Chapter 21
Kanina niya pa tinitingnan ang cellphone niya. Kanina niya pa ito gustong kunin upang itext o tawagan si Julie. Ngayon kasi ito lalabas ng ospital. He even wanted to be there kaya lang he don't have the guts to do so.
Nakaupo siya sa kama at nakatingin sa kawalan nang may kumatok na nagpabalik sa kanya sa realidad.
Binuksan niya ang pintuan at nakita ang nakababatang kapatid na si Arkin.
"Kuya?"
"Oh Barq! Bakit?"
"Anong ginagawa mo dito?"
"Ha?"
"Ngayon ang labas ni Ate Julie. Hindi mo ba siya pupuntahan?"
"Hindi." Aniya.
Umupo ulit siya sa kama at napayuko. He really wants to be there pero hindi niya kaya.. hindi rin siya welcome doon.
"Bakit?"
"You won't understand."
Umupo sa left side niya si Arkin and slightly tapped his back.
"I'll listen, Kuya."
"She don't deserve me, Barq. Lagi kong nasasaktan ang Ate Julie mo."
"You know what, Kuya? Kahit hindi pa ako nagkakagirlfriend, maniniwala ka bang naiintindihan ko ang sitwasyon niyo ni Ate?" He looked at his younger brother. "Kasi you and Ate Julie opened my eyes to what true love is. Sa inyo ko talaga na-witness, how love works. Syempre kasi yung kina Mom, hindi naman natin naabutan yung teenage days nila. Kaya katulad ng iba, naniwala akong may forever dahil sa inyo."
"Barq, what are you trying to say?"
"Alam kong natatakot kang masaktan ulit si Ate Julie. Pero diba pain is always there when you're in love? Kung masaktan man si Ate ulit, edi ikaw ang gumamot. Stop the chase, Kuya. You think you don't deserve her? But she doesn't mind naman kasi ang mahalaga sakanya ay mahal ka niya. Ikaw lang din naman ang masasaktan, Kuya."
"Tama si Barq, Bro." Biglang singit ni Frank na kasama sina Pia, Maxene, Saab at Clara.
"Kuya."
Umupo sa right side niya si Frank saka pa siya inakbayan nito.
"Puntahan mo siya. This time, dapat sabay niyo nang harapin ang lahat."
"Tsaka, lil bro, wag mo nang isipin yung sasabihin nang iba. Kasi ang mahalaga ay kayong dalawa." Dagdag pa ni Maxene.
"If ever you're thinking about her parents, prove to them that you're still worthy of their trust. Son, we're here for you. We will support you and if you need help, don't hesitate to call us." Pahayag din ni Pia.
"Oo nga, bro. Kung kailangan mo ng backup, tawagin mo lang kami. Pati sina Ate Unna. Isama mo na din si Jim." Kumindat pa si Saab nang sinabi iyon sa kanya.
"Thank you, guys."
"Kuya?"
Lumapit si Clara sakanya at agad naman niyang kinandong.
"Yes, baby sis?"
Clara cupped his face with her both hands.
"Kuya, you and Ate Julie will get back together, right?"
"It's up to your Ate, baby. If she's gonna accept me again even if I've hurt her a lot of times already."
"She'll accept you, Kuya. You know why?" Umiling siya. "She once said to me that she'll never get tired of loving you. As well as she will never get tired of accepting you in her life all over again. She said that kahit gaano mo pa siya nasaktan or masaktan, she will still chose to be with you. Because as she said, you're the only one that her hearts desires. At saka ikaw lang din daw ang kilala ng puso niya."
