Alex is the director of our play Snow-white and the seven dwarfs.
"Gem, don't think about that anymore. It's just a dream." he said to me with a smile.
We just finished our rehearsal. So now we are walking in the school hallway.
"Alex come with me." I said.
I want to see him. I can't wait for tomorrow.
Tomorrow the School's varsity players will be introduced.
That's where I first saw him. And at first I liked him. At first I just had a crush, but within three months we had known each other and for a month we had become boyfriends. I couldn't bear to lose him.
Maybe others will think that's madness and madness. But nothing. Because I gave everything. My body and heart. I have nothing left to love for myself.
"Where?" he asked.
"Try out of basketball." before he could react I dragged him.
When I got there, my eyes immediately searched for him. But he is not there.
"Your brother is gay." wet on the lips of Kuya Leo's neighbor.
I studied people's mouths carefully. Because of what I did when I jumped from the church tower, my hearing was affected. Sometimes even if the person I'm talking to is close, I can't hear them. Suddenly they lose their voice.
My older brothers don't want me to be here because they say it's embarrassing. It's even more embarrassing that they always lose to other schools. The school only became champion when Albert joined.
"What are you doing here? Didn't I say the plague is not allowed here." said brother Aris to me
"I just want to tryout brother." I pretended to be nervous.
He laughed at my response.
"You're going to tryout." he said insultingly. "You're just going to spread nonsense here."
"Why don't we try it first, brother? You know that Sister Lira is not the only one I can pass." I said.
The school knows that my brain is weak. Because of my low grades.
Unbeknownst to all of them, I am more than what I show. Because I'm just yes and yes to dad. Dad doesn't want me to embarrass Ate Lira.
Even if it's not my fault to make her son look better.
Even though my gender is scattered throughout the school because of my red lipstick and long shoulder-length hair. I'm not a cross dresser like other gays.
"Let it go bro, the tryout this year is open for everyone," said brother Leo.
It's open to everyone because brother Aris will graduate next year and they haven't won a match yet.
"Alright." Umai said. "Erase your lipstick first and get stuck. Leo, lend me a replacement."
Brother Leo took me to the locker room. I don't know what trip it is. But he let those who were there out first before letting me in. And he stood at the door and watched me get dressed.
When I left the locker room. I noticed that some people seemed surprised and stunned. Whether it's a woman or a man. Not the one who brags about the three men in the family. I'm more handsome than her.
Then many people notice that I look more like sister Agua who was called a goddess woman here at school when she was a young woman. Even if we are only half siblings.
Father's daughter from his first wife, sister Agua. She was 10 years old when dad got married. She was 11 years old when brother Aris was born on April 1. She was 12 years old when brother Leo was born on August 2. She was 13 years old when sister Lira was born on September 14. Sister Agua was 14 years old when I was born on June 6.
"He's so handsome." I heard a woman say.
But I don't know anything. Albert was the only thing in my mind and my eyes were searching.
But I don't understand why he isn't there.
First they tried what we know in basic.
"Why are you so stupid, you don't know how to dribble a ball." said brother Aris to me while there was insult in his voice.
I dribbbled the ball and pushed it into the ring. The right angle and strength of throwing the ball is all that is needed.
I saw the shock in the eyes of brother Aris. Not even once did I hold the ball. I always have books and sister Agua's dolls.
Sister Agua doesn't want to let sister Lira hold those because she just destroys them. Sister Lira also doesn't want me to touch her toys.
So sister Agua often buys me a toy that sister Lira steals that mom and dad tolerate. They argue that sister Lira is a woman. So I just have to be patient.
Even in love that's what they want me to do.
I saw brother Leo smile. Suddenly, a memory came to my mind that I didn't remember.
This morning. When I knocked on his room. To wake him up. Suddenly the door was open. He was sweating profusely and seemed to be forced to get up.
When he opened the door it seemed. He was surprised that I was there. Suddenly he hugged me tightly then I felt my clothes get wet and I heard him sobbing.
"I'm leaving." I said.
I thought of leaving. Brother Leo never smiled like that. Already. He seems like a prude to me. I often just pass it by. That's why I know something is wrong with brother Leo.
"You're so handsome." said Alex.
The picture reached me at the same time. I took a picture of him when I left the locker room.
"Let me borrow your camera." I said.
I also remembered the day I caught sister Lira and brother Tonton kissing. I immediately reported to dad. But he didn't believe me.
I looked at my watch. I still have time to catch them. In my memory, when I finished practicing our play, I went straight to the library. And right when I went to the parking lot of the school where my bike was. I caught them there.
Alex and I arrived just in time. I immediately shot them.
Because of the flash of the camera they turned to us. We were surprised when brother Leo worshiped brother Tonton.
I did not know that he followed. When I noticed that Leo was at a disadvantage. I gave Alex the camera and picture. Then I approached the two.
I grabbed brother Tonton's fist before it hit brother Leo.
I immediately turned it towards his back. Kicked at the back of his knee. A reason to bring him to his knees. I also kicked him in the back without letting go of his hand to break his arm and make him sink to the ground.
"You have no right to fool my sister!" I said angrily as I stamped and kicked her head.
I don't know how long I did that. All I know is that I'm angry.
"Don't stop me, I'll kill him!" I said as brother Aris and brother Leo grabbed me to keep me away from our brother-in-law.
Someone slapped me just pissed me off. Sister Agua.
"Sister." I cried and hugged her. "I promise I will kill anyone who hurts you." It's been a few days since I woke up from being in a coma. When I saw how her husband almost killed her with a beating and I couldn't do anything to help her.
It was only at that time that I found out that my sister was a battered wife. And dad didn't take any action. Because they are the same. Dad also beats mom.
At a time when I was weak and had nothing to do but watch. I couldn't stop my sister from drinking poison.
Sister Agua also cried in my arms while saying.
"Don't do that. I can tolerate everything without being a criminal."
It was only there that I saw brother Tonton sitting with one arm bleeding and broken. I let go of sister Agua and approached my brother-in-law. Sister Agua couldn't stop me. I strangled my brother-in-law.
"The next time you hurt my sister. Physically or emotionally. I will bury you alive in the ground." then I punched her in the face.
I know they are afraid and wonder about my expectations. I've never been seen to be angry. I feel like I am a different person in their eyes. They seem to be asking who I am.
But I don't know anymore even if I can change the past. Even if I lose Albert forever. I just don't want to see sister Agua's death again. When I couldn't do anything to protect him.
Until the dinner table, no one wanted to move with us. Their looks still know who I am.
Papa knows that I beat my brother-in-law. But what he knows is that I saw him hurting sister Agua so I did that.
Mom felt sorry for what happened. And what Ate Lira did should never reach papa. I don't want to agree. But sister Agua begged me. And I agreed on the condition that my brother-in-law would leave the house and divorce that man forever.
"That's right, dad. I'm going to join the drama club," sister Lira said.
"I'm not leaving the drama club." I replied.
Then drink water and leave the table.
Continue....