The Last Letter

53

Chapter LIII

“She’s your girlfriend?” I felt all the eyes starting to dart in my direction as Aries asked me that question. Ben, who was sitting beside me, is staring at me too. I know it was Ben who was in so much shock and confusion more than anyone. I wish I could just disappear at my seat and get teleported to my room.

“What are you talking about Oly? Just because you see that they are always together doesn’t make them a couple. She is your brother’s friend.” Mom said when she noticed that I was too taken aback by what my brother exclaimed. Thank goodness mom.

But there are times that I really think mom was suspecting my relationship or at least she knows that something is already going on between me and Suzanne. You know how mother’s instincts are right most of the time. She asked me a couple of times too but I always tell her the same answer, that we are just good friends.

“I know. She’s a girl and she’s friends with August, so she is August’s girlfriend.” Oly said innocently.

“Ohh…” Aries just nodded a little and chuckled. “Oly, you’ll make our brother August have a heart attack. Be careful with words, okay? For a second there, I thought something was really going on because you’re that convincing.” He said and chuckled again. Oly nodded and continued to eat.

I felt a huge load of relief in my chest. Now I can breathe better and my heartbeat is getting stable again. That was a rough situation.

But I could still feel a slight tension around. I reached for my glass of water and gulped it down. Unlike earlier when I was in the mood to stuff myself, right now, I felt a slight loss of appetite. I tried to eat more as I wanted to appreciate what mom prepared for us but no matter what I eat, I don’t find it appetizing at all. To get by, I pretended to eat and took just little bites so I wouldn't feel nauseous. This was all because of that awkward moment earlier.

After minutes of silence, the great and mighty Aries spoke again. “So where am I again? How is she?”

Instead of waiting for someone to talk, I took the initiative so I won’t have to go through that embarrassing, uncomfortable and awkward situation. And so I wouldn’t look suspicious at all.

“She’s doing great. She spends the holidays at her brother and grandfather’s farm. I went there with Ben some time ago. It was such a nice place.” I said and smiled. Thankfully, I think the mood is slightly shifting back to the better and lighter one.

“Farm? Wow, what kind of farm?” Aries asked again.

“Mango farm. It’s kinda far from here.” I answered then ate an egg roll. I might be out of appetite from the rest of the dishes here but I’ll never get tired of eating egg rolls. It is the only food I can eat for the rest of my life and I won’t complain about it.

“Ohh.. that’s amazing. It’s much more fun in rural areas than in cities.” I nodded. What he said was true. If I finally get successful, I’ll certainly build a house on my own farm and grow old there. It’s an ultimate dream of mine.

The conversation continued and everything went back to normal again thanks to my loud and talkative brother. His talent in speaking finally has helped me overcome some hurdles.

Not long after, we finished eating and I helped mom in clearing out the tables, putting the dishes in tupperware and containers to store it in the fridge so we won’t have to worry about our breakfast, lunch, and dinner later today. Ben helped me too but I noticed that he was quieter than what he was earlier. I want to ask what’s wrong but I fear that what’s causing his sudden change of mood is about me.

Aries went outside again and brought lots of beer to keep it in our reserved cooler outside. He also made the fire a little bigger than before so we could feel more heat in this cold temperature. It definitely wasn’t like a temperature that is the same in countries that experience winter. But this temperature, which only comes by in December, is certainly cold to us who live in a tropical country.

I grabbed some of my precious snacks which I kept in my closet so we wouldn’t just drink beer and not eat anything. It was kind of a sacrifice for me but I realized we only do this once in a while. A drink with my brother and my best friend. It’s definitely something we haven’t done before.

We all sat down. Aries is in the middle and on his left side was me and on the opposite side is Ben. I took out 3 beers on the cooler beside me which isn’t that cold. If we ever drink ice cold beer in this temperature, we might end up with pneumonia.

“What are we talking about here earlier? Before we went inside for the picture taking.”

“I don’t remember.” Ben said.

“Me too.” I then said.

“Hmm okay. Let’s start again. Too bad dad doesn’t want to drink with us.”

Speaking of dad, he’s in another house, drinking with his co-fathers. Dad rarely drinks and if he does, it’s only for special occasions such as today. Dad is very cautious with health so he is very healthy, much healthier than anyone who’s in their 50’s.

“So… what was it like to be friends for over a decade?” I raised my eyebrows. What a cheesy topic to start this conversation.

“What does it feel like? You should know. Did you already forget that you’re friends with Ben’s brother. Maybe much longer than Ben and I’s years of friendship.” I chuckled.

“Oh right. I almost forgot about him. Too bad that I haven’t seen him for years now since he left the town. How is he Ben?”

“He’s actually at home. Just give him a call if you want to see each other but I doubt that he’s busy and he’ll probably leave like today or tomorrow just like what he always does every year.”

“He’s home? So why did you spend Christmas here instead of your home?” Aries asked. I was also interested in Ben’s answer since he hadn’t told me that his brother came home today.

“I had a little bit of a situation at home. I was like a cold wind walking around. If not for my sisters whom I was always with, I won’t go home for a long time. I’ve saved enough to live by myself for a few months but I can never leave my sisters alone. That’s why even if it hurts my ego, I still show up at home. It’s okay since they don’t even care.” Ben replied.

“What happened? It sounds serious because you already plan to leave your house.” I immediately pinched Aries’ shoulder to prevent him from asking for more details about Ben’s situation. He glanced at me and arched his brows. I shook my head to signal him to stop. Ben saw what I did.

“It’s okay August. Yes, it’s quite serious indeed. I think it’s about time that I should tell anyone about my real situation at home. I trust both of you that won’t tell anyone about what I will say.” Ben paused and grabbed another can of beer. I just noticed now that he was chugging down his first can of beer so he finished it far earlier than us.

“So… it has been like 4-5 years since it first happened. Sorry I am not a good storyteller but I’ll make this as short as possible. I was in 10th grade when dad talked to me about what I want to do in future and what course I decided to take in college. During this time, my eldest brother had just graduated from medical school and dad was the elected mayor of the city. I told him the truth. That I want to pursue my athletic career and take something related to what I love to do. He insisted that I should take a business course or law. I was young at that time so I didn’t mind what he said. I graduated from high school so I had to talk to dad again about what my plans are and that I haven’t changed my mind with what I’ll take in college. He was in a rage. Because I talked back and I opposed what he wanted me to do. That was the start of it.” Ben took a break by taking a sip of his beer can and eating small pieces of chips.

Aries and I were just looking at him intently, listening and focusing on every word he said. I never knew Ben was going through something like this.

“As you can see, I followed my dreams. And to tell you honestly, me and my dad are still not on good terms. He treats me like he doesn’t see me. He only acknowledges me when I win my competitions where I usually appear on tv or in the newspaper. He brags me in front of his friends but he won’t actually tell me a single word when we are alone. What’s worse is that he brags about me in my face but after that, he’ll tell his friends that it is a shame that I couldn’t be the same as my eldest brother who has achieved so much in life at a very young age. I’m not mad at my brother so don’t get me wrong. Dad… he only knows me when it is convenient for him. I thought it’ll get better as time passes but just a month ago, I told him everything, the feeling that I kept hidden in those 5 years. I screamed and cried. But it just got worse.”