Resisting Ezekiel

XVII - New Rival

Ben's POV

"It's almost midnight. Where have you been?" He asked as I entered the house. Kakauwi ko lang kasi ng bahay. Akala ko tulog na mga tao. I can't believed he is still awake when it's almost midnight. I thought he is already sleeping.

"It's none of your business." Malamig na sagot ko sakanya at nilampasan siya. I don't have time to hear any of his lectures. I'm too old for that. Dumiretso na ako sa kwarto ko at humiga. Medyo pagod ako galing sa club. Akala ko di niya na ako gagambalain pero sinundan niya ako hanggang kwarto ko.

"Of course. It is my business. You are my only younger brother." Sabi niya. Nakatayo siya sa harap ko habang nakakrus ang dalawang braso niya sa kaniyang dibdib. He looks like worried and angry at the same time. Hanggang kailan ba niya ako lulubayan? He's been like this since I was a kid. Ngayong matanda na ako, ganito parin siya. It's kinda bit of annoying.

"I'm already 27, Jonathan and why are you still awake around this time? Don't you have a work tomorrow?" Naiinis na sabi ko sakanya. Bakit di na lang siya magfocus sa mga ginagawa niya? Pinapansin niya lang naman ako kapag may nagagawa akong masama or gaya nito na late umuwi. He is acting like a father. Mas strikto pa siya kesa sa stepfather ko na si Daddy Ian.

Matagal nang patay biological daddy namin ni Jonathan. Si Ian ang tumayong ama namin. He is so kind and turing na namin sakanya ay parang tunay na ama at tinuring din niya kaming parang tunay na anak.

Both Ian and Mommy are the best parents. They are not that strict but they are always there for us and they showed love and care samin ni Jonathan. Eto lang si Jonathan yung kung umasta parang magulang ko.

"My friend called me because his friend is nowhere to be found and don't you ever disrespect me like that. Kuya mo parin ako. Just because pinagbibigyan ka lagi ni Mommy at ni Daddy eh magiging ganito ka karebelde." Panenermon niya sakin. Makikita sa kaniyang mukha ang inis at galit. I don't get him why he is treating me like a kid. I know he is older but I don't feel like he trust me even if I am already 27 years old.

"I am not a rebel. For pete's sake, ang tanda ko na para pagalitan mo. Can you just leave me alone?" Naiinis kong sigaw sakanya. Nagsisimula na akong mairita sakanya. I am always getting out of his business. Why can't he just let me mind my own?

"You're already old but you're still acting like a brat. May nagpaparty paba sa ganyang edad, Ben? You're supposed to be helping Dad in managing the company. Why can't you grow up?" Patuloy niya sa panenermon sakin. This is what I hate sakanya. He is always belittling me like I'm such a useless person. He wants me to help Dad in our company but that's not what I want to do. Why can't he understand that?

"How about you mind your own business? Stay out of my problem, Jonathan. Hindi kita tatay para diktahan ako. You're just a brother." Singhal ko sakanya. I can feel my chest tightened because of rage. Nakita ko na bigla siyang natigilan. Bumakas din sa kaniyang mga mata na nasaktan siya sa sinabi ko. Bigla naman ako nakaramdam ng guilt. Masyado atang masakit yung sinabi ko pero hayaan ko na lang. He is so annoying anyway. Palagi na lang siyang ganito. Parang wala na akong ginawang tama sakanya.

"Yeah right. I'm just a brother. I wonder kung kaya mong wala ako. I'll stay out of your business. You do you. Don't ever call for my help." Malamig na sagot niya sakin bago lumabas ng kwarto ko at padabog na sinara ang pinto ko. Halos mapabuga naman ako ng hangin sa sobrang intense ng naramdaman ko. This is the first time I've seen him get cold. Kahit kailan di niya sinabi sakin yung mga last words niya. I wonder if he means it.

Anyway, mas okay na yung hindi niya na ako pakikialaman. Palagi na lang ako nabwibwisit sakanya dahil palagi niya na lang ako sinesermonan na parang bata. Minsan napapahiya ako sa mga kaibigan ko dahil pinaparamdam niya sakin na I am immature.