Chasing Tomorrow [R-18+]

First Run

William sat down on the edge of his bed as he sighed when he realized that he had fallen asleep while waiting for his sister. His sister, Lei, hadn't come home for almost two months. They were worried and didn't know what they should do. Natasha, the second oldest sister of William, went to Lei's company and asked about her, but it turned out that she was fired because she hadn't gone to her work for almost a month. It was started when the new vaccine for boosting the immune system was finished.

"Sis," William greeted his second older sister when he went out of his room and went to their living room.

In this world, there is only him and his sibling. Thus, they treasured each one of them as a precious jewel. Especially with their youngest, Javis.

"Ah!" Natasha was startled when she saw her brother's face. "Goodness, William. Don't tell me hindi ka na naman nakatulog kakahintay kay ate Liesa?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Natasha sa kaniyang kapatid.

Napabuntong hininga na lamang si William at saka naupo at nangalumbaba sa dinning table. "I've been waiting for her since last night, but she didn't come home," William said, as his worried face could be seen.

Natasha put down a plate with fried rice, bacon, and an egg in front of William and said, "Kung uuwi 'yun, e 'di uuwi." Bakas sa boses ni Natasha ang pagkainis sa kaniyang kapatid. "Alam niyang mag-aalala tayo and she didn't even give a damn, kahit isang text lang."

"Morning."

Both Natasha and William looked at the source of the voice, and they saw Jarvis walking towards them. Seeing his face, the elder sister and elder brother both smiled. They spoiled him to the point that he couldn't do anything without his siblings.

"Good morning, Jarvis," both Natasha and William greeted him back.

Jarvis looked around and saw that his eldest sister still hadn't come home. Looking at his only brother, he knew that their oldest sister hadn't come home.

"Still no news?" Jarvis asked his brother and sister.

Kaagad naman din na nilagyan ni Natasha nang makakain si Jarvis sa harap nito nang makaupo siya sa kaniyang umpuan.

"Unfortunately, none," William answered as she poked his food. "It's quite unusual for her to do this," he added.

Nang mailagay na naman ni Natasha lahat nang makakain nila sa mesa ay umupo na rin siya sa kaniyang upuan. "Alam naman ninyo na noong nakaraang buwan ay busy siya hindi ko lang alam nitong buwan. I went to her office, at ang sabi sa akin doon ay matagal na raw na hindi pumapasok si ate," kaagad na sabi niya sa dalawa niyang kapatid na lalaki.

"I guess he ran away with his boyfriend?" Jarvis joked.

Both Natasha and William sneered. "Bunso, naririnig mo ba sinasabi mo?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Natasha sa kanilang nakababatang kapatid. "You know how picky and how high her standards are with a man, right? It is impossible for her to get some rich, handsome man and run away," she added.

Indeed, Liesa is the type of woman who is more prepared to read a novel than be outside. Because of his love in a romance novel, she became picky and has a high standard for a man to become her boyfriend.

"Let's just wait for her," walang gana namang sabi ni William. Jarvis was his brother's name.

"Hmm?" he replied as he munched his food while looking at his brother.

"I already paid half of your tuition. Please notify me or sister Tasha if you require anything at school." William said.

Jarvis stared at his brother and finished his food that he was munching. "What? Wait, why? 'Di ba magbabayad ka na rin ng tuition mo? Why did you pay half of my tuition first? You should-"

"No buts," William said, cutting his brother. "Si Tasha na bahala sa tuition ko. You needed it first, so I paid for it first," he added.

Napatingin naman si Jarvis kay Natasha at nakita naman niya na nagkibit balikat lamang si Natasha. "Sis…"

Ngumiti si Natasha at sinabing, "Wala ka nang magagawa, nagawa na ni Liam." She patted her brother's head. "You should study well. Don't worry about money, okay? Isa pa, nagsend si ate Lie last month ng pera sa atin. Even though hindi pa siya umuuwi, may pera pa rin tayong panggastos," Natasha added.

Napakagat na lamang si Jarvis ng kaniyang labi at hindi na lamang nagsalita. Hindi rin naman niya alam ang kaniyang gagawin at sasabihin dahil alam naman niyang gagawin ng kaniyang mga kapatid ang lahat para sa kaniya. Jarvis know very well how much sacrifices his sisters and his brother made for him. He even remembered that his brother, William, dropped out when Jarvis needed a large amount of money for his course. Jarvis knows very well how much his siblings loved him. Thus, he'll do his best to protect them.

Their breakfast went well. After they eat, William tells them that he's going to wash the dishes so that Natasha can ready herself for her interview. Also, for their little brother to get ready for school.

Jarvis only went home once a week, every weekend. Thus, they did everything they could to have a home-cooked dinner, breakfast, and lunch.

At ten in the morning, Jarvis said goodbye to him and went back to his dorm. Jarvis was a good kid, and that made William, Natasha, and Liesa less worried about him. They know that Jarvis won't make their effort in vain.

