My Guard for Life

Chapter 16

Pierre drove me to school the next day. Tinanong ko siya agad kung maayos lang ang pakiramdam niya. We got drunk last night kaya nag-aalala ako na baka may hangover siya. Good thing, we're both okay.

I was happy to see him first thing in the morning. I was relieved na hindi panaginip ang nangyari kahapon. We were not on speaking terms for almost a week, nakapapanibago na maayos na ulit kaming dalawa. Higit sa lahat, I've confessed my feelings for him.

Last night, naisip ko na mag-sorry kay Pierre. I've hurt him with my words and physically too. That's why when his car stopped sa parking lot ng university ay naglakas-loob akong mag-sorry.

I unfastened my seatbelt and faced Pierre. Nahimigan niya yata ang pagseryoso ko kaya nawala ang ngiti niya sa labi. Kanina pa kasi siyang nakangisi at mukhang maganda ang gising. I was too. But I won't let this day pass not to ask for his forgiveness.

"Pierre, about the other day...I'm sorry," panimula ko.

He breathed heavily and cursed. Then his face lit. Biglang nangunot ang noo ko. Instead of asking him why he suddenly relaxed, ipinagpatuloy ko ang pagsasalita ko.

"I'm sorry that I told you that I'm not going to welcome you again."

He shook his head. Mabilis niyang hinanap ang kamay ko at hinawakan 'yon.

"No. I deserve that."

I bit my lip. "I didn't trust you, Pierre. I'm sorry that I said something like that. Nadala lang ako ng damdamin ko. And I felt like hindi na kita kakampi."

He lowered his head and nodded. "I'm sorry for that."

I smiled, showing him it was okay. I squeezed his hand.

"Also...sorry for hurting you physically. Nagkaroon ako ng anger issues the last few days."

"You have your period. That's reasonable."

My mouth fell. Pierre cracked a laugh. Tinarayan ko nga siya. I surveyed his face. He felt like he didn't deserve me, but here I am asking myself...do I deserve Pierre?

"I promise...I will trust you more."

He nodded. "You should. I won't let you down, Dae. Not in a million decades."

I messed his hair. Why is he so cute using those cheesy lines? I thought he would never be cute. Napakalayo naman kasi ng cute sa mukha niya.

"I thought you'd ask me to keep our relationship hidden from the public."

I never thought of that. I licked my bottom lip.

"Do you want us to do that?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Ikaw?"

He shook his head immediately. "I was hell up tortured, Dae. Men were all over you..." he sounded so dangerous.

Naisip ko pa lang ang mga lalaking lumapit sa akin this week. That was new to me too. I never entertained them, though.

"Were you okay with all that?" he urged.

I shook my head. "Hindi. I was tortured too. I never experienced that in my entire life."

He pointed at me. "That will be the last time. Never again."

My morning classes ended at eleven in the morning. Kasama ko sina Philip sa cafeteria. Maagang nag-dismiss ang professor, so we decided na tumambay na lang muna. Pierre has his class until one in the afternoon.

"Kayo na ni Pierre, Dae?" chika nila.

I nodded at them happily. Sabay-sabay silang kinilig.

"Ang cute n'yong dalawa kanina!" sambit ng isa sa kanila.