SHIELDER (CPAGS Epilogue)

Part 5

Kuya Hunter, although smiling, had a frown on his face.

"I could just buy some for you."

I shook my head vigorously.

"I want something from the party. I want to know what grown-up sweets taste like."

Kuya Hunter chuckled as he ruffled my hair.

"Alright. I'll do something about it."

"Hunter..." mom called him. "Are you sure okay lang sa 'yong ikaw lang mag-isang um-attend sa party na 'to?"

"He'll be okay, Anastasia. I know how capable our son is," Dad assured her. "This is just a part of his training bago ko ipasa ang kumpanya sa kanya."

"Don't worry, mom. Nando'n din naman si Helios."

"Oh..." Mom looked relieved. "Just don't drink too much, okay? And go straight home after the party."

Natawa si Kuya Hunter but he gave our mom a reassuring smile.

"I can take care of myself, mom. You have nothing to worry about."

For some reason, mom looked so sad about that. Tinitigan ko lang si mommy, wondering why she was sad when she should be happy instead. Kasi, 'di ba? Hindi na n'ya kami kailangang alagaan kapag ganoon.

But then I remembered what she said earlier. Na huwag na muna akong lumaki. That I am still her baby boy.

I realized that maybe... for a parent, those words that Kuya Hunter said would really make them sad. They took care of their child until they were able to stand up on their own. Maybe for them, they would think that they aren't needed anymore. That their child would leave them someday and have their own family.

Pero hindi ko siguro magagawang iwan ang mga magulang ko. I think I would still want to be with them. Ayoko nang magpamilya kung ang kahulugan no'n ay iiwan ko ang mga magulang ko.

Mom hugged Kuya Hunter and caressed his back.

"I know. Just... Just take care, okay?"

Nang isang oras nang makaalis si Kuya ay pinatulog na ako ni mommy. Gusto ko pa nga sanang hintayin si Kuya at abangan 'yung mga sweets na iuuuwi n'ya. He could just put it in the ref and I could eat it tomorrow when I wake up, alright... Pero gusto ko na agad kainin iyon pag-uwi n'ya. I don't know... Baka mapanis? Minsan kasi hindi na masarap ang sweets kapag pinapatagal, eh.

Pero pinatulog na ako ni mommy. yakap ko ang stuff toy na iniregalo sa 'kin ni Kuya nang magising ako sa kalagitnaan ng gabi dahil sa isang malakas na putok ng baril. I was confused at first. I thought we were still out of the country, having our vacation. Pero naalala kong umuwi na kami bago pa magsimula ang school year. At bukas nga ay may pasok ako kaya pinatulog ako ni mommy nang maaga.

So, where did the gunshot come from?

Bumangon ako sa kama nang makarinig ng ingay. Lumabas ako ng kwarto. Nang makitang nakabukas ang pinto sa kwarto nina mommy at daddy, pumunta ako roon dahil doon ko rin naririnig ang ingay.

I was rubbing my eyes when I finally got into their bedroom.

"Mom?"

I think that was the first time I've learned the meaning when people say that time seems to stop. Dahil paraang ganoon ang nangyari ng mga sandaling iyon. Natigilan kaming lahat. Ako naman ay hindi makagalaw sa pagtataka sa kung anong nangyayari sa loob ng kwarto ng mga magulang ko.

There was an unfamiliar man inside my parent's bedroom. Parang kasing edad lang yata ni Kuya. Nakatayo s'ya sa paanan ng kama ng mga magulang ko. Beside him was a kid who looked like the same age as me. May hawak s'yang baril and I could see myself in him the first time I held a gun too. Unsure of its weight and what to do with it.