My Guard for Life

Chapter 32

Nangyari ang kinatatakutan ko. It was the middle of November. I was excited because tomorrow is the Thanksgiving Recess. We have no classes in two days.

Binuksan ko ang pinto gamit ang keys na dala ko. Because it's a two-day vacation, nagpasama na rin ako kay Law na mag-grocery. Naaawa na rin kasi ako kay Dave na sa halip na bodyguard ko rin ay parang naging kasambahay na.

Isinarado ni Law ang pinto at ibinaba ang grocery bag sa lamesa. Sabay naman kaming tumingin kay Dave na sumigaw galing sa living room.

"Wala na kayong pasok?" tanong niya.

Pinuntahan siya ni Law at sumagot. Samantalang nilagay ko naman sa fridge ang lahat ng pagkain na kailangang nandoon.

Living alone has taught me to deal with everything independently. It's my way of teaching myself that asking for help isn't always the right choice. Besides, my bodyguards also live in an apartment beside mine.

Pagkatapos kong asikasuhin lahat niyon ay pumunta na ako sa kwarto ko.

Nanonood ng boxing ang dalawa sa salas kaya hindi ko na inistorbo. Mahilig ang dalawa na manood sa TFC channel. They shared with me that watching local channels was boring for them. Like I care. Those guys have shared with me a lot of things. They have that siblings vibe, and I felt like I was their sister. Not sure if younger or older one.

I gritted my teeth. Nakita ko agad ang bag ni Law na mukhang itinapon lang sa kama ko. Ang tagal ko nang sinasabi sa kanya na h'wag dito. He needs a lecture.

Kinuha ko ang bag niya na medyo may kabigatan. Lumabas ako sa kuwarto at itinapon 'yon sa tiyan ni Law. He groaned. Tumawa naman si Dave.

"Breaking news. Aviolin Castellano has raised her protection because of the sudden controversy about her ghostwriter, Kate Daesiree Manzano."

Napatingin ako sa TV nang mapakinggan 'yon. Mabilis na tumibok ang puso ko. This is what Ate Avi is talking about.

"Kate Daesiree Manzano is a family friend of the Castellano family. She's currently in New York studying creative writing. This has led to the conclusion for Aviolin Castellano's supporters and bashers that she's the real writer behind the ten published novels of the celebrity."

Pinakita ang isang clip ng isang grupo ng mga babae na nagpoprotesta sa harap ng PAL Protection Force. Mayroon ding clip na sinusunog o tinatapon ang mga novels ko. At last na clip ay si Ate Avi na ginugulo ng mga media.

I couldn't watch it anymore. Those novels were my heart that they were burning and throwing. I turned away, sobbing hard. I couldn't believe na kayang gawin 'yon ng mga tao.

I'm sure Ate Avi is facing a lot of threats right now. This is my fault. I should've stayed hidden instead of being a ghostwriter. I shouldn't have agreed with Ate Avi's help in the first place. I'm too selfish.

Hindi ako nagbukas ng pinto ng gabing 'yon. I didn't care that Law was banging the door all night long. I was too hurt that I drown myself from it. Bakit walang katapusan ang pagsubok? Bakit lagi na lang ako ang sinusubok?

The next day, instead of being excited that I've no class, mas ginusto ko naman na sana ay may ginagawa ako. Maaga pa lang nagluto na ako at naligo. I wanted to finish the art writing special assignment that is due two days later.

Nagbukas ang pinto ng apartment ko. Nakita ko si Law na kagigising lang. Binalingan ko siya bago nilagay sa plato ang ginawa kong waffles. Ibinaba ko 'yon sa lamesa. Naupo si Law at kinain 'yon.

Nilagay ko rin sa plato ang prinito kong sausage, bacon, and poached egg. Kumuha ako ng fork at naupo na rin sa tapat ni Law na inuubos ang waffles.