Blue Brothers

Chapter 11

Blue Brothers

(Chapter 11 – A Friend In Need)

 

Some scenes may contain mature language and may not be suitable for very young readers. Parents strongly cautioned.

It’s the second day of February, and Tom is now 18 years old. His birthday falls on a Wednesday kaya they’ve decided na i-celebrate na lang ito this coming weekend sa Blue Sky Mansion. They still have to attend classes since it’s an ordinary school day.

Excited pa din ang binata dahil ngayong araw na ito ay ipapasa na sa kanya ang pagmamay-ari ng St. Patrick’s Academy, dahil nasa legal age na siya. But 18 is still a young age, kaya si Frank pa din muna ang magpapatakbo ng school.

May isa pang importanteng bagay na kailangang mapag-usapan. During their afternoon break, Frank called for the four brothers and brought them to a conference room.

“Please be sitted. May importanteng sasabihin sa inyo ang Dad niyo.” sabi ni Frank.

Nagtaka ang magkakapatid. Pagkaupo nila, Frank opened the wide LED TV and played a recorded video of Johnny before he was admitted to the hospital.

“Gusto ni Johnny na mapanood niyo ‘to. Mamaya na kayo mag comment after watching.” sabi ni Frank.

“Kumusta, mga anak. By the time na mapanood niyo ‘to, nasa langit na ako.” natatawang panimula ni Johnny sa video.

“Dad…” amazed na sabi ng magkakapatid.

“I would like to tell you an important issue. Bago ako mamatay, inayos ko na yung mga trust funds niyo. So, wala kayong magiging problema. You could still go to the colleges and universities of your choice. Pero, we have another problem.” sabi ni Johnny sa video.

Nakikinig lang sina Tom.

“St. Patrick’s Academy is nearing bankruptcy. Investors had been pulling out their support. Worse, the owner of St. Catherine’s Academy, Natalia Mori, is planning to do a takeover. I don’t want that to happen. By this time, Carlos, alam mo na siguro na ikaw ang gusto kong magmana ng St. Catherine’s, at Tom, ikaw naman sa St. Patrick’s.” sabi ni Johnny.

Nagkatinginan lang sina Tom at Carlos.

“David and Shiro, I also need your help. Kailangan ko kayong apat. You need to save the schools built by your grandfather.”

Kinakabahan silang apat. Ngayon lang nila nalaman ang balita, at hindi nila alam kung anong magagawa nila para maisalba ang eskwelahan.

“When I was a teenager, my father gave me a jewelry box. It contains a compass, a ring, a necklace with a locket, and a bracelet with a small key. Sabi niya, huwag na huwag ko daw iwawala ang apat na jewelries. Kakailanganin ko daw ito pagdating ng araw.”

“Pero hindi ko sinunod yung sinabi niya. I was a playboy, at di ko namalayang naibigay ko na pala ang apat na jewelries sa apat na babaeng nakasama ko – ang mga nanay niyo.” kwento ni Johnny.