Bond of Catastrophe

Kabanata 4

Moment

"Good morning, Melca. Ang ganda mo."

Umirap ako at bumuntong hininga. It was raining hard so I brought my umbrella with me while waiting for Rest.

I was staring at their house, finely built with old planks and cogons, extremely flaunting the age of it. It is a bit small but filled with some ravishing flowers and plants planted on their fair garden.

The ambiance of this place really soothe me. The peace it gave for the whole people makes them forget the anguish of life.

Ricky slightly chuckled beside me without his shirt on. Pawisan ang kabuuan ng kaniyang katawan, at nadedepina ang mga muscles niya dito. But it only induced me to give him a dagger look.

"Good morning, Ricky. Ang pangit mo," I blunted. Mahina akong natawa nang sumimangot siya at ilapag ang dalawang bungkos na panggatong na dala-dala.

"Aray," umakto pa siyang nasasaktan. Humawak siya sa dibdib at nakangising umarte. Umirap ulit ako. "Pasok ka muna, nag-aayos pa si Rest. Baka maputikan 'yang sapatos mo."

I obliged. Ibinaba ko sa tabi ng kanilang pinto ang itim na payong na dala at walang alinlangang pumasok dito. I've been here a lot of times, and Ricky being playful around is not new to me.

He's Rest's brother. Ang natitirang pamilya niya at sandalan. Kasamahan siya ng Tita ko sa pagtatrabaho sa palengke at kargador doon. Bata pa ito at sa hula ko ay mas matanda lamang sa amin ng pitong taon. He stopped his schoolings when their mother died. Ang ama naman nila ngayon ay hindi nila alam kung nasaan at itinuturing na lamang na patay na rin.

I know it is painful for them too. I've seen their sufferings and pain it causes them. And they also have seen mine, too. Walang duda kung bakit nagkakaintindihan kami sa mga bagay-bagay. We have a lot of resemblance when it comes to struggles and difficulties we encountered.

May hitsura ang kapatid na ito ni Rest. He has this big and sexy stucture and physique probably the product of his job. He is naturally moreno, huge, and very tall. Hindi na ako magtataka dahil maganda naman ang kapatid niya.

"Nag-almusal ka na?"

Tumango ako pagkatapos umupo sa pangisahan na silyang gawa sa kawayan doon. This is handmade for sure.

"Tapos na," tumingin ako kay Ricky na ngayon ay nagpupunas ng pawis. I looked away upon realizing that he still didn't have his shirt on.

"Kape, gusto mo?" He offered his black coffee.

Umiling ako at nag-iwas muli ng tingin. He is always been a gentleman with playful side complimenting his jocular facade.

Ilang segundo pa ay lumabas mula sa kaniyang kwarto si Rest na naka uniporme na at sinusuklay ang maalon niyang buhok. Her cheeks and lips on its usual red color are highlighted with her almost bronze, tan skin color.

Isinakbit niya ang bag sa kaliwang balikat at kinuha ang sariling payong, kulay itim din at pareho ang disenyo nang sa akin

"Tapos ka na?"

Tumango ito atsaka bumaling kay Ricky na prenteng nakaupo sa harap ko habang umiinom ng kape. Nakapormang kwatro ang kaniyang mga binti at may hawak na lumang diyaryo sa kanang kamay. I wonder if what that old magazine are for, is that even useful?

"Hoy, Kuya," Rest slowly motioned and snapped his fingers to catch his brother's vision. "Aalis na kami. Patayin mo naman ang mga ilaw bago ka umalis."

I stared blankly on Ricky's reaction as he lazily nodded on Rest's statement.

"Ano, Melca? Tara na."