Safe In His Heart

00

"Hansel!"

I frowned. "What?"

"Well.. I heard from Tita that you'll be having a bodyguard from now on." Napairap ako. Can he not remind me? Nababadtrip lang ako lalo tuwing naaalala ko.

Agad ko siyang tinalikuran at iniwan. Greth, being the annoying little shit he was, run after me and put his arm around my shoulder. "Guess freedom is finally over for baby biscuit, huh?"

"Shut the fuck up, Grethos. If I were to remind you, you were almost named Grethel but just to make it worst for you, it was made Grethos instead."

I removed his arm on my shoulder and marched on my way to the parking lot. Grethos always have his way of annoying me and believe me it won't end in simple ways like this. I'd be lucky if he weren't able to catch on quickly and I can go home alone, in peace.

Lucky enough, we drove away before Greth can even step foot on the parking lot. Nakita ko siyang hinarang ng mga babae kaya hindi siya nakasunod agad. Good for him, I can have my peace back.

"Ma! I told you already, didn't I? I'm fine on my own!"

Contrary to what I said earlier, I don't have such peace.

Pag-uwi ko ay agad ko lang na nakabangayan ang nanay ko. She was insisting on putting five bodyguards on me! I don't even need that much! What am I, the daughter of the President? Kahit nga siguro ang anak ng Presidente ay hindi naman gano'n kadami ang bodyguard!

"And risk your safety again? No, Hemi. This is final! I already talked to your father," she said.

Oh, boy. I just talked to Dad last night. He said he'd handle Mama! What is this now then? It was so hard to pursuade her!

I heaved a sigh. Now, I just wish that Dad would magically appear to help me in this kind of crisis. Surely, he could pursuade Mama. Afterall, Dad is the law in our houseㅡprobably in some cases.

And probably due to my luck, Dad entered the study room. Behind him was his secretary, Jayden.

"I could hear you two fighting from downstairs," he said as he went straight to his table. "If it's about Hansel's bodyguard, I've already settled it."

Agad akong nakahinga ng maluwag. "And what, Dad?"

"Jayden has a relative in the military. Apparently, a captain of a battalion is on an indefinite suspension." Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya.

"Are we putting a battalion to guard her, Hideo?" Mama sounded so happy. Is she being serious right now?

Dad shot Mama a weirded out look. See? It's really weird! Why would I need so much bodyguards?!

"One is already enough, Matilda. She's attending university and it would be such an eyesore if she parade inside with a battalion," umiiling-iling si Dad. Jayden then handed him a folder, which he immediately opened. "Captain Saunder Matti Santillan is on indefinite suspension.  He'll be your bodyguard for as long as he could."

I don't know if I should be happy or not. "Mag-isa lang siya?"

"Yes. That way, it won't take too much attention."

Nakahinga ako lalo ng maluwag do'n. What Mama wants is ridiculous! She originally wants me to parade five bodyguards inside the campus! What would people think if that ever happens?

"Can he protect our daughter, Hideo?" si Mama, alalang-alala. Baka nakakalimutan niyang nagawa ko ngang tumakas sa sumubok na kumidnap sakin!

"Ma, can you chill?" I rolled my eyes.