sibling. Dapat masaya ka."

"Masaya... sila lang naman ang masaya eh. Kasi makakabalik na yung favorite child nila. Nasaan na naman ako nyan? Nasa likod. Ayoko na sa ganon... I used to be there..." I shook my head.

"Pan..."

"Dad slap me. See? He... he can slap me. Kaya umalis ako. Masama pa nga talaga loob ko sayo but I don't know why I gave your address to the driver." Sambit ko. He smile.

"Maybe, yun talaga ang sunod na mangyayari? We'll meet then magkakaayos tayo." Nakangiting usal nito. Lihim akong napanguso.

"Ako ba talaga ang pinili mo? Baka nalilito ka lang." Paninigurado ko. He chuckle then kiss my knuckles.

"Yes po. Ikaw po ang pinili ko." Nakangiting aniya. I pout more. "Oo nga pala. Kumain ka na?" He ask.

"Huh? Hello! It's four in the afternoon na kaya, malamang na kumain—oh my God! don't tell me hindi ka pa kumakain?!" I screeched. Gulat akong tumingin dito.

"Ahm... yeah? Tinamad akong magluto kanina... so yeah. Sabay ka?"

"Dinner ko na yan kung sakali." Natatawang sambit ko natawa naman ito. Sa huli ay sabay kaming pumunta sa dinning area nya. May nakahain na doon sa dinning table. Isang plato lang ang nandoon kaya dali-daling kumuha si Lix ng isa pang plato.

Pinaghila na ako ng upuan. I smile at him and say thank you. Nang buksan nito ang takip ng ulam ay kaagad na kumalat ang amoy nito. Natakpan ko ang aking ilong dahil doon.