Masked Pleasure (BxB) ✔

Chapter 21 [Families]

I am literally panting as I step my foot inside the house again, even though I didn't exert any tiring work to be this exhausted. Mabilis ang takbo ng puso ko at naririnig ko na ang paglakas ng dagundong nito kahit takpan ko man ang magkabilang tainga ko. This fear is normal, hindi ito katulad ng takot na lumason sa aking utak noon, itong takot na nararamdaman ko ngayon ay may halong kompiyansa.

Ngayong hawak ni Troy ang isang kamay ko, it gave me so much relief kahit na hindi pa nagsisimula itong haharapin namin ngayon. Even though the fear is engulfing me wholly, there is an ease and comfort coming from him. Nakita ko sa kanyang mga mata ang kaluluwa niyang gumagabay sa akin upang alisin ang takot na kumukulong sa akin. It's really good to think that despite the personal issues you have, there is this one person who stays beside you no matter what. And it is something that I'm thankful for.

Sinundan ko ang mga yapak ni Syra habang mabilis siyang naglalakad at ang kanyang mukha'y nakabaon sa dalawa niyang palad. I can hear her sobs at my distance.

Nakarating ako sa dining room at naabutan ko roon ang aking kapatid na humahagulgol sa dibdib ni Daddy. Natataranta si Mom na inaalo si Syra at hindi malaman kung paano ito patatahanin. Nag-angat siya ng tingin nang marinig ang yapak kong papalapit.

"Syra.." I called her.

I can't see her face clearly dahil nakatabon ito sa mga dibdib ni Dad, while Mom is so confused looking at me then at Syra again.

"Syra, what's wrong baby?" Dad asking her. Inaayos nito ang nagulong buhok ng aking kapatid.

"Symon, what did you do to your sister??" Mom referred to me with her full eyebrows creased, looking unpleased with the confusion on her face.

Napaawang ang labi ko sa katanungan niya. She's blaming me before I can even speak a word.

"Syra, let's talk.." I convinced her, trying to make the situation less complex as what it really is. Hoping I can convince her, change her mind before she can even judge me, as she's my younger sister, I give her that. I am giving her the chance to be a better person even though I think she doesn't deserve this.

"Noooo! You dirty faggot! Boyfriend stealer!" I saw her face, her reddish eyes and the dried tears below her eyes. Mom and Dad's eyes turned to me.

My jaw dropped open in amazement. Well, I gave her the chance and she wasted it. And now she's calling me a faggot! And boyfriend-stealer like what the heck?? Is Troy even her boyfriend? This is the very reason why I hate talking to immature people like her, it doesn't make a single sense.

"What are you saying, Syra??" Mom's already triggered with what's suddenly happening. Makabag-damdamin ang mga iyak ni Syra habang inaalo siya ng aking mga magulang.

"Mom, let her rest. She's ju-" Naputol ang sasabihin ko dahil sa muling pagsigaw ni Syra.

"YOU ARE A FREAKING SNAKE! DIRTY HOMOPHILE! MOM HE KISSED TROY! HE'S HARASSING MY BOYFRIEND!"

Ngayon ay parehong dumapo ang mga mata ni Mom at Dad sa akin. I felt Troy's hand on my back. Nasiraan na ng bait. I can't tolerate this anymore. I can't let her destroy me in front of them.

"Mom, don't listen to he-" Naputol na naman ang sasabihin ko nang pigilan ako ni Mom. Oh come on! Nawalan na ba ako ng karapatang magsalita ng tapos dito?

"And why would I listen to you??" Mom's voice broke something in me. With her statement, she just completely shuts me off like I'm not a part of the conversation and I have no say on this.

I looked at Dad who's still confused, not taking sides but I know kung sino ang mas matimbang sa pamilyang ito na hindi ko kinabibilangan. No problem, I just recognize them as my family, for the sake of formality.