That Summer Night of August

Kabanata 31

Kabanata 31

Nakatutok lang ako sa scientific calculator ko habang nag-iisip kung paano i-solve 'tong problem set na nakita ko sa mga reviewers na binigay ni Dad. The problem sets were too advanced. I don't even know where to start. Nasa bahay ako ngayon ni Dad, umuuwi ako rito kapag weekend para makasama ang mga kapatid ko.

Napabuntonghininga nalang ako saka kinuha ang reviewer at nagbasa ulit, nagbabakasakaling may makukuhang ideya. It's already been 2 months since the founding anniversary. And midterm exams will be next week.

Patuloy kong binasa ang bawat problem set, hoping something would click. My mind wandered to those days during the founding anniversary, when everything felt a bit more relaxed. Now, the pressure was back on. I had to pass these exams, not just for myself, but to prove something to Dad.

Maya-maya'y narinig kong bumukas ang pinto ng study room. Tumambad si Timothy, dala ang mga libro niya. "You doing good?" tanong niya habang naglalakad papunta sa akin.

I could see the dark circles around his eyes. Tim has a problem with their club. It was getting harder for him since their president resigned.

"Not really," sagot ko, sabay hila ng isang upuan para sa kanya. "How about you? Mukhang pagod ka."

He sighed and dropped his books on the table. "Yeah, it's been tough. Ever since our president resigned and transferred school, I've been trying to keep things together, but it's a lot."

I didn't really know what happened between them, but I was really rooting for them somehow. I could see how my brother respects their club president, Lucas. There are just things that are out of our control no matter how hard we try to take a hold of them.

It's my brother's story to tell.

He sat down heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Lucas was the glue that held us together. Without him, it feels like everything is falling apart. I'm trying to fill his shoes, but it's just not the same."

I nodded, understanding his struggle. For Timothy, Lucas Alexander de Vera wasn't just any president; he was the epitome of kindness and hard work. His charisma and organization kept the club running smoothly, and his resignation left a void that seemed impossible to fill.

"I wish there was something I could do to help," I said, feeling the weight of his burden.

He looked up at me, a small, grateful smile on his face. "Just being here helps. It's nice to have someone to talk to."

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of his words hanging between us. I knew how much my brother looked up to Lucas, and it pained me to see him struggle like this.

"Maybe you can focus on what Lucas taught you," I suggested. "He was always about teamwork and resilience, right? Use that to your advantage. Rally the members and remind them why they joined the club in the first place."

"I'm trying, Kuya. It's just different without him. I was so dependent on him because I thought... I thought we have no problems," Timothy sighed before smiling at me wryly.

I could feel my heart being crushed seeing my brother like this. Hindi ko kailanman naisip na magiging ganito. Timothy told me that after he confronted Lucas, their problem spiraled out of control. Lucas didn't explain his reason for leaving, and that's what pained Timothy the most. At the very least, he could have given my brother an explanation.

Timothy just stared blankly on his book. His usual confidence was replaced with a look of vulnerability. "I thought he was my friend," Timothy whispered, his voice breaking. "We were supposed to have each other's backs, no matter what."