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Chapter : 3 A brother's love

"Manang where's Chacha?" i asked manang, one of the oldest maid after entering the door, says that she's in her room still locking herself in.. i tried to knock and twist the knob but it's locked so i ask manang to get the keys then open it. There i saw her on her bed sleeping embracing a picture frame, a picture of her and the husband. My heart hurt knowing how much she love that asshole whom one day just decided not to show himself anymore. It has been two months, not even a call or a text. She's only my half sister, same mom but with different fathers but never did i feel out of place whenever i'm with them. Her father treat me like his own. My own father? just vanished when i was only 7 years old. We grew up in America but had my own place there in L.A when i was 17, independence is practice there. Although i live by myself, i still visit them often and did my part as a brother. I am younger than her but she acts more like a baby. I swore to always protect her and kick the ass of anyone who will hurt her. She needs me more than anyone else.

After seeing her sleeping, i gently close the door and went downstairs and look for manang..

"Manang how's Charlene?"

"naku iho, ganun pa din. Lagi nakakulong sa kwarto, naiyak tas di pa nakain ng maayos" malungkot nitong sagot sakin.

"sige manang salamat. ako na bahala." I look into the fridge and search for food to cook. i am not a chef but i can cook a few. I learnt from leaving alone in L.A.. I cooked a ramen cos i know that's one of her favorites. i put the food on the tray and was about to go up when a little girl call my attention.

"tito?" hearing that sweet, cute, little voice melt my heart. i place the tray back on the table and extend my arms for me to embrace her. She ran and embraced me tight, i lift her up and kiss her cheeks.

"eeewww tito, that's laway" while wiping her face.

"A lot of girls want a kiss from your tito, don't you know that?" She eyed me curiously

"But why? i don't like it. It's gross. Saliva on my cheek, look o" she's pointing on her cheek

This little girl is so cute. She's my niece, Charlene and Rob's 3 year old daughter. "Have you eaten?" i asked her and she said yes. I pick up the tray and tell manang to help me bring the food to Charlene's room while i carry Alexa, yes that's her name. We didn't bother to knock anymore instead went in quietly. I put Alexa down but she jump on the bed and embrace her mom that cause her to wake up. "Hi mommy! tito's here"

"Francisco anong ginagawa mo dito" while rubbing her eyes.

"Just visiting my stubbon sister. How are you?"

"I'm fine" a smile that didn't even reach her eyes.

"Hindi ka daw kumakain ng maayos and not taking good care of yourself. Mukha ka ng losyang!"

she kinda panic and look at herself in the mirror "Am i not pretty anymore? kaya siguro di na umuwi si Rob"

"Babalik din yun and if not, it's his lost" she didn't know that her husband is already with another girl. She and Rob are married so i can call the other girl a mistress, kabit kumbaga!.. and i know who the other woman is.. i did my research and hired a detective. 2 more days to go and i'll be seeing her soon.. i cannot wait! The woman who broke my sister's family and she will pay for what she has done.

I always try to squeeze in some time for Charlene and Alexa no matter how busy my schedule is. They're family and they need me. Cooking food for them, playing with alexa and bringing her to the mall even doing the grocery shopping. They matter to me more than anyone else in the world and vowed to always protect them.