Storms In His Heart (Art Boys Series#1)

Chapter 73

Chapter 73 Bad

"Jao."

Isang pamilyar na boses ang tumawag sa akin.I stood up from the sofa of the veranda at nilingon sa front door ang isang babae na nakangiti ng matamis sa akin.

"Alira."I respond at hinarap ko siya.Mabilis naman siyang lumapit sa akin at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

I looked down at her nang maramdaman ko ang pagiyak niya.I heaved a sigh and gently carresed her back and head.I'm embraced her back at nanatailing nakatayo bago siya humiwalay at kumalma.

"I didn't explain everything to you what hapenned.I-it just—"

I shushed her and cut her off."It's not your fault Alira."I assured her that everything is fine with me.The reason why my sister and Alira's rivalry,i get it.

"I'm sorry,i just..."Yumuko siya at lumuha na naman.I licked my lower lip bago ko siya marahang inupo sa tabi ko.

"I just loved someone."She finally said.

"That's why it's not your fault."Wika ko sa kaniya."Jahara is at fault,she unconciously let him go without noticing it.Garreth was hurt but you fixed him and there's nothing wrong with that Alira."I added.

Tumingin siya sa akin at muli na namang yumakap ng mahigpit."Thank you Jao,you became matured."

Ngumiwi ako at tinapik tapik ang balikt niya.Pinunasan niya ang mga luha niya at sumisinghot na tumingin sa akin habang nakangiti.

I thought she changed,but she still the girl i knew.Smiling like a sunshine as always.

My lips rose up a bit at that thought.We drink coffee together while catching up.Hindi kasi naging maayos ang paguusap namin nung naglilibot ako sa iba't ibang bansa.

I prevented myself from communicating them.I need to focus at least and besides,paminsan minsan ay tumatawag naman ako.Hindi nga lang ganon kadalas.

"Have you seen my baby??"Tanong Alira.I raised my eyebrow and she chuckled."My Amber."Wika niya.

"My Amber?"Tanong ko at tumingo naman siya."You're still corny."I commented and she gently smack my right arm.

Ngumisi lang ako at natatawang umiling siya."You're still a cold hearted guy."Umiiling na sabi niya.

"Oh come on,i just gave you a warm hug and a comforting quote earlier."

"Hahahaha!!"

Matapos ng paguusap namin ay bumalik muna ako ng kwarto para magpahinga at maligo.Bumaba ako para magalmusal kasama ang lahat.

Then i noticed Ambrielle and Alira habang kumakain.I can see that he likes his Ate Alira very well and he's really comfortable with her.Iba ang mga ngiti niya habang kumakain hanggang sa matapos kami.

I don't understand why he's still look at me like i'm sort of bad guy or something.Kinausap ko na siya nung minsan gabi na hindi ako nangangain ng bata.

He's always intimidated when i'm around or when he's with me.Hindi ko maiwasang maging concious sa sarili ko but then i thought,maybe the kid is still adjusting.

I knew him when he was still a baby at ngayong malaki na siya,wala namang nagbago sa itsura niya.Sa ugali niya ay magalang naman siyang bata at malambing sa Lola niya,maybe i really look like a bad guy.

Since when did i care about that shit??

"Hala Jao!!Anong...napano ka?!!"Gulat na tanong ni Alira at nanlalaki ang nga matang sinipat ang kabuuan ko.I was soaking wet nang mabasa ako sa hose.

My painting materials are scattered in the ground and my portrait stand was lying upside down.Bumuntong hininga na lang ako,i was just trying to paint because of the scenery in front of me.

Hindi ko naisip malapit sila dito nandidilig ng mga halaman.

I looked at Ambrielle na naiiyak na tumingin sa mga gamit ko.Nanlalaki ang mga mata nito sa gulat at takot.Kinakabahan siyang tumingin sa akin at mahinang lumunok.

Those eyes again...

Napansin ko ang basang mga braso,buhok at mukha niya.A drop of water traveled down fr his forehead to his nose and i unconciously trace down using my eyes.

Bumaba ito sa mapupulang labi niya na kumikibot  kibot.I secretlt clenched my jaw when i remember the exact same thing i did when he's still a baby.

Confused by what i did and i was really pissed to myself.

"I-i'm sorry...."Nauutal na paumanhin niya.

"What did you just do??"Tanong ko and i sounded angry.Mabilis na natuliro siya at nangatog ang mga binti niya sa takot.

I wanted to say sorry but i was too preoccupied by my confusion.Hinayan ko munang kumalma ang sarili ko bago ako nagpaalam para maglinis ng katawan.

It was just stolen glance but it quickly got to me.Bumuntong hininga ako at nakayukong pumikit habang nasa shower.

Hinayaan kong kumalma ang pagiisip ko at pumikit.I started cleaning myself and a familliar feeling suddenly enveloped my conciousness.

His crying face flashed back into my mind.I gritted my teeth and punched the marble wall.It made the concrete wall cracked at bago pa ako gumawa na alam kong pagsisisihan ko ay lumabas na ako ng banyo.

This is bad..

Matapos magalmusal ay nagring ang phone ko.Nakapamulsang tumingin ako sa labas at sinagot ang tawag."Dad."Panimula ko.

"Jao."The familiar baritone voice spoke from the phonecall."How's are you Son??"Tanong niya.

"I'm fine."Sagot ko."How's everyone in Japan??"Tanong ko at doon na kami nagkamustahan.

Hindi kami nagkausap ng maayos dahil sa naging busy daw siya sa trabaho.Kahit nung birthday ko ay hindi niya ako nabati but i'm cool with it.

Ang importante ay maayos na ang family business,in fact the business is on top again.Dad is really working hard despite of his age.

"Jao!!"

"I'll call you later Dad."Binaba ko na ang tawag at nilingon sina Alira at Ambrielle na papalapit sa akin.

"May ibibigay daw sayo si Ambrielle."Alira gave me meaningful smirk but i ignored it.Tumingin ako kay Ambrielle na mabagal na inabot sa akin ang isang portrait.

Kunot noong tinanggap ko ito at nilingon siya na nahihiyang nagiwas ng tingin.I looked at the painting and i automatically praised it's beauty.

My lips rose up habang pinagmamasdan ang painting.It's exactly the image i imagined in my head.Lumapit naman si Alira at sinipat din ang pagkakagawa ng painting.

"Ang galing niya diba??"Natutuwang tanong ni Alira.Bakas sa boses niya ang pagmamalaki sa talento ng alaga niya.

"Yeah."I grinned and looked at Ambrielle na pumula ang pisngi at nagiwas ng tingin.He bit his lips and slowly smiled.