John Alejandro: STERN

Clue 16

He hugged the crying  girl, letting her face lie on his chest. John Alejandro is well aware that he is not good at this but he's trying his best to give her comfort.

He could feel the tears that wet his shirt but it did not bother him. All he cares is this girl crying and sobbing in his arms. He doesn't know what he offer. He's not her friend, well not yet, to offer his shoulders for her to cry on. He not her boyfriend to offer her a heart that will comfort her.

Who is he? He is just Alejandro. Her kuya gov that always annoy and embarrass her. He is nothing but her boyfriend's twin  brother.

"It's ok to cry. Just let your emotions flow. And if you're done, you can tell me your problem."

Mas lalo itong umiyak sa sinabi niya.

Mamaya lamang ay naging bayolente na ito. She began to punch his chest lightly.

"Bakit ganyan ka? Hindi mo ba alam na hindi ako sanay sa ganyan? Sungitan mo naman ako."

He let her beat his chest as long as she wanted. Nang mapagod ito muling sumandal sa dibdib niya.

"Shhh. It's ok. It's ok."

Nagulat na lang siya nang bigla itong matawa in between her sobs.

Pilit nitong pinunasan ang mga luha at tumingala sa kanya. "You know what, kahit ganito ka ngayon. Hindi ko mapigilang matuwa dahil ikaw pa rin ang nag-iisang Alejandro. Eh, english ka pa rin ng english."

He just ignored her.

"Yan na, nawala na ang drama ko. Ikaw kasi eh?"

Hindi alam ni Alejandro kung maiinis o matatawa na lang ba siya sa mood ng baliw na babaeng kasama niya.

"Hoy magsalita ka naman!" sabi nito nang mapansing nakatingin lang siya dito.

"I don't know what to say."

"Yan ka naman eh."

"By the way, what's really your problem?"

Muling lumungkot ang mukha nito.

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to. Kung ayaw mong sabihin, It's fine."

"No. I'm good now." Ngumiti ito ng pilit. "Hindi ko sana 'to sasabihin pero nagtagalog ka kaya sasabihin ko na lang." Tiningala siya nito to catch his attention pero hindi niya alam kung may nakita ito sa mukha niya.

"Let's get to the shade." anyaya niya. Masakit na sa balat ang sinag ng araw. Consider the mid-noon hour.

Naglakad sila palapit sa isang bench sa lilim ng isang malaking puno.

Sinimulan na ni Evelyn ang paglalahad ng problema nito. It was about the truth she discovered about her brother. Tahimik lang siya hanggang matapos ito sa pagkuwento.

"Hindi ko na alam kung saan ko siya hahanapin. Narinig ko kasing sinabi niya na hindi sila in good terms ng kanyang girlfriend at ng mga kaibigan niya. At isa pa, hindi ko rin alam kung saan ko hahanapin si Ate Cameron, ang kapatid niya sa ama."

"I don't know if I can help you. But why don't you approach his friends ?Sasamahan kita. Malay mo, may alam sila sa nangyayari."

Tiningnan siya lang nito ng mariin.

"Sure ka? Sasamahan mo ako?"

"Yes."

Nanlaki ang mga mata nito at biglang yumapos sa kanya na para ba siyang napakacute na alaga.