Ears and Rhymes

Chapter 17 - BIGGEST DECISION

Michelle

"Mitch," pigil ni Brix sa akin on our way out. "Hon, have you thought about this?"

"Yes," I replied shortly.

I thought about this a million times since I first talk to my Dad. This is his way of making Brix feel small. I already talked to him about this. I told him he will lose me when he continues this shit. Guess ego is more important to him than my happiness.

"Michelle, I can wait. I will wait for you."

I don't want to talk; people are staring at Brix and I don't want them to see breaking. I continue to walk until we reached the parking lot.

"Mitch, sa van," Kuya Jaxx pointed. I went there and open their van. Sumunod naman sa akin si Brix and the rest of his bandmates including Sir Blaze.

I will not cry. I will not cry.

"Mitch—"

"Stop talking me into going back there. This is not the first time my Dad and I talked about this and I will always choose you. So, if you want me to go, then I will but I will not go back to my Dad."

Brix hugged me as my tears began to fall.

"Nag-aalala lang ako sa 'yo. Hindi madali ang pinili mo."

"I can do this. We can do this," I murmured.

Ate Margaux went inside the house with me. I went to my room, take some clothes that will fit my two luggage. Kahit na gustuhin kong kuhanin lang ang mga binigay nila Lolo at Lola sa akin, I need some clothes and shoes to start with my life. I also took my laptop and phone but take off the sim card. All of my cards that Dad gave me, I left on my bedside table with my car keys and house keys.

I didn't look back when I left. Brix looks agitated waiting for me with his bandmates two house from our house. Nakahinga lang ako ng maayos nang makalabas kami ng subdivision.

"Mitch, saan ka matutulog niyan?" tanong ni Ate Margaux.

"Kay Rose," I replied.

Rose looked shocked when she saw that two large pieces of luggage.

"Naglayas ka?" she asked in disbelief. "Aayusin ko muna ang spare room. Walang mattress 'yon. Naloka ako sa 'yo, hindi mo agad ako sinabihan."

"We can make tabi muna," I said that made Ryker looked at me.

"Pwede ring makitulog?" tanong niya. Si Sir Blaze ang unang nakabatok sa kanya bago si Brix.

"Teka, wait, gusto n'yo ng kape?" Rose asked that made Sir Blaze rolled his eyes.

"'Yong nerbyos namin ngayong gabi sa nangyari tapos pagkakapehin mo pa kami," Sir Blaze said.

Napakamot ng ulo si Rose.

"Mitch, are you okay in here?" Kuya Jaxx asked me.

"I will be fine. I still have a small inheritance from my grandparents; I will be fine."

"I admire you," Ate Margaux said that made the house quiet. "Nagawa mo ang hindi namin nagawa ni Jaxx dati. The scene earlier was too familiar to me."

Tahimik lang si Brix na nakatabi sa akin at nakahawak sa hand ko.

"I was unhappy before I meet Rose and Star that leads to meeting you and Brix. The only happiness I have is with you and he is asking me to cut it off. He wants me to be miserable like his and mom's life. He is fixing an arrange a marriage for me."

Brix holds on to me tighten.

"Which I told him I'm in love with Brix. He said love will make a person weak, yet I feel strong. I don't want a life like what my parents had. I don't want a cold house when I saw how a home should be. This is not just about rebellion; this is about my life."

"Well, this is your apartment," Rose mentioned.

"Wala ka talagang masabing tama ngayon," wika ni Sir Blaze sa kanya.

"Matulog na kayo, aalis na kami," sabi ni Kuya Jaxx. "Lock ninyo ang mga pinto at mga bintana ninyong dalawa."

"Dito muna ako," Brix said. "Dito lang ako sa sala."

"Ugh, okay," sagot ni Rose.

"Ingat mga pre. Salamat." Si Brix ang naghatid sa labas sa Overdrive.

Rose and I were too quiet sitting at the sala.

"Naglayas ka nga," she stated after a while.

"Yeah."

"Kaya ba binayaran mo ng 3 years ang lease nitong apartment?"

Umiling ako. "Nah, hindi. I just want you to have a comfortable home which I think with me now. Sorry to—"

"Sus, ikaw pa ba. Mabuti nga at dito ka pumunta kaysa maglive-in kayo ni Brix. Ang tapang mo, Mitch."

"And so are you."

Bumalik si Brix sa bahay and he still looks not happy.

"Rose, mag-uusap lang kami ni Mitch."

"Oh-kay, that's my que. IIwan kong hindi naka-lock ang kwarto, Mitch. Sunod ka na lang. Bukas na natin ayusin ang isa pang room para sa 'yo. Goodnight sa inyo."

"Thanks, Rose." Pinilit ngumiti ni Brix

I waited for Rose to leave, but Brix remains quiet nang kami na lang dalawa sa sala.

"Brix—"

"Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko, Mitch. Ayaw kong pagsisihan mo 'to."

I hold his hand and entwine our fingers. "This is my biggest decision so far. I love you, Brix."

"Oh, I love you, Mitch." He hugged me and stayed that way.

I felt Brix's shoulder tremble a little.

"Are you crying?" I asked and he holds me tighter.

He didn't reply and I let him hold me until he calms down. My eyes were misty too and I didn't feel ashamed crying in from of my friends— in front of Brix.