Safe at Night

19

"Messi," Affection can seen on his eyes as well as sadness.

Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin ko sa dalawa. Her sister still on the floor throwing waterball, basang-basa na rin ito dahil natatamaan siya ng tubig. Even her face scream sadness. It can seen on her eyes, she felt so sad? Kahit ako na hindi pa siya kilala, na nakikita ko lang ay nasasaktan na ako.

Her screamed sounds sorrowful. Her eyes screamed sadness. She clenched her chest and put her one hand on her hair, she's now pulling the strand of her hair, crying.

Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Khaos na titig na titig parin sa kapatid niya, His eyes shines reflecting the orange skies. Malapit ng magdilim.

"Shit," He said.

Naglakad ito kaya sinundan ko, may kinalap ito sa bulsa niya at nilabas ang isang keychain na puno ng iba't-ibang susi. He easily found the key to their gate and opened it.

Nakadukmo na si Messianna. Hawak-hawak ang isang can ng beer sa kanang kamay. Where the hell did she get that? Akala ko ba hawak-hawak niya kanina ay water ball? Bakit biglang naging alak?

Lumapit pa kami rito, from our place ay amoy na amoy ang alak na iniinom niya. I stopped at the place na malayo-layo ng kaonti sa kanila.

Khaos bended his knees para magkapantay ang lebel ng kapatid niya. He placed his hands on the top of her head, caressing her hair.

"Kuya," Messi's voice is shaking.

Wait, does she knows that it's her brother caressing her hair? They know each other that much?

"Messi," May pag-aalala sa boses nito. Hinawakan nito ang kamay niya para dahang-dahang kuhanin ang can ng beer sa kanya. "Why are you drinking?"

Tinaas ni Messi ang tingin niya. She glared at his brother, she had this messy face and wet body and hair. Dumidikit pa nga ang buhok nito sa mukha niya. Khaos raised his hands are tried to fix Messi's hair pero tinulak lang ni Messi ang kamay ni Khaos.

Pain is evident on Khaos face. Sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Messi.

"Why the hell are you here?" Pagalit na tanong nito.

Bumuntong hininga si Khaos. "I just wanna check on you."

Messi stood from the ground, tumawa ito ng sarkastiko habang pinapagpag ang puwetan niya. "And now you have the audacity to check on me?"

Mapakla itong tumawa. "What do you want me to tell you? Huh?! Do you want me to tell you that I'm fucking happy living in this hell? That i'm lying on the bed of roses? Do you want me to tell you that to make yourself better? That's what's you want Kuya?!" Lumapit ito sa Kuya niya at tinulak ito. Hindi naman pumalag si Khaos.

Now, I'm witnessing all of this? Should I go and give them privacy? But what if Khaos will need me? Kaya nga ako nandito para samahan siya.

Messi left out a sarcastic laugh. "That's what you wanna get? After you left me in this—" tumingin-tingin siya sa paligid. "Jail or should I call house of satan?"

Sinamaan niya pa ng tingin ang Kuya niya. "Then no, you won't fucking have the relieve you wanted to have, Ernest."

Tears rolled down on their both cheeks, The moment Messi pledge the hurtful words.

"It's Kuya," Rinig kong sabi ni Khaos sa mababang salita.

Messi shook her head. "The moment you left me with those demons alone here in this hell, wala na akong kapatid. There are no Ernest Khaos Mazo in my life anymore. I tried to erase in my memories that once in my life I had a brother."