In Between (SC, #4)

Kabanata 28

Kabanata 28

Inis

Numerous strum of guitar woke me up. It made my eyes snap open with reality that I am awaken with those melodic rhythms. Hindi naiwasan na itapat 'ko ang tainga sa pader upang lalo iyong marinig-sa kwarto ni kuya Kit at Jeremiah. I am blinking rapidly as it continued, the warmth music caressed my ears smoothly. I gasped silently and almost closed my eyes, listening.

"Okay na kaya 'yon?" boses ni kuya Kit kasabay nang paghuni.

Napakunot ako ng noo. Sumalo ang aking palad sa pader upang lalong makalapit ang aking tainga dahil medyo humina ang boses.

"Tangina. Kinakabahan talaga ako, pre..." si Kit pa rin nanginig na ang boses sa pagkanta.

A small laugh occupied the room. Bakas ang tuwa sa tono at kilalang-kilala 'ko kung kanino galing iyon. Napakagat ako ng labi nang mas diniin pa ang tainga 'ko sa pader. Am I a sneaking creepy woman now? Bakit ba 'ko nakikinig sa usapan nang dalawang 'to? The whole time yesterday, my brother kept on talking about the things he'd do before their graduation. And what it is? Ang magpasikat sa babae.

And I wonder, kung ano-anong kahibangan ang mayroon sa group chat nilang mga lalaki.

"You'd be fine," ang salita ni Genesis. "You have to be yourself."

"Gago? Kung ako ikaw, wala na 'kong gagawin no. Ni pagluhod hindi 'ko gagawin." I could literally imagined Kit, shaking his head and rolling his eyes. "Hindi naman ako si Genesis para pag-agawan."

"Really? E, hindi ako mapansin?" makahulugang sagot nito pagbalik.

My brother laughed hysterically, like he can't believe that Genesis really said those dodging words toward him. Tumagal ang tawa niya at na-i-imagine 'ko ang paghampas ni kuya kay Genesis. It is a big joke to him! Could you imagine Kit, raising his two arms for defeat and Genesis, cocking his brow in disbelief?

"Ikaw, hindi mapansin? Pa'no pa 'ko? I almost did everything and all I could get is a cold glance. Imagine that cold stare! Tangina halos manlamig ako sa kilig!" Kit scowled.

"'Buti nga sa'yo, may binibigay," Genesis hissed. "Me? I don't have nothing. She's sleeping on me."

I gulped big time. A shiver went through my spine up to my shoulders. I tried to muster air for me to breathe. Nanatiling bukas ang mata 'ko ngunit sa malayo ang tingin. My lips dried. My eyes creased, thinking hard.

"Ulol. Pota ka," Kit refuted, teasingly. "Sino ba 'yan?"

"Nevermind," bigay ni Genesis. "Where we are anyways?"

"Sa bahay namin?" pabalang na sagot ng kapatid 'ko.

"Fuck you. Bahala ka na nga."

"Ito naman binibiro lang! Init ng ulo mo, boy! Tara na! Tara na!" May pagkalampag pa sa hardwood ang pagkumbinsi ni kuya kay Genesis. Ipit ang tawa na kasunod na patuloy ang pang-iinis. "Itong si Jace, sabi 'ko kausapin ako. Hindi niya magawa dahil masyadong busy sa school."

"Isn't about Ish?"

Kumalabog ang puso 'ko. I heard my name loud and clear. I am so close of knocking the door or shout. For what, Isabelle? Why would I care? I should! Dahil pangalan 'ko na ang nakasalalay. But I kept my mouth shut the way it should be.

"Yeah. It is Ish. Nagkakapalagayan na 'yong dalawa..." Kit trailed off. "I just really want to make sure that he's really that serious, you know. I am a protective brother even I don't show it off. But knowing Jace, he'd probably not going to hurt Isabelle."

Silence caked the room as my body revert it. Umingay sa loob ng aking ulo. Malalim na buntong hininga ang pinakawalan 'ko. I kept on waiting, waiting on them or probably him to speak about his sentiments. What does he think about I and Jace...being close? Does he really care? Or not?