Bitter Sweet (COMPLETED)

Wakas

"Always choose what makes your heart happy."

-S

Ever since I saw her after she left that note in her favorite café, I know that it will be a big problem for me. Knowing that my brother loved her first. Iisipin na naman ni Charles na inaagaw ko lahat ng gusto niya. Kung hindi ako ang inutusan niya para magbantay dito ngayon edi sana wala akong problema. Kaya ibinaling ko ang nararamdaman ko sa iba, it will be better that way kaysa naman ipamukha niya sa'kin kung anong kasalanan ko sa kanilang pamilya.

Most of the people in our circle knew that we were cousins, little did they know that I was Charles' half brother. Only our family knows the secret kaya lumaki ako na si Lolo Graciano at Lola Lupe ang kasama ko. My mom? She's working in the US and only pays a visit once a year. And about my dad? I know that he doesn't want me but I don't want to hate him because without him being my dad, I won't have a loving grandparents and cousins with me.

"I've heard the news." Tinapik ni Rob ang balikat ko. "Why Business Ad? We all know that you love math and science. You can ace the entrance exam for engineering." Palatak nito sa tabi ko.

"You already know the answer to your question." Sagot ko sakaniya nang hindi siya tinitignan.

Years living being Charles' brother alam ko na lagi kung saan ako lulugar 'pag may gusto siya pero ngayon ata ang pinakamasakit sa lahat.

"She's your girlfriend right? Why did tito announced that she's Charles fiancée?" Rob barged in my room. "Until when will you give him everything that you want?" He seems disappointed.

"Uminom nalang tayo." Niyaya ko itong lumabas.

Rob is my closest cousin. He's a year older than me at siya madalas 'yung nakakaintindi sa'kin kahit hindi ako magsalita. He knows everything about me even those secrets that I already buried.

"She's that girl right?" He asked when we reached the bar. "But unfortunately, your brother loved her first. So being the goody goody brother, pinipigilan mo na naman ang gusto mo." Tawa nito matapos bumaba ng kotse. "But come to think of it, he already have Shi. Maybe you should try pursuing her." Dagdag pa nito habang papasok na kami ng bar.

Tumigil siya sandali at tila nag-isip. "Kaso... Fuentes 'yan. Malabo pala." Tumawa pa ito.

It's hard not to notice her, she's so popular especially to boys. Maganda, maputi at talented na babae, sino bang hindi makakapansin sakaniya. Having a jet black hair and her eyes that also smiles whenever she's smiling. Plus her attitude na laging alam kung anong gusto niyang gawin. Kaya alam ko na kahit anong gawin ko. I won't even stand a chance.

Nag-aral nalang ako at pinagbuti ang buhay ko. I graduated as summa cum laude and still my father didn't notice me. Kasi kahit anong gawin ko, I was the accident child. Kahit ilang beses ko sabihin sa sarili ko na ayos lang lahat, at the end of the day it still hurts.

Hindi ko naman nararamdaman na kulang ako. But in some rare occasion like this, nanunuot 'yung sakit sa buto ko. Sabay kaming gumraduate ni Charles pero siyempre gaya noong mga bata pa kami... kumpleto ang parents niya. At ako... kulang nalang akong mag-isa ang umattend.

"Congrats!" Bati sa'kin ng mga pinsan ko. "Summa cum laude... highest honor. Ikaw na talaga." Nangibabaw ang boses ni Rob.

Tumawa lang kami dahil sa sinabi nito. "Stop frowning dude. Mahahalata ka ni Lola Lupe." Bulong nito nang makita ko bigla si Charles na masayang masaya kasama ang dad namin.

Tila hangin. Laging ganito. Tuwing magkakasalubong kami daig ko pa ang hangin na hindi man lang niya maramdaman. Walang ngiti o kahit ano. Kinakausap niya lang naman ako 'pag may gusto si Charles na nasa akin. Pero bukod doon? Wala na.