My Guard for Life

Chapter 6

I gasped loudly when Pierre slammed his fist on the table. My mouth trembled when I saw how mad he looked. His forehead creased as he stared darkly at his father. I looked away and lowered my head again.

Ayaw ko ng ganitong Pierre. It's not him. He's always cold, I know, but being stubborn and a rebel isn't one of his characteristics.

"I don't want to, Dad," pilit na sagot ni Pierre.

Pierre balled his fist on the table. I kept quiet. I'm in shock!

"I'm not asking, Pierre. Inuutusan kita," seryosong tugon ni Tito.

Everyone called Pierre when he stood up and held my hand to make me stand too. I shivered when I felt his warm palm on mine.

I'm not against na umalis kami but I saw Tita's eyes pleading me...to stay. Inalis ko ang pagkahahawak ni Pierre. His eyes went darker. He clenched his jaw.

"Let's go, Dae," he persisted.

I shook my head and smiled at him. "Let's stay. You need to," I answered gently.

He groaned. His aggressiveness when he sat was inevitable. Rainne was now looking at me, frowning. She's not happy that Pierre followed me.

I made a fist. I don't care about that right now. Ako ang gusto nang umalis. Hindi ko kayang pakinggan ang sasabihin ni Tito. When I greeted him kanina, I thought this would be like the usual lunch we had.

I let out a sigh and stayed quiet. The waiter brought our order. Wala nang nagsalita pa nang matapos ilapag ang mga pagkain sa lamesa.

I watched Pierre put the sisig and hot chicken wings in front of me. He even stirred the sisig for me. While he was busying himself with that, Tita was watching him. Ate Avi and Kuya Renz were quiet, unusual for our Sunday lunch. I could feel that they don't like what's happening, me neither.

When I started eating, Tito spoke again. Bumilis na naman ang tibok ng puso ko, not ready for heart-clenching news from him.

"We wanted you two to give it a chance. Kung maaari ba kayong ipakasal at kung hindi naman ay okay lang din," untag ni Tito.

Pierre loomed closer to me, not entertaining his father. Pinaghimay niya ako ng chicken wings. Hindi ko naman siya pinigilan. He even gave me a glass of water.

Are they going to fix their marriage? Why would they do that? I know that I'm not their family to complain. But it's unfair.

"I'll give it a chance, Tito," Rainne answered.

I darted my eyes to Rainne. She wanted this to work? Of course, Pierre is a good catch. He's handsome, responsible, intelligent, and a good son. But still, this is definitely unfair for him.

"I'm not. Date yourself," Pierre demanded.

Hindi ko nagustuhan ang sagot ni Pierre. He could've rejected nicely. Ibinaba ko ang hawak na kubyertos at tumingin kay Pierre. He looked at me like he knew what I'm thinking.

"What, Dae? Do you want me to follow this bullshit?"

I swear para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa buong katawan ko. Of course not! There must be a way out of this, but being disrespectful wasn't one of them.

"Give it a chance. I'm sure Rainne is nice," labas sa ilong kong sagot.

He snorted. He looked away and massaged the back of his neck.

"Fine," sapilitan niyang sagot. "I'll date her. I'll give us a chance," he continued. He then looked at me, "Are you happy?"

Hindi ako makasagot. Ramdam ko ang sakit sa tono niya. I'm not happy. Sinabi ko lang 'yon para hindi na magkagulo pa silang dalawang mag-ama. I will never be happy for him to be this girl's fiancé. He doesn't know her.