Ravaged (CHURCH SIBLINGS 3)

CHAPTER 11

I am sweating heavy and my knuckles hurt but I didn't stop throwing punches and kicks against the wall at our house gym. Ilang linggo na ang lumipas simula nang iwasan ko si Cayenne. She's purposely getting my way everytime we cross paths. I ignored her but it seems like she's becoming eager and eager para makuha ang atensyon ko.

She couldn't really get it. Lumalayo ako para sa kanya. Luigi has been on my tail lately, hindi lang ako makakuha ng tamang timing to smack his head. But soon I'll get there, sila ni Mick. Kapag ako naubosan ng pasensya buong frat house nila susunogin ko.

Gusto ko ng bumigay.

I miss the late night escapades. I miss the humorous talk each time she rides with me home. I miss hearing the positive pep talk— the silly assumptions about me.

I miss having someone who's with me just because—

Damn that little girl.

Pinapahirapan niya ako lalo kapag sumusulpot siya sa bahay at may dalang walang katapusang cupcakes at cookies. It's even hard now kasi lagi silang magkasamang apat nina Adi, Milan at Apollo. She's allover wherever I am.

Tumigil lang ako sa ginagawa ko nang pumasok si Apollo. Napunta ang tingin niya sa kamay ko pero wala ring sinabi sa dugo na nandoon. Dumeretso siya sa treadmill na walang imik. He drink some water before starting with his cardio exercise.

Umupo ako sa bench at tinignan lang siya. I have a feeling that he wants to say something.

"Say it, Apollo."

Nilingon niya ako pero tuloy lang siya sa pagtakbo. "Iniiwasan mo raw si Cayenne."

Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa flask. Why does my brother so concern with her lately? Napapansin ko rin na kung hindi si Ascari ang kasama niya si Apollo naman. I didn't even see her with that same guy I thought she's with. "Hindi ako umiiwas—

"Really? We were together yesterday, hindi mo lang ako napansin pero ikaw kitang kita ko kung paano ka nag-iba ng daan para umiwas sa amin."

He jump out of the treadmill. I saw how his eyes became serious, so rare for him, hindi siya ang tipo ng tao na sumeseryoso bigla maliban kung may namimilipit ng sakit sa harap niya.

"I was going to the dining hall nang magkasalubong kami kahapon."

He laugh sarcastically. "When did you start eating sa dining hall? You said you don't like it there because the food is always bland. Sa food kiosks ka palagi, Abe."

Humakbang siya palapit sa akin. Napakuyom ang kamay ko. He's getting so annoying like Adi. "Okay, sige sabihin na natin na iniiwasan ko si Cayenne. What is it to you? Bakit ano ka ba niya at concern ka?"

I saw how his hand turn into a fist too. He's fuming mad, I can sense he is.

"Do you like her?" hindi siya umimik pero lalong namula ang leeg niya. Napangisi ako. "You should thank me for staying away from her. Mukhang interested ka sa kanya. Why don't you take it as an opportunity?"

Apollo doesn't like confrontations, like always he stayed quiet. Kinuha ko na ang gamit ko at naglakad palabas. Binangga ko pa siya sa balikat pero hindi pa rin siya pumalag. I stop right at the door.

"Piece of advice bro, she's dating someone now. If you want her, claim her. Don't be a piece of shit and be mad at me because I choose to stay away."

Ilang araw kaming hindi nagpansinan ni Apollo pero siya rin naman unang kumausap sa akin. He knows exactly I was right, ano ba naman talaga ang kinakagalit niya kung iwasan ko si Cayenne? That's better than me befriending her.