Flames of Hearts

11

Let's go?

I keep on distracting Asia for her to forget how her brother got mad at her.  Pagkapasok sa kitchen, ibinaba ko siya sa high chair. Manang is nearly done cooking. Kaya bago ako tumulong mag-ayos, I decided to go upstairs to take a quick bath dahil hindi pa 'ko nakakapagpalit. Nang madaanan ko ang sala wala na si Arel doon at naiwan na si Winter na naglalaro.

I go near Winter to gave him a pat on his head. "Where is your Daddy? He's too mad, 'no?" I asked like the dog can answer me back.

I sighed and just stood up, leaving the dog, playing again. Everything is making me so exhausted. Nakakapagod na isipin lahat. I need to take this all out. I need answers to all of my questions. At siguro, kailangan kong umpisahan sa kaniya 'yon.

Pagkababa ko mula sa kwarto ay luto na lahat, nag-umpisa na rin si Manang maglagay ng utensils kaya nagpasiya na 'kong tumulong  habang nasa upuan pa rin si Asia.

"Stay here a little more, okay? 'Wag ka malikot baka mahulog ka, sige," pananakot ko pa.

She pouted a little and nodded. I laughed at her reaction and walked towards Manang to help her.

Ako na ang naglagay ng plato at mga baso sa dining habang isinasalin ni Manang 'yung mga niluto niya. I also get pitcher of juice and water. Habang naglalakad papunta sa table, napasulyap ako sa living room to still not find Arel. He's probably outside. Nagmadali na akong ipatong lahat ng hawak sa table para masundan siya kung saan man siya pumunta. I want to talk to him. I think need to.

Bago lumabas ng kitchen, ibinilin ko muna si Asia kay Manang para mabantayan. I gave her my phone a while ago that's why she's busy watching cartoons now.

I inhaled a big amount of air and slowly exhaled it before walking to follow him. I'm kind of nervous while finding him. When I found him at the veranda, hindi na 'ko mapakali. Hindi ko alam kung dahil sa sinabi niya noong madaling araw na magkasama kami o dahil sa galit siya ngayon. I don't know. At hindi ko alam paano ko siya kakausapin sa totoo lang.

He's looking at the garden infront of him. He looked serious thinking deeply while sitting on the chair infront of our veranda's table. Should I really talk to him right now? I think he need space to think of everything running on his mind. But I feel like I would not have any chance anymore if I let this opportunity slide. Bahala na nga.

Tahimik akong naupo sa isa sa upuan doon. Ngayong tuluyan na 'kong nakalapit, hindi ko naman mahanap ang tamang salita para mag-umpisa. Punyeta, mag-isip ka ng maayos, Yna. Hold your shits together!

"Can we talk?" Marahan kong tanong. He didn't speak. He's too silent that I think this silence between us can kill me. Hell, hindi ko naman 'to ginusto! I never imagined talking to him for so many fucking things. Damn it!

"Hey, Arel." He's still spacing out what the hell.

"Can you please speak? What's the hell is your problem? You made your sister cry and here you are! Nandito ka at hindi man lang pinuntahan si Asia?!" Getting carried away of my emotions inside me, hindi ko na napigilang mairita. Damn you.

Now I got his attention but he's looking cold. "You didn't know anything, alright? You didn't!" He fired back at me I was taken a back. Mas lalo lang akong nainis ng makabawi.

"Oo!" Tumayo ako at hinarap siya. "Wala akong alam! Pero damn you! Your sister didn't do anything at you! Can't you see how she cries, ha? Takot na takot! Anong malay no'n sa galit na nandiyan sayo sa kung ano?! Wala!" Hinihingal akong huminto sa pagsasalita. He's irritating me. Mas lalo ko siyang hindi maintindihan!

"I fucking hate my name. Specially my surname," malamig niyang tugon sa mahaba kong litanya.

"What the fuck, Arel?"