A Walking Canvas (Rare Disorder Series #1)

42: The Darkness

And it's amazing how both of the Braun brothers saved my life. At different times. And at different ways. Donovan saved my life, literally. He saved me from almost being killed by someone. But Devyn didn't just save me. He lifted me up and he made me whole by making me see my worth. By making me love myself and by letting other people appreciate and love me for who I am.

"How did that happened?" naguguluhang pa ring tanong niya.

Nagkibit-balikat ako sa kawalan ng sagot. Sabay-sabay na binalingan namin si Donovan na napabuntong hininga na lang, hindi sigurado kung dapat ba na sabihin ang sagot sa tanong ng nakababatang kapatid.

"I was there to meet with Isadora. Then I noticed the crowd on the field. I thought that there was some event or something. I got curious so I went there to see what was happening. That's when I saw that witch hurting her."

I smiled a bit upon hearing what he called Ruby. Witch. Hindi ko alam pero pakiramdam ko ay suyang-suya siya maisip lang ang nasaksihan na pangyayari na 'yon. Pakiramdam ko ay apektado pa rin siya hanggang ngayon gayong hindi naman siya dapat ganito kaapektado. Maski nga ang taong sinasabi niya na nanood ay walang ginawa para tumulong, pero gano'n na lang ang bilis nang pagtulong niya.

But what really caught my attention was not what he called Ruby. But the longing in his voice when he said the name of one woman, Isadora.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Devyn, pareho ang iniisip sa naging tono ng boses ng kapatid. The room was filled with silence. Everyone has the same thought about Donovan.

"Where is she?" he asked, diverting his gaze away from us. Hiding his real emotions by masking it using his stoic facial expression.

"Donovan..." their mom's voice trailed off.

"Where is she, mom?" pagpipilit niya.

Muling nagkatinginan kami ni Devyn. Parehong naaawa sa pakikiusap na naririnig sa boses niya. "I can meet with her. I can tell her to come here," sabi ko bago ko pa man mapigilan ang sarili.

Mabilis na nilingon niya ako, puno ng pag-asa ang mga mata. Hindi ko alam kung may karapatan ba akong gawin ang mga bagay na ito gayong hindi naman ako parte ng pamilya nila. Lalo na at alam ko na hindi gano'n kaayos ang mga bagay sa pagitan nila at ni Isa.

But I can't stop myself from doing one thing if I knew to myself that I can do something about it. At alam ko rin na kailangan ni Isa na malaman na nagising na siya. Siguro sa paraan na 'yon ay unti-unting maging maayos ang lahat. Na bawat isa sa kanila ay mahanap ang kapayapaan sa puso nila.

Everything is going smoothly now in their life. Donovan woke up. And I knew for sure that it will soon be okay between Devyn and his mother. And Isa... I am hoping that it will get better soon with her. Because she deserves happiness and peace, everyone does.

"Please do," he pleaded.

Tumango ako bilang sagot sa kabila ng walang kasiguraduhan kung okay lang ba ang bagay na iyon sa mga magulang niya.

"We'll just be outside," Devyn interrupted.

Isang beses pa akong ngumiti sa Kuya niya bago nagpatangay sa pag-alalay niya sa akin palabas. Alam ko na gusto lang niya na bigyan ng pagkakataon na mag-usap ang mga magulang niya at ang kapatid.

Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko mula sa bulsa ng pantalon at mabilis na tinawagan si Isa. Hindi pa umaabot ng tatlong ring ay agad na niyang sinagot ang tawag.

"Isa," mahinang panimula ko.

"Hmm?"

"Are you free?"