Some Mad Hope (ML, #4.5)

Kabanata 32

Kabanata 32

Communication

After the magazine shoot with Cosmpolitan, I ran for my dear life. I received a message from Lana that Leigh asked for a fucking break! Hindi ako nag-alinlangan na umalis kaagad pagkatapos namin magpack-up! My brother needs me or maybe someone else to comfort him! I want to hug kuya so tight that atleast a tiny pain would go away. But I know, it wouldn't. Leigh is his life. God knows the sacrifices of Benj for the two of them! Kung pa'no sila nakarating sa posisyong ito! They had been through hell! Now, Leigh called it off? Is that it? Break lang ba talaga ito?

Benj would still stick around! It is just a fucking space! He would give that! Of course! My brother's heart is so fucking pure!

"Okay lang po ba kayo, Ma'am?" anang taxi driver.

Mabilis akong umiwas ng tingin. Kinapa 'ko ang aking mukha. My face is wet from crying. Kaagad akong kumuha ng tissue upang punasan ito. I gave kuya taxi driver a faint smile when I finished wiping the traitor tears. "Okay lang po. Salamat po."

Umalingawngaw na ang katahimikan sa loob ng sasakyang pagkatapos. Hindi ako mapakali sa aking kinauupuan. I want to send Leigh a message why? Is she threatened by Mommy Demi? Iyong enkwentro niya with her? Dahil ba 'yon sa kanilang pag-uusap? How Mommy told Leigh that she was undeserving of kuya's efforts and sacrifices?

My heart feels heavy.

How could the universe turns the table so easily?

Nagbadya muli ang luha 'ko kaya napaangat ako ng aking ulo. I shake my head. Saktong palapit na ng residence kaya huminga ako ng malalim. My brother will be in his unit. Probably, taking all of these alone. All by himself.

I hopped immediately when the taxi stopped. Hindi 'ko ininda ang paalala ng security guard na mag-ingat sa pagtakbo. Dumiretso lamang ako sa reception area. I told them that I am guess for my brother's unit. Aniya tatawag muna sila sa unit bago ako magfill up for their registration. The receptionist saw my annoyed and frustrated face, I suddenly felt guilty. I breathed a sigh and walked on the visitor's place. Umupo ako sa sofa na hindi halata ang aking pagmamadali.

"Ms. Maggie," awit ng receptionist.

"Yes." Napatayo ako bigla.

"Fill up na lang po kayo rito. And picture na lang po tayo," aniya, "for security purposes." I did that. I filled up their form, wrote my name and my contact, my relationship to the unit's owner, etc. It all took five minutes to finish all of that. "Paparating na po siya..." anito kasunod.

I only nodded. I tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear. Nalingat lang ako ng kaunti at napaawang ng bibig nang iba ang madatnan ng aking mata! Imbes na si kuya Benj ay ang aking boyfriend...and his bestfriend a.k.a my cousin.

The two walking confidently and gracing the residence floor with their looks. Conrad with his tee-shirt and ripped jeans partnered with his markable Dr. Marthen's boots. While Newt with his familiar tank-top and gray jogger-trousers. Hindi 'ko maiwasang tignan ang paligid. And right for sure, the ladies in the reception area are devouring these men in their eyes.

Hay.

"Angel, a fruit fly might go inside your mouth, I don't like it. There's only one part I want to be inside that pretty pair," malisosyong niyang tinig. He even licked his bottom lip sexily. He holds my chin to make me close my mouth. Malaki ang ngisi sa labi ngunit kaagad na mawala nang itulak ni Conrad. Lumipad ang mura sa paligid at napabusangot na lamang ako ng mukha.

"This is not the right time for that...that thing," I stammered a little. I held up my head high a little...and gulped. Napabuntong hininga ako. "Where's my brother?" My hands fall on my hips. Naramdaman 'ko ang pagtulo ng pawis sa aking likod.