When Life Sucks

Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Write

I want to ease her pain but I have no idea how. I'm not good at comforting other people. I don't even comfort myself in dark times, I just let everything pass and forget it afterward. I believe that when you absorb things, it gets harder to release. But right at this moment, I wish I could do something.

The woman who just saved my life is crying in my arms. I want to save her, too, from this misery – this family, I want to protect it. I must admit... I treat them as a family now. Insane but I am feeling at home with them. I don't care if they don't see me the same.

"It's fine," I whispered again. Hinagod ko ang kanyang likod. Hindi ko na marinig ang pag-iyak niya pero ramdam ko pa rin ang panginginig ng katawan niya. "Arch is with him. Hindi niya pababayaan si Rich."

The moment I mentioned Arch... I remember our conversation last night – that he's afraid to show how down he is. Sa tingin ko ay naiintindihan ko na ngayon. Kailangan niyang maging malakas para kay Rich. He needs him. When Rich is feeling weak, Arch should be strong for him

Lumipas ang ilan pang minuto bago kumawala sa yakap si Tita Minerva. Mabilis na tumayo ito at humarap sa salamin. Madiin na pinunasan niya ang kanyang luha sa mga mata. I could feel how frustrated she was because she cried... and let the feeble part of her overpowered her emotions.

Nang humarap siya sa akin ay nakangiti na ito "I'm sorry," mahina siyang tumawa. "Hindi ko lang napigilan."

"It's fine," I smiled, too. "You're good."

She let out a weighty sigh. "I shouldn't worry. It's fine. Everything is fine," she convinced herself.

Yes. Everything is fine.

Tinulungan kong magluto ng lunch si Tita para 'pagbaba nila ay ayos na ang pagkain. Sinabi ko kay Tita ang paglilinis na ginawa namin nina Arch at Rich. Natatawa siya na namamangha. Ngayon lang daw kasi nangyaring naglinis ang dalawa.

"But if I would do a general cleaning again, I'd rather do it alone," I winced while imagining how they messed everything even more. "Mas nakakapagod kasama ang kambal. Sinusuway ko pa dahil nagtatalo."

Tawa nang tawa si Tita sa mga sinasabi ko. "I didn't know. Hindi ko pa sila gaano nakitang nagtalo. Makulit ba?"

"Makulit is an understatement," natatawa kong sabi. "Rich is tolerable but... let's not talk about his other half."

"It's good to hear that," nakangiting saad ni Tita. "It's good to hear they are having fun. Thanks to you."

Isang ngiti lang ang naisukli ko. I don't deserve that compliments. I'm having fun, too. I'm currently experiencing the best in my life... with them.

Saktong tapos na kami maghain ay bumaba na ang tatlo. Nag-unahan pa ang kambal sa pag-upo habang si Doc Garcia ay natatawa na lang. Hinatid ni Tita si Doc sa labas kaya kaming tatlo ang naiwan sa kusina.

"Ako ang magsasabi," ani Arch kay Rich.

"No! Mas nakakapagod ang magpunas ng bintana!" angal naman ni Rich. "Kaya ako ang may karapatan na ipagyabang kay Mommy na naglinis tayo."

Umiling si Arch. "Halos buong paligid ng bahay ang winalisan ko!"

Napangiwi ako dahil sa pagtatalo nila. Malamang na ang habol nila ay ang papuri ng kanilang Mommy. Kapag si Arch ang unang nagsabing naglinis kami ay siya ang unang mapupuri, hindi naman papayag si Rich.

"Ah, boys?" I called their attention. "I think I already mentioned that to your Mom. Sorry."

I laughed when they groaned in unison. They looked disappointed.