Masked Reality (#2 of Guilberra Series)✔

Chapter 26

Darius

Ahh...It feels good to be back home.

I can smell pollution from here.

But anyways, it's still home.

I stood behind Gin, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. Ugh Nakalimutan ko pala kung gaano kainit dito sa Pilipinas.

"You okay?" Gin asked, keeping her glance around, waiting for a ride home. I nodded at her, her back comfortably pressing against my chest.

A few minutes later, and a car halted infront of us, making me let go of my hold. We stood awkwardly, keeping a good distance between us.

Out of all people who could fetch us out of the airport, God, why my sister?

"Eyyyy! What's up?" Dia snickered, glancing at us back and forth. I glared at her but she ignored the look smiling at Gin.

"I missed you Kuya..! Wait- Yaya  Gin? Magkasama kayo ni Kuya?" She asked, and got out of the car to help us with our stuff.

"Yes! can you hurry up?! may mga sasakyan pa oh!" I yelled, making her shrug at me.

"Tsk. I know, but I don't take orders from you, hindi pa tayo bati." Murmured Dia, and Gin just stood there, carrying her small bag.

"You just said you missed me." I whispered, grabbing Gin's bag and putting it inside the car with my own bag.

I made my way inside the Driver's seat, making Dia's eyes roll, quickly hugging Gin.

Sumakay lang si Gin sa likod ng sasakyan, habang si Dia ay napatingin sa kanyang mga paa.

"Err- Okay ka lang Ate? ba't ganyan ka maglakad?" Pagtatanong ni Dia, at sumakay sa harapan, habang ako naman ay hindi na nakialam sa kanilang pag-uusap.

"Okay lang..napagod lang ata ako sa biyahe." Bulong niya at napangiti. Wala naman ring ginawa si Dia kung hindi tumango nalang at hindi na umimik.

There was an awkward Silence after that, making me sigh in frustration, while Dia tilted her head in confusion, giving me a silent stare.

Gin was the first one to break the silence, clapping her hands to get our attention, although my eyes are still on the road.

"Kumusta ang trabaho mo Dia? are there any complications?" Gin asked, making Dia avert her gaze from me. I decided not to say anything. Baka may masabi pa akong masama.

"It's fine..I've been stressed for a week..luckily I got Charles to keep me from going insane." She whispered, clearly mocking me.

I rolled my eyes. What an immature person. Why can't she see that I don't like Charles? I don't want him in my family, and as well as Dia's lover.

"Ohh...So about the wedding.." Gin mentioned. Ugh. Bad move Gin.

Dia noticed my sudden change of emotion, which makes her squint her eyes at Gin, signalling her that she dosen't want to talk about it.

I stopped the car, parking it on the side.

Malapit lang naman yung airport sa bahay, kaya hindi na kami umabot ng isang oras sa pag biyahe. Actually it would just take a second from airport to here, but because of traffic-- Yeah.

Gin

Dali dali lang lumabas si Dia sa sasakyan, at tinawag pa ang ibang mga katulong na katrabaho ko noon.

"Virginia Lauren Almeda. Sa wakas at nagpakita ka rin." Patuksong ani ni Gigi. Napairap lang ako at niyakap siya. Hayst. Ilang taon na kaya since nung last kita namin?

Gigi pulled away, looking behind my shoulder, seeing Darius- who happened to be her childhood crush.

"Hi..." Darius awkwardly said, which was enough to put Gigi on edge.

"S-Sir! ako na po niyan." She stuttered, stumbling infront of him. He just gazed at my direction, to which I smiled mischieviously.

"Jusko! Darius..my son.." Tita Darlene exclaimed, hugging her Son tightly, which he gladly returned.

Napairap lang si Dia sa likod ni Tita Darlene, habang si Gigi naman ay pinasok ang mga baggage sa loob ng kwarto.

"Ma..isang linggo lang ako nawala.." Bulong niya at napatawa.

Umiling lang si Tita Darlene, at napalingon sa aking direksyon, biglang umiba ang kanyang mukha sa matinding pakalito.

"Kasama kayo?" Patanong na aniya, at nilingon balik si Darius. "Yes. and surprisingly..Kuya brought someone with him..usually kasi ayaw niya ng kasama..it makes him..irritated.." Diana mocked, earning a glare from her brother, and Tita Darlene shushing her.

"Zenriel! Mabuti at nakauwi ka ng maaga!" Masayang wika ni Tito Joshua.

Naalala ko lang yung mukha ng tito ni Darius kay Tito Joshua. Halata naman na magkahawig sila, dahil magkapatid naman sila, ngunit mas nakakatakot parin si Senator Jordan..

"I got promoted.." Darius whispered at her father, which did not satisfy Tito Joshua and Tita Darlene's face.

His parent's face went pale, Tito Joshua's grip tightened, and Darius's reaction was also similar with them.

"Hey! Huwag niyong paghintayin yung ulam..hindi yan kagaya ng tao.." Dia sarcastically said which ease the silence, obviously not noticing the sudden change of atmosphere.

Kumunot lang ang aking noo, ano bang meron sa kanyang promotion?

Napasandig lang ako sa tabi ng lababo, katabi ni Gigi, habang umupo naman ang apat, at nagsimulang kumain.

"Ba't di ka sumabay? hindi ka naman katulong ah.." Ani ni Gigi at hinalukipkip ang kanyang mga kamay. Napaakbay lang ako sa kanya at ngumiti. "Sabay na tayo mamaya..marami pa tayong pag-uusapan.." Bulong ko, habang si Gigi naman ay napatango.

Nilingon ko lang si Darius at natanto na kanina pa siya nakatingin sa akin, umiling lang rin ako at tinuro ang kanyang pagkain na nilalangaw na.

"...May something sa inyo..alam mo ba yun?" Gigi nudged my side, making me tense at her comment. I started to remember the night before, making me blush in embarassment.

"O-Oh my G...may something nga!" She whisper-yelled, glaring at me. Beads of sweat were starting to form which I wiped away quickly.

"W-Wala ah..." I denied, making her roll her eyes at me. She turned to face me. Both of her hands were propped at her hips, which made her look like a mother scolding her daughter.

"You can lie to anyone..but not to me Gin, Alam ko na 'yan...I see the way you walk." She justified, making weird gesture.

Nanlaki lang ang aking mga mata, at mas lalong nanginit ang aking mga pisngi. Habang si Gigi naman ay napangisi sa mukha ko.

"We're going to have a long conversation."