Hindi na rin naman nagtagal nang makaalis si Jarvis ay nagpaalam na rin naman si Natasha na aalis na rin siya. This left William alone in their house.

He looked around, and somehow, he felt lonely. His eyes went to a big portrait on their wall. It was a portrait of their family. It's been a decade and a half since their parents died in a car crash, and since then, they have been alone in the world. Their eldest sister, Liesa, is the one who made the most sacrifice for them. She was the one who worked hard to make Natasha finish her degree and helped her with the bills and other things that were needed in our house.

Both of their sisters are responsible for them. Since then, William didn't bother to ask them for money, even if he needed them. He knew that his sisters had already done a lot for them, and it was enough for him.

A certain memory flashed in William's mind. It was the day he confessed to them about his sexuality. About him being a gay.

"I'm gay, I like men," William stated to his sister when they had dinner together.

Jarvis, Natasha, and Liesa were startled. They knew that something happened with their brother-William and that there was something bothering him, but they didn't know that it was about his sexuality. It was hard for them to process, but they didn't dislike it.

"And so?" Natasha immediately said. "Ano ngayon kung gay ka? I mean, may magbabago ba kapag gay ka? You're still our brother, and we're not going to outcast you just because you're gay. So what are you worried about? Stop frowning, okay?"

William smiled when he remembered those memories. It was one of the most nerve-wracking moments in his life, but it was also the day when all his burdens on his shoulders were lifted. He felt like there was nothing wrong with him. Some of his friends couldn't help but feel disgust when they knew about him being gay, and that is the reason why he's hesitant to tell his family. Kung ganoon din ang magiging reaksyon ng kaniyang mga kapatid ay hindi na niya alam ang gagawin niya sa kaniyang buhay.

"Thankfully, I have the best sibling in the world," William whispered to himself as he stared at one of the portraits. It was his and his siblings' portraits without their parents.

Nag-unat naman ng kaniyang mga kamay si William at saka siya tumingin sa paligid. "Time to clean the whole place," he said in his mind.

That day, it was his day-off but he preferred to clean their whole house rather than lie on his bed thinking about where Liesa was. An hour after he cleaned their house, someone opened the door.

Kaagad naman na nagtaka si William dahil alam niya na gabi pa ang uwi ni Natasha at alam din naman niya na nasa bus na ngayon si Jarvis papunta sa university niya. Isa lamang ang nasa isip ni William. It was his sister, Liesa.

Nagmamadali namang tumakbo si William papunta sa pintuan nila at hindi nga siya nagkamali, si Liesa nga ang naroon. William immediately hugged his sister as soon as she went inside the house.

"Oh my!" Liesa uttered as she was startled when William gave her a hug. "Liam?"

"You! "Are you stupid?" William said as he looked at his sister, he was about to cry. "You told us that you won't be able to go home in a month tapos naging two months? Nang puntahan ka ni ate Natasha sa kumpanya wala ka na raw roon!"

Kaagad naman na nagbago ang itsura ni Liesa. Napabuntong hininga ito at napahilot sa kaniyang batok. Hindi alam ni Liesa kung paano niya sasabihin sa kaniyang mga kapatid ang pinagdaanan niya at hindi rin naman niya alam kung tama ba na sabihin talaga sa kanila.

"If I told them about it, wouldn't it put them in danger?" sambit ni Liesa sa kaniyang isipan. "Right, I should do it in secret," she added.

"I'm sorry," Liesa said, and sighed. "I was caught up with my work," she lied.

William stared at his sister. In the more than two decades that he has known his siblings, he knows when they are lying to him. If those lie, whether it's a good or bad day.That is how William looks at someone's character. Seeing his sister lie to him without butting an eye, he knew that it was for their sake.

William and their other siblings always knew how critical and dangerous Liesa's job was; they knew that there were things that she shouldn't disclose to any single soul. Even if they wanted her to stop working at that company, they couldn't stop her. It was his greatest wish. Being able to work at one of the most successful pharmaceutical companies was Liesa's dream since she was a child. Because of her sacrifices, they couldn't stop her.

"At least give us a call or a text," kaagad na sabi ni William nang makita niyang pumasok na sa loob si Liesa. "Did you eat it already? It's almost lunch," he added.

Kaagad naman na humilata si Liesa sa sofa sa kanilang sala. "I didn't. Please cook a ramen for me," she requested.

Kaagad naman na napataas ang kilay ni William at napa-meywang na lamang. "A ramen? Seryoso ka na riyan, ate? For your information, nasa bahay ka na, wala ka na sa trabaho." Umiiling na sabi ni William.

Kaagad naman din na nagtungo si William sa kusina at nagsimula nang magluto ng pagkain. Nang lingunin niya ang kaniyang nakatatandang kapatid ay kaagad niyang nakita na nakapikit ito.

"She looks so tired. What the hell did she do?"

Gustong gusto ni William magtanong ngunit hindi niya magawa. Binalaan sila rati ni Liesa na huwag magtanong nang magtanong patungkol sa kaniyang trabaho dahil may ilang bagay na hindi niya pwedeng sabihin sa iba. If someone catches wind that she gave some information to others, then they will be in trouble.

Hindi nagtanong si William hindi dahil sa natatakot siya sa maaring mangyari kundi sa respeto na mayroon siya sa kaniyang kapatid.

Nang matapos si William magluto ay kaagad na rin naman niyang inihain ito sa hapagkainan. Si William lamang at si Liesa ang tao sa kanilang bahay kaya naman sapat lamang para sa kanilang dalawa ang niluto niya.

"Sis, the lunch is ready," kaagad na pagtawag ni William sa kaniyang kapatid.

Liesa, being hungry, immediately stood up and went to the dining table and started to eat with William.

Napangiwi naman si Liesa. "Ah, Natasha will kill me for sure," sambit nito nang marinig niya ang sinabi ng kaniyang kapatid.

"That's for sure," kaagad naman na pagsegunda ni William.

Sinamaan naman siya nang tingin ni Liesa. "Wala ka man lang bang pampalakas ng loob diyan?" sambit nito.

William stared at her and shrugged his shoulders. "You brought it upon yourself. If you just give her a call or a single text, she won't be this pissed."

Napabuntong hininga naman si Liesa. "Kung pwede lang e," mahina nitong sabi.

"Did something happen?" William asked, worriedly.

Kaagad naman umiling si Liesa. "Nope, nothing happened. Masyado lang talagang confidencial kaya hindi ko pwedeng sabihin sa inyo," kaagad na sabi ni Liesa kay William. Ngumiti naman ito nang nakakaloko. "Now, tell me, did you finally find yourself a boyfriend?" she asked out of the blue.

William's face turned red as he was flustered by his sister's question. He knew that his sister wanted to change the topic, but he never imagined his sister asking him about his love life.

William feigned his cough. "Sis, you better worry about yourself," he denied.

Liesa groaned. "Oh, come on, Liam. You know, I'm already in my thirties and it's already too late for me to have someone. I know that you guys will take care of me when I get old. So, tell me," Liesa stopped and smirked. "Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked again.

William narrowed his eyes as he looked at his sister. He could see that his sister was curious about him.

He sighed. "Sis, I was busy studying and working. Paano ako makakahanap ng oras para sa landi?" kaagad naman na sagot nito.

Kumunot ang noo ni Liesa. "Bakit? You should have stopped working and done something about your love life. You know, kayong dalawa lang ang pag-asa namin ni Natasha na makahanap ng the one," Liesa said as she smiled at William.

Para kay Natasha at Liesa wala nang iba pa silang hihilingin kundi ang mahanap ni William at Jarvis ang kanilang the one. Kahit na palaging sinasabi nina William at Jarvis na mas deserve nilang dalawa 'yun ay hindi pa rin sila naninwiala. Para kay Natasha at Liesa, kapag nakahanap sila nang makakasama nila panghabang buhay maiiwan nila si Jarvis lalong lalo na si William at wala sa isipan nilang gawin 'yun. Babae sila, magkakaanak. Once na magkaanak sila ay mawawala ang atensyon nilang dalawa sa kanilang kapatid kaya naman hindi nila gustong magkaroon ng asawa.

"Sis, it was just a part-time job I know. Still, I like working there. Kung papahanapin mo lang din naman ako ng boyfriend pwede ko naman iyon gawin during my work. You know, I'm working in the convenience store. Sa totoo lang maraming daddies na napunta roon," Willaim joked as he winked at his sister.

Napanganga naman si Liesa at saka humagalpak nang tawa. "Right, ganyan dapat! Sa ganda mo na 'yan wala kang mabibihag? Sino pinagloloko natin dito? Nagmana ka ata sa ganda ko," pagbubuhat naman ng bangko ni Liesa.

Napailing na lamang si William sa inasal ng kaniyang kapatid. Nang matapos silang kumain ay pinagpahinga na lamang ni William si Liesa ganoon pa man, hindi pumayag si Liesa.

"We need to drink a tea to help our digestion," kaagad na sabi ni Liesa habang nakatalikod sa kaniya si William at naghuhugas.

"Hindi ka talaga papatalo, ano? Ate," kaagad na sambit ni William nang buksan niya ang gripo at magsimula nang maghugas ng plato.

Tahimik lamang silang dalawa at nang matapos si William ay tapos na rin naman si Liesa gumawa ng tea.

William sat down in his usual spot on their sofa, and so did Liesa. Both of them talked about a random topic, and when William drank Liesa's brewed tea, he felt a little dizzy.

"I'm sorry…" Liesa whispered before William lost consciousness.