NEVER PROMISED (On Going)

CHAPTER TWO

Sinundo ako ni Renver.

I never expected him to show up. Alam kong galit siya. Sa ilang araw ba namang hindi siya nagparamdam inaasahan ko na ring tatagal ang away namin. But not this time!

"I'm sorry." I caressed his right arm.

"Let's forget about it."

I can still feel that his not okay. I mean, we always argue with the same matter, pero nagkakasundo rin naman agad. 'Yun nga lang paulit ulit din.

"Umaasa akong maintindihan mo yung point ko."

"Yes, I do," agap niya na may bahid ng pagdadalawang isip.

Dahan-dahan niyang inalis ang kamay ko sa kaniyang braso at agad na nilapitan ang kapatid na nasa sala't nanunuod.

We just arrived at the house and it seems like Mom's not around.

"Na'san si Mama?" tanong ko sa kapatid na busy sa panunuod ng isang action movie.

"Umalis kasama ni Tito Mike."

For some reason I feel nervous. Ayan na naman kasi siya. Kung sino-sinong lalaki ang kinakasama ta's pag iiwan iiyak na naman.

Although Tito Mike is a good man, I still can't trust him. He's giving Mom a lot of money, spoiling her, and even more! But the fact that a lot of men have  done that after my father, they also left and broke her into pieces.

"Chester, can you text her? Sabihin mong umuwi agad siya pag seven na," utos ko sa kapatid.

He immediately picked his phone from the side table. Renver's beside him who looked like having difficulties sitting on the couch. He's not very tall, but our couch is too small for him.

"Ate, hindi niya rin mababasa yung text ko. Busy yata sila sa lakad nila."

"Basta i-text mo!"

Para tuloy akong nanay dito. Ako nagaalaga sa kapatid ko. I am also incharge for the house's electric and water bill, na galing mismo sa trust funds na naiwan ni Papa para sa'min.

I admit, I am tired to all of this. Pero kung titigil ako sa pagaalala at pagaalaga sa lahat ng 'to, at hayaan na lamang sila, wala ring mangyayari sa buhay namin.

I saw Manang Maricel at the kitchen doing her chores. Lumapit ako sa kaniya.

"Manang, nagbilin ba si Mama kung anong lulutuin?" I asked her while she's wiping the wet plates.

Umiling siya at pinagpatuloy ang ginagawa.

"Bakit daw po?"

"Magdi-dinner daw sila sa labas ni Sir Mike." She looked at me to see my reaction. "Ano bang gusto niyong kainin ni Chester at nang maipagluto ko kayo?"

And as expected, wala na namang binilin si Mama. Paano nalang kung hindi ako makakauwi? What about my brother? Hindi sa hindi niya kayang magluto para sa sarili niya o di kaya mag utos sa kasambahay, pero dapat lang may binilin siya para lang sa kapatid ko. Hindi yung basta basta nalang na aalis.

"Just the usual, Manang. Maybe you should cook for three? Dito na rin yata magdi-dinner si Renver."

Tumango na lamang siya saka ko siya iniwan para balikan ang dalawa sa living room.

"I told Manang to cook for us. Dito ka na kakain?"

Tumayo siya at inayos ang kaniyang nagusot na damit.

He looks good on his button-down shirt paired with his slacks. This is his usual go-to outfit everytime he has work.

"No need. I have some errands to do," he said apologetically.