Missing Melody (COMPLETED)

Missing 6: Change of Pace

SINJI'S POV

PAGPASOK ko sa opisina ni Kuya, halos madapa ako sa bilis ng lakad ko. Nakasunod si Senri sa likuran ko, hindi tumitigil sa pagtawag ng pangalan ko—isang boses na dati-rati ay musika sa pandinig ko. Pero ngayon, sa tuwing naririnig ko ang baritono niya, naaalala ko lang ang tagpong 'yon: siya, na may kahalikan na ibang babae. Nagdidilim agad ang paningin ko sa selos at galit.

Sabihin na nating wala akong karapatan na magalit dahil wala naman kaming opisyal na relasyon, pero sana naman naisip niya na may masasaktan siyang tao, 'di ba? I am not a heartless stone like my brother na tila walang pakialam sa mundo. Tao rin ako—marupok, nagmamahal, at nasasaktan lalo na pagdating sa lalaking matagal ko nang tinitibok. Pasalampak akong umupo sa visitor's lounge at humalukipkip, sinasandal ang likod ko sa upuan habang matalim ang tingin sa kawalan.

"Ano bang kailangan mo at pinatawag mo pa talaga ako?" asik ko kay Kuya.

Kuya Luther was busy scanning some documents in front of him. He didn't even bother to look up at me, his cold aura filling the room.

"Mind your manners, young lady," he said in a flat, warning tone.

I pouted my lips and zipped my mouth, suppressing the urge to talk back. Minsan talaga, nanliliit ako sa takot kapag ganitong seryoso siya. Senri, on the other hand, stood like a statue at my brother's side. He was looking at me with an apologetic face, his eyes pleading for a second of my attention, but I pointedly ignored him.

"So, bakit nga po?" I forced a polite tone. Magpapaka-bait muna ako dahil baka bigla niya akong barilin kapag napikon siya sa akin.

"I want you to organize the upcoming festival of this school together with Senri. I can't handle it because I need to go to France for some urgent business matters."

"What? Ano namang alam ko sa pagha-handle ng ganyang festival?" My jaw almost dropped.

"That's why I let Senri help you with this. This is a tradition of this school, Princess, and I need you to organize it while I am away. You are already part of it, and you are also one of the owners."

Napaisip ako. I have zero knowledge about the flow of the festival, and though I could ask Ernaline, she's a total nerd who does nothing but write songs all day.

"Do I really need to do that?"

"Yes."

Napakamot ako sa tuktok ng ulo ko. Can I really do this? Kuya said Senri would help, but the thought of being near him made my chest ache.

"Wait, Kuya. I have a request."

"Spill."

"I don't want Senri to help me. And I want you to change my bodyguard—give me Thud instead."

"What?" Hindi ko pinansin ang reaksyon ni Senri. He looked shocked, standing there as Kuya's right-hand man.

Kuya Luther finally raised his head and studied my face, checking if I was serious. "Give me a reason why I need to dispose of him as your bodyguard."

"Wala namang kwentang bodyguard 'yan. Ibang babae ang binabantayan kaysa sa akin," mapait kong sagot.

"It's just a misunderstanding, Sinji," Senri finally spoke, his voice low.

Wow. Misunderstanding pa ang tawag niya roon? 'Yung lantaran ko siyang nakita na nakikipaghalikan tapos sasabihin niyang misunderstanding? Gago talaga ang tangina!

"Misunderstanding mo mukha mo! Gago ka! Oo, inamin ko sa'yo na mahal kita pero tao rin ako, Senri. Napapagod rin ako, at ngayon ko lang napagtanto na nakakapagod kang mahalin!"