Good Riddance (DS #2)

Chapter 29

Hurt...

Ah. How is he feeling?

How is he after learning the reason that he never thought would be after all these years...

"I heard you cry last night... And the other night. And the last night before that." Raqi quietly said. "Why were you crying, Kuya?"

"Ikaw, tumambay ka na naman sa labas ng pinto ni JJ," ani Kuya Izaak. "Your brother complex is troublesome."

"I was worried for Kuya JJ!!!" Binato ni Raqi sa panganay ang panyo na pinagpahiran ng dugo. "Hindi siya lumalabas ng room niya. Hindi kumakain ng maayos. Hindi kumikibo... I mean, he's naturally quiet but something's wrong. And I hate it if Blair's the reason, again!"

"Tone down your voice, Raquel Hellaine. Maririnig ka ng buong village."

"I-It's not B-Blair's fault..." Nakahagip na si Jack ng ibang mga salita, sa wakas. "It's not... her fault... Hindi niya' ko sinaktan."

Natahimik silang tatlo.

"The bleeding stopped," his brother said later on. "Don't over-exert yourself next time. Matagal kang nasa kuwarto mo lang, siguro lagi ka lang nakahiga. And running too fast and non-stop shocked your system now. Masyado ka ring napagod. Thus, the nosebleed."

"You sound like a doctor, Kuya Izaak," ngisi ni Raqi.

"I am a doctor!"

"Like a serious doctor."

"I am!"

Raqi giggled like a little girl. Pinisil ni Kuya Izaak ang pisngi nito. Pati sa kanya.

Nagtatawanan na ang dalawa niyang kapatid pero nanatiling tahimik si Jack. Hinilot niya ang mga tuhod at binti. Mas dama niya na ang kirot mula sa pagtakbo at pagbagsak.

Then they heard a car beep. Sabay-sabay silang napatingalang magkakapatid. It's their father's car.

Binaba nito ang bintana. "Bakit dito kayo nakaupo sa gitna ng kalsada, mga anak? Wala bang upuan sa bahay?"

"We're just resting from jogging, Daddy," Raqi answered. Tumayo na ito.

Kuya Izaak stood up, too. "Ang bilis na tumakbo ni baby bro, Dad! You'll be proud."

Napakurap lang si Jack habang nakatingala sa mga kapatid. Hindi siya makatayo. Sa tingin niya ay bibigay lang ang mga binti niya kung pipilitin niya.

"Jacquin," his father softly called. "Did you have a good run?"

Napakurap ulit siya. It was not a simple question. Since he was little, his father asks him questions beyond its meaning.

Hinila ni Raqi ang isa niyang kamay at mabilis siyang inalalayan sa braso at baywang ni Kuya Izaak. His siblings put his arms over their shoulders for support. Bumaba na rin ng kotse ang ama at binuksan ang pinto ng backseat.

It was like... he is sixteen all over again. After Blair broke up with him over the phone... Jack cannot support himself, so his family did all they can until his back to his senses.

Nangako siyang hindi na ulit mangyayari 'yon... But now, here they are. Again.

"I'm sorry..." bulong niya ulit nang nasa loob na silang lahat ng kotse.

Yumapos lang sa baywang niya si Raqi na katabi niya. Nag-thumbs up naman ang Kuya niya na nasa front seat.

"Ito na ang pinaka-dulo ng village. Ang layo ng narating niyo," sabi ng Daddy nila. "You're lucky I entered the back gate and saw the three of you. Was jogging that fun?"