Artistry of Love (Abstract Series #3)

Chapter 17

Home—no, maybe I just desired the comfort of fragility. The sensation of being alone. Posible pala 'yon. To fondly remember a place where there was no affection.

"We're here." Tinigil ni Kuya Cy ang kotse niya sa harap ng bahay namin.

Nauna siyang lumabas at agad naman akong sumunod. He carried my luggage down as I peered at the massive house ahead of me.  I didn't realize how much I'd miss living here.

"Kuya," tawag ko sa pangalan niya habang binababa niya ang mga gamit ko.

Hindi niya ako nilingon. "Hmm?"

"Alam ba ni mommy na uuwi ako?" I asked, my attention remaining glued to him. When I was in Los Angeles, my mother didn't even visit or contact me at all. Akala ko masasanay na ako pero masakit pa rin talaga.

I noticed how his body straightened as he stood in silence. Natigil din siya sa pagbababa ng mga gamit ko.

"Kuya," I called him again.

He breathed out a heavy sigh before resuming what he was doing. Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya, naghihintay ng sagot.

"N-No." That's surely a lie.

He was aware of my relationship with my mother, and I am certain he lied to protect me from more pain. Of course, knowing your mother doesn't care about you would be excruciating, but I was used to it. Alam kong hindi na mababalik ang pamilya namin sa dati dahil wala na si daddy at ako ang dahilan kung bakit.

Nang natapos si Kuya na ipasok sa bahay ang mga gamit ko, umupo siya sa couch para magpahinga. I was already fidgeting as I watched him sweat. Before I returned home, I planned to hire some men to assist me with my belongings, but Kuya Cy persisted on doing it himself rather than spending a fortune.

"Are you going to enroll tomorrow?" he asked, adjusting his glasses. "How about I drive you to the university?" he suggested. Gusto kong matawa. Kakakuha lang niya ng drivers license kaya siguro sobrang sipag niyang mag drive.

"It's okay. You can rest tomorrow. May taxi naman," sabi ko, hinuhubad ang shoes na suot at pinalitan ng slippers.

Wala talagang special sa pag-uwi ko. I wasn't expecting much, but I was hoping to see Mommy after two years of no communication. Kahit naman puro pang-iinsulto at mga masasakit na salita ang nakukuha ko sa kanya, gusto ko pa rin siyang makita.

Nahuli kong nakatitig si manang sa akin. I beamed at her, and it touched my heart to see her eyes filling with tears so soon. She turned away from me and went to the kitchen before I could even say anything. Kahit papaano, mayroon naman palang masaya na nakauwi na ako.

"May kukunin din naman ako sa school bukas, ihahatid na kita." While reading something on his phone, Kuya Cy stood up. "I have to get going now. I have some errands to run."

Tumango ako at ngumiti. "Take care, Kuya, and thank you for your help."

He nodded briefly before turning away from me. I stood there watching him walk out the door until he came to a halt, as if he remembered something. Tinaasan ko siya ng dalawang kilay nang lumingon siya sa akin.

"Do you want something?" he asked.

My brows arched in confusion. "What do you mean, Kuya? Ikaw ang tumigil."

He breathed deeply. "I know. You just arrived, and I want you to enjoy your day, so let me know if you want anything."

Si Kuya Cy na makipot at laging nag-iipon, tinatanong ako kung ano ang gusto ko? Wala pa man pero maraming ideya na ang naiisip ko. Gucci shoes, Dior pouches, and Louis Vuitton blouses. Mama mia! It made my heart flutter just thinking about it.