Even After Everything (After #1) (COMPLETED)

29: Seb

He didn't just drop my hand, he did that to my heart, too.

Nauna nang maglakad si hyung sa akin, completely tailing his parents who are having a hearty conversation about the beach beside us. Sabay lang kami na naglalakad kanina but when I attempted to hold him so he could calm down, I was met with disappointment.

Hyung's been silent after that... Okay ba ang 'awkward' na word to describe it? Siguro hindi.

We almost stripped each other out until his parents came bustling in, uninvited.

Ilang beses ko nang sinubukan kumbinsihin ang mahal na hindi ako nagbiro sa sinabing ni-lock ko 'yung pinto at walang mag-iistorbo sa amin. Yet knowing hyung... If that statement was true, hindi sana siya mahuhuli ng magulang na nasa ibabaw ng kaibigan.

"Seb! What happened?"

Bigla akong tumingala at napansin na nakalayo na pala silang tatlo. Hyung's throwing me the same confused look, but the coldness in his eyes is different from the warmth that's radiating through his parents' atmosphere.

Tumakbo ako pabalik sa puwesto at kaysa tumabi kay hyung, which I would want to, ay dumeretso ako sa harap ng dalawa. More specifically, to Tito's side.

"Have you two tried every activity around here?"

"Yes po." magalang kong sagot. "The sponsor of this trip was generous enough to cover up the expenses needed to some popular activities! Pero 'yung ibang water sports na sinubukan namin, kami na rin ang nagbayad."

"That sounds nice." Tito replied with a huge smile. "I would like to do the same—we do. But our age won't permit us anymore."

Nalungkot ako saglit sa narinig. Tita gave me a sad smile but I replaced it with another smile. Sayang naman na nandito sila para magbakasyon then I wouldn't convince them na it's all right to do any of those?

"I mean... Hindi ba delikado, hijo?" si Tita. "Naku, sa akin nakuha ni Marco ang pagiging hikain! Baka hindi ko kayanin sumisid!"

"Meron naman pong oxygen," ngisi ko. "But kung hindi po talaga kaya 'yung extremes, kahit 'yung mild na lang po like group island hopping!"

They exhanged inquisitive looks with each other. Oh, they're really a good couple. I mean, just look at my hyung... If they're not this sweet and caring, how would hyung turn out like this?

"Maganda nga iyon, ha?" si Tito at inakbayan ang asawa. "What more?"

Mukha na akong tour guide sa kanilang pamilya but I enjoy their company better than to be with hyung's sulking behind them. I don't think if he's listening or what, pero tuwing sinusulyapan ko siya, nakatitig lang siya sa dagat at malalim ang isip.

Aware ako na what happened noong mga nakaraang araw ay ikinagulat niya nang husto kaya sinubukan ko siyang intindihin but... Gah. Hindi na niya ako kinakausap at kahit sabihin ko na baka ito ang sinasabi ng Mom niya na bakasyon noon sa telepono, mukhang hindi siya nakikinig.

"Mukhang nag-enjoy talaga kayong dalawa ni Marco, ha!" tukso sa akin ni Tito. "That's good! At least, nangyayari na 'yung gusto kong gawin niya noong mga highschool pa lang siya!"

Tita and I laughed. "Dad." ma-awtoridad na sabat ni hyung.

"Oh! Nandiyan ka pala, anak! I thought you didn't come with us!"

Sinapak ni Tita ang braso niya sa braso at ako naman ay napakuyom na ng panga, kagaya ni hyung, dahil doon. "Whatever."

And he started walking away. "Hyung! Wait! Bakit ka umalis?!"

Sinubukan din siyang tawagin ng magulang but he continued walking away from us, his shaking hands in his pockets and head lower to his neck. Para akong nasuntok sa dibdib at hindi makahinga nang maluwag. Tito was just bluffing around!