My Paranoid Big Brother [𝑪𝑶𝑴𝑷𝑳𝑬𝑻𝑬𝑫 ✔]

10

"Okay. I understand, Frank. Hindi naman ako nagmamadali. Condolence."


"Bro, ansabe? Sino namatay?" Nagulat ako sa biglang pagsulpot ni Challace sa tabi ko. Wala sa oras ko siyang sinapok.


"Rantado ka! Papatayin mo ba ako sa gulat!?"


"Ha? Binabalak ko pa lang ang patayin ka. Excited much?" Nangunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. Natakpan niya agad ang bibig niya. Papatayin pala, ha.


Pinalagutok ko ang mga daliri ko habang papalapit sa kaniya. Pwes, "B-Bro, sorry---W-WAAAAAAH!!!"


Ikaw ang uunahin ko! ヽ(｀⌒´メ)ノ



~

"We can't have Frank. His wife died today so, we have no choice but to accept Lavoisier's offer." Sabi ko at inilapag ang bagong baked kong cookies. Napa-tingin ako kay Baby Sis na pina-polish ang... ang...*gulp* katana niya.


"I told you. So, it's settled then? Tarawagan ko na siya." Sabi ni Bulol at inilabas ang cellphone niya.


"Yeah, sure." Tipid na sagot ni Eunice at inilapag sa lamesa ang napakatulis na katana.


"Are you a knight, Baby Girl? O ninja? Grabe, grabe. Kumpleto ka sa mga patalim. Baka assassin ka, ha." Pagbibiro ni Challace habang manghang-mangha sa mga kutsilyo ni Eunice. Kanya-kanya naman kaming dampot.


"DON'T TOUCH! ((◣﹏◢))"


"S-SORRY PO! >_______<" agad namang ibinaba ang mga kutsilyo sa sobrang gulat at takot. Hahawakan lang, eh.


"Tss." Sungit. Hmmmmp.


"I'm not an assassin nor a ninja. Stop thinking stupid thoughts." Kalmadong sabi niya. She returned all of her katanas in theur sheaths. She have one wooden katana, and 5 katanas in different styles and lengths. She have knives too. Ako ang natatakot para sa kaniya.


"Then what?"


She shrugged, "Just some normal citizen." Sagot niya.


"You're not just 'some normal citizen' at all. With those knives and swords? I don't think so." Bulong naming tatlo at bumuntong hininga.


"I'm a killer." Malamig at seryosong sabi niya na nagpa-freeze sa aming tatlo.


Unti-unti kaming tumingin sa kaniya habang nanlalaki ang mga mata. It made my heart skipped a beat. She...?



And she bursts out laughing.


"I-I was just KIDDING! BWAHAHAHAHA! YOUR FACES---PRICELESS!" Tawang-tawa niyang sabi at halos hindi na makahinga. Natulala lang kami sa kanya na gandang-ganda sa kaniya.



She's laughing elegantly and gorgeously. My god, that's what it takes to be a Henrichen! #ProudBigBro


"Queen Mother, I wanna keep your laugh and your smile in your lips forever." Ani Lavoisier na nakatanga kay Eunice. Nangunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. Natahimik agad si Eunice at agarang namula.


"What?" Tama ba ang narinig ko?


"What?" = __________ =


Seryoso akong tumingin sa kaniya at hinawakan ang katana ni Eunice, "I'm telling you, Lavoisier. I'm dead serious here. If you're just making fun of my sister and fooling her feelings, stop. I don't want to see her cry and hurt and in pain. She've felt and experienced a lot. What she deserve is happiness. Kung ginagago mo lang si Eunice, I rather stab you using this katana and I don't care if I'm against the next King of England because for Eunice, I'll even kill a blue blooded friend of mine."


The tension building between us rises even more when he became serious. Serious as fuck that I almost forgot who the fuck the person who's right in front of me. Sa oras na 'to, I don't see him as my bulol friend but as a King. And it's a challenge to me because seeing him this damn serious was so rare like the blue moon.


"Now I'm dead serious. I better accept a stab from you if that will make you believe me, I really want your sister to be my Queen." Fuck.


"M-Mga bro, kalma muna kayo. Masyado naman kayong serious---"


"Then I shall pierce you now." Madiin na sabi ko at tumayo at pumusisyon. Hindi naputol ang seryosong pagtitinginan naming dalawa. He remained sitting still, as if he was waiting for me to attack. It pissed me off. It's now or never.


Natigilan ako nang lumapit si Eunice kay Lavoisier dala ang isa pang katana. She put it in his hand. Naguluhan kami sa ginawa niya. She smiled at us. But a tear fell in her eye.


"Be fair. Don't attack an unarmed opponent. It will only mean that you were weak and only hurt the weak. Onii-chan, you're such a disappointment for me. You're a good brother. But you're the worst friend ever." And it felt like I was stabbed by her. Directly in my heart.


Deep and painful.


I watched her leave. She slammed her door. We were dumbfounded. I was...a disappoinment? But I'm doing all of these for her... I disappoint her?


