From Me, To You (Snippets)

[7] Lionhearts: Raji Teases Pain

[7] Lionhearts: Raji Teases Pain

Isang malakas na kalabog ang dumagundong nang ibalibag ni Pain ang coffee table kung saan kanina lang ay naglalaro kami ng card game.

Umayos ako ng upo at tiningnan siya. Masama niyang ibinaling ang kanyang mga namumula sa galit na mata.

"I hate you to death!" he snapped at me.

My brow arched a bit. "What? You hate me for asking that? I was just curious, Pain."

I could hear my other brothers' deep sigh and their heated eyes on me.

Oh. What now? I was just really curious that's why I asked that question. No need to hate me for that. No need for that look, like I was crazy.

"Stop it. We were having a fun game until you opened your mouth and ruined the mood, Raji," Kuya Jagger said to me and I bit my bottom lip.

I gave him a questioning look. "Is it wrong to ask him that?"

Naging marahas ang paghinga ni Pain. Tumayo si Kuya Jagger para daluhan ang nakababata naming kapatid na may kaunting.... saltik sa ulo.

Kuya Irvine laughed. "Alam mo, Raji, tahimik kang tao at mukha kang mabait but you're such a big bully!"

"Yeah, right! You have a dual personality. You okay, man?" Kuya Lohan added.

Chrome was trying to keep his laughter all by himself as if he's normal when in fact, he has a dual personality as well. Pierce was looking at me, like he was disgusted.

Oh, wow. Ako na ang masama.

"What?" I began to defend myself, glancing at Pain in front of me. Nakatayo siya pero ano mang oras alam mong malapit na niya akong sugurin. Kung hindi lang siya hawak ni Kuya Jagger sa braso. "I didn't do anything wrong. I just asked him if he gets married, how many kids he wants."

Pain growled. "You asked me if I could get my wife pregnant! Sabi mo ay baka hindi pa ako tuli!"

Chrome burst out laughing. I chewed my lower lip so hard to stop myself from laughing as well. Masamang tiningnan ni Kuya Jagger si Chrome. Mabilis din naman siyang tumigil sa pagtawa pero pulang-pula ang mukha niya.

I sighed. "Nagtanong lang ako kasi nakalimutan ko na. Tuli ka na ba talaga, Pain?"

"Stop it, Rayvis!" Kuya Irvine called me out but he, too, was smirking!

Pati si Kuya Lohan! Parang mga tanga! Ako lagi ang pinapalabas na masama!

"I fucking hate you!" si Pain at nagulat ako noong bigla siyang sumigaw nang malakas at sinugod ako.

"Pain!" sigaw ni Kuya Jagger nang makawala si Pain sa hawak niya.

I could easily defend myself. He is just a kid. But the thought of hurting my sick little brother made me feel like I don't deserve to be called his Kuya.

I let out a defeated sigh, whispering a silent prayer in return.

Kung suntukin man niya ako, sana ay hindi sa mukha.

"Pain."

Isang tawag lang ay natigil si Pain sa pagsugod sa akin. Pinagpapawisan siya pero kitang-kita mong bigla siyang namutla nang marinig ang boses na iyon.

Sabay-sabay kaming tumingin sa dalawang taong bumababa sa hagdanan. Nagsimula na rin akong pagpawisan.

"Kuya Byron... Kuya Giles..." Napatayo si Kuya Irvine at napakamot sa ulo.

Kuya Giles sighed and looked down at us, disappointed. He didn't say anything.

Kuya Byron's eye found mine. "Rayvis, I want to talk to you," he said, but it sounded like a tall order and you have no right to refuse.

Napapikit ako nang mariin bago tumayo at sumunod sa kanila papuntang dining area.

Sana pala nagpasuntok na lang ako kay Pain. Mas gusto ko pa iyon kaysa makarinig ng sermon mula kay Kuya Byron.

07-25-2021