"Hello there little brother, how's your day at the office?"
Bati sa akin ni Izzy pagpasok na pagpasok ko ng bahay. Hinalikan ko naman sya pisngi. I can smell her lavander perfume. Mukhang may lakad na naman ito dahil nakapostura ito. Palagi kasi itong may lakad tuwing gabi kasama ng mga kaibigan nito.

  "As usual ate. So where are you going? Mukhang may lakad ka na naman?"

  "Well, I have a date with Simon."
Ngumiti ito ng matamis. Kumunot ang noo ko. May bago na naman itong kinalolokohang lalaki.

  "Who's Simon?"

  "My date."

Napailing na lang ako sa sagot ni Izzy. I know my sister well, matinik ito pagdating sa mga lalaki. Well, I can't blame her. She is really gorgeous. Tumunog ang cellphone nito. Mukhang sinusundo na ito ng date nito.

  "Well, I gotta go little brother. My date is looking for me. Love you."
Sabi nya sa akin at hinalikan ako sa pisngi.

  "Mag-iingat ka."

  "Well, sila ang mag-ingat sa akin."
She winked and walked out of the house. I have nothing to worry about my sister because she's a professional martial arts teacher.

Nagtungo na ako sa kwarto ko. Humiga ako sa kama at tumitig sa kisame. Paminsan-minsan ay naiinggit ako kay Izzy dahil nagagawa nito ang gusto nitong gawin. Malaya syang ipahayag ang nararamdaman nya. While I have to hide my  true self inside a cage. I am a closet gay. My parents didn't know about this. They will kill me if they find out. Only me and Izzy knows about my true identity.

Wala akong ginawa buong buhay ko kundi sundin ang gusto ng mga magulang ko. Dahil alam kong doon sila sasaya at ako lang ang nag-iisang lalaki anak. Nasa sa akin ang responsibilidad. Mataas ang tingin sa akin ni dad, and I don't want to disappoint him.

Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog na pala ako. Nagising ako dahil sa sobrang init. Hindi ko pala binuksan ang aircon. I went to the bathroom and took a shower. I quickly changed and went to the kitchen. I grab some something to eat cos I'm starving. After I ate, I went upstairs. When I heard noises in my dad's study room. I heard mom's and dad's voice. They were talking.

  "Me and Matthew already talked, Maryse. I want Alec and Andrea to be married."
I heard my dad said to my mom.

  "Well, that's good news! I know Alec will be happy with Andrea. She's beautiful and wise."
Segunda naman ni mommy.

Parang gumuho ang mundo ko nang marinig ang usapan nila. They we're arranging my marriage without my consent. That was unfair. Really unfair in my side. May tumulong luha sa mga mata ko at kaagad akong nagtungo sa kwarto ko upang doon umiyak.

I called my sister and she picked it up after few rings.

  "Hello Alec?"

  "Ate. Help me."

  "Why? What happened to you? Where are you?"
I can sense that she panicked.

  "I'm in my room. I heard mom and dad."

  "And? What are they talking about?"

  "I heard them that they were fixing my marriage with someone else."

  "WHAT?! HOW DARE THEM?"
Bulalas ni Izzy. I couldn't stop crying. I feel like I'm a fvcking sissy and a coward.

  "I don't know what to do ate."

  "Okay, uuwi na ako dyan. Wait for me. We will talk to mom and dad."

Izzy ended the phone call. I want to scream but I can't. I couldn't. I am a prisoner of my own family.

***

Nang makauwi si Izzy ay dumiretso ito sa kwarto ko at niyakap ako. I cried on her shoulder like a baby.

  "It's okay Alec. Let it out."
She patted my back and kisses my cheeks.

  "What will I do ate?"

  "Let's go to mom and dad. They have to know."
My sister said in a angry tone.

  "No ate, I don't want them to know."

  "But Alec, ikaw ang nagiging kawawa dito. Kung hindi mo sasabihin kung ano ka talaga kokontrolin nila ang buhay mo."

  "Ate please. It will kill dad. You know him."

  "So papayag ka na lang na ikasal sa taong hindi mo gusto?"

  "Do I have a choice?"

  "Of course Alec! For godsake you're already 25 years old! You are a grown up!"
My sister shriek. I smiled at her sadly.

  "But I don't have the guts to tell them. I'm scared ate."

  "You don't have to be scared little brother. I am here. Whatever your decision is, I will respect that. You know how much I love you."

  "I love you too ate. I am sorry that I am not like you."

  "Like me? The rebellious one? The black sheep? Oh c'mon Alec."

Izzy hugged me again. Good thing I have a sister like her. God knows how I love this woman.