KABANATA 7: Kambyo

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Grey's POV

Alas singko pa kanina nang madaling araw nang simulan namin muli ni Black ang paghahanap. Maaga pa lang but it's as if we were circling around Manila for a day already.

Sabado ngayon and we're supposed to be hanging out with our friends back home. Instead, heto kami't andami na naming pinasok na pasikot-sikot.

Halos magkawala-wala na nga kami. Idagdag pa ang nakaka-inis na tila walang katapusang traffic. Lalo na na ngayon na weekend.

I have very few memories here in Manila. I got too familliar only with the shady pines of Baguio- that's where we grew up and currently live.

Ewan ko ba kung bakit parang ngayon lang kami ulit nakababa dito. We never complained din naman kasi our whole life seems to only revolve around Baguio.

"Are you even sure where we're headin-" Bago ko pa man matapos ang pagsasalita ay pinutol niya na.

"Will you shut up, Grey?! Just keep an eye on the fucking map." May diin ang pagkasabi niya this time.

Muli niyang ibinaling ang tingin sa daan mula sa pagpataw ng matalim na tingin sa akin. Magkasalubong na ang kilay niya kaya alam kong aburido na naman siya.

"Did you just dare to raise your fucking voice to me, Black?" I said it in the most monotous voice sabay pataw sa kanya ng blangkong tingin.

Ilang segundo ang pagtitig ko ng ganong tingin sa kanya bago ako nagpatuloy sa pagtingin sa google map. Batid kong tanaw niya ito sa kanyang peripheral vision.

"For God's sake, Grey, Just let me focus." Muli siyang nagsalita pero this time, although, kalmado na, parang heartless pa rin.

I know he understood. I got my message across. Ganyan siya most of the time. Pumpitik. Short tempered. Almost to everyone. I am not an exemption. Sorry siya kasi hindi umuubra ang ganiyan niya sa akin. He might be fire but I am a firewood-a damn fuel.

"Just fucking drive, Black." Matipid ko lang na tugon sa kanya sa ganoong tono pa rin habang ibinaling ang tanaw ko sa labas.

I notice that we are heading somewhere na masukal- less houses, establishments and buildings. Much greener. Maraming puno at mga mahaba ang mga damo.

Although my memory was so vague way back that time, one thing was vivid to me- walang ganitong part akong napuntahan dito sa Manila. Sa suburbs na ba kami?

Nakahawak na namam ang kanang kamay ko sa kwentas na bigay ni mama. Meron din ganito si Black pero ginawa niya itong parang bracelet.

Ayaw niya kasing magkaparehas kami. Kambal na nga raw kami eh parehas pa kami ng mga gamit.

Growing up, hindi ko namamalayan. Ito pala ang nagpapakalma sa akin whenever I am overwhelmed or feeling uneasy. This necklace somehow became my amulet. It gives me that effect figuratively.

"Don't worry, Grey. We'll find mom anytime soon. I am certain about it." Muling nagsalita ang kanina lang ay tila aburido kong kapatid. But, this time, it's comforting.

It somehow took away that uneasy feeling from me. We're kinda yinyang in a way man, but most of the time, we know when to compromise.

He knows whenever I feel worried or sad. At least these are the very feelings he's very familliar with when it comcerns about me.

A total opposite for me towards him. Hindi ko siya mabasa. Kahit kambal kami, I dont naturally have that connection with him- twin's instinct.

Ang lalim ng pagkatao nitong kambal ko. He has mastered living in that tallest tower with deadly thorns beneath it. I don't even know what it takes to let his guards down.

BIRINGAN: The Lost SalinlahiMga kuwentong kahuhumalingan mo. Tumuklas ngayon