Guarded Soul (The Brats #2)

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

First Victory

Bumaba si Mommy at Daddy sa sasakyan na magulo ang sitwasyon namin nina Kuya. Rejo sighed and held my hand. Napalunok ako at nilingon siya. He smiled at me with assurance.

Gusto kong maiyak ulit dahil doon. He really... really wanted to fight for us. He wanted so much to make this relationship right in their eyes. Para sa gayon, maging maayos na ang lahat. Para pwede na naming mahalin ang isa't isa nang hindi natatakot.

"What's happening, Mooze Diego?" malamig ang boses ni Daddy.

Kumunot ang kan'yang noon nang makita ang kamay namin ni Rejo. I swallowed hard and sighed. Dumilim ang kan'yang ekspresyon.

"What's this, Hillary Raya?" mas lalong lumamig ang boses n'ya nang lumingon sa akin.

"Rejo?" si Mommy, nag-aalala ang boses ng makita ang mukha n'ya. I am sure she already saw our hands.

"Good evening po. I'm sorry for the ruckus," Rejo greeted.

I looked at Kuya Mooze, standing, holding both his waists and looking at us, deadly and problematic. My heart hurts. I love my brother, and to see him hurting because of me clenches my heart.

"Ano'ng nangyayari?" si Daddy.

"Hiraya..." si Mommy.

"Mom—"

"I am your daughter's boyfriend, Tito and Tita. Boyfriend po ako ng anak niyo..." Rejo said calmly but with extreme confidence.

My heart boomed at that. I pursed my lips and looked at my parents, who were dumbfounded and irritated.

"Rejo, you're in a relationship with Marinelle. O, hindi na? Pero galing kina Nelle at Farah, kayo pa rin," nag-aalalang sabi ni Mommy, hawak na ang kamay ni Daddy. I know she was calming my father.

"We've broken up before she got into the accident, Tita. Hindi ko lang po nasabi sa kanila dahil sa sitwasyon ng pamilya noon—"

"Everyone, inside. We'll talk in my office," malamig ngunit puno ng pwersa ang boses ni Daddy.

Natakot ako roon. I may be the most favorite, but I know he won't give in easily about this. Naiintindihan ko naman. Okay lang kahit hindi kami agad maintindihan basta kalaunan matanggap kami.

Nauna sina Mommy at Daddy. Nilagpasan din kami ni Kuya. Binangga pa nga ang balikat ni Rejo habang nakapamulsa. Rejo shook his head and held my hand tighter. I looked up at him.

"Are you okay? Gamutin ko muna ang sugat mo?" I asked wearily.

He smiled. "I'm okay. More than okay, Ra. How about you? Mooze's words were harsh..." puna n'ya.

Nakakadiri ka, Hiraya. That's what he said kanina. Normal reaction naman 'yon. Galit siya at hindi makapaniwala. Pero... masakit. Kahit naiintindihan ko, masakit pa rin. Kasi sa isip ko, hinding-hindi n'ya 'yon masasabi sa akin.

My family loves me so much. It hurts to know that it would be tainted just because I love someone they don't like for me. But then, the love Rejo. Perhaps it's only the situation that's making them want to part us.

"I'm sorry, Ra. It's all my fault. I regret everything I signed up for. Kung naghintay na lang sana ako at 'di na pumayag sa suhestiyon ng kaibigan mo..." he said.

Paakyat na kami sa hagdan. Hindi ako umimik. It wasn't his entire fault, but I agree with him. Dapat naghintay na lang siya o umamin sa akin.

"I'll clear things up. No more cowardice, Ra. For you, I'd do everything. For our relationship," he said sincerely, eyes were moist and genuine.