Prelude
Tenebrous Affection
Prelude
The sky was dull and dark. Seething blankets cloud of coil and writhe, then an unearthly caterwauling sound fills the air. The clouds race across the sky, thrumming with the charged energy they are desperate to release.
It's been two weeks since my parents passed away and my brorher- Neon haven't stop crying. My eyes darted at him, karga karga niya ang kapatid ko at pilit na pinapatahan. A slight smile flaunted into my lips.
Avan was really closed to him. Napaka-swerte ko dahil may boyfriend akong katulad niya. He's always with me through my ups and downs and until now, hindi pa rin siya umuuwi sa bahay nila. He doesn't want to leave us dahil nag-aalala ito.
I walked near him, "Avan?" Tawag ko sa kanya. He didn't speak instead he just looked at me and smiled.
"Umuwi kana muna kaya... Don't worry about me, kaya ko naman," I calmly said, then faked a smile to assure him.
He frowned, "stop it Aya. 'Wag kang tumawa ng pilit, you're too obvious. Uuwi ako mamaya para kumuha ng damit, pero babalik ako bukas. Iaakyat ko lang saglit si Baby Neon." Tukoy niya sa nakababata kong kapatid na dala-dala niya paakyat sa taas. Marahan akong tumango.
I really can't stop him when it comes to this.
Kapag desidido na siya sa isang bagay, wala nang makakapigil pa sa kanya. He'll do everything para lang makuha at makamit ang gusto niya.
I let out a deep sigh. Kahit kailan talaga hindi ko siya maloloko, though alam kong alam niya na hindi ako umiyak noong mamatay ang mama at papa ko magpahanggang ngayon. Yes, I admit I'm fine but I'm not happy as well.
"Hey..." Napaigtad ako sa biglang pagyakap sa akin ni Avan mula sa aking likuran. Damn this man, he's so sweet.
"Aalis na 'ko, don't stress yourself okay?" He murmured saka isiniksik ang kanyang sarili sa leeg ko.
"Yes sir," I muttered as I faced him at kunwaring sumaludo. Hindi man lang ito natawa, hmp!
I held his face, "don't worry about me Avan, I'll be fine." I said and hugged him tightly. Hmm... I really love his manly scent.
Lumabi ito, "why not? You were known as 'Miss Asthenic' and you can't survive without me by your side. Ako ang laging humihila sayo patayo sa tuwing nadadapa ka... that's why I just can't leave you." He heaved a breath, "and if by chance, kapag tumanda na tayo at malapit ng mawala sa mundong 'to, I don't want to go before you, I want God to take me after you. Dahil alam kong hindi mo kakayanin."
It was so deep yet I frowned as I heard the last part.
Sinimangutan ko siya, "stop it Avan! Matagal pa bago mangyari 'yan, kung makapagsalita ka parang napaka-tanda na natin para mamatay." Gusto kong sapakin yung gwapo niyang pagmumukha dahil sa sinabi niya.
Natawa nalang ako sa sarili ko, mananapak na nga lang, may compliment pa. He's absolutely right tho. I'm weak, clumsy, reckless, and a cry baby. Pero sana hindi na niya binanggit 'yung about sa death.
He tucked the strand of my hair behind my ear, "sorry... I just really really love you Aya, and it scares the hell out of me thinking that leaving you alone will make you do something awful to yourself." Gracious! I am not that stupid to leave my younger brother behind. He needs me, and you... I can't leave you too. I just can't kill myself and let you suffer.
Gusto kong sabihin sa kanya ang mga bagay na 'yan, but I remained silent and let my mouth shut. Ayokong mag-away kami. This day was too exhausting, and that's enough for us today.
"I have to go now. I love you so so much Aya, take care of yourself. That's not a request, that's an order from your handsome boyfriend and you have no choice but to follow it. Goodbye," he mumbled as he kissed me and left.
Goodbye Avan, I love you too...
