Monasterio Series #5: Risks and Chances

Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1

Justice

Inis kong ibinato ang hawak na magazine sa center table at nag angat ng tingin sa kapatid kong kanina pa ako sinesermunan. My eyes are holding fire as we glared at each other. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay na tila ba hindi naaapektuhan sa klase ng tingin na ipinupukol ko.

"Alam mo ikaw, Zadriel-"

"It's kuya! How many times do I have to tell you that I'm way older than you?"

"Ha! Segundo lang ang itinanda mo sa akin! Baka nakakalimutan mong kambal tayo!"

"Even so! I still came out first before you so might as well respect me!"

Ang sabi nila, kung sino ang naunang lumabas, siya ang mas matanda. Meron rin namang nagsabi na kung sino ang nahuli, siya ang mas matanda dahil nagpapalit daw ang mga baby sa loob ng tiyan bago sila lumabas. Whatever the truth is, this monkey in front of me surely believes that he's older than me.

I groaned frustratingly and rolled my eyes at him.

"Why? Can't I respect you just by calling you by your first name? You are over reacting!"

"And why is it hard for you to call me kuya-"

"Because I don't want to!"

"Zadriel, Zephania! Why are you two shouting? Ang aga-aga puro sigawan ninyo na agad ang naririnig ko!" si Mommy, salubong ang kilay habang pababa ng hagdan. Sa likod niya ay naroon si Dad.

Isang beses ko pang sinamaan ng tingin si Zadriel bago pabagsak na naupo sa couch. I crossed my arms above my chest and looked at the television even though I can't totally understand what's going on. If my eyes could create fire, our house is surely burning right now.

"Tanungin ninyo iyang magaling niyong anak, Ma. Masiyadong matigas ang ulo." sagot ni Zadriel.

Muli ko siyang binalingan at sinamaan ng tingin.

"Mana lang ako sa'yo. You are also hard headed, right? Kaya nga hindi ka mapakali sa isang babae." Irap ko.

"Narinig mo, Mama?" tanong niya pa kay Mommy na tila naghahanap ng kakampi.

I made a face to tease him ever more. Lalong dumilim ang mga mata niya na namana niya mismo kay Dad. They say that I have dark and strict eyes, too. Pero sa tingin ko ay mas malalim at madilim ang mga mata ni Zadriel sa akin.

"Look at these two, Zion. Palagi na lang nagbabangayan. Silang dalawa na nga lang ang magkapatid, hindi pa magmahalan." pagdadrama na naman ni Mommy.

"I love my brother, Ma. If that's what you want to hear. I just hate him for being nosy. He better stick his nose out of my business because that's why I also do with him. Hindi ko nga sila pinapakielaman ni Tate, hindi ba?"

"Well, that's because it's different! Your son of a bitch boyfriend is already fooling you and yet you're still pretending that you're not aware of it!"

And voila! He has already said it in front of our parents which I am really avoiding to happen.

Inirapan ko ang kapatid at pasimpleng nilingon ang gawi nila Dad. He's eyeing me intently, his eyes throwing daggers at me.

"What did your brother say, Zephania?" he questioned.

"Niloloko ka ni Kris?" singit naman ni Mommy.

I glared at Zadriel again and he's eyeing me cockily. But behind that cocky expression, I can still see extreme care and worry for me.

I made a long inhale, trying to calm myself down because I know it won't do anything if I let my temper reign over me.