"Vernice Nakamoto. Come back to Japan this instant. Your dad is in the hospital," halos nailaglag ko ang phone ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni mom sa kabilang linya.
We are in the middle of our math class nang may tumawag sa akin. Sinabi naman sa akin ni Sir Leeteuk na I can take the call, at kahit na walang name ang caller ay alam ko na agad kung sino yun. How could I forget?
Nasa labas naman ako ng classroom kaya hindi ko na iniisip na baka may makakita o makarinig sa akin. Who would care kung hindi namin kilala ang isa't isa?
"Why? What happened?" Tanong ko, and I heard her click her tongue before answering.
"Just call Yuta and come back, this instant! Your father asks for your presence, especially," sabi niya, and I bit my lower lip.
Paano ko haharapin ang Japan? Paano ko haharapin nanaman ang lugar na siyang tinakasan ko, kung masaya na ako dito sa lugar na 'to?
"B-But... fine. But I won't be back permanently," sabi ko, and then she chuckled darkly.
"I don't want you back, anyway. Ang ama mo lang talaga," sabi niya, and kahit na nasaktan ako sa sinabi niya ay hindi ko nalang pinahalata.
"I'll call Nii-chan-"
"You can't call Yuta as your nii-chan, remember?" Sabi niya, and I felt my eyes get teary.
I can't even call nii-chan the way I want to.
I ended the call, and then barged in our classroom. Sakto naman na tapos na ang period, kaya umalis na rin si Sir Leeteuk kapasok ko.
Agad naman akong nilapitan ni Lucas nang makita niyang naiiyak ako, and then he wiped my tears before sitting me down.
"Why are you crying?" Tanong niya, and I couldn't speak.
Kinuha ko ang bag ko at saka aalis na sana, kaya lang ay agad niya akong napigilan.
"San ka pupunta? Vernice naman," sabi niya, and I took all my courage to tell him.
"J-Japan. Something happened." Sabi ko, and then I ran away.
Agad ko naman na pinuntahan ang classroom nina Yuta-nii, at kinatok sila. Bumukas yun agad, at tumambad sa akin si Taeyong oppa with a worried expression across his face.
I don't have time to explain.
"Oh, Vernice? Napano ka?" Tanong niya, and I shook my head.
"I need to tell Yuta-nii something. Please-"
"Vernice? I heard. Let's go?" Sabi ni Yuta-nii, and I nodded.
Walang paalam-paalam ay agad naman na umalis na kami ni Yuta-nii. God. This is gonna be so messy.
Agad agad na pinasok namin ni Yuta-nii yung room ni dad sa hospital, at tumambad naman sa amin si mom na nasa tabi niya. I was hesitant, kaya lang ay nang makita ako ni dad ay hindi na ako nakapagpigil at niyakap na siya.
Nang mayakap ko siya ay nagsituluan naman ang mga luha ko. I could tell that he was crying too, at nakatayo nalang sa may bandang gilid sina Yuta-nii and mom.
"Anak, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I can't protect you," sabi ni dad, and I felt my lips tremble bago umiling.
"Dad, no. It made me stronger anyway. It made me feel like I should never think of life's troubles as lightweight. Alam ko na po ang mga bagay na dapat kong gawin dahil dun," sabi ko, and narinig ko naman na nagscoff si mom. Why am I even calling her mom?
"Your mom and I are getting a divorce," sabi ni dad, and I dropped my jaw.
"D-Dad, why?" Tanong ko, and umiling naman siya.
"I can't take it anymore, and she can't take it anymore, too. It's just not functional anymore," sabi ni dad, "But she said I could keep you and Yuta. You can call him nii-chan again."
Pagkasabi ni dad nun ay mas nagsibagsakan ang mga luha ko.
I can finally call my own kuya as my nii-chan. I can!
"Totoo po... ba?" Tanong ko, and then dad nodded.
"Aalis na ako. This is the last time you'll ever see me. It's your last wish. I called your kids. Now let's settle the papers soon," sabi ni mom, and dad nodded.
Lumayas naman na si mom, and then biglang niyakap kami ni Yuta-nii. He was crying too, and I knew at that time na kahit masakit, kakayanin na namin. There's no mom to judge us and make us feel less of our worth.
And yes, Yuta-nii is my brother, not my cousin.
DU LÄSER
liar ♡ lucas wong
Fanfiction[ nshitty series ] "you're a liar, wong yukhei," in which she was a wallflower, and he was the exact opposite. cover by @venleyy