"Mabuti pa, magpalamig muna kayo ng mga ulo. Daxx, uuwi na muna kami ni Lav. Make up with your sister. Pasensya na. Lav, tara na?" Ani Challace at tinapik sa balikat si Lavoisier na naka-tingin sa kwarto ni Eunice.


"Was she angry at me too?" Tanong niya kay Challace. He looked at him before looking at his hand na hawak ang katana.


"I should apologize. I shouldn't hold her sword." Wika niya at maingat na ibinalik ang katana ni Eunice sa lamesa. Nabitawan ko ang hawak kong katana at naibagsak ang sarili ko sa couch.


Natampal ko ang noo ko, "I'm sorry, Lavoisier. I was just---"


"No, I should be the one who need to apologize. I gave you the wrong vision first that you thought I was just bluffing. I'm sorry, Daxxy. I know you're just doing the all of this for Eunice. And I have no intention to ruin it. Or ruin your sister's happiness. I want to give her more." Wika niya at ngumiti sa akin. Kinunutan ko lamang siya ng noo.



"Queen Mother, I wanna keep your laugh and your smile in your lips forever."



ARGH! So frustrating!


"Tama na 'yan. Tara na, Lav. Kailangan na din nating magpahinga. Bro, salamat. Una na kami." Tumango lang ako kay Challace. Tumayo na si Lavo at kinuha ang mga gamit niya. He looked at Eunice's room for the last time. He was sad. Humahaba ang nguso eh.



"Layas na. Tsk." Asar na sabi ko at sinimulang ayusin ang mga baby ni Eunice. Mas humaba ang nguso niya at nagpakaladkad na kay Challace. I heard the opening and closing of the door. I sighed. Agad akong tumayo at umakyat sa itaas. I knocked.


"Eunice? Baby Sis? I'm coming inside---"


"DON'T YOU EVER DARE, FAGGOT! I HATE YOU! GO STAB YOURSELF! DIE!" Ack! Did she just wished me to DIE!? And she hates me?


"Okay." Tanging nasabi ko at napa-buntong hininga. Maybe I should let her be. She needs space. It was rude for me though. What I did is not really a brother-model for Eunice. I let my guard down and so my cool. I've pushed myself too much. I almost hurt Lavo. Paniguradong mapapatay ako ng mga gwardiya niya kapag nagkataon. Tsk.



Tinahak ko na ang daan pababa. Bigla akong lumingon nang marinig ang paggalaw ng doorknob. Napa-kurap ako nang sumilip si Eunice. Napa-tingin siya sa akin. Nangunot ang noo niya.


"Where are you going!?"


"U-Uhhhm, downstairs?"


"You'll kill yourself!?" HA!? BAKIT KO NAMAN PAPATAYIN ANG SARILI KO!?


"What!? Wait, no! Of course not!"


"Why NOT!?" Shit. She's really angry
(> ____ >)...


"Where's Lavoisier?"


"You like him?" Diretsong tanong ko habang nagsasalubong ang kilay. At ngayon, para kaming nagpapaligsahan sa salubungan ng mga kilay.


"Yes. I do. So, where is he?" Diretso niya ding sagot na ikina-dulas ko sa hagdanan. Mabuti at agad akong napa-kapit sa railing. Pero ANO!?


"Tss. Stupid faggot." And she then again slammed her door shut. FUUUUUU---!


Nabighani agad siya ng bulol na 'yon!?



***


"Look, magiging prangka ako sayo, Eunice. Tutol ako sa inyo ni Lavo." Diretso, kalmado, seryoso pero madiin kong sabi at sinandukan siya ng kanin para sa almusal niya. Oo. Buong gabi kaming may Cold War. Ngayon lang siya lumabas ng kwarto niya. She didn't eat her lunch and dinner yesterday so I already jnow how hungry she was.


"I just LIKE him, okay? You're too paranoid, Daxx. I didn't love him!" Asar na sabi niya at sumubo ng napakaraming kanin. Told you. She's hungry.


"Doon na din pupunta 'yon, Eunice. I will be strict, bawal kang mag-boyfriend untik you turned 25 and graduated---"


"WHAT!?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.


"What?" Panggaya ko sa kaniya at hinainan ang sarili ko, "You're too young for love. I understand you, that was just a puppy love. Pero Kuya mo pa din si Lavo dahil mas matanda 'yun sayo. I'm just protecting your from heartbreaks, Baby Sis. I know the nature of a man. Yes, Lavo is a noble man but he can still be a beas when triggered." Seryosong sabi ko sa kaniya na tuluy-tuloy lang sa pagsubo. I know she was listening. Labas nga lang sa kabilang tenga.


"I just simply admire him, Daxx. Nothing more! You're jumping into conclusions!"


"I'm not jumping into that, Eunice. What I was saying was a truth, men are beasts. Noble of not, we have our own beasts inside. So, as much as possible, I will double my guard on you. You're my precious baby sister. At kapag sinabi kong no boyfriend until 25 and graduation, NO TALAGA."


"How am I suppose to be happy if you'll be this strict!?" What kind of question was that?


"I'm doing all my best to make you happy, right? You're too young for love, Eunice. You can't just love a man you don't really know inside and out." Katwiran ko na nagpa-lobo sa mga pisngi niya.


"I know you're seeking for some new adventures in your life like love but Baby Sis, love is not a thing you should enter with your guards down. It's not the thing you must play without knowing the rules and mechanics of it. It's too dangerous and unfair. So, whether you like it or not, iiwasan mo si Lavo at tatawagin mo siyang KUYA. Ganun din kay Challace. You will follow Onii-chan's orders. Are we clear?" Hindi siya sumagot.


"BLANCHE EUNICE HENRCIHEN, ARE WE CLEAR?" But she remained silent. I felt guilt when she started crying silently as she eat. But no. Hindi dapat ako lumambot. Or else, she'll take me easy. This is for her own good naman, eh.


"Don't cry while you eat. That's rude. And answer me, nagkakaintindihan ba tayo?" Pero hindi talaga siya sumagot. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko at nagtimpi. I heaved a deep sigh to calm myself.


"I'll ban Lavo from entering here. I won't let you see each other. Or, I will let him in but you can't go out of your room. That will be better." Wika ko at nagpatuloy na ulit sa pagkain. Hindi siya sumagot kaya hinayaan ko na lamang siya. Nauna siyang matapos kumain.


"Fuck this life of mine. I'm so sick of this kind of life. I wish I was never born." Hindi ko nagustuhan ang sinabi niyang 'yon kaya naman malakas kong nahampas ang lamesa.


"Bawiin mo ang sinabi mo, Eunice." Pagak siyang tumawa.


"What? Nagsasabi lang ako ng totoo. Why give birth to me kung sa 'yo lang naman pala mapupunta lahat ng atensyon? Can't they treat us fairly? I can't understand why? Why throw me away? Hindi ba nila kayang pagsabayin ang pag-aalaga sa atin? Ikaw lang ba ang anak dito, KUYA? ALL OF MY LIFE I WAS NEGLECTED! 15 years! 15 years without them during Christmas and New Years. 15 years and I didn't even had the chance to see one of you! 15 years without you by my side during all of my achievements and now? You'll do this to me? FINE!"


Padabog siyang tumayo at matapang akong hinarap, "Kill me even more, Daxx Henrichen. Imprison me again. Choke me with your strictness to death! You think I was pampered by Grandpappy and Grandmammy? You better think again. You never knew how DEAD I am inside! I envy you! I hate you! Why give birth to me if our fucking parents will neglect me!? Fuck them! Damn them! Damn this family! Just---LEAVE ME ALONE!"


"EUNICE! TAKE BACK YOUR WORDS! BLANCHE EUNICE!" Dumagundong ang boses ko sa buong kusina bago siya sinundan. She run towards her room. She shut it right in my face. Malakas kong nasuntok ang pinto niya sa sobrang galit.


"How dare you curse Mom and Dad! You didn't know that what they've done is hard for them too! You never know it's for your own sake!"


"I JUST WANTED TO BE FUCKING LOVED, ONII-CHAN! I WANTED TO BE LOVED! I WANT A MOTHER'S LOVE! A FATHER'S LOVE! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HARD IT IS FOR ME TO GROW UP WITHOUT KNOWING HOW DOES MY PARENTS LOOKS LIKE AND WHO THE FUCK THEY ARE! JUST BE HONEST AND ADMIT IT! THEY ONLY LOVED YOU! ONLY YOU! I'M THE OUTCAST OF THIS FAMILY! CAN'T YOU SEE!?" She screamed from the inside. It made me weak when I heard her cries. Full of sorrow and pain.


"I JUST WANTED TO BE LOVED!" Her cracking voice pierced and shattered my heart into two. And I finally realize now.



A brother's love is not enough. What she needed the most was a mother and father's love and care. And I can't give her that anymore. Because they were gone already.


"I'm sorry... If I can't give you what you wanted. I'm sorry if what I'm doing wasn't enough to satisfy you, Eunice. L-Look, I-I'm doing my best here, okay? I-I don't know what should I do too. I-If you think life is hard for you, please, think of me too. I never had the chance to enjoy my childhood. My freedom as a child was taken away from me. How I wish...I've played with you..." my knees are so weak na ikina-luhod ko na. Isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa pinto niya st hinayaang magsitulo ang mga luha ko.


"My life isn't better than you think, Eunice. Both of us are broken here. I'm trying my best. I'm being the mother and father and brother here at the same time. What I only need is your understanding. Please, cooperate with me. I can't do this if you're like this. Hindi natin kaaway ang isa't isa dito. Tauo dapat ang magkakampi dito, Sis. So open the door now. Let's settle this now. I'm sorry." Natakpan ko ang mukha ko at napahagulgol. I cried the I way I never been before. I was letting go all of my emotions now and I don't know how to stop. I just can't stop my tears. My emotions are overflowing. The emotions I've been hiding and keeping by myself before, are now being released.



She opened the door and joined me. We hugged each other tight and cried in each other's shoulder. We're begging for forgive at each other, and I felt better now. Para bang may malaking bara ang naalis sa loob ko. And I think, I just think, after what happened today,



Will make us even closer.