Not A Bad Thing (Book One)

Part 2 - Chapter 28

28 - She's Back

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"Kuya..." I sobbed. He held my hands and helped me stand up. I crushed him with a tight embrace. It's been a while since I last saw him and I miss him so much. I missed his scent and his warm hugs. I missed my big brother.

"Kuya Kris, anong ginagawa mo dito?" Tanong ko sa kanya habang tinutulungan niya akong punasan ang  mga luha ko. "Why? You don't like me here?" Nakataas kilay niyang tanong. Dali dali ko namang kinumpas ang mga kamay ko para itanggi ang paratang niya.

"Hindi Kuya, I mean. Kailan ka pa nandito? Kakauwi mo lang? Saka paano mo 'ko nakita dito?" Napatawa siya sa sunod sunod kong tanong saka itinaas ang kaliwang kamay na may hawak na munting box. He pointed the box to my back and I found out there is a pastry shop there. Sumilip ako sa laman ng box at nakita ko na cake ang laman noon. 

"Just got back and while I'm driving home I saw this place so I bought you this chocolate cake." Napatango ako at napakagat labi.  "When I get out of the store, I saw someone sitting here, I thought you're a beggar... I'm actually about to give you some bucks but I realized you look so familiar so yeah..." Natatawa niyang sabi.

"Kuya naman eh!" Nagmamaktol kong sabi sabay padyak ng paa.

"I'm sorry baby." He chuckled. "Ano ba kasing ginagawa mo diyan? And why the hell are you crying?" Natigilan ako at hindi nakasagot. Hindi ko naman kasi alam kung paano ko sa sasagutin ang katanungan niya. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa may binti ko at kumunot ang noo nang makita ang benda ko. "What happened to your legs?"

"Ano, wala lang 'to. Natalisod lang ako. Tara na Kuya, uwi na tayo para makain ko na 'yan." Humawak ako sa braso niya para akayin siyang maglakad. I know he is not contented with my answer but I can't explain things right now. 

"Aww." Napatigil ako nang maramdaman ang muling pagkirot ng sugat ko. Dumungaw ako at nakita ko ang muling pagdudugo nito. Malamang ay dahil sa pagpupumilit kong maglakad nga matulin para makaalis sa lugar na iyon. Naalala ko naman si Vini at biglang kumulo na naman ang dugo ko. Umiling ako para alisin ang masamanh imaheng naiwan ko.

Natigil rin sa paglalakad si Kuya at umupo sa harap ko. Nakatalikod siya at lumingon sa akin. "Come on baby, I miss our piggy back rides." He smiled and I smiled back. I remember back when we were still little kids, we used to do it and my brothers are my piggy rides, they are my slaves. 

"You're so heavy baby." He laughed again. It's not the usual him to smile and laugh so much  and I feel like he's only doing it because he knows I'm down. I sighed. I feel worse because of it. "That's okay baby girl, I'm here. You can tell me when you're ready." He whispered. I nodded even if he can't see me from his back. 

Nagising na lang ako nang tapikin ako ng marahan ni kuya sa pisngi. Inalalayan niya akong makababa ng kotse at makapasok ng bahay. Naabutan namin si Kuya Tao na nasa sala at nanunood ng movie. May hawak siyang isang bowl ng popcorn at beer. Inalis niya ang tingin sa tv ng maramdaman ang pagdating namin. 

I suddenly remembered that we have to talk. The last time was a mess. I was about to talk when he suddenly stood up and run towards my direction. He held my shoulders and gave me a concerned look. "What the fuck happened to your knees?" Sa loob loob ko ay natuwa ako kasi mukhang nakalimutan niya na may tampo siya sa akin. May mabuting nagawa rin pala ang sugat ko. Nakalimutan na nga yata niya na nakarating na si Kuya Kris dahil hindi man lang niya napansin.