The Moon On Watch (On Going)

Just Be Honest

CHAPTER 34 

ENZO'S POV

The three of us were sitting on the barstools in the kitchen with ice packs pressed on our faces. Tita Clairence was looking at us with an angry expression as we were looking down at the floor.

Eusaff knew about it and I bet he also helped Kevin with the prank. Even Cynthia. Though, Kevin said it was his whole plan and must leave Cynthia out of it.

Maybe my two friends deserved the bruises on their faces for making me look like a fool.

I had no idea why they did that and we haven't talked about the plan. I wanted to ask but the moment I was about to, Tita Clairence knocked on Eusaff's door.

When Kevin walked towards the door and opened it, her happy and calm expression suddenly turned into shock and worry.

So, right now, we had to deal with Tita Clairence to let us tell our parents about the reason behind these bruises on our faces.

But not the real reason.

It has been a few minutes since the entire house became silent and all we could hear was the tapping sound of Tita Clairence heels on the floor. Suddenly, her voice filled the room.

"Ano ba talagang nangyari? Ba't nagka-ganyan mukha niyo?" Tita Clairence asked as her voice raised, slightly.

None of us dared to answer her question but after a few seconds, her son said,

"Napaaway lang kami, mom. We're sorry. 'Di na mauulit 'to." Eusaff apologized. We raised our eyes from the floor to look at his mother. She sighed deeply, shaking her head at Eusaff.

"Eu, akala ko ba magbabago ka—" Eusaff her cut off as he walked towards her, gripping her shoulders, gently.

"Mom, I am. Napaaway lang kami and I can assure, hinding-hindi na mauulit 'to." He smiled down at her. He was still holding the ice pack as it pressed on his face then he kissed his mother on the forehead.

She slightly nodded at him and turned her to look at me and Kevin. "The two of you. Promise me, this won't happen again!"

"Yes, tita." We both said. Aling Marie gave us another ice pack for our hands and the three of us stayed in the kitchen. While Tita and Aling Marie went into their rooms.

The kitchen was in total silence. Kevin was looking out of the window, Eusaff was looking down at the floor while I was looking at the counter table.

Suddenly, I heard Kevin cleared his throat next to me. He didn't talk at first but the second time he cleared his throat again, he said,

"Look, I'm sorry, Enzo." His voice almost sounded like a mumble. I turned my head in his direction, raising an eyebrow at him.

He sighed deeply, avoiding my gaze. "We're just trying to help you." He exclaimed.

I scoffed at him. "Oh really? How exactly?"

Turning his head in my direction, " To become honest with yourself, for once."

We were looking at each other, intently and we stayed like that longer than we expected. The silence broke again when he said,

"Stop being in denial, bro." I saw his jaw clenched. I knew he didn't want to continue what he was about to say but instead,

"Sometimes being weak is okay. You don't have to act tough and shit all the damn time to something that makes you feel like it." Kevin said once again.

"Also, you deny what you feel. You run away from what makes you feel less of a man which it doesn't suppose to. Face it, overcome it, and when you do, you will learn to accept your weaknesses." Kevin added.

I looked away from him to avoid his gaze. Staring out of the window, sighing.

He was damn right. Liquor has been my getaway and yes, I do run away with my all problems. I never dared to share my problems with anyone and I had always been keeping it all.

I tried to isolate myself to not let anyone bothered and be part of what I was going through.

Pakiramdam ko kasi parang ang hina 'kong tao kapag sinasabi ko problema ko.

I've always reminded myself that as long as I could handle and remain calm despite the problems I have, I would stay silent and move on.

Pero minsan kahit anong 'move on' ko, parang hindi ko pa rin matakbuhan yung problema. Parang nakatali na sa akin at ayaw kumawala.

It was always been, my parents. They were always the ones who wanted me to be a man that they wanted me to be. Ever since when I was a kid, I tried my best to do what they wanted.

Pero kahit anong gawin ko, bakit parang kulang pa rin?

Isang pagkakamali, parang buong reputasyon ko masisira na.

Ano pa bang kulang?

Closing my eyes as I sighed deeply as I could, I felt a lump in my throat and tried to fight back a tear. I despise this feeling so much in my life. It made me feel weak.

All of a sudden, I heard the same voice filled with so much concern in it next to me.

"Alam namin ni Eusaff na may problem ka sa family mo. Lagi mong sinasabi na okay ka lang. And alam din namin na ayaw mong sabihin pero we respect it. Pero man, stop being so in denial at sana, kahit ngayon lang, maging honest ka."

Kevin said, quietly.

"We know it's hard, Enzo but just let it go, ngayon lang. Just say it." Eusaff said after a long time of not talking to us.

I turned my head and looked at them back and forth. I hesitated at first then I said, "Yes, I like her, unfortunately, a lot."

 ~ ~ ~

God bless!

-J