Vacation With My Cousin

50 : Leigha's Words of Wisdom

"Luke!" naramdaman ko sa likod ko ang kamay ni ate Leigha sa likod. "Baka naman masunog na atay mo nian." napailing na lamang ako at tinungga ang isang bote ng beer.

"Sa magkakapatid, ako lang yata ang hindi sakit sa ulo." pagmamayabang ni ate Leigha

Naniningkit ang mata kong tinignan si ate. Ngumisi naman ito "just kidding. Kasi naman si Lindsey naglayas, ikaw inom ng inom. Magulang naman natin hinahanap si Lindsey sa kung saang lupalop tsk."

Bigla uling natahimik ang lugar. Bigla namang inagaw ni ate ang bote ng beer at ininom. "Umalis na siya" she told me.

Napairap na lamang ako "Gusto nia yan diba? Bahala sia sa buhay nia! Tutal malaki na sia." hindi ko alam kung bakit ko nasabi iyon pero iyong ang nararamdaman ko.

Nasasaktan na ako, napapagod na ako, nahihirapan na ako at higit sa lahat, suko na ako. Wala na akong magagawa, gusto niua eh. She don't want me to feel sorry for her? At bakit? Hindi ko naman sia kinakaawaan ah! Siua lang yung kinakaawaan ang sarili niua!

"Totoo ba talagang sia na talaga ang bahala? Alam mo Luke, naawa ako nung nagpaalam at nanghingi sia ng patawad sa amin nina mommy't daddy." ate said, malungkot pa ang boses nito.

I don't know but I don't want to listen but there's an urge inside me na parang all ears talaga sa sasabihin ni ate. Hindi ko alam, ano na naman? Masasaktan na naman ako?

"She looks so pale." I heave a sigh.

"She's just acting."

"Her eyes were sad."

"She's the high school theater drama queen remember?"

"She said she's... dying."

"She's a liar."

"Maniniwala ka bang patay na pala si Tasia?" nangunot ang noo kong tinignan sia. How did she knew it? Ana died two months ago.

"She died two months ago." I answered. Nakakunot pa din ang noo ko. I eyed at her.

"Kilalang kilala kita Luke, if you can't get what you want then you'll find another one—who looks the same as what you wanted."

Mas nangunot ang noo ko. We were just talking about Ana yet she jumped into kilala nia ako? hell!

What the fuck is happening?! Is this a riddle or what?!

"Now, describe Chanty. Everything about her." her voice was calm as a calm water. Wow! I feel like I'm being played! Ate's ruling me!

"Shut up!" tiim bagang kong sabi. Does she really have to make me think of Chanty again? Sucks! Kakalimutan ko na siya. Yun naman ang gusto nia diba? Ang layuan ko sia at kalimutan dahil may sakit sia, ang sakit na kaya namang ipagamot lang! She's a Baez! Mayaman pa nga sila sa Presidente! They can even buy a country! Ganyan ka yaman ang Baez yet they can't cure a leukemia patient? hell no!

"Tiny nose.. Big eyes.. Kissable lips? That you really wante—"

"Shut the fuck up!"

"No I won't!" sigaw nito pabalik sa akin. "Listen to me Lucho Miguel! Alam na alam kong mahal mo pa si Chanty!" singhal niya sa akin.

I was shaking my head. Trying not to listen to her.

I stoned when she slapped me "Lucho! Namatay si Tasia dahil sa sakit na leukemia and hereditary iyon and another surprise?! She's Chanty's sister!"

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Hereditary? Leukemia? Sister? Am I in a comedy bar? Am I dreaming? Am I going to laugh with ate's joke already?

"Ngayon, maniniwala ka na bang mamamatay sia? She's dying Lucho! She's dying yet you are there trying to burden yourself and trying to stay away from her. Bakit? dahil ba sabi niya? Bakit dahil ba nasaktan ka? Then congratulations! You are loving! Lucho, love means to be hurt."

Nwala na ako sa sarili ko. Lahat na yata ng luha ko naiyak ko na.

"You know what, I wouldn't take this long. Here.."

I stoned when she handed me a brown envelope. "Tonight. 3.00AM, flight to Vancouver. Alam mo naman siguro ang mansion ng Baez doon diba? Malaki ka na. It's up for you to go or not. Baka naman kasing tigas din ng ulo mo ang kay Chanty. Go, Lucho before it's too late." she smiled, tapping my back and left.