C2 CHAPTER 2: TRUST ISSUES

It was already 6:30 pm, and it was time to head home. Nagkayayaan na kami ng mga kaibigan ko na magpaalam sa isa't isa bago kami magkahiwalay. With smiles on our faces, we exchanged promises to meet again and catch up soon. Laughter echoed in the air as we dispersed, each carrying the warmth of friendship with us.

As my friends left, I decided to wait at the front of the school. Sabi kasi ni kuya na he had kindly offered to pick me up today. It had become a tradition whenever I needed a ride home from far-off places or when he remembered I had no transportation in the late afternoon. He was such a caring older brother, kahit na lagi niya akong inaasar at nag-aaway he never failing to look out for me even with his busy schedule dahil sa graduating na siya.

Standing under a tree, I soaked in the tranquility of the evening. The lights around me became stars that illuminated my waiting. With every gentle breeze, I felt the refreshing touch of the night, clearing my mind and easing my heart.

After a few minutes, my phone vibrated, and I checked the message from Kuya. He let me know that he was right in front of the school waiting for me. A cool gust of wind brushed against my face as I put away my phone. I quickly stood up and walked in the direction of Kuya.

As soon as I saw him, he broke into a smile and greeted me with a warm hug. "Oh, how was your day?" he asked.

"It was good, mabait pa rin" I replied, feeling comforted by his presence.

He smirked, “Sinungaling!”

Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin at pumasok nalang ako sa kotse at nag seat belt na.

"Thank you for picking me up, Kuya. It's always fun spending time together, even if it's just for a short while."

He smirked.

Though we didn't spend the whole day together, I knew that our bond remained as strong as ever. He was a special person in my life, always ready to give his all for his sibling. I felt at ease beside him in the car as we observed the world around us, now adorned by the city lights.

Glancing out of the window, I silently thanked God for the blessing of reaching a loving home filled with care and understanding. With Kuya by my side, I knew I had someone who would never leave me throughout my journey in a world full of stories, changes, and hope. Together, I was confident that we could face whatever challenges life had in store for us.

We were now in front of our house, and Kuya quickly parked the car and shut off the engine. As the door opened, I saw Mama and Papa waiting for us. Mama was busy cooking in the kitchen, while Papa had just arrived home from work and was sitting on the sofa, watching the news.

I excitedly stepped out of the car and rushed towards Mama, who turned around with a warm smile on her face. "Welcome home, Anak!" she said, giving me a tight embrace.

"Hi, Mama!" I replied, hugging her back tightly.

"Nasa’an kuya mo?" she asked.

"Nag pa-park pa po ng kotse.”

She agreed, saying, "Ah, how was your day?"

"It was good; busy as always," she replied, patting my head affectionately. "But I'm glad you and your kuya are home. Dinner will be ready soon."

Sakto gutom na talaga ako, sobrang stress kasi sa school sakto naman ay sabado bukas at makakapagpahinga rin kahit pa-paano

Papa looked up from the television and greeted me with a nod. "Hey there, champ. How was school today?"

"It was great, Papa," I said, walking over to give him a hug as well. "I had a fun day with my friends."

Dahil bunso ako, malapit talaga ako sa parents ko, pero ‘di naman ako spoiled pantay pantay lang naman ‘yong trato ng mga parents ko sa’min ni Kuya.

"I'm glad to hear that," he said with a smile, ruffling my hair playfully. "Now, go wash up, and we'll have dinner together."

Kuya went inside the house and headed straight to his room to change.

I quickly went upstairs to my room to freshen up. As I changed into more comfortable clothes, I reflected on the day's events, including the chance encounter at school and the heartwarming ride home with Kuya. I felt grateful for the love and support of my family, knowing that they were always there for me, no matter what.

After washing up, I joined my family at the dining table, and we began to enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Mama. The sound of laughter and lively conversations filled the air, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We shared stories about our respective days, laughing at funny anecdotes and offering encouragement for any challenges we faced.

As the night wore on, the sense of togetherness grew stronger. We knew that no matter what happened during the day, we could always count on each other for love and support. It was moments like these that made me appreciate the value of family—our bond, our shared experiences, and the unbreakable connections that made our house a true home.

As the evening came to a close, we settled in the living room, spending quality time together, talking, and enjoying each other's company. I felt immense gratitude for the love that surrounded me, knowing that with my family by my side, I could face anything life threw my way. In their embrace, I found comfort and security, making me realize that home was not just a place but a feeling of belonging and love.

As I finished dinner, I headed straight to my room and sat at my desk, opening my laptop to check our class group chat for any announcements or updates. While scrolling through my Facebook feed, I heard a knock on my door, and to my surprise, it was Kuya.

"Hey, Luna. Did you come into my room again?" he asked, sounding quite irritated.

"Ha? N-no, I didn't go into your room," I replied, trying to explain myself.

I remember kasi na pumasok ako sa kuwarto niya tapos pinakialaman ko ‘yong mga gamit niya, especially ‘yong mga collection niya na anime/action figures. And sa hindi inaasahan ay nasira ko ‘yong isa niyang fave na anime figures, which are his two Demon Slayers. Grabe galit niya sa’kin, ‘yong tipong parang gusto niya akong kainin. Sobrang kulit ko kasi that time and high school days palang ako no’n medyo nene pa rin ang datingan ko no’n and nakita ko kasi na naka-open ‘yong kwarto niya, kaya ‘yon galit na galit sa’kin. At doon din nagsimula ng trust issues niya sa’kin kapag papasok ako sa kuwarto niya. Akala mo naman pagpapasok ako sa kuwarto niya, sisirain ko lahat ng anime figures niya.

He seemed angry and frustrated. He told me that he didn't want me to enter his room anymore because he felt like I was always meddling with his belongings. I felt a sudden surge of annoyance and irritation at his reaction. Grabe ‘yong accusations niya medyo hurt ako do’n ha.

Instead of calmly explaining myself, I couldn't help but respond defensively and argue with him. I closed the door to my room to avoid hearing his explanation. Our petty argument only added tension and sadness to my heart.

Sitting alone in my room, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, I understood Kuya's privacy concerns, but on the other, I felt disappointed that he assumed the worst of me. I didn't mean to invade his space; I simply wanted to share a moment with him, just like we used to when we were younger.

As I sat there, I realized that communication was essential to resolving this situation. I knew I had to address the issue and have an open conversation with Kuya about boundaries and understanding each other's needs.

Taking a deep breath, I stood up and knocked on Kuya's door. When he opened it, I could see the frustration in his eyes, but I remained calm and respectful.

"Kuya, can we talk for a moment?" I said, trying to sound sincere.

The door opened, and he looked at me with a mix of surprise and reservation. "Oh!" he replied, his tone still slightly guarded.

I took a step into his room and faced him with honesty in my eyes. "I'm really sorry for my defensive reaction earlier. I didn't mean to upset you or make you feel like I was intruding on your space. I realize now that I should have listened to your concerns instead of getting defensive. I didn't mean to disrespect your boundaries."

"And… I didn't mean to invade your room or go through your things. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Nakita ko kasing naka-open ‘yong kwarto mo kaya I thought na nasa kwarto ka, then nagulat ako na nasa labas ka pala tapos umalis na ‘ko and nakalimutan ko lang isara ‘yong pintuan." Dagdag ko ulit

He seemed taken aback by my apology, and his demeanor softened slightly. "I appreciate your honesty, but it's important for us to respect each other's privacy.”

Kuya's expression softened as he listened to my apology. "And it’s okay," he said, his voice softer now. "I should have communicated my feelings more calmly instead of getting angry right away. I just felt frustrated because I like having my own space sometimes, you know?"

"I understand," I replied. "And I promise I'll be more mindful of that in the future. I won't go into your room without your permission, and I'll respect your space and privacy na."

He nodded, and a small smile appeared on his face. "Thanks for understanding, little moon champ. Kahit makulit ka! And I'm sorry too if I came across too harshly. You know I care about you, right?"

Napa nguso nalang ako, kahit nang-aasar siya.

"I do," I said, a genuine smile forming on my lips. "And I care about you too, Kuya. Kahit mapang-asar ka rin. I value our relationship, pa rin noh, and I want us to have a better understanding of each other's boundaries."

With our grievances aired and apologies exchanged, a sense of relief washed over us. It was a reminder that conflicts could be resolved through open communication and empathy. We agreed to be more considerate of each other's feelings and needs, and from that point on, our bond grew stronger.

In the days that followed, Kuya and I found ways to support and appreciate each other's uniqueness. We respected each other's spaces and developed a more profound understanding of one another. Our sibling bond became even more cherished, knowing that we could navigate through disagreements and come out stronger on the other side.

From that moment on, we made a conscious effort to communicate openly and maintain the loving relationship we shared as siblings. It was a valuable lesson in the power of humility, forgiveness, and love to strengthen family ties.