Sinners [ Gone Bad Series #1 ] (Completed)

Epilogue

CHARLIE

"How's school?" pagbubukas ko ng usapan habang humihigop ng kape. Nag hiwa siya ng pancake at sinubo 'yun.

"It's fine.." pagkikibit balikat niya. "How about girls?" tukso ko at ngumisi sa nakababatang kapatid. Umirap ito at pagkatapos ay natulala.

"Well, there's this girl.." I chuckled. Ibinaba ko ang kape ko at itinaas ang kilay. "I think her name is Lila. Kakalipat lang niya sa school last year.. she's quite famous..." tumango tango ako. "Why? Is she pretty?" ngisi ko.

Seryoso ang mukha niya habang nagkkwento and this is the first time that Hyron is interested in a girl.

"Yeah. But it's not because of that. Usap usapan sa school na nagbebenta daw ng katawan 'yung mama niya. She's being bullied because of it.." umawang ang labi ko at bahagyang nakaramdam ng awa.

She's just the same age as Hyron. 13? 14?

"True or not, it's not an excuse to bully her.." naiiling kong sabi. Mabilis namang tumango si Hyron. "I know.."

"Why don't you approach her? Befriend her?" suhestyon ko at nginisian siya. "She looks nice. I mean.. too nice to hang out with me. I feel like I'm gonna be intimidated once I try to talk to her.." humalakhak ako at tumayo na.

It's a summer morning that day. The first time Hyron talked about a girl. It's been four years since he moved here in Santa Monica. It's been four years since Dad took him here.

The next months were a blur. I study in Manila. Umuuwi ako ng Santa Monica kapag sabado at linggo. I need to do well in school. I'm expected to manage all of our business one day since I'm the eldest.

"Hyron!" I shouted. Disyembre na at mas nauna ang bakasyon ko sa nakababatang kapatid. It's their Christmas party. Dahil wala namang ginagawa ay naisipan kong ako nalang ang susundo sakanya.

Hyron is in third year high school. Lagi itong parent's needed. I think I understand though. Gusto niyang umuwi sa kanyang ina ngunit ayaw siyang pahintulutan ng aming ama. Bibihira na rin itong ngumiti at madalas ang pagsusungit.

Takbo lakad ang ginawa niya papunta sa akin.

"Let's go?" tumango siya at sumakay sa sasakyan. Sumunod naman ako at agad na pina andar ang sasakyan.

"Look, it's her.." nilingon ko ang tinuro niya sa harap. It's a girl with a light brown hair. Kahit sa malayo ay makikita mo rin ang mata niyang kakulay ng buhok niya. Obviously, she's not a pure Filipino. Dala dala ang isang paper bag at isang sling bag na naka sabit sakanya, naglalakad siya palabas ng eskwelahan. She's wearing a red dress that complimented her snow like skin perfectly.

"Siya yung sinasabi mo?" kuryoso kong tanong. Tumango tango siya, hindi inaalis ang tingin sa babae.

"She's only in third year right? Hindi halata.." pagbibigay ko ng komento at nagsimula nang ilabas ang sasakyan. "Yeah.." ang tanging nasabi nalang niya at sumandal sa upuan.

Nasundan pa ng maraming beses ang pag sundo ko kay Hyron. Hindi lagi pero tuwing naroroon ako ay natyetyempuhan ko rin siyang nakikita.

Her eyes are always on the ground but her presence cannot be ignored. Lalo na ang balat nito. It's so white that you can almost see every vein, even in her face. Her lips are pale, a proof that she doesn't apply anything on it. Her nose is too pointy. She looks like a witch. A beautiful one.

"Pokpok..."

Ramdam ko ang pag akyat ng dugo sa ulo ko. She ignored it. But I can't. I waited for her to exit and I walked to the two students.