Chapter 40

Sawyer's Dinner

I was busy watching Gell contacting Korg many times, she even called his friends just to know where he's at but everyone's got no clue and anything to say about him. I can feel this dinner will end soon. Why would he ditch this dinner all of a sudden? If this is because of me, that he won't be coming at this dinner and I must haven't got here in the first place. I'm trying not to blame myself this time but it's all the reason I can see.

I called Gell, spacing back and forth in front of me, I can see her disappointment on his brother. She looked at me with a worried face, she reach her her hand on me and hold it. "Sorry to experience this Alex. My brother really causes trouble... it happens for the few times lately."

My forehead creased, understanding her words but it simply gives me an explanation going back to where she told me before, "maybe I was the trouble and still am, Gell."

She hastily shook her head, opposing to me. "How could you say that? You were never a trouble to us—it is just that, Korg didn't know what he was doing lately. He didn't even try to talk about it after his—" and she realize something but she stopped for a sudden, and it hit me that I was the one she's talking to. "No, it wasn't you. Believe me."

I just showed a smile on her to ease her situation. "It's okay Gell, you don't have to worry about it."

"If he could just show up and explain himself." She grunted, "I shouldn't always be the one going to fix his mess."

Korg might be a little trouble but I know he has reasons, maybe he isn't just comfortable enough to tell it to the world.

The next happened, Mr. Sawyer called us to be at the dinner table. Sinunod naman namin ni Gell ang kanyang parents. I was still hoping that Korg would show up even if the worse thing could happen. Nang marating namin ang dining area, Mrs. Sawyer greeted me and hugged me for pleasing and thankful that I accepted their invitation for this dinner.

Isa-isa naman kaming naupo, there's a space for Korg at the table and he wasn't even here. Patago naman akong nag-send ng message sa parents ko.

Parents:

I'm at the dinner momsh and papsh, hope for the best!

They immediately replied,

Enjoy the dinner, dear. We are proud of you, sa susunod both parents na ang magdi-dinner to set the engagement. Just kidding, Alex. I know your always at your best, just be happy about it.

My heart melted the moment I read their message. I know how very supportive they are on whatever things I'm into, hindi nila ako hinayaan sa mga bagay na gagawin ko at kapag alam naman nilang nag-aalinlangan ako, they would step in and help me but don't invade my decisions because they think, some people need learn for themselves not to be dependent as always.

"So lets, start!" Mrs. Sawyer giddily announced. Tinago ko naman ang phone ko sa bulsa at tinuon ang atensyon ko sa kanila. I see their smiles on me and I think I'm very much welcome and they impose their hospitability when it comes to people whom they are stranger to—not that much, but to a person like me. "Alex," she called out on me. "Don't be shy, I know you and we don't bite, so don't be afraid to talk with us, okay?"

I nodded, chuckling, "I'll try..." I winced.

Siniko naman ako ni Gell sa tabi, "don't try, just come along with us." And she winked on me.

"Let's pray first," Mrs. Sawyer instructed. We bow down our head, put our hands together as we started praying. I didn't close my eyes and check every one. I immediately do the same and felt embarrassed by it. "...Amen." Muli naman naming inangat ang ulo namin, "Gian, you're here!" She exclaimed by surprise and as we turn around to see the direction she's looking at, we saw him.

I saw him, his polo were stripped button down, and a drip of blood on his lips.

Mabilis na pinuntahan ni Mrs. Sawyer si Korg at nag-usap silang dalawa doon. Korg doesn't feel like interested talking with her, she just walk passed her and sitted right straight to the chair he belongs to. Muli namang bumalik si Mrs. Sawyer sa kanyang kinauupuan, nakipagpalitan ito ng tingin sa kanyang asawa. I don't know what connections they are sending to each other but they do understand by just nodding and smiling.

"Glad you got into your senses to be here tonight at the dinner, Gian." Mr. Sawyer speak up to him but he just smirk, pick up the napkin at the table and wipe it on his bleeding lips. "But I'm still glad you're here. Shall we have the dinner now, I can't wait to finish all of this." He said, winking at his wife. They are cute together though.

We started to take the dinner. Gell handed over to me the rice at kakaunti lamang ang nilagay ko sa plate, I don't want to get bloat up. Natatakam na ang sikmura ko sa bawat daan ng putahe sa mga kamay ko. It is like I'm starting to look like a maniac dahil kakaiba ang mga titig ko doon, but they didn't even mind those things.

By putting all of the food I can take on the plate, I started to pig out myself.

Panay ang tingin ko kay Korg the whole time, hindi niya ginagalaw ang pagkain niya. Pansin naman iyon ng magulang niya pero hinahayaan lang nila ito. He just keep pouring out wine and wine on his wineglass and if he's out, he'll do it again.

"Alex," I snapped out when Mr. Saywer caught my attention. I saw Korg look at me but I rather put my attention into his parents. "Gell told us that you hold your school years homeschooled, how that it feels?"

"Oh, about that," ngiwi ang unang bumali sa akin. "It is far obvious on the actual school but on the other hand, being homeschooled also had an advantage. Your teach will console his time on you alone—matututukan ka talaga but the disadvantages... well, you don't socialize often."

"So, how did you adjust yourself being homeschooled into a regular one?"

"There's a lot of adjustment I put into, the time, socializing and accepting other people's criticism. But I'm slowly getting into, hindi rin naman ako masyadong nahirapan mag-adjust dahil may mga kaibigan din naman po akong tinutulungan ako..."

"Good to know that," Mr. Sawyer remarked, "atleast your doing good... cause I've heard on Miss Keltz you joined her club?"

Tumango naman ako, "yes, I'll start my training before getting into the main discussion. Baguhan pa lang ako kaya kailangan ko munang alamin kung paano nangyayari ang mga activites sa Decathlon team po."

"She's really hoping you could bring the team into top three."

I could totally hide right now, nakakahiya dahil sa harap ng pamilya niya sasabihin niya iyon. "I hope I can, sir."

Natawa naman ito bigla, nagtaka pa ako dahil baka may mali sa sinabi ko. Even Gell laughed beside me. "Drop the sir, Alex." She whispered on me.

My eyes widen nang binalik ko ang tingin kay Mr. Sawyer, "that's okay, you can call me anything if we were outside of the school. Just a tito would do."

"Tito..." Gell giggling beside me.

I heard Korg smirked and I looked at him, I couldn't read him.

"But what happen to the red hair Gi's talking about?" Mrs. Saywer said, napatingin pa sa kanya si Korg at napailing din ito. I think it is time na magsalita na rin siya. "I never saw you on that, but you're gorgeous as it is on that black short hair, you really can wear anything, ano?" she giggles.

"Hindi naman po, sadyang humuhulma lang po talaga sa mukha ko." Ang pagiging humble ay isang mabuting paraan para hindi agad ma-judge at totoo naman ang sinasabi ko.

"You wanted to see her ginger?" Korg speak, mabilis pa kaming lahat na napatingin sa kanya dahil bigla-bigla na lamang siyang nagsasalita. He pick up his phone at ibinigay niya iyon kay Mrs. Sawyer. Her face glows upon seeing what's on the screen of the phone, she even handed the phone over to Mr. Sawyer and got the same reaction. Punong-puno na nang kuryusidad ang mukha ko at hindi ko alam kung ano iyong tinitingnan nila sa phone ni Korg. "You're so pretty, Alex." She said.

"Hala, hindi naman po."

"You look like a real ginger than us, Alex." Tito said, mas lalo naman akong nahiya sa kanila. "But if you're not a natural ginger on our school, it is not appropriate but good thing you tried that."

Hindi ko na naman binalak pang sabihin na hindi ako ang may kakagawan na iyon kundi si Mia. I know how to speak about it and what would be the outcome. Pansin din Gell na hindi na ako nagsalita matapos iyon. She knows Mia did that hair color on me.

"How about you son, how's your day?" Mr Sawyer asked him.

Korg smirked, drink his wineglass. "Nothing much to tell."

"Then tell us what happened on your bruises and that bleeding lips?"

"Are we doing it right now?!" he bursted out, "I'm finished." Korg stood up from his chair leaving the dining area.

"You didn't even touch your food, for god sake, Korg." Nagpipigil na tugon ni Mr. Saywer sa kanya but his son didn't bother to respond or to look back. Sandaling natahimik ang hapag kainan, "sorry, Alex, that wasn't supposed to happen."

"I understand po." Aniko.

"Okay, I think, it is time for the dessert now!" Mrs. Sawyer break the atmosphere. Dali-dali naman niyang tinungo ang refrigerator, saglit lang din naman ay bumalik na ito na dala-dala ang isang cake. "For a sweet tooth, Alex?" she asked.

Hindi ko naman tinanggihan ang offer ni Mrs. Sawyer. The conversation shifted from me again and I think they don't want to talk how messy their family are. Some people didn't even know how it gets hard to live in a home where you don't know where to go to. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari kay Korg—does he experiencing emotional or mental issue? Wala namang binabanggit si Gell doon o baka naman, they didn't want them talking about it.

I snapped out thinking those situatuons. Hindi naman siguro, may problema lang si Korg and he doesn't want anyone to evade his space.

Nang matapos ang dinner, their parents gives me their deepest sincere apology for ruining the dinner. I could totally feel their sentiments. Korg really know how to mess things also. They also give me a pineapple pie for my parents. They actually joke about giving them graham cake for the second time and then I promise I would, kaya naman sabik na sabik silang mangyari iyon.

Aalis na sana ako nang bahay nila nang pinigilan ako ni Gell.

"I wanted you to talk with my brother."

Napakunot-noo naman ako sa sinabi niya, "bakit ako? Alam mo naman na iwas siya sa akin diba."

She shook her head, "no, hindi ako naniniwala doon. He's trying to keep his distance on you dahil ayaw niyang maniwala sa nararamdaman niya. He keeps lying on himself. I can totally say that because I know my brother. Reach out to him, please, for me, Alex?"

I took a deep sighed, "what should I tell?"

"Ikaw nang bahala kung anong sasabihin mo. He's on the garden, just don't startle him baka masuntok ka bigla... but rather him give this." She handed out an ice cream solo pack. "I know you can do it, Alex..."

my forehead creased, "what if I don't?"

"Did you just judge yourself you cannot do it?" she raised her brow, "don't make him treat you like this, you don't deserve this... now, go!" she said and pushed to walk towards the garden.

Heading into his direction, I took a deep sighed and have some courage to face him.

This is the time Korgian... I wanna know what's happening with you.