"Hon, I'm home!" I heard him vivaciously entered our house.
Hanggang sa makapunta siya ng sala, ay pilit na ngiting iginawad niya sa aking bunsong kapatid. My father looked at me with a soft smile in his lips. Dumapo ang mata ko sa maliit na paper bag na dala niyang may tatak ng isang common restaurant.
"Nasaan ang Mommy mo?" I didn't answer. He roamed his eyes and his smile slowly faded. He saw my Mom fuming in mad approaching him from our kitchen.
I closed my eyes.
Here it goes again.
My Mom's almond eyes are in slits while her hands are trembling. Sign that she's holding her temper.
"Care to explain, Martial?" si Mommy.
My father only chuckled as if my mother's approach was something funny. My hands formed into fists.
Why are you always like that, Dad?
"W-What do you mean, Hon? Here I got somethi--" He was interrupted when my mother threw it on his face nonchalantly. My father took this topic lightly which made me more irritated. I called my young brother and guided him upstairs.
"BULLSHIT, MARTIAL! Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin na walang nananalo sa sugal-sugal na 'yan!"
Napapikit ako ng mariin habang tinatakpan ang tainga ng aking kapatid.
"Ate, why they're always fighting lately? Jake.. is worried." His naive eyes glimmered in sadness. Worriness in his words. His name is Jake and he's been using it in the sentences unnecessarily. He's not yet going to school, kaya hinahayaan namin siyang gamitin iyon sa paraan na gusto niya.
"Be use to it, bro." I bent down and patted his head. I gave him a bitter smile and jerked his room. Asking him to go to bed and sleep peacefully where I know is impossible at his age. His young mind is yet exploring, and it's making me sad that he's now experiencing these mess brought by our very own parents.
To cheer him up, I extended his ears and made him copy my distorted face. I watched him laugh a bit and saw his droopy eyes.
"Don't worry, na ha?" I kissed him at his head and smiled as wide as I could.
"Mmm.. " kinusot niya ang mga mata niyang namumungay at binigkas ang mga salitang nagpatunaw sa akin. "Good night, Ate Jas.."
"..Jake loves you." with his sweet voice made my knees trembled in weak and eventually made me knelt on our carpetted floor.
I tried my best to hold my tears. "Y-Yeah.. Ate Jas loves Jake too.." I chuckled while my heart's aching badly. I can barely breathe. My young brother.. Jake.. Pity for you're growing up seeing these fights from our parents.
"Now go to sleep. Everything's going to be alright. Have a sweet black tea dreams, young boy." I bade him that signature farewell whenever he's going to sleep.
He smiled and his appearance is slowly fading as he closes the wooden door.
I rose up and ready to go when his door opened again and gave me a tight hug. Whispering words I couldn't forget.
"Have a sweet black tea dreams rin, Ate.. Baby Jake loves you.." his small husky voice rendered me speechless and a bit shock.
"Y-You aren't a b-baby anymore! You sweet creature!" He shrove off and laughed. It made me smile.
"Alright, that's enough today, Jake. Go to bed or else I might call the white lady." I jokingly stick out my tongue.
It made him upset and pissed.
"K."
Hahahaha!
"Now go!" I said and planted a soft kiss on his head.
"Kahit na asawa mo ako, Martial.. Nagsasawa rin ako! Sana naman isaksak mo sa kukote mo na pamilyado ka ng tao! May mga anak ka na! Jusmiyo!"
I immediately regretted eavesdropping at them. Dad's only looking down and saying sorry multiple times while Mom's ranting at his face boldly.
Dad says sorry. Mom will forgive. Dad will do his vices. Mom will rant again as will Dad say sorry.
But Dad won't really change.
"Lumulubog na tayo sa utang, Martial! Heck! We're already swimming in debts. Ano?! Mamili ka! Kami ng pamilya mo o 'yang sugal na nagpapaligaya sa 'yo?!"
Ayoko na.
Nagsasawa na ako. Pwede bang umalis na lang? Maglaho for months. Manirahan sa isang payapang lugar. Swear, pagod na pagod na akong makarinig ng sigawan mula sa kanila..
I'm fucking tired.
"Good night, Ate Jas.. Jake loves you.."
my heart shattered at my selfish thoughts. I shook my head to get rid of the negative thoughts. I know it won't help, anyway. Running away from your problems is nothing but pure cowardice.
I had to face these.
For you, bro..
I had to.
