Sad to Belong

Chapter 3

            

"Hey, are you really ok?" kumalas na ito sa pagkakayakap nila saka hinarap ito. Puno ng paga-alala ang kanyang mukha dahil bakas sa mukha ng kapatid na malayo ito sa 'okay lang'.

"Of course I'm okay kuya! Nakakatampo lang kasi bihira ka nalang umuwi dito 'tas si mama parati namang subsob sa trabaho." May halong pagtatampo niyang tugon. Napag-desisyunan muna niyang huwag banggitin ang nangyari sa kanyang kuya ngayon. Panigurado, susugurin nito ang binata. She wouldn't want that. Not for now anyway.

"Look, I'm sorry okay? I'll make it up to you. I'll be staying over for like, a month or so, how's that?" E.J announced habang prente itong nakaupo sa kanilang couch. Siguro naman ay magiging enough na ito para makapag-catch up sila ni Zayelee at hopefully ay makuha na nitong sabihin kung ano man ang kanyang pinagdadaanan ngayon bago pa man siya makaalis.

E.J still looks the same ng huli niya itong makita. Maybe something changed in him but for her, he's still the same as ever.

"Finally! May makakasama na rin ako sa bahay!" masaya niyang tugon. At least hindi muna siya magi-isa sa malaki nilang bahay ngayong buwan.

"How's mum Zaye?" seryoso nitong tanong. "I mean, I haven't seen her longer than you. Ni hindi ko rin siya nakakausap. We barely have any communication."

"I don't know Kuya. She's barely home. Tina-try ko siyang tawagan to ask how she is pero hindi niya sinasagot ang mga tawag ko. I even reached out to her colleagues kung alam nila kung nasaan siya. Some of them said she was partying and drinking most of the time. I don't even know where she lives now." Distressed is evident on both of their faces. Kagabi niya lamang nalaman ang tungkol sa mga pinaggagagawa ng mama niya. Simula ng mamayapa ang kanilang ama ay unti-unti na rin silang nawalan ng relasyon sa kanilang Ina. Naging malayo ang loob nito sa kanila at sa tingin ni Zayelee ay naging dahilan nito ang pagsubsob sa trabaho para kalimutan niya ang katotohanang wala na ang kanyang asawa. Ngunit nagkamali pala siya. Her mother turned into someone she can't relate to anymore.

"You know what, since this is my first day back home, why don't we go and eat outside? My treat!" biglang pagbawi ni E.J to lighten their moods up. He doesn't want to talk about all this things lalong-lalo na narito siya ngayon. It's his first day, they need to have some fun!

"Yesss!!! I miss your libres!" nakangiting tugon niya bago nagpaalam para makapagpalit.

"Kahit kelan talaga Zayelee, ang kuripot mo! Kelan ka pa manlilibre?" sigaw nito sa kanyang bunsong kapatid na paakyat sa kanyang kwarto.

"Neverrrr!"

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"So tell me, how's your social life?" tanong ng kanyang kuya habang ngumunguya ito.

Zayelee rolled her eyes at his question. "Kuya, you know my only friend is Saige. So clearly, it's always the same."

"Of course, the mighty Saige. How is she? You should go out some more baby. H'wag kang magmukmok sa bahay. Meet new people." Nakangiti nitong sabi.

"Easy for you to say Mr popular. I'm alright at home Kuya. I have Saige... who, will be back tomorrow actually. She and her family went to Italy last month." she said trying to change the topic. Nagkatinginan silang dalawa sabay sabing, "Rich kid!" and they both laughed.

"Good to hear. What about you? When are you planning to visit us in Manila? And you know, maybe to live at least with either of us?" he asked with a smirk playing on his face.

"I don't know Kuya. Maybe one day? I just feel like I should be home just in case mum finally decides to come back." She said with sadness in her eyes. E.J nods at her in return. He totally understands her. While she was close to their father, she also had a good relationship with their mum so he can't blame her. He just hates the thought of their mum spending most of her nights away from her while she's got the chance to. He doesn't know until when Zayelee is going to put up with her. May hangganan rin ang isang tao and he obviously had. If their mum keeps doing this, maybe she'll lose them forever. She should've realised that all she needs are them to completely move on from the passing of her husband. After all, he was their father too.