Drum Beats

Twenty-ninth Beat

"Clearly you want something from my sister," Nigel said. "Do you want money?"

"No, I don't want money," Richard answered. "I love your sister. She's the only one I want."

"Don't give me crap," Nigel said, which shocked Richard. "You're just gonna break her heart. Just like the first one."

"You know about Janine?"

"I know everything about my sister, Richard," Nigel answered. "She just doesn't know I do."

"But you're in Canada..."

"That doesn't keep me from looking after my sister. I may be just a 13-year-old kid and often far from her but I still look after her."

This kid is amazing, Richard thought.

After recovering from what Nigel revealed, Richard said, "Nigel, you may not like me very much, but I promise to be by your sister's side always. I will protect her from harm, I will not let her cry, and most of all, I would not break her heart. She means a lot to me."

"I'll be your eyes when you go back to Canada. I will do everything to keep your Ate Maine safe. I promise," he raised his hand and made a cross on his heart with the other one.

Nigel was still skeptical. Although he looks like a nerd, he still has good looks and can probably cheat on Ate.

"I will not cheat! I would never!"

He can read minds now?

Nigel kept thinking. 50% for now.

"Hmmm...What could I do to you if you break all things you just said?"

"Have me killed," Richard replied immediately.

"I accept," Nigel and Richard shook on it.

"What's that? What did you agree on?" Maine saw them while they were shaking each other's hands.

"Nothing," Nigel replied. "We just talked about something very important."

"You sound like a businessman," Maine joked. "Here's your cake."

She gave Nigel his piece of cake while the two shared.

From then on, Nigel pretended that nothing happened between him and Richard.

He sure is something else, Richard thought.

When it was time for Maine and Richard to go, Nigel held Maine's hand.

"Can you stay here for tonight? Please?" He gave his sister the puppy eyes.

"I was planning to stay here," Maine chuckled. "I'm gonna walk Richard out."

"Oh. I'll come with you then."

Richard said his goodbye to the Mendoza parents.

"Bye, bub," Maine said and pulled Richard in for a kiss, neverminding that Nigel was just behind them.

Nigel's hand turned into a fist.

When Richard felt a sharp glare, he pulled away. "Bye, Nigel! See you bud!"

I told you not to call me bud.

Nigel faked a smiled and waved.

"Bye, bub. I'll text you when I get home. I love you."

"I love you too."

Then, he went into his car and drove away.

Maine hugged Nigel and together, they walked inside the house.

Once Richard stepped into his suite, he dialed Maine's number immediately.

"Bub?"

"Hi, bub! You home na?"

"Yep. Kakarating ko lang. Patulog ka na?"

"I was still waiting for your call, but I'm in bed na."

"How about Nigel?"

"He's in bed na, too."

Richard fell silent for a while.

"You bonded kaagad on science, 'no? Too bad I can't join you. I'm not that good at it."

"Actually..."

"Hmmm? What's the problem?

"Nigel would probably kill me if I tell you."

"What?"

"He threatened me when you went to the kitchen earlier."

"Huh?" Maine asked, puzzled.

"He said if I leave you, he's gonna end me."

"That kid," Maine chuckled. "He's overprotective. Maybe even more than me."

"But it's good that you have a brother like him."

"Yeah...I'm lucky to have him."

"Uy, don't tell him about this, okay? Baka tuluyan na ako nun."

"Haha! Okay, I won't."

"By the way, I'm gonna be in Cebu for a few days."

"What? Why? How long?"

"Maybe a week or so. Dad assigned me to take care of some business matters. I'll be leaving next week."

"Hmmm...I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too. Very much."