Lucky (EXO Series III)

iv

iv

Seth

“So, we’ll see you again when, Son?” Dad took a sip on his coffee then he focused his eyes on me.

“It depends on when you’re coming back.” Nakaupo ako beside my dad, while my Mom was seated across me.

Tipid na ngiti ‘yung isinagot sa akin ni Mommy. She stood up from her seat and walked towards me. She stood behind me at niyakap ako. “I’m sorry we need to leave again, Seth. I hope you understand,” she said in a sad tone na nakapagpalungkot din sa’kin.

I hugged her arm and smiled. “Don’t worry about that, Mom. Naiintidihan ko naman po. And I’m sure Kuya Brent understands that, too.”

My Mom kissed the top of my head. “Be a good boy when we’re away, okay?”

Napangiti ako. “Oo naman po. Si Kuya ang i-remind nyo, Mom, Dad. I’m a good boy.”

My parents slightly chuckled. Bumalik na rin sa upuan niya si Mommy and we finished eating our breakfast.

Tonight, they’ll go back to Australia. Taon na naman bago ko sila muling makikita. At kahit na minsan nakakalungkot na madalas hiwa-hiwalay kami, I couldn’t hold any grudge against my parents. Bumabawi sila every time they get the chance. And what they’re doing is for our future. That alone makes me feel so grateful.

“Brent, take care of your younger brother, okay?” bilin ni Mommy sa Kuya ko as we send them off sa port.

Tumango si Kuya. “I will, Mom. Don’t worry.”

“And, Son,” lumapit si Daddy at hinawakan sa balikat ‘yung panganay niyang anak. “Sana sa pagbalik namin, ikasal na kayo ni Sunshine. ‘Wag niyo nang antayin na tumanda kami ng Mommy mo nang hindi nagkakaapo. That would make us sad.”

Hindi naman maipinta ‘yung mukha ni Kuya sa narinig. “Dad...”

“Listen to your Dad, Brent,” Agad na pigil ni Mommy sa pagrireklamo ni Kuya. “We’re not getting any younger. You’re not getting any younger. Kaya tigilan nyo na ‘‘yang pag-aaway nyong dalawa. Please?”

Wala nang nagawa si Kuya kundi tumango at mag-agree na lang sa pakiusap nila Mommy.

I hugged both my parents. “Ingat po kayo sa byahe, Mom, Dad.’

“We will. Kayo na ang bahala sa isa’t isa. We love you, Sons.” Mom kissed both of us, so did Dad.

We waved them goodbye for another couple of years.

Kuya Brent and I went back to the beach house.

“It’s you and me again, Little Brother.” Inakbayan niya ako. I gave him a smile. “Kelan ka nga ba babalik sa Manila?”

“The day after tomorrow, Kuya,” sagot ko. “Kayo ni Ate Shine, when are you going back to Australia?”

Napansin ko ‘yung pag-iling niya.

“May problema ba?”

Kuya Brent smiled a broken smile. “Ayaw na naman niya akong kausapin.” Tinanggal niya ‘yung kamay na nakaakbay sa’kin. Naupo siya sa sofa. “I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, Seth.” He buried his face in his hands. Tapos tumingin siya sa’kin with a sad expression. “I’m doing my best, but it seems she no longer understands me.”

Gusto kong maawa sa Kuya ko. Napapadalas na naman ‘yung away nila ng girlfriend niya. This was the first time I saw him so troubled about something. He’s not usually like this. Madalas, masayahin siya at parating nakangiti. He’s the life of the party since we were kids. Kaya nga siya minahal ni Ate Sunshine because he cheers her up and makes her happy. He lights up everyone’s mood. Pero siguro, ‘yung pagiging carefree ni Kuya ‘yung dahilan kung bakit hindi sila magkaintindihan.