My Only Exception

Chapter 24

I decided to go to my parent's house and sleep there. When I parked my car, I got inside the house and was about to go to my room when I heard someone talking. My mother was on the dining room at may kausap. I was about to greet her when I saw Seff holding a bottle of alcohol.

Seff doesn't drink unless he has a problem that is affecting him. He went home all of a sudden without even telling me nor saying goodbye to Cali. It had been a while since he visited me and my family in Maryland.

"Sinabi mo ba sa kanya na nagustuhan mo sya?" my mother asked him.

Who are they talking about? Seff fell for who?

"No. I can't. I shouldn't," my brother answered. "Mom, Ethan stopped being a brother when we argued about Raffy. Wala akong balak na ulitin yun. I respect Ethan, Mom. I never said anything about Raffy to anyone."

Mom caressed his back. Seff was drunk.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you were hurting because of her. I have always seen the pain as a pain because of how you and Ethan turned out," she said.

"I never would admit what I have for Raffy. She's a wonderful person and I would never question Ethan why he fell in love with her," he said. "I've always been a fan of their love and I would always stay that way."

"Kahit na nasasaktan ka na?"

"Kahit na gusto ko ng mamatay sa sakit," he said and took another shot of his drink. I saw Mom smile bitterly and hugged my brother. I saw the pain in her eyes and I know that if she only could take it away for him, she would have done so.

"I am so happy that Ethan got a brother who has a heart like yours," she smiled at him. "I didn't know that I got a son who is as brave and faithful as you."

"Thanks," he answered.

"When was the last time that you saw them?"

"Maybe Cali's birthday. Umiiwas na lang ako. Ethan's there and Cali needs to be used to him. And I have to stay away from Raffy because I respect my brother," he explained. "I know they love each other. Raffy never stopped loving him within those years that I was the one who was beside her. I never took advantage and for those years, I hid well what I felt. I have no intention of bringing it up. I have no intention of making any move about it. It's just that one night I felt that it was too much to suffer alone and I know I needed to be home here with you and Dad for the meantime."

She smiled at him. "I would always be here for you. And your Dad and sisters," she stood up and embraced him. She rested her head on Seff's.

"Thank you son for doing what you did for Ethan," she told him. "I know that there's no chance of Ethan finding this out but I'm saying sorry for what he might have brought you, and thank you for giving way all the time."

And that was surely...

I do not know.

I do not know what to say nor feel at that point. All I know is that I felt so sorry for treating my brother the way I treated him before. Yes, we patched things up well but I didn't know that despite the happiness and his neutrality, he was feeling something hurting inside him but chose to keep it to himself because I am more important to him than anything. I felt so worthless that after all he was sacrificing for me, I gave malice. Yes, I know now that what I accused him before was true, but knowing that he didn't do anything about it even if he had the chance made all the difference.

All that he had been doing for me and my family are courageous and selfless sacrifices.

It should be my turn now.