BURN [Short story] √

Six

People will not understand something that is out of their standard, or they refused to understand. That's what is happening now, after ng pag-uusap namin ni Jared ay bumalik kami sa party and everyone is looking at me like I have another head. Who doesn't? I always love to break rules, I am not a fan of standards, a non-conformist because all throughout my life, I know how controlling people are. I mean, look at my brother, he's always the best for my dad's eyes pero I feel bad for him, he may be the best but he's not real. I know.
Hindi ko sila pinansin at dumiretso ako sa table namin, Jared is still on my side while we're on the way. I saw my brother stares at us, while my parents are busy talking to some business partners. Umupo ako sa tabi ng kuya ko and Jared whispers in my ears.

"I'll just go to my parents, magsisimula na ang program." he breathes in my ear and I feel electrified.

Nananayo mga balahibo ko sa katawan dahil sa init at lambing ng boses nya. Hindi ako nakapag-salita kaya tumango na lang ako.
The minute Jared left, my kuya move his seat papalapit sa akin at bumulong.

"Is he your boyfriend?" he asked.
I raise my eyebrows and look at him.

"Why do you care?" i sarcastically rebut.

"I'm your brother and I'm just concern." lumamlam ang mata niya pero kalaunan ay napalitan ng inis.

"I don't like that guy, maybe you can fin---" my blood boils and shot him a glare.

"I don't care about your opinion, or somebody's opinion. I don't like this family too, maybe I should find another family?" hindi sya nakapagsalita sa sinabi ko.

"Unang una sa lahat, anong karapatan mong panghimasukan ako sa mga gusto kong gawin matapos mo akong suntukin? Pangalawa, who cares if you don't like Jared? As if namang ikaw ang jojowain niya. And lastly, can you mind your own business? Maging puppet ka na lang ni daddy hanggat gusto mo, HUWAG MO AKONG PAKIALAMAN, at brother? I don't have a family since you pushed me away. Stop acting like one. " I almost choke on my breath.

I'm furious and at the same time happy because nasabi ko iyon ng hindi nakakakuha ng attention. The least thing I want is to gather some attention regarding about our family rendezvous. May hiya pa naman ako kahit paano.

I look at the man in front of me, he was my hero. But after all those things happened, I am not his fan anymore. Masyado syang nagpatali sa kagustuhan ni daddy. And I don't understand that.

Napansin kong napatiim bagang siya at yumuko. Am J that harsh? Or he just can't accept the truth? He sighed and look up to me. Nagulat ako dahil namumula ang mga mata niya at mukhang iiyak na sya pero pinipigilan lang niya.

"W-why are---"

"I envy you. ' he breathes in and walked out.

He passed by Jared's chair and napansin niya iyon kaya napatingin siya sa akin. Napansin niya siguro ang gulat sa mukha ko kaya lumapit siya at umupo sa upuan ni kuya.

"What happened?" he ask. Concern is visible in his voice.

"I think I go below the belt." kinuwento ko ang nangyaring sagutan and he looks more concern and understanding.

He just listen and didn't speak. But I know he understands me, he's like that. Understanding.

"I-i don't know what to do." I sighed and look at my parents who are still busy talking and listening to some people.

I feel a warm hand envelope my fingers. It was Jared's. His eyes are glowing.

"You know what to do, you're just afraid."

Reach out. I know. But for the last years of my life, I am always reaching out to people who did not understand me, to people who did not like me.
Rejections. That's all I've got for reaching out, and I'm tired. Kaya hindi ko na ulit sinubukang iabot ang mga kamay ko sa mga taong ilang beses ng bumitaw sa akin. Bumaon na sa isipan ko na may mga taong hahawak lang sa'yo kapag sumunod ka sa mga gusto nila. At pagod na akong humawak.

"I know it's hard for you because you've been reaching out for them for how many years at pagod ka na pero sana, bigyan mo ulit sila ng chance."

"Chance? Jared you know that I gave them many chance before but they screw it. They screw it big time that's why they can't touch me know." I gritted my teeth remembering the day I plead for their acceptance. It's awful and I'm hopless that time.

"Sometimes, you can rest if you're tired then fight again." Jared said while standing up and since hawak niya ako, napatayo na rin ako.

That's when I notice na everyone is dancing, even my parents. Hindi ko na sinubukang habulin si kuya because I am still gathering my thoughts.

Dinala niya ako sa may sulok, malapit sa speakers kaya damang dama at rinig na rinig ko ang kanta. We dance with the rhythm. Slowly. Graceful. Mukha kaming chess pieces because of our attire but who cares? I am with the most handsome black knight in this hall. The black knight who can make me smile, angry and sad.

The black knight who can touch and tame the beast inside me.

"You're beautiful in your suit." he smiles at me.

"I know. Everyone's looking at me when I entered this hall." tumawa ako ng maalala ko ang mukha ng mga tao pagpasok ko. They looked awful.

"Because you're very far from the theme." humalakhak siya at umayos ng tayo. Muli siyang tumingin sa mga mata ko at isinayaw ako sa ritmo ng musika.

"And I like you because of that."

"You like me because I'm a black sheep?"

"No. I like you because you can bend the norm and lift the standard. You're untouchable."

"And a beast." I grin, teasing him because that's what everybody called me at school. I don't know why but I'm used to it.

"You're my untouchable beast." he place his hands on my cheeks, caressing it. I can feel the warm and electricity of his touch. And I know, I'm tamed.

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Hi. Weekends po yata ulit ako makakapag-update! Thankss.