The Hater 2: Love to Hate Me (The Hater Trilogy #2)

"WHY ARE you doing this, Noah?" a man scowled at a boy whose just looking at him directly. "Kung kailan naka-dalawang taon ka na sa Japan, you did trouble. Hindi mo man lang pinatapos ang college mo." "Ayaw ko na sa Japan, dad," Noah explained. "Make me breath even once, dad. I'm too tired of doing all of your commands and end up being scolded only." "'Yan ba ang natutunan mo sa pagtira mo do'n ng dalawang taon, Noah?" tanong ng kaniyang ama na nagpa-maywang sa hindi inaakalang sasagutin siya ng anak niya. "If that's the only thing na natutunan mo sa Japan e nagsayang lang ata kami ng pamasahe mo papunta do'n." "Sinabi ko bang gusto ko?" tanong ni Noah. He really is different back way before he went to Japan and after he went home. That bubbly and smiley Noah was now gone. It was changed into a fierce and a serious Noah. "Kayo lang naman pumilit sa 'kin, 'di ba?" "Noah," pagtawag ng isang lalaki sa likuran niya. It was his brother, Blake, who fetched him from the airport. "Be mindful that what you're talking to is not just an older man but is our father." Hindi lamang iyon inintindi ni Noah. He turned his gaze to his father when it started talking once again. "If you didn't want to go to Japan, why did you accept my offer in the first place?" "I didn't want to but I accepted your offer because I have to," Noah said which made his father stopped from talking. "I want to freshen up my mind. Gusto kong kalimutan ang lahat ng bagay na nandito sa Pilipinas na kapag nakikita ko ay nasasaktan ako. I wanted to start a new life leaving the pain behind." "Noah," the father called him. "Why did you not tell us then? If you're too exhausted here living alone, you should have told us and we'll come with you sana." "If I told you, would you really come with me?" tanong ni Noah. "You fixed your focus to your business instead of minding your own son. I was just keeping this but now, I have to tell you that I can live on my own now. I can even live without your guidance. I went to Japan alone to prove that but I proved nothing." His mom caressed his dad's back and talked to him. "Let him rest first, honey," she said before looking at Noah. "You just came from the flight so you must be tired, son. Just rest first." Blake then grabbed Noah on the latter's shoulder and smiled at his parents. "I'll be the one to talk to Noah, dad," Blake responded. "You should rest as well. Baka lumala pa ang kondisyon mo." "You should," his dad told him. "You should really talk with your brother, Blake. Sa 'yo lang naman 'yan sumusunod." Kumalas sa pagkakahawak ni Blake si Noah, kinuha ang kaniyang bagahe bago tumaas sa second floor kung nasa'n ang kwarto nilang magkapatid.  Kaagad ding sumunod si Blake sa kaniya. Noah went inside his room and Blake went after. "We did not change the room, Noah," Blake said, initiating a talk with his long-missed brother. Blake eventually started hugging his brother. Noah who was startled just accepted his embrace. "It's been two years since I hugged my li'l brother. Natatandaan ko pa, you hugged me and you're crying." "You should forget that, kuya," Noah awkwardly said. "Anyway, can you get me off your hug?" Kumalas sa pagkakayakap si Blake. "You really are different now, Noah," he said. "Dati, you call me kuys and now you're calling me kuya. It's unusual." "I admit... I have changed, kuya," he said. "After I went back from Japan, I promised myself to be braver enough and I won't let anyone hurt me once again." Nabalot ng katahimikan sa pagitan nila bago muling nagsalita si Blake. "So, how are you?" "I'm fine," Noah said and sat on his bed. "It's been two years since you and Kuya Chaunce lived together. How are you both?" "I am doing fine, as usual," Blake said. "And so as Chaunce. He is, I think, sleeping inside the dorm. Pagod na pagod maging third year student kaya ngayong bakasyon, he's making the most out of it. And yeah, we're doing fine, as a couple." "Just tell Kuya Chaunce my hi," Noah said bago natahimik na naman. "Where are you going to study?" tanong ni Blake at napaupo sa tabi ng kapatid niya. "Don't tell me, you're going to study at..." "Yeah, sa Epsilon College," he said. "Nando'n ka naman so I feel safe. At saka, I don't mind where to study. I just want to finish my studies." "But..." hesitating Blake said. "Uhm... you know, baka nando'n pa si Tobi. Is that alright with you?" "I left the country when he's third year college ata, so he probably have graduated," Noah said coolly. "And I don't mind seeing him at all. I have already forgotten him." "You sure?" "You sure you're asking me that kind of question?" Noah said and giggled, the first time he did after coming back to the country. "I told you na babalik lang ako sa bansa when I completely forgotten about him. There's no pain anymore. There's no pain left already." "You ain't sure," Blake said and raised his eyebrows. "May mga instances na eventually, kapag nakita nila ang isang tao, the memories will come back. I don't know if that'll happen to you but whatever happen, I'll support you, li'l bro." Noah stood up and put his two fists on both his sides. "I'll try not to remember any memories even though I get to see him, but it's more convenient if hindi ko siya makita na anymore," he smiled. He really looks like he has already moved on. Blake smirked. "If that's what you're saying then okay," he said. "Sana lang mapanindigan mo, li'l bro. Asahan ko ang victory mo." "At saka, maybe now, he hated me already for not telling him that I'll be leaving," Noah said. Sadness clouded his face as he continued talking. "And he does not deserve my love if he only loves to hate me."