My Guard for Life

Chapter 27

Naglakad agad palapit sa akin si Pierre nang makita niya kaming lumabas ng building ni Kuya Renz. I haven't seen him take a glance with his brother yet. Like he doesn't care about his presence.

"How was the meeting, baby?" he asked after getting my pouch from me.

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag sa tanong niya. I don't want to think about my parent's plan anymore. I'm already burned out. Gusto ko na lang magpahinga.

"It's okay. I learned a lot," simpleng sagot ko.

Nginitian niya ako bago kami naghawak ng kamay. I watched Pierre stare at me, not caring that Kuya Renz was watching us both.

"You should have heard her speech, Pierre. Ang galing niya."

I got awkward instead of being grateful for Kuya Renz's compliment. My eyes darted to Pierre, whose eyes became dark with his shoulders tensed. Then he looked at his brother and mocked him with a smirk.

"Lucky for you then."

I bit my lip, trying to suppress my emotion. Mag-aaway ba sila? Bakit ang tindi ng galit ni Pierre? I thought we fixed it over dinner.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Pierre para kunin ang atensyon niya. Samantalang tumingin naman ako kay Kuya Renz para magpaalam.

"We'll go home first, Kuya. Drive safely."

Tumango siya. His face was serious, just like Pierre's. Parehas silang nanatili ang tingin sa isa't isa.

"Go to the car, Dae. I'll be right behind you."

I wanted to interrupt Pierre. I don't think it's the right time for them to talk. Malaki pa ang galit niya at baka kung ano pa ang gawin niya sa kuya niya.

"Go, Dae," Pierre commanded with his hoarse voice.

I let out a frustrated sigh. Sinulyapan ko saglit si Kuya Renz bago humalik sa pisngi ni Pierre.

"I love you," I whispered.

He didn't move nor react. I felt a slight heartache because of that. I hugged myself and started to step away from them. Hindi pa ako nakalalayo ay napakinggan ko na ang baritono at galit na boses ni Pierre.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

I wanted to drag my feet and go back. I don't want them to fight. I drew in a long breath. When I got to the door, bumaling muna ako kina Pierre.

They're closer and speaking more quietly. I can see Pierre's back while Kuya Renz has his normal playful expression. I don't know what he answered Pierre. Did he fire back?

Binuksan ko ang pinto ng kotse at pumasok na. Naghintay ako ng halos sampung minuto bago nakita ang pagtalikod ni Pierre. He strode towards the car and left his brother.

Pagbukas ni Pierre ng pinto ay na-realized kong hindi maganda ang naging pagtatapos ng kanilang pag-uusap. His eyebrows are almost touching, not looking at me. Like it hurts him. What did they talk about? What did Kuya Renz say to him? Is he really not against my parents' plan?

Pierre rubbed his temples with his eyes closed. Parehas nakakuyom ang mga kamao. He's breathing hard. I gulped before speaking.

"It didn't go well, I suppose?" panghuhula ko.

He jerked his head to me. His expression was unreadable. I haven't seen him like this before. Why is he like this? Is it really true that he's insecure about his brother?

Hindi sumagot si Pierre. He started the engine and drove away. I saw Kuya Renz go to his car too. Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Pierre. I felt like he was back to his usual self, way before he confessed that he loved me. His silence made me feel suffocated. Ayaw ko nito.