Through the Light and Dark (Saudade Series #1)

Kabanata 4

Warning: SPG: lengwahe.
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Kabanata 4

Trust

Different shades of disco lights were hitting my face. The day today is Saturday, and it was Kuya JC's birthday.

Halos hindi ko kilala ang mga narito dahil bukod sa puro ka-batch ni Kuya JC ang narito, business partners and friends naman ng magulang ko.

Lumapit si Kuya JC sa aking tainga para bumulong dahil sa lakas ng musika. "Thank you for coming on my birthday, our baby Jaryllca," aniya.

My brows suddenly furrowed. "Are you crazy? Do you really think that I will not come on your special day, huh? I'm your sister, remember?" I rolled my eyes and drank my shot.

His eyes were furious when he saw me drinking it. "That's not what I mean... I just wanted to say thank you because even if you're busy in your studies, you still manage to give time on your family." He pulled me closer to him and kissed me on my forehead.

Umasim ang mukha ko at lumayo nang kaunti mula sa kaniya. "Kuya, 'wag ka ngang ganiyan. Pinapaiyak mo naman ako!" I took a deep breath so I could not cry at all.

"My baby Jaryllca is still a cry baby," he teased, putting his arms around my shoulder.

Napanguso ako sa narinig at nagkibit-balikat. "I don't know... I think the idea of me being a cry baby will never change."

I can't blame myself for crying over little things. If it hurts, then it hurts. You aren't overreacting... That's what you feel, and not theirs.

Don't let anyone make you feel that your feelings aren't valid.

Pinaningkitan niya ako. "Don't be a cry baby if your future boyfriend will leave you," he laughed but eventually, his aura darkened.

Mahina akong natawa bago umayos ang awra. Naalala ko noong nalaman niya na nagloko si Fiel, kinabukasan noon ay napa-principal siya dahil sinuntok niya sa likod ng school! May nakakita raw kaya nagsumbong.

I couldn't help but shook my head.

Napaka-brutal talaga ni Kuya! Hindi ko naman ginustong masaktan sa ganoong paraan ang manloloko kong ex na si Fiel! At Kuya ko pa ang nanakit!

Inismiran ko siya. "Future boyfriend?" singhal ko. "That's not my priority right now. He'll just leave me for not giving him time," I said even if I doubt that, too.

Mabilis naman siyang napakamot sa kaniyang ulo. "Could you please speak in Tagalog? Punyeta, kanina ko pa tinitiis mag-English dito. Hindi ko naman alam na tatagal pala ang usapan natin!" pabiro niyang hinampas ang mesa.

Tinulak ko papalapit sa kaniya ang shot ng Cuervo. Agad naman niya itong nilagok.

Napahagikgik naman ako. "Hoy, ikaw kaya ang unang kumausap sa Ingles na lengwahe, binalik ko lang!"

"Oo na!" Umiling-iling ito at iginala ang mga mata. "Asikasuhin ko lang 'yong mga bisita ko. Remember my rule number one, okay?"

"Ano 'yon?" kunot-noong tanong ko. Wala akong maalala. O matagal na niyang sinabi 'yon kaya nakalimutan ko na.

Tipid siyang ngumiti. "'Wag magpapakalasing," he exclaimed before leaving.

As if I would follow his rule. I'm not underage anymore. I'm not comparing Kuya JC and Kuya Dahril but Kuya Dahril will allow me on what I want—he supports me on what I want.

Nagsalin ulit ako ng alak sa shot glass, ngunit JD naman ngayon. I closed my eyes as the alcohol drew on my throat. And as night had become increasingly dark, the music was getting louder that it hurt my ears.