Complexity Of Us (STATION Series #2)

Kabanata 34

Kabanata 34

Iba

It's been weeks since I fought with him. As much as I want to get his words away from my brain, it kept on going back. What pains me the most is the pain that is etched on the words he let off.

He's trying to save both of their lives—his family's and his sister's. I don't know if he's aware of how deteriorating it is but I think he's okay with that. That even though he has to live with a tarnished dignity and a dirty name, he'll do anything just to save his family.

Gusto kong kausapin si Elgene tungkol sa ginagawa ngunit alam kong kailangan niya ng oras para makapag-isa. Naiintindihan ko kung ayaw niya akong sundin pero hindi ko gaanong matanggap kung hindi talaga siya makikinig sa 'kin. Ang gusto ko lang, iparating sa kan'ya na nag-aalala ako.

He needs someone to understand him, I am present. He needs someone to help him, I am present. He needs someone to be hurt for him, I'm present. I just want to help someone, is it that bad?

I realized that I'm starting to be selfless the same way as him.

Elgene's capable to break himself just to save his loved ones; I'm willing to break myself just to sustain my guilt and save my love.

I should be angry at him for what he's doing yet I felt the opposite. Ako ang nagagalit sa sarili ko dahil kahit anong gawin niyang kagaguhan sa 'kin ay bumabalik ako.

I guess that's how people work—they leave and retaliate. After they've suffered enough, they return and tries to mend averything.

Napabuntong-hininga ako nang makita ang busangot na mukha ni Therese. Sukbit niya sa likod ang storage tube na kulay asul. Hirap na hirap siya nang umupo sa pwesto ko sa ilalim ng matayog na puno ng Narra.

"Bakit ka nakasimangot?" I asked after she settled.

She twitched her lips before she dragged her chin on her palm. Nagpakawala siya ng bigong hininga at ngumiwi pa.

"Ang gulo nina Freesia at Cloud," komento niya habang pinaglalaruan ang hawak na tech pen.

Kinunotan ko siya ng noo. "May problema ba sila?"

She nodded. "Noong isang linggo lang nangyari. Kagagaling lang sa bakasyon ni Freesia tapos may dala siyang bagahe. Nasa harap ng unit si Cloud at Quinley, naghahalikan daw sila, kwento ni Kirk—pinsan ni Quinley. Sabi ni Kirk, kinuwento sa kan'ya ni Quinley 'yon. Sabi niya, gusto niya raw si Cloud."

Umawang ang bibig ko dahil sa narinig.

"Quinley likes Cloud? I thought she likes Elgene," I asked, curious.

"Oo, sabi ni Kirk. Hindi ko lang sure kung totoo kasi hindi mapagkakatiwalaan si Kirk. Pero ngayon, medyo bati na raw si Cloud at Freesia. Regionals nina Freesia sa isang araw at iniimbitahan ako."

Lalong nangunot ang noo ko. "And why did Cloud did that? Sinabi ba sa 'yo?"

She shrugged. "Close kaming magpinsan ni Cloud pero si Kuya Thunder ang nag-confirm sa 'kin na nangyari 'yon. Pero, hindi kinonfirm ni Kuya kung naghalikan 'yung dalawa."

As much as I try my best to understand what's going on, I couldn't do it. Lalo lang akong naguluhan nang marinig pa ang sunod niyang sinabi.

"At eto pa! Si Madison! Si Kuya Thunder daw ang nagbabantay sa kan'ya kaso hindi ko alam kung bakit."

I watched her movements as I try to constrict my mind to a definite solution.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit pati iyon ang pinoproblema ko. I should be worrying my plates right now, but it reminds me of the time I spent at his unit.