My Guard for Life

Chapter 7

Ate Avi's voice vibrated in my right ear. I could feel her infuriating anger. She's having a bad mood and no one likes to witness that. Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang kaba dahil sa kagustuhan niyang gawin ko.

"Dae, are you listening?"

I grew up believing that Ate Avi's personality is entirely different. Ate Avi got her authority, seriousness, and way of thinking from Tito Rio. Nagmana naman sina Pierre and Kuya Renz kay Tita Cleafe.

"Yes, nakikinig ako, Ate. How can I stop the two? It's your father's decision, Ate."

She scoffed. Nai-imagine ko na ang pagpikit niya nang mariin at pamumula ng kanyang pisngi. I witnessed one of her outbursts during the Avffee grand opening three years ago. Hindi dumalo si Pierre no'n. Pinilit ko naman siya pero mas may mahalaga raw siyang gagawin. I think it was when Willow got sick. If Pierre has everything under control, Ate Avi is the opposite.

Now that she's ordering me to stop Pierre and Rainne, parang gusto ko na lang sumunod sa halip na umayaw. Ate Avi is kind sa mga mabait din sa kanya. She never got mad at me, and I don't want her to be.

"I don't care! Confess to him, probably. I'm sure he's going to do something."

I gasped. Confess? Why would I confess? Gusto ko ba si Pierre? I remembered Pierre's effort to keep me safe, his chivalry, his little gestures, and all his help. He had done all of that because I'm his responsibility. Walang ibang rason kundi 'yon. Except for the kiss. May umusbong na pakiramdam na noon ay hindi ko ga'nong napapansin. Dahil lamang sa halik na 'yon na wala namang meaning sa kanya!

"Bakit mo pa kasi siya f-in-orce na bigyan ng chance si Rainne? For heaven's sake, Dae. I don't want a sister-in-law from Pierre other than you."

Noon pa lang, nararamdaman ko nang gusto ako ni Ate Avi para kay Pierre. Ito ang unang beses na v-in-oice out niya 'yon. I felt happy. But does Pierre likes me? If I ever confess to him, may magbabago ba? Baka iwasan niya ako dahil hindi naman parehas ang nararamdaman namin.

I grew goosebumps. Did I just confirm that I like Pierre?

"A-Ate...can we talk later tonight? Nasa park kasi kami ni Pierre kasama sina Tiger. We've to go to the gym pa mamaya," pagpapaalam ko.

Napuno ng tanong ang utak ko. When did I start to like him? When did my heartbeats change their rhythm? Gosh. I don't want to confess! 'Yon ba ang solusyon dito? If I confess, would he give me a chance? Mas susundin niya ba ako sa halip na ang Dad niya? Hindi ba magiging masama ako sa part na 'yon?

"I know you like him, Dae. And I can feel that Pierre is going to like you too. You've been together for almost a decade! No one beats time. Think about it. He'll be your guard and partner for life!"

I covered my face with my left hand. Ate Avi has imagined things for Pierre and me. I couldn't stop feeling nauseous and excited at the same time. Ano ba itong ipinapasok ni Ate Avi sa utak ko?!

"We'll talk again later," huli niyang saad bago pinatay ang tawag.

I shook my head in disbelief. With that short call, Ate Avi has convinced me to stop Rainne and Pierre. Mabilis na umangat ang labi ko. Ate Avi is definitely an influencer.

My eyes went to Pierre. He was caressing Fluff on his lap while he watched my dogs in the distance. His hair was a mess because of the breeze making him more attractive. Maging ang init ng araw ay sinasamba siya at binibigyan ng liwanag.

No one will have him. He's mine. Katulad nga ng sinabi ni Ate Avi, why would I give him sa iba if he could be my guard and partner for life? Right!

Nilapitan ko si Pierre at hinalikan si Fluff bago umupo. Tinitigan lang ako ng katabi ko nang tanggapin ang phone niya. Hindi ko na siya pinansin at pinanood na lamang ang mga aso ko.

"What did you and Avi talk about?"

"That's why she's always mad at you. You don't call her ate," sagot ko malayo sa tanong niya.

He smirked. "Avi's dramatic. I'm two years younger than her. There's not much of a difference."

I hit his right arm. He's wearing a white shirt na bumabagay sa maputi niyang balat katerno no'n ang basketball shorts. I rolled my eyes and stayed quiet.

The next thing I knew, his head was on my lap. I'm only wearing black biker shorts and a sleeveless top. I almost stood in shock pero napigilan niya ako. I calmed down when my eyes flew to his long legs na hindi magkasya sa bench.

"You look stupid," may halong pang-aasar na sambit ko.

Nasa tiyan niya na si Fluff na natutulog pa rin. Nagtama ang tingin namin ni Pierre. Gusto kong umiwas. Gusto kong alisin sa isipan ko na wala akong gusto sa kanya. I wanted to convince myself that we're better off friends. Because this isn't the time to think about love! We're still young. He's going to be a doctor while I'm going to be a writer. We wanted to be successful in our chosen paths first. That should be our priority, right?

"Tell me what you're thinking about...." Pierre asked in a whisper.

I wet my bottom lip and bit it. I asked, "If you're to choose between your dream or love, what would it be?"

Saglit kaming nanahimik. Siya, nag-iisip at ako naman ay hinihintay siya. I brought my hand to Pierre's hair and caressed it gently. I laughed when his hand was in Fluff doing the same thing. I shook my head. Why do I feel at peace with him?

"Depends on the girl...."

I bit my lip harder. That sucks.

"What if the girl wanted to chase her dreams?"

"I'll wait for her."

I cocked my head. "Really? What about your dream?"

"She'll be my dream," seryoso niyang bato.

Napahinga ako nang malalim, kinakabahan.

"That's unfair to you, isn't it? Iba ang pangarap niya tapos ikaw...."

"As long as she's happy."

Does that mean that I have a chance?

"You? You're a romance writer. You're going to choose love, aren't you?"

I am. Would I choose love? I closed my eyes, and with fire in my eyes, I answered, "Maybe not. Gusto ko munang dumating 'yong araw na malaya na akong gawin ang gusto ko. I don't want to be afraid to choose my dream first. Then maybe...love comes second."