ATHENA (Book 2: Siegfried & Athena) (On-Going)

Chapter 4: Brother's Love

"Athena?" Siegfried knocks at his sister's room. Pinihit niya ang doorknob and it wasn't lock. He knocks again.

"Papasok na ako." And he did. He found her sister laying on her back on the bed, holding her cellphone.

Sumampa siya sa bed knowing that his sister doesn't like that. If his Dad is an OC, his sister is an even more OC one.

"Galit ka nga, di mo ko sinaway na sumampa sa bed mo ng di pa nakaligo at nakabihis."

He smile but he gain nothing from his sister. Nakatingin lang ito sa cellphone niya, purposely ignoring him.

He sigh. He looks at the ceiling and begin reminiscing some memories of the past.

"I remember back when we were so little, Athena. When we first met and right there and then, I knew that I'll forever be protecting you. We were inseparable, because we knew in our hearts that we need to make up for the lost times growing apart..."

He shifted his position, laying on his side, facing his sister. He put his left arm on his head to serve as his pillow.

He looks at his sister and can't help his smile because he remembers how he is so awed by his sister's beauty. Napakaganda ni Athena, kaya di niya masisisi ang Daddy niya how protective he was and still is sa sister niya.

"Remember those times na onse ka pa lang, love, tapos may gusto ng umakyat ng ligaw sa'yo? Mommy was laughing hard while Daddy was freaking out, while me on the other corner nakakunot ang noo. Sabi ko sa sarili ko noon. Aba gago, hindi pa pwede ligawan ang kapatid ko. Masyado pang bata."

He keeps focusing his stare at his sister's face while continue reminiscing the past.

"And when you reached 18, at may umakyat na talaga ng ligaw dito sa bahay. Mommy was smiling kasi dalaga ka na daw, but Daddy was putting his feet forward making a wall for those who got eyes on you, while me—inabangan ko sa labas yong manliligaw mo. Sabi ko sa kanya, subokan niyang bumalik sa bahay at ng makatikim siya sa akin. Akalain mong natakot at di na bumalik! Sabi ko, naaah, he doesn't deserve you, love, kasi he wasn't brave enough to pursue you hard."

Nakita niyang lumunok si Athena, at alam niyang pinipigilan lang nitong umiyak. She is still ignoring him, but still, he continues.

"Yong unang naging boyfriend mo naman. I accidentally found out na pinagpustahan ka lang ng barkada niya. I was so pissed at the guy, kung hindi lang sa pakiusap ng Mommy, matagal ng nakatikim yon sa akin."

He sigh.

"Your second boyfriend? He was at siguro hanggang ngayon ay asshole pa rin, he pursued you because his parents want your money. Gago lang diba? Daddy did his investigation because his gutfeel tells him so. And YOUR Reynald? Is another asshole, love. How did I know? I hope you trust me. Kung nasasakal ka na sa akin, dahil ang higpit ko sa'yo, pasensya Athena, I won't change kahit sabihan pa ako ni Mommy at Daddy. I will protect you with my life, and even if you don't see that now, I hope you will never forget how much I love you, Athena. Kausapin mo man ako o hindi, magiging anino mo ako hangga't hindi ka matatauhan that Reynald is not the man for you..."

He saw his sister's tears falling from her eyes, and it breaks his heart.

He extends his right arm and catches his sister's tears. Pinahid niya ito.

"I can't wait for the time, love, that the right man for you will come. The one who sees your heart the way we see it. The one who protects you like how we protect you and the one who will love you the way we love you..."

He continues to wipe his sister's tears. Hindi pa rin ito nagsasalita but he knows she is listening.

"You are so precious to me, Athena, and even if it will cost me my life, I will continue protecting you, kahit magalit ka na sa akin. I can endure your silence, your hatred—but I can't allow someone to ruin you and your life."

He is holding back his tears.

"One day, love—you will understand me. But for now, isa lang ang hiling ko, please stay away from Reynald. He doesn't deserve you. He doesn't deserve your love."

He wipe his tears as it fell.

"I love you, Athena. I love you so much. I am for your happiness, love. Don't ever think na hinaharangan ko ang kaligayahan mo, because that is not true. Mahal na mahal kita kaya nagkakaganito ako. Kung mamasamain mo man ang pag protekta ko sa'yo, okay lang, pero hindi natatapos o kailanman matatapos ang pagiging kapatid ko sa'yo..."

He move closer to his sister, wipe gently again her tears and slowly kiss her forehead.

"Take care of your heart, love..."

He slowly gets up on his sister's bed and walks towards the door.

He stops before he reach the doorknob and slowly turn to look at his sister one more time.

"Wipe your tears, love. That bastard doesn't deserve you." and he went out of his sister's room.

Mabigat sa pakiramdam na hindi ka kinakausap ng kapatid mo, but he needs to stand his ground. He needs to protect his sister before it will be too late.

He went to his room, flop on his bed and reach for his phone and dials a particular number.

—
Athena's heart is breaking. She wanted so much to run to her brother and hugs him so tight. Pero napako siya sa kinahihigaan niya.

Sumasakit ang dibdib niya knowing that her brother is hurting too. She looks at her phone, kanina pa tawag ng tawag si Reynald sa kanya, but she ends up watching her phone. Gusto niyang sagotin pero tila may pumipigil sa kanya.

Instead of receiving his call, she cancels it and type a text.

To: AA Siege
"I am sorry. I love you...💔🥺"

After sending her text to her brother, she turns off her cellphone, and run to her door and locks it. She went back to bed and cry and cry until she fell asleep and was awakened by an incessant knock on her door.

"Athena?"

"Daddy..."

—
Author's Note: Hay Athena, how I wish I have a brother like Siegfried. Trust him, Athena. One day dadating din si Mr. Right. Soon, malapit na Athena. 😊