Before I left for the beautiful, clear, algae free, friendly fish waters of Boracay, I wrote about the war between brothers in a certain part in my extended family.

Imagine my surprise while partying on Friday night, that the "Black Sheep" of the family, the one who caused all this mess, passed away due to a heart attack!

I don't really remember him but I hear stories that he was really a wild child. The youngest son, the one who partied too much, too long. The one who made his secretary his mistress. The secretary who was once (rumored to be) his son's girlfriend. The one who beat up a senator's son and because of that, his family had to secretly ship him out to the US where he stayed for years. Upon his return, his eldest brother who owned a franchising business gave his youngest brother a franchise of the outlet. Years later, said brother becomes ungrateful by suing his older brother by stating he owns the entire franchise business while his brother, the one who gave him business, was merely the franchisee. (At least this is the version I know. I know the details only through bits and pieces I've heard over the lunch table). My aunt feels really sorry for wild child's sons and daughters because as much as they hate that their father for further widening the gap in his practically non existent relationship with his siblings and other relatives, they are caught in the middle because they still love him so much. He is still, after all, their father.

It's sad to know that he died angry and none of this issues with his siblings were resolved. Many of my immediate family states that no matter what, the issue will never be resolved. I guess decades of pent up anger, frustration and nurtured hatred escalated his pride and hardened his heart(Imagine your own brother telling you in front of a court judge that he'll kill you before he dies?)

I never really knew him but I really hope he rests in peace.