He's a Monster (PUBLISHED UNDER PSICOM)

Chapter 18

Humawak si Mrs. Riff sa kanyang dibdib. "That's incredible!" bulalas niya. "And please, just call me Tita Sheena and call him Tito Seraphino."

Seraphino? I bit my lower lip. Kapangalan pa niya ang bidang lalake sa story na binabasa ko. It gave me a weird feeling.

Humalumbaba si Tita Rian sa lamesa. "Let's talk more about Saturn. Besides studying, ano'ng mga ginagawa niya?"

Nagflashback sa isipan ko ang pag-aaway naming dalawa na mapupunta rin naman sa pagbabati.

Napangiti ako. Bago ko pa mapigilan ang sarili ko ay nasabi ko na ang lahat. "I found out that he loves drawing. He drew for me the other day and he's really good at it."

Tito Seraphino put his coffee cup on the table too loudly that made me jumped a little on my seat. I didn't know if it was on purpose or not. Tita Rian looks nervous all of a sudden and give me an apologetic smile.

"Saturn can draw?" tanong ni Kuya Harris.

"Everyone can draw but Saturn is really talented." sagot ko ngunit kay Tito Seraphino ako nakatingin.

"That's unexpected." nakangiting sabi ni Kuya Steff. "He should have taken something related to drawing."

I saw Tito Seraphino's lips twitched like he wanted to snarl.

"He should be more like your oldest brother — had a high position at an early age but instead of taking things seriously, all he do is to disappoint me." Mr. Riff said, his voice carrying so much intensity. "And he's late. That son of mine really is a waste of space."

Lahat kami ay napatahimik dahil sa kanyang sinabi. He sips at his coffee like he didn't say anything bad at all.

I ball my fist in anger. His words are like knives that pierce in the deepest part of my heart. I'm hurt for Saturn. He doesn't deserve these harsh words from his own father. I know he can do well.  Not in the field his father wants him to be at, but in the field he wants for himself.

I take a deep breath and look at Tito Seraphino once again. Nagtama ang aming mga mata at hindi ko na napigilan pa ang pagbuka ng aking bibig.

"With all due respect, Sir, Saturn can't take his studies seriously because that's not the path he wants in the first place. You're disappointed because he can't chew what you shove down into his mouth. Now that he's trying to spit it out, you call him trash because you think he's being ungrateful. But no, he just wants to fulfill his dreams and you're negating his chance to do so."

Mistulang nagbabaga ang kanyang mga mata habang nakatingin sa'kin. He narrow his eyes at me, casting a shadow to his pupils.

I cower in fear. His eyes suddenly soften but it's replaced by the same eyes I've seen earlier when I first saw him.

"You really looks like her." aniya na siyang ikipinagtaka ko.

I look at Mrs. Riff for answers but she's looking at her side, a painful expression on her face.

Naramdaman ko na lang na may humawak sa'king braso. Nang tumingala ako ay nakita ko si Saturn na nakatayo sa'king tabi.

"You're late!" sigaw ni Tito Seraphino.

Hinawakan ni Tita Sheena ang braso nito. "Hon..."

Saturn gives his father a cold look but soften when he turns to look at my brothers. They all smile at him in return. He let out a sigh and smile in return.

Mistulang senyales niya 'yon para hilahin ako paalis doon dahil walang imik niya akong hinila. Hindi na kami nakapagpaalam pa. Wala na ring nagawa ang galit na pagtawag ni Mr. Riff.

Saturn's mood is a lot better now than earlier. Napangiti na lang ako.

Dinala niya ako sa kanyang kotse at umalis na kami roon.

I fish out my phone and text my brothers.

I won't be home late. Don't worry.

Mayamaya'y 'agad itong nag-beep.

Kuya Steff

Bili kang pasalubong, bb girl. Ty.

Kuya Harris

It's fine. I know he'll take u home safe.

Kuya Justin

Get home before 7 pm.

Sa reply pa lang nilang tatlo ay napakadaling malaman kung anong personality ng bawat isa. Hindi ko mapigilang matawa.

Nang makapagreply ako ay ibinaling ko ang aking tingin kay Saturn na tahimik lang na nagmamaneho.

Hindi na rin ako nagsalita. Alam kong dadalhin niya ako sa isang lugar kung saan pwede kaming makapag-usap.

As I expected, he brings me to our "spot", the top of the hill overlooking the city.

Nagkatiningnan na lang kami nang makababa kami sa sasakyan.

"Pansin ko lang, a? Sa tuwing may ganap, dito mo ako dinadala."

Natawa kaming pareho dahil sa'king sinabi.

"It's the most peaceful place I know and the easiest place to go."

Umupo kami sa parehong bench na inupuan namin noon. Sanay naming pinagmasdan ang isa-isang pagliwanag ng mga building.

"I'm sorry for being a jerk." Saturn gives me a small smile. "I know you're just worried about me and I'm so stupid to take my anger out on you."

He looks like he hates himself. Like he wants to blame himself again — that maybe he's thinking he doesn't deserve me at all.

I held his hand gently. I give him a smile that whoever sees will know how much love it shows. "I understand. Alam kong hindi maganda ang relasyon niyo ng mga magulang mo. Sana simula ngayon, sabihin mo sa'kin ang mga problema mo. I will always listen. I will always be here to comfort you."

Saturn's eyes shine brighter than the night lights. It glistens under the pale moonlight like he's about to cry.

"I love you." He blurts out all of a sudden. He sighs like he can't express his overflowing feelings. "I... really love you. Thank you for saying that to my father. You had the courage I didn't have."

Hindi ko alam kung paano sasagot sa biglaan niyang pag-amin at pagpapasalamat. I'm used to his cold and bad temper. Hearing him say sweet words sends warm through my heart.

"Nasaktan din kasi ako sa sinabi niya. Ipinakita mo sa'kin kung gaano ka kaseryoso sa pangarap mo pero hindi niya makita iyon."

He sigh. "My dad... I don't know why but since I was a kid, he never showed affection towards me and my mother." Humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa'king kamay. "

I remember his dad's cold gazes — like he's carrying the weight of the world. I can't help but wonder why he ended up like that.

"When I was in 5th grade, I heard them fighting." He smile bitterly. "I heard my mom shouting about dad being in love with the same woman ever since but it wasn't my mother."

Bahagyang nanglaki ang aking mga mata. Mas lumapit ako sa kanya at pinagsalikop ang aming mga daliri.

"I found out that they were married because of business." Tumawa siya ngunit may lungkot itong kasama. "My dad never loved my mom. He probably never loved me. He probably only see me as someone who will continue his business that he worked really hard on."

Walang salita ang lumabas sa'king bibig upang pagaanin ang loob niya at ang tangi ko lang nagawa ay yakapin siyang mahigpit.

"I don't believe in true love but now I want to see if it's true." Bahagya siyang humiwalay mula sa pagkakayakap sa'kin. "I already asked your brothers for their permission."

Napalunok ako sa kaba. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagsimulang mamuo ang luha sa'king mga mata.

"Chloe, I will court you and I will prove to you that I'm worthy of you."