My Guard for Life

Chapter 5

We met Tita Cleafe, Ate Avi, and Kuya Renz in front of the fountain na katapat nitong church. They were taking photos together with a girl that I'd never seen before. Pierre and I drew closer to them. They stopped taking pictures when they saw us coming. My lip went up.

"Pierre! Kate!" Tita Cleafe shouted in delight.

I grinned and hugged her tightly. "Hi, Tita. I missed you po. Where's Tito? Busy?"

She nodded while stroking my hair gently. She looked younger with her white dress na umaabot hanggang ankles niya. Her hair is short like mine, but hers is bouncy. She has no makeup, only a red lipstick na bumabagay sa color ng nails niya. Tita is such a fashionista like Ate Aviolin.

Pierre pumped a fist with his brother. He also kissed Ate Avi's cheeks and his mother. It was my turn to greet Ate Avi.

"You look so beautiful today, Dae. How are you?"

"I'm okay. You're pretty yourself, Ate."

Ate Aviolin is wearing a knee-length dark blue puffy dress. She has full makeup on. Her long hair was shiny on her shoulders. Even though she's a celebrity, she's being treated equally here at church. Gusto raw niya 'yon dahil ang ipinunta naman daw niya rito ay si God.

Napasulyap ako sa babaeng katabi niya. Pinagigitnaan sila ni Kuya Renz. I hugged Kuya Renz, stepping away from the girl. I don't see her as a threat, but she's a stranger. I don't know why she's here with Pierre's family on a Sunday morning.

"Magsisimula na ang mass. We should go inside," Tita stated.

I got curious why Tita didn't introduce the girl to us. I think Pierre doesn't know her either. If I'm not mistaken, kasing tanda namin siya ni Pierre. She's pretty, a bit taller than me. I got insecure with her long legs.

Magkakasama kaming pumasok sa simbahan. Marami na ring tao sa loob. We sat in the middle. I sat beside Ate Avi and Pierre on my right. Dinala ako ng katahimikan sa pag-uusap namin ni Pierre kanina sa kotse niya. He still doesn't know what's bothering me. I think it's best na h'wag nang sabihin pa sa kanya. Besides, baka gusto niya ring kalimutan. I put away my thoughts and roam my eyes around the church.

The church is simple. It has white walls. The row of long chairs is brown. The front was yellow, and there were flowers decorated that made it pure and beautiful. I love this church. Nakalilimutan ko ang mga problema ko kapag nandito ako. I only think about what God has planned for me today.

I felt Pierre turned his attention to me. Tiningnan ko naman siya pero bigla ring umiwas. I half shrugged. Hindi na kami muling nag-usap o nagkatinginan hanggang sa matapos ang mass.

I walked with them through the exit. After the mass, we usually eat lunch together. Ganoon nga ang plano nang magsalita si Tita.

"Let's meet at The Silent Diner, Pierre. Susunod na lang daw si Rionaldo doon," Tita announced.

I smiled at Tita and waved when we were meters away. Pinagbuksan ako ni Pierre ng pinto. Hindi pa rin siya tumitingin sa akin. Why are we so awkward? I stared at Pierre when he buckled his seatbelt. Umiwas lang ako nang siya naman ang tumitig. I busied myself on my seatbelt.

"What are you thinking, Dae?" His tone was a combination of frustration and coldness.

I licked my lips. "Nothing."

He groaned then ran his fingers through his hair. I saw his white knuckles when he held the steering wheel.

"There's something," he persisted.

"I said, nothing. Okay? Let's just go," I answered, annoyed.

Ayaw ko nang pag-usapan ang nangyari pero heto siya at ipinapaalala pa rin. Wala akong imik nang umandar ang sasakyan.