Fierce

Chapter 33

I reuploaded chapter 32 because it was suddenly deleted and I don't know why. Watty problems, I think.

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Chapter 33
Brother

"What?" halos walang boses na lumabas sa akin at puro hangin lamang.

Hindi ako makapaniwala. Aakusahan ko na siyang nagsisinungaling at nagloloko lamang ngunit tuwing titignan ko ang kaniyang seryosong mukha ay alam kong nagsasabi siya ng totoo.

"P-Paano?" naguguluhan kong tanong. "Si Tito Arman?"

"Alam kong hindi kapani-paniwala, but he's my real Dad, Blair." he told me.

"You're always hanging out with me and Ida!" puna ko. "Bakit wala siyang sinasabi sa akin tungkol sa'yo? It's impossible, Gael... Kung alam niya... she will—"

"She might won't let me get near you if she knows." pagsabat naman ni Gael. "I don't know if they told her or not pero mukhang hindi. She doesn't know me personally til now. And it's only because of you."

"And you didn't bother telling her?"

"It's her family's decision, Blair." sabi naman ni Gael.

"They're also your family, Gael." giit ko. "You're my best friend's brother. Half or not, you two are still siblings. You're a Mallari."

Umiling naman si Gael. "I'm not, Blair." he said. "I've already accepted that he doesn't want me to be a part of his family. Masaya na ang pamilya nila at ayoko nang guluhin pa 'yon. Ayaw na namin ni Mommy'ng pagsisikan ang sarili namin sa kanila. We're happy by ourselves."

Napabuntong hininga naman ako at hinilo ang aking sintido.

"I can't believe that you're Tito's son." sabi ko dahil hirap pa rin akong paniwalaan ang lahat.

Bigla ko namang naalala nang inaya siya ni Ida na sumama sa aming kumain ng dinner sa kanilang bahay.

"Is that why you didn't agree when Ida invited you and Graham to eat dinner with us and her family?" tanong ko naman.

Tumango naman siya. "That's only one of the reasons..." he said. "But Mom really came home that night. Hindi ko nga lang dapat siya susunduin pero... I have no choice but to do something so that you won't suspect or doubt."

Napanguso naman ako.

"They like to meet you, Gael." sabi ko.

Napakunot ang kaniyang noo sa aking sinabi. Bahagya rin siyang tumawa. He thinks I'm joking.

"You're kidding me right?" naguguluhan niyang tanong. "Gusto nila akong makita?"

"Yes! Well... sort of." nagkibit-balikat ako. "They would like to meet the guy that I fell for."

"The guy you fell for is different from his bastard son, Blair." sabi naman niya at ngumisi sa akin.

I rolled my eyes at him. Why is he thinking so low of himself? He deserves so much better!

"You're not a bastard, Gael." giit ko sa kaniya. "You are his son. Kung anak ka niya ay anak ka niya. Gawa ka sa dugo at laman niya. You're a Mallari for Pete's sake! And even if you're not carrying his name, Gael, you're better that way."

Ngumiti naman siya hinila ako papalapit sa kaniya. He kissed the top of my head as he hugged me tighter.

"I'm so lucky to meet you..." he whispered. "You make everything easy for me."