The way I was

8. News

"What?"

I couldn't hide my smile after hearing what Dad had to say that Sunday morning.

Hunter is going to New York for his studies. He will study abroad because our father thinks that he's getting distracted here so he's sending him away.

We were on the gazebo, having breakfast. Hyan kicked my lower leg to stop me from smiling - or so that's what I thought why she did that. I looked at her. She was staring at me with her cat's eyes.

"You'll go to New York, as soon as possible. Heath will be with you next term." Daddy said coolly. "Napag-usapan na namin ito ng Mama ninyo and she also thinks that it's better for you two to go abroad to have better education and opportunities. And you cannot say NO Hunter." Wika pa ni Daddy.

One down.

"Hyron, why are you smiling like that?" Biglang tanong sa akin ni Daddy. Nagulat ako.

"Nothing dad. But, isn't this such a lovely day?" Hindi ko na itinago ang ngiti ko. Hunter stared at me like he's going to kill me or something but I just don't care.

"Alright, Hyron. Hunter, stop looking at your brother like that. You Uncle Eos talked to me and he told me what you did to your girlfriend." Huminga nang malalim si Dad. Si Mama naman ay parang hindi mapakali habang nakatingin kay Hunter.

"You cannot do that again or I'm gonna send you to jail."

"She was asking for it." Sagot naman ni Hunter. Tumayo si Mama.

"Haley, Hyan, Heath, Hyron, go inside please. Hayaan ninyo muna kaming mag-usap ng Daddy ninyo at ni Hunter." Sabi ni Mama na puno ng pag-aalala ang mukha. She shook her head. Si Haley ang unang lumabas ng gazebo. Sumunod si Heath. Si Hyan ay umalis na rin pero bumalik para hatakin ako sa braso. Ayokong umalis. Gusto kong marinig kung anong sasabihin ni Mama at ni Daddy sa kanya. Ang kapal ng apog ng kapatid ko para sabihin niya that Lualhati was asking for it - Damn him! Lualhati only begged to me. She was mine and Hunter will never ever know how heavenly it felt being inside of her.

"Hyron, hanggang kailan mo lolokohin ang pamilya natin? Akala mo ba naniniwala ako na may amnesia ka?"

"Hindi ko alam kung anong sinasabi mo, Hyan." Sabi ko sa kanya. Nilagpasan ko siya at umakyat sa silid ko. I checked my phone and I saw Andres' message. Sinabi niya sa mensahe niya na paluwas na si Mang Jaime at ang kapatid ni Lualhati na si Lila para lumipat nang tirahan sa siyudad. I grinned. Lumiliit na ang mundo ni Lualhati. Ilang panahon na lang at malalaman nang tatay niya na hindi siya nakaalis papunta ng Dubai.

Gumawa na rin ako ng paraan para magsara ang bar na pinagtatrabahuhan niya. Ipapasara din kasabay noon ang tinitirahan niyang apartment. Wala nang matitira kahit na ano sa kanya.

It is indeed a good day.

Lumabas ako nang araw na iyon para panoorin ang mangyayaring pagapasara sa bar nila. I was two blocks away from them as I enjoy the view. Umiiyak ang may-ari ng bar at nakikiusap sa mga taga-banko na h'wag kunin ang pag-aari niya habang ang mga tauhan naman niya ay naroon at hindi makapagsalita. Lahat sila ay tulala.

Hinanap ng mga mata ko si Lualhati. Nakita ko siyang nakatayo malapit sa isang babae at tulala na rin. I was smiling. Ipapakita ko sa kanya kung gaano kahirap ang buhay sa siyudad. I will make her see that I am her only salvation.

Babalik din siya sa akin.

Matapos ang ilang oras ay bigong nag-empake ang mga taong dati ay doon nakatira. Habang nakatayo ako doon ay bigla kong naisip kung saan aya pupunta si Hati? Wala siyang kakilala at alam kong hindi naman niya tatawagan si Hunter dahil muntik na siya nitong gahasain noong nakaraan.