Denying Affinity (Affinity #1)

Fight For You

The morning started off with a loud slam of the door. It woke me from my sleep. It was followed by loud muffled voices from the outside of my room. I got up quickly and headed straight to my door to see what was happening.

Pagkalabas ko ay nakita ko si Les sa tapat ng sariling kwarto at kinukusot pa ang mata. Kagaya ko ay nagising rin siya sa malakas na pagsara ng pinto.

"Avis, anong meron?" malat na tanong ni Les at kumunot naman ang noo ko. Isasagot ko sana na hindi ko alam pero hindi natuloy nang marinig ang boses ni Mommy na nanggagaling sa master's bedroom.

"Why are you making a big deal out of this?" mahina iyon dahil nakasara ang pinto.

Nakatingin na sa akin si Les nang lingunin ko siya. Her eyes were wide, her face washed with horror.

"They're fighting?" tanong niya.

My lips pursed. I fixed my face and made sure that I was unreadable. This doesn't happen very often but I always make sure to be in control whenever they do. Sa aming dalawa ng kapatid ko ay dapat ako ang mas malakas. My sister may be a ball of sunshine but she's more vulnerable than I am.

"Go shower, get dressed. Magbreakfast tayo pagkatapos." hindi ko na hinintay pa ang isasagot niya at mabilis na tumalikod para bumalik sa kwarto.

I was on auto-pilot. Naligo at nakapagbihis ako na hindi man lang namalayan. Luke Dashiel sent me his daily morning text na hindi ko na-replyan. We'll be seeing later. Wala siyang pasok ngayon kaya sasamahan niya ako sa vacant time ko.

Nang makababa ay nandoon na silang lahat. Tahimik lang at mukhang kanina pa walang nagsasalita, even my sister who can't keep her mouth shut is quiet.

I murmured a quiet goodmorning and kissed my parents on the cheek. Umupo ako sa upuan katabi ng kay Les at hindi na nagsalita pa.

It was halfway through the breakfast when my mother broke the silence and called for Les' and my attention.

"Are you two free tomorrow?" tanong ni Mommy. Biglang huminto si Daddy sa pagkain. Kung posibleng lumakas ang katahimikan ay iyon ang nangyari ngayon.

Hindi pinansin ni Mommy si Daddy habang ako naman ay concious sa ginawa ni Dad. He was watching my mother with his blank yet piercing eyes.

"Wala naman, mommy... Bakit po?"

Ngumiti si Mommy kay Les at tiningnan muna ako bago sinagot ang tanong. "We'll shop for dresses. It's your Tito Lucas' birthday party this saturday, we'll be going."

Biglang bumagsak ang mga utensil sa plate at umurong ang upuan. Napalingon kami ni Les kay Daddy na nakatayo na ngayon habang si Mommy naman ay hindi man lang lumingon. Nanatili ang ngiti sa labi niya. My father's jaw was clenched when he left without a word.

"My..." mahinang tawag ni Les. May pag-aalala sa mukha ng kapatid ko habang ako naman ay walang kahit anong emosyon na ipinapakita.

"Don't mind your father. He's just being irrational. Just finish your breakfast." my mom casually replied before resuming with her food.

Nagkatiningnan kami ni Les. My sister gave me a meaningful look. She wants me to do something but I'm not going to do anything yet. Hahayaan ko muna silang mag-usap at kapag lumipas ang ilang araw na hindi pa sila nagkakaayos ay tsaka na ako tutulong sa pag-aayos.

There's a reason why my dad is very insecure when it comes to Tito Lucas. Bukod sa sadyang mahal niya lang si mommy ay may malalim na nakaraan si daddy at mommy kaya ganoon na lang ang takot niya.