Dangerously

10

Tristan's PoV

Louie Gozon, from what I know, his father was imprisoned when he was still a little kid. Nalaman ko din mula kay Jake na their mothers were good friends, kaso nalason ng ama ni Louie ang utak neto na ang nanay niya ang masamang tao. Lumayo ang loob nito sa sariling ina and found comfort in fights kasi sa tuwing may natatalo siya o may nasasaktang kalaban natutuwa ang tatay niya. That's when he decided to form a gang. Gusto niya maging pinakamalakas at pinakakinakatakutan. His mother still does everything she can para kay Louie pero hindi nakikita nito ang efforts ng nanay niya. He thinks what his father tells him is the only truth.

Kinakabahan ako sa posibleng mangyare bukas. Hindi na kasi kami madalas pumunta sa hideout. Kami ni Jake. We're distancing ourselves from them as much as we can pero hinahabol yata talaga kami ng gulo. Paminsan minsan may nag-aabang samen sa gate ng school. Kung hindi kalaban namin ehh mismong kagrupo namin ang umaatake samen. Hays.

*knock knock

"Bukas po"

"Nak?"

"Yes ma?"

"Can we talk?"

"Sure ma about saan?"

"About anything. You want to tell me something? Is something bothering you? I don't know if this is because of me being a mother or what, I just feel like something's not right or not going to be right"

Should I tell her?

"Ma, I don't want to be a bother to you. Masyadong malaking gulo tong napasok ko ma"

My mom took a deep breath "So something's really not right? Can you at least tell me Tantan? I felt it already sana naman maging honest ka na saken this time"

"I don't know where to start ma but I guess I'll start with saying sorry. I know you don't want me involved in any fights kahit na tinuruan mo ko, but I got myself involved still"

"What involvement is this Tristan?"

"I... I'm a gang member ma"

"What?! How did that happen?? Nak naman jusko"

"I know mali ma. And I am realising it already kaya lang hindi kami makawala"

"Anak a gang is no joke!"

"Yes ma. I know. Pero promise these past months umiiwas na ko, kami ni Jake"

"Ano?! Kasama mo si Jake?! Di ba may sakit yun sa puso?!"

"Opo. We were just invited by our friends to a 'group', out of curiosity we joined them not knowing all these consequences right now"

"Buti na lang pala tinuruan ko kayong dalawa! Teka muna di ba inaatake si Jake ha? Delikado yun para sa batang yon"

"I try my best to keep him away from fighting too much ma dahil nga alam kong delikado"

"What's bothering you now? Andito na tayo. Pinasok mo na yan."

"The gang leader wants to see us tomorrow ma. At pakiramdam ko may maling mangyayare. We were told before na mapapahamak mga kapatid namin kapag tumiwalag kami ma. Louie can do anything ma, natatakot ako para kina Chester, kay Jake sa sakit niya, kay Daphne, dun pa sa dalwang kapatid nilang babae"

"About Daphne, she's special for you?"

"I like her ma. I mean she's really easy to be with, pero di ko muna iniisip ma. I don't want to pursue her knowing she'll get in trouble. Ayoko lang masaktan siya. Sila ng mga kapatid niya pati si Chester"

"Thank you nak for being a protective brother to Chester, kahit na sobrang tahimik ng batang yon, I know he knows you love him"

"Of course ma. I'll do anything for my family"

"Now about your problem, alam na ba to nina Mariel?"

"I don't think so ma"

"Jusko kayong mga bata kayo, next time don't hide anything from us will you? Pano kung di ako nakaramdam na may mali? Anong aabutan ko bukas nasa ospital kayo? Jusmiyo!"

"Sorry ma"

"Wala na tayong magagawa, andyan na yan. All we have to do is think of a way to stop these kids"

"Paano ma?"

"Nak, what's the use of money?"

"Pagkakagastusan pa natin to ma?"

"Kahit pa maubos pera naten basta ligtas kayong mga bata wala akong pake Tantan. Now tell Jake I already know everything and he needs to tell his mom or else ako magsasabi"

My mom is in her authoritative self again. Malambing yan kay papa pero pag nagseryoso wala ka nang magagawa.

"Ok ma. Sorry you have to be dragged into this"

"Nanay mo ko, of course I am involved. Sabihan mo ko abot kay Jake, I'll tell this to your father"

"Ok po"