Saved by Time's Sand

Chapter 5: Unspoken Concerns

Xierra's POV

After what felt like an incredibly long first day of Senior High School, I was more than ready to go home and unwind. The day had been filled with unexpected twists and turns, from the surprising kindness of my brother Winston to the unexpected camaraderie in my new group. My mind was still buzzing with everything that had happened, and I could feel the exhaustion settling in.

Winston and I didn't exchange many words as we walked to the parking lot after school. The silence between us was nothing new; it had been this way for as long as I could remember. But today, there was something different. Winston had been acting strange, his usual aloofness replaced by something else-concern, maybe? I wasn't sure.

We were near the gate when I heard some students murmur about us walking together. Everyone knew that we're half siblings and I think some of them judged me thinking that I don't deserve to be in this position as I "ruin" Winston's family. I try to ignore them but of course it still stings. Dapat nga sanay na ako since those people see me that way since last year. It should be nothing to be now, dapat sanay na ako. Pero hindi pa rin pala. Maybe they have a point? but as I remember my mother, I can't help but disagree. My mom would never ruin a complete family, It just happens that my dad and mom love each other? yes, maybe they really just love each other which makes them do such things.

As we got into the car, I noticed Winston glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. Again. It was the same look he'd been giving me all day, and it was starting to get on my nerves. "Ano kaya ang problema niya?" I thought, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I busied myself with my phone, scrolling aimlessly through social media, but I couldn't shake the sense that something was off.

We drove home in relative silence, the only sounds coming from the low hum of the car engine and the occasional rustle of my schoolbag as I shifted it on my lap. I stole a glance at Winston every now and then, and each time, I caught him doing the same. I wanted to ask him what was wrong, but the words just wouldn't come out. Why would he be worried about me, anyway? We weren't close-not by a long shot. He barely spoke to me unless it was necessary, and I had long since given up trying to break through the wall between us.

When we finally pulled into the driveway, I let out a small sigh of relief. At least now I could escape to my room and forget about the weirdness of the day. But as we got out of the car, I noticed Winston lingering, his hand resting on the car door as if he was debating whether or not to say something.

"May problema ka ba?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual even though my heart was racing.

He hesitated, then shook his head. "Wala. Pasok na tayo."

I frowned, not entirely convinced, but I didn't push it. If he didn't want to talk, I wasn't going to force him. "Bahala na siya," I thought, turning towards the house.

As soon as we stepped inside, the familiar smell of home-cooked food greeted us. Mom was in the kitchen, as usual, preparing dinner. She looked up and smiled as we entered, her eyes lighting up when she saw us.

"Magandang hapon, mga anak," she greeted us warmly. "Kumusta ang unang araw?"

"Okay naman, Ma," I replied, forcing a smile. "Medyo nakakapagod lang."

Winston just nodded, his expression unreadable as always. He mumbled a quick greeting to Mom before heading straight upstairs without another word.

I watched him go, a mix of confusion and frustration bubbling up inside me. "Bakit kaya ang weird niya ngayon?" I muttered to myself, but I quickly shook it off. I wasn't going to let his strange behavior ruin the rest of my evening.

"Anak, kain na tayo," Mom called from the kitchen, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Sige, Ma," I said, heading upstairs to drop off my things and freshen up before dinner.

As I climbed the stairs, I could still feel the weight of the day pressing down on me. The mix of excitement and nerves from earlier had left me drained, and all I wanted was to wash off the stress of the day. I went into my room, tossed my bag onto the bed, and headed straight to the bathroom.

The warm water from the shower was a welcome relief, and I let it wash away the tension in my shoulders. As I stood there, I couldn't help but replay the events of the day in my mind-the hurried morning, the strange looks from my classmates, the way Winston had kept glancing at me. It was all so overwhelming, and I needed a moment to just breathe.

After a quick shower, I changed into some comfortable clothes and headed back downstairs. The smell of adobo filled the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation. I hadn't realized just how hungry I was until now.

"Ang bango naman, Ma," I said as I entered the kitchen, my mouth watering at the sight of the food laid out on the table.

"Salamat, anak," Mom replied with a smile. "Nagluto ako ng paborito mong adobo. Kumain na tayo habang mainit pa."

I nodded, sitting down at the table. It was just the two of us tonight. Dad was still at work, and Winston, as usual, wouldn't bother to join us unless Dad was around. He had been like that ever since Mom and I came into their lives. I could never figure out if it was resentment, indifference, or something else entirely that kept him distant from us.

As we started eating, Mom looked at me with a gentle smile. "Kumusta ang school, Xierra? You forgot about your meds kanina. Buti na lng at tumawag ang kuya winston mo sa dad mo, ikaw talagang bata ka" She ask as she gave me some scolding too. I was shock by what she said, I thought na si Mom ang nakaalala na naiwan koa ng meds ko. Winston did that? I was silent for a second.

If you're wonding why I need to take meds and needy inhaler is because I have an asthma and when I was a kid I was diagnosed with a heart disease...but I think I'm all good now, It's just that my parents want to make sure that I'm taking a better care of myself. I don't wanna worry them too so I'm following what they want me to do which is to take vitamins and meds.

"Did you meet some friends? Kumusta sina Aki and Feliz? " She ask continuing our conversation.

"Opo, Ma," I replied, taking a bite of the adobo. "Nakilala ko yung mga ka-group ko kanina sa isang activity. Okay naman sila, medyo intimidating yung isa pero mabait naman. Sina Feliz and Aki naman, I think they're doing good in HUMSS, we eat our lunch together kanina"

Mom chuckled. "Naku, baka crush ka lang nun kaya ganun. Ikaw talaga, anak, ang dami mo laging iniisip."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Ma, hindi naman lahat ng lalaki gusto ako. Hindi naman ako ganun ka-special."

"Ikaw naman, anak, huwag mo namang maliitin ang sarili mo," she said, her tone soft but firm. "Maganda ka at matalino. Wala kang dapat ikatakot."

I smiled, feeling a bit better after hearing Mom's reassuring words. She always knew how to make me feel better, even when I didn't believe in myself. We continued eating in comfortable silence, the warmth of the food and the familiarity of home easing the tension I had been carrying all day.

After dinner, I volunteered to wash the dishes. It was a small task, but it helped me clear my mind. As I scrubbed the plates clean, I found myself thinking about the new school year and everything that lay ahead. It was both exciting and terrifying at the same time.

When I finished, I dried my hands and headed back upstairs. I still had some time before bed, and I decided to do a bit of advanced studying. The day's lessons were still fresh in my mind, and I wanted to make sure I was on top of everything from the start. I pulled out my textbooks and notebooks, spreading them out on my desk.

As I started reviewing the day's notes, I found my thoughts drifting back to Winston. Despite his strange behavior, I couldn't help but wonder what was really going on in his mind. Maybe he wasn't as indifferent as I thought. Maybe, just maybe, there was a part of him that cared, even if he didn't show it.

I sighed, shaking my head. "Ano ba, Xierra? Huwag ka na nga mag-isip ng kung ano-ano," I muttered to myself. I needed to focus on my studies, not on things I couldn't control.

But as I buried myself in my books, the questions lingered in the back of my mind, refusing to be ignored.