Guarded Soul (The Brats #2)

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Hard

The cold war between me and Kuya Mooze didn't subside even a little. His prideful ass was turned on. He wouldn't even look at me. Tuwing susunduin n'ya ako, walang nagsasalita sa aming dalawa. He was so strict to the extent that he pissed me off!

"I'll just say something to Rejo. Ba't ka ba nagmamadali?" naiinis kong sabi, palabas na ng eskwelahan ang sasakyan n'ya.

Pinuntahan pa ako ni Rejo para lang makita, pero walang saysay 'yon dahil sa nakakabwisit kong kapatid!

"Gets ko naman na masama ang loob mo because you felt betrayed and you don't like the idea of our relationship, but you're being too much!" bulyaw ko sa kan'ya, akala mo dragon ako na nakalabas sa hawla.

He smirked without humor. He even tilted his head and maneuvered his car with one hand.

"Kuya!"

"Shut the fuck up, Hiraya! Utos 'to ni Daddy! Alam ko ang usapan niyo. Ano? Magpapahalata ka sa mga tao? Kaaamin lang ni Rejo na matagal na silang break ni Marinelle sa social media, at na may girlfriend na siya, tapos lalapit-lapit ka?" buhos n'ya sa akin.

Taas-baba ang balikat ko dahil sa inis, at sa katotohanan na tama nga si Kuya.

I probably just miss him a lot. We only video chat and text. At ngayong tapos na ang semester ko, mawawala pa 'yon! Paano na ako mabubuhay?

"May sasabihin lang naman sana ako..."

"Okay. Gusto mong bumalik tayo? Basta kapag nahuli kayo, mag-break na kayo dahil paniguradong ipatatapon ka ni Dad sa ibang bansa!" Naghahamon ang boses n'ya at handa na sanang iliko ang sasakyan nang sumigaw ako.

"Okay! Let's go home!" Naka-krus ang mga braso ko nang tumingin sa bintana ng aking sasakyan.

Rejo kept reminding me that this setup is okay. It's hard, but it's okay. I know it isn't! Sinasabi n'ya lang 'yon sa akin lagi para makampante ako.

When he posted the truth on his social media accounts, it exploded like a wildfire. Various reactions popped out and we all expected that. Kaming mga nakakaaalam. What I didn't expect was the train hate!

People where throwing him names. Cheater, selfish, absurd, liar, and other evil names. Majority didn't believe.

"Bakit hindi n'ya sinabi agad na break na sila?"

He blamed himself for the accident! He was blamed too by Marinelle's relatives! Saan siya makakahanap ng courage to speak up for the truth? Nilalamon siya ng guilt at takot lalo na't wala pa ring malay si Marinelle, ang ex-girlfriend n'ya!

Kung ako rin naman ang mapupunta sa posisyon n'ya, I would do the same! I would try so much to be sensitive. To not hurt the people affected more. Hihintayin ko na lang na maging maayos muna si Marinelle bago sabihing break na kami.

I groaned. This isn't the fairytale-like story that I wanted, but I know this is what I need. This love is a necessity.

"Grabe! Sabog na sabog ang mundo sa nilapag ni Rejo! Shit," iling ni Ashanti, nagluluto kami ