Flare Guns

Alliteration of the Past's Agony

"Ate what are those marks on your wrist?" I can clearly see the seven year old me asking my sister about her marks.

Agad nya iyong tinago at pinunasan ang kanyang luha.

" Ate why are you crying?" Tanong ko. Nag aalala ako sa kanya.

Dalawa lang kaming magkapatid. I am her only brother at nagpromise ako kay Daddy na habang nagtratrabaho sila ni Mommy, magiging good boy ako. Hindi ako magpapasaway kay ate.

Ako ba ang may kasalanan bakit sya umiiyak?

"Ate what's wrong? Was it my fault? " natakot ako dahil bigla syang ngumiti.

"Don't worry baby it's not your fault. "  she assured me.

"Ate what are those mark?"  I asked her. By that time, it looks cool for my little eyes. I was blind and stupid that time because i thought that was just a trend- that's why she have it on her.
"I also wanna have them here" I give her my wrist.

" No!"  She shouted at me. That was the first time that she raised her voice unto me. She never yelled at me.

Is she mad?

I looked at her..

"Ate are you mad at me? I asked her. I was really worried. Bakit ayaw nya kong magkaroon ng cool  line marks like hers?

"Baby..."  panimula nya

I'm trying to stare at her regardless of my blue watery vision.

"Listen carefully okay?" I just nod.

"Ate is facing a war. I am fighting against something or someone...
i don't know...." she continue...

"I want to help you ate. We will fight those monsters. Are they invisible? I can ask superman to help us or even the whole justice league, we will win ate. They are the greatest" thats what i told her while wipping my tears.

I smiled at her.

"justice league is fictional baby"

"lets ask help from the police then. Daddy can pay lots of money right?" the innocent me asked.

"No baby, it is ate's battle only. Remember what daddy told us?"

"Be a good person?" I asked

"Aside from that?" she calmly asked

"Wag sasali sa usapan ng elders" I answered.

"Yes baby, ganon din pag sa battles ng mas nakakatanda, bawal ka din makasali. Okay?"

"How can i help you then?"

"You see these?" she raised her wrist so that i can see those marks.

I just nod

"When you see people with this, kindly hug them" her words sounds like she's saying goodbye.

And then the last time I saw her, she's sleeping peacefully...

The next month, mom and dad were killed by unknown.

I was left alone.

Today, I am staring at a fine lady with marks on her wrist.

I don't wanna hear the agony of yesterday. It hurts  but I remembered ate's words when i saw her marks. As promised I hugged her.

Everything flashes back as I  stared at her.

Ate didn't make it so I hope you'll win your battle. I stand up from the couch and turn off the lights. I opened the door and go out of that room.
-----------------------------------------------------------

❦︎
𝙿𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚘𝚙𝚑𝚊𝚐𝚘𝚞𝚜