Sentry

5- The Last of the Clan

Inilapag ni Saide ang kanyang espada sa study table ni Gaius saka siya nahiga sa kama nitong may kulay itim na sheets at covers.

"Wala ka pa ring roommate?"

"Nah," sagot ni Gaius saka tinanggal ang jacket ng uniform niya and tossed it on the back of a chair near the study table.

"Nobody wants to be near you anymore, Gaius. You must be lonely."

Ibinagsak ni Gaius nang patihaya ang sarili sa tabi ni Saide at agad naman nitong pinagapang ang well-manicured nitong mga daliri sa dibdib ng lalaki.

"I'm not lonely, Saide. I am enjoying my- ouch!"

Matalim ang tingin na ibinigay ni Saide kay Gaius pagkatapos itong hampasin ng malakas sa dibdib ang lalaki. "Anong tingin mo sa akin? Stupid? Akala mo ba hindi ko napapansin na hindi na kayo magkaibigan ng mga pamangkin ko? Ilang family gatherings na ang hindi mo napuntuhan? Deus would always say na busy ka. Really? Busy for one year?"

Isang malalim na buntung-hininga ang pinakawalan ni Gaius. His face was hard as a stone.

"I am busy, Saide. Don't overthink just because I missed a few gatherings of your family. I have my own life too in case you forgot."

Umirap si Saide saka tumayo na. "Whatever you say, Gaius."

"So, what is it that you wanna talk about?" ginamit ni Gaius na unan ang dalawang braso at sinundan ng tingin ang babaeng patingin-tingin sa maayos na nakahilerang mga libro sa isang shelf sa may wall. His room was so clean and well-organized kaya parang nahiya si Saide dahil hindi ito masyadong neat sa sariling silid.

"Forrest."

Umikot ang eyeballs ni Gaius nang marinig ang pangalan ng kanyang nakakatandang kapatid.

"He is avoiding me."

"He is a jerk," balewalang sagot ni Gaius.

"He is your brother. You're the jerk," Saide eyed him indignantly while removing a book from the shelf.

"Yeah, right. No matter how hard you try to defend and win him, you will not get anywhere. He doesn't reciprocate your feelings for him."

"Oh shut it. He loves me. May kontrabida lang talaga ," mapait na sabi ni Saide.

Gaius mirrored Saide's reaction. He knew the kontrabida too well.

"Your mother is just one hell of a villain."

Gaius chuckled. "Tell me about it."

"By the way, kilala mo 'yung taga-Faiga?" umupo na si Saide sa upuan sa tabi ng study table at binuklat ang librong nakuha.

"I talked to her a few times. I didn't know she can't drink human blood."

"You almost killed her."

"I did, didn't I? She was stupid to take blood without checking it first. I was just being kind which is very rare. She should be thankful."

Natawa si Saide saka ibinagsak ang libro sa mesa, sa tabi ng Zayin nito.

"You really are a jerk. Muntik mo nang mapatay pero gusto mo pang magpasalamat sa'yo."

"Well," kibit-balikat na sagot ni Gaius.

"Ikumusta mo na lang ako kay Forrest, alright?" ani Saide saka tumayo na at kinuha ang espada.

"Where are you going?" tumayo na rin si Gaius. He didn't bother to wear his jacket again. Wala naman siyang balak na lumabas ng silid n'ya.

"Oh I don't know. Maybe hangout with Tiana while Dad talks to your little girlfriend."