Arch of the Centuries

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Pure fictional. This story might contain some tagalog and english cursing so I’m giving a warning. Names, characters, places, business, events and incidents are product of the authors imagination or just used for fictitious matter. Resemblance to actual person living or dead are pure coincidental. *** VINCE’S POV “Kuya!” “Time of death 11:36 pm.” Isang bangungot na naman. Nagising akong naghahabol hininga habang patuloy na pumapatak ang mga luha galing sa magkabilang mata. Tila ba'y pinapaalala sa akin ang nalalapit na ika-pitong taon simula ng pumanaw si kuya Ken, ang pinaka matanda sa 'ming magkakapatid. Pitong-taon na ang nakalipas, pitong-taon na rin akong nagsisisi. Pilitin ko mang kalimutan ay hindi ko magawa, hindi ko kaya. Hindi ko maiwasang isipin na ako ang naging dahilan kung bakit siya namatay. “Kung sana... hindi ako nagpumilit.” “Kung sana... nakinig na lang ako.” Napakaraming bakit at sana. Dagdag pa ang mga tanong kung bakit si kuya pa? Bakit 'di na lang ako? Bakit hindi na lang ako yung namatay? Bakit 'di na lang ako ang nawala? Napatingala na lang ako sa kisame at hinayaang pumatak ang mga nagbabadyang mga luha. Gusto ko na ulit marinig ang mga paborito kong linya mula sa kaniya. “Viel, wanna go for ice cream?" “Come here my little brother." I miss it so bad. I miss him. It's hurting me, but I can't do anything. Just like the time na naaksidente siya, wala din akong nagawa. Wala akong nagawa noong nakita ko siyang unti-unting nawawalan ng buhay sa harap ko. Wala akong nagawa para mailigtas siya. Ang tanging nagawa ko lang ay umiyak. Patuloy pa rin ang pagpatak ng luha sa 'king pisnge. Unti-unti na 'kong nahihirapan sa paghinga. Suddenly someone opened the door. Agad kong pinunasan ang aking mga mata at tiningnan kung sino ang pumasok sa kwarto. I heard a small foot steps coming towards the bed. “Kuya, are you okay?” “I heard you screamed." It's our baby boy, Marco. My 8 year old little brother. Nasa katabing kwarto ko lang kasi ang kwarto niya that's why rinig yung noises. “Did kuya's noise wake you up?" marahan kong tanong sa kaniya. Tumango lamang ito. Mukhang nagising siya dahil sa ingay ko kanina. “Sorry, baby.” sabi ko sa kaniya then I pat his head. “Did you have nightmares again, kuya?” he asked. “It's not a nightmare. I just dreamt of kuya Ken.” Iexplained. “Is that why you're crying,kuya?" tanong niya habang nakatingin sa namumula kong mga mata. “who's crying? I'm not crying kaya. Di na ko baby gaya mo." “Yes, you are crying!" “Stop crying, kuya. Im here." he said with cute little puppy eyes. Gumaan ang aking pakiramdam nang dumating si Marco. I feel like I'm not alone. Maybe I'm not alone in the first place, I just chose to distance myself from others. “Cute naman ng baby Marco namin." patuloy ko pa ring pinipisil ang mataba niyang pisnge. “Of course, mana sayo, kuya.” sagot niya na agad kong ikinatuwa. “Aba sinong nagturo sayong mambola,ha?" tanong ko habang nakakunot ang noo. “Ikaw!" sigaw nito at tumawa ng malakas. Aba't ako pala ang mastermind! “Wanna sleep here?" tanong ko sa kaniya nang mapansin ko ang malalim niyang paghikab. He nodded. Binuhat ko na siya sa kama at itinabi sa akin. “Oh, bigat naman ng baby na yan!" “Marco, do you remember kuya Ken's death anniversary?" I asked. “Opo, same day as your birthday diba,kuya?" sagot niya. I nodded. Since that tragic accident happened, I never celebrated my birthday again. I don't feel like celebrating up until now. How can I celebrate it if it's also the day my brother died? I just....cant. “Kuya, can we have a party sa birthday mo?" he asked with a cute puppy eyes. Umiling na lamang ako. Hindi ko pa talaga kaya. 7 years is not enough. Hindi pa rin madali para sakin. I haven't completely move on. “Okay." ani ni Marco at tumahimik na. “Let's sleep na baby, I'll give you ice cream later." He smiled at me. Lumapit ito sa akin at naramdaman ko ang pagdampi ng maliit niyang mga kamay sa aking likuran. It gave me comfort. It looks like us. Me and Ken, when I'm still a little baby clinging to him. I woke up around 4:50 pm without Marco by my side. I guess kanina pa siyang nagising. Hindi na ko nakapag breakfast at lunch dahil sa haba ng pahinga ko. I left my room and saw our maids busy. Some are cleaning the house while others are preparing for dinner. "That's a lot manang." I said, pertaining to the foods and desserts. “Gising ka na pala,Viel." “Kakatext lang ng mom and dad mo anak, pareho silang uuwi ngayong araw." pagpapaliwanag niya. “Wow, that's new." I said. Mom and Dad are always busy. Both of them are workaholic. It's rare to see our family having lunch together. “Siguro nandito na sila bago mag 7:00 pm, maghanda ka na, anak." dagdag pa ni manang. “Okay, don't overwork yourself please. Why is it only you preparing these bunch of foods?" I asked out of concern. “Kilala mo naman mommy at daddy mo. Parehong mapili sa pagkain, luto ko lang ang gusto. At tsaka minsan lang din naman kayo makompleto, hayaan mo na 'ko." pagpapaliwanag niya habang nakangiti. Manang Ester worked for us for a very long time. 30 years to be exact. She's like a family to us. “Still, let them help you, okay?" I complained. She nodded. Parang napilitan lang dahil sa kakulitan ko. I'm just simply taking care of her. “I'll shower na po manang." I left the kitchen and went straight to my room to go for shower. 2 hours had passed “Hi, Dad." “Hi, mom." I kissed her cheeks. “Mommy!" Marco shouted and jumped towards mom. “I miss you, baby boy." mom kissed Marco's forehead. “How about me? Don't you miss dad, Marco?" dad asked, he's jealous. Marco ran fast towards dad. “Ofcourse, i miss you too, dad!" he said while acting like a cute little puppy. “Handa na ang hapunan, alam kong nagutom kayo sa biyahe. Nagluto ako ng mga paborito niyo." ani ni manang Ester. “Thank you, manang. Sumabay kana sa 'amin." Dad said while smiling. It's good to see our family complete and eating at the same table again, it's been a month already since we ate together like this. While we were eating, dad asked me a question. “Viel, sure ka na ba sa pag dodoctor na yan?" “You can still change your mind, anak. Why don't you try law? Matalino ka naman at-." “Dad, we already talked about this." I cut him off. “I know- but. You know that I'm planning to give you the law firm." he said, trying to convince me. “As if I want that?." I whispered. “Viel!" he shouted. Mom held his hand and calmed him. “Hindi pa ba tayo tapos dito, Dad? I already told you what I wanted. Gusto kong maging Doctor. Gusto kong magligtas ng buhay. Why can't you just support me?" I said, my voice started to get loud. “Ano bang mapapala mo sa pag do-doctor na yan? I know you're capable of running the firm, can't you just follow my steps, Viel?" He asked while looking at me as if I'm a disappointment. I can feel the tension in the air. Walang nagpapatalo sa 'min ni Dad. I understand why he keep on pushing me to study law, but, he should also understand why I choose medicine. “I'm done here. I thought you accepted it na, dad. Sorry but I wont change my mind." I stood up. “Minsan na nga lang ako makauwi at makasama kayong mag dinner ganito pa ipapakita nyo sa 'kin." Mom complained. “Viel, you'll study law or I will cut off all of your cards." pananakot pa niya sa akin. “Go ahead, I don't need your money." I confidently said. “I'll be leaving this house next week. I passed the entrance exam in UST and I'll study medicine either you like it or not." I said while staring straight to my dad's angry eyes. “Let's see kung hanggang kailan ka tatagal. Babalik at babalik ka rin dito. I'll make sure na sa Law pa rin ang bagsak mo." he said. “ This house doesn’t feel like home anymore.” I left the table.