In Between (SC, #4)

Kabanata 15

Kabanata 15

Oras

Did I just pass through tita Hannah and tito Justin in the living room? A simple nod is the only conversation I could attain because it made me flabbergasted? Wait, I can't still process everything? Nadatnan 'ko ba talaga ang Mommy at Daddy nina Jace at Genesis sa sala? Hindi ba talaga ako umimik? And the both of us, Genesis, just carrying my drunk brother up to his room? Nangyari ba talaga iyon?

Do I need to slap my face to wake me up?

Is this a nightmare?

Because Satan is in my dream! It is not dream, anyways, it is a horrifying nightmare!

"Poor Isabelle, already had a bad image to my mother," unang salitang inalok niya. Sino pa ba ang may ganang magsalita nang alas-tres ng umaga? "Don't you think Mom would think likely that?" aniya sabay pasok sa kanyang banyo.

I stare at my brother's unbothered body on the floor, hovered by a comforter. Kung ano-anong porma na ang kanyang kilos habang natutulog. And here I am, in the middle of the edge of his bed, still ghastly thinking about what happened a while ago. Never pang nag-sink in sa akin na nasa loob ako ng kwarto ni Genesis. My childhood best friend's room, our headquarter, seriously. I never ever think of getting a chance to be in this room again. An altered design had this room. From the bluish colour to grayish painted, covered 4 cornered room, a bed in the middle, a study table where over it is his iMac in the right corner while on the other side is probably his instrumental keyboard and guitar. In front of me is flashing wide flat-screen television, underneath is a cabinet, above it are books, probably academic books together with albums from some bands like: Panic! At The Disco, One Republic, Fall Out Boy, Twenty One Pilots, One Ok Rock, and list goes on.

A lot had changed, and I almost didn't recognize it.

"Isabelle?" boses ni Genesis, nilalayo ako sa pag-iisip.

When my eyes raked through him, the oxygen in my lungs are knocking me out. A nearly shirtless Genesis is in front of me flashing his exterior demeanor in my very eyes! Papasuot na siya nang kanyang tee-shirt nang ako'y tumingin sa kanya. His thick brow only raised at my reaction. "Kung inaantok ka na, matulog ka na 'dyan sa kama," aniya.

"Hindi. Magpapalipas lang ako ng madaling araw dito. Upo lang ako rito. Gisingin 'ko na siya kuya maya-maya tapos uwi na kami." Tumuloy-tuloy ang aking pagpapaliwanag. Ang gahiblang inis ay unti-unting napapalitang ng pagod. Pinigilan kong humikab nang ang titig niya'y diretso sa akin.

He shrugged his shoulder not even pilitin akong matulog na. If this is Jace, he'd probably tell me na not sleeping is bad to our health, blah, blah, etc. Kitang-kita talaga ang pagkakaiba nilang magkapatid! Jace is every saintly manner, but Genesis, let's not talk about his evil ways and him. His name never speaks of him, really.

I rolled my eyes at the same time yawned.

"If you want to brush your teeth, I have spare here," he softy spoke before brushing his teeth. And here he is, standing tall beside his bathroom's door. Nakaangkla ang braso ngunit nakasalo ang palad sa ulo habang nililinis ang ngipin. A smirk is plastered on his face while doing that this. I glowered to him immediately.

"Ew. Baka kung saan-saan mo na lang bina-brush 'yon no?" ani 'ko sabay irap.

Genesis also rolled his eyes, manly. Tinapos niya ang paglilinis ng bibig bago tuluyang magsalita. He gurgled and all. He finished it smoothly and all set. Bumalik siya sa dating pwesto dala ang isang towel at pinunasa sa mukha. The minty scent from his mouth lingered around his room. Muntik na akong mapapikit nang bumuka ang kanyang bibig. "Hah, sabihin mo lang gusto mong gamitin 'yong akin." He proudly uttered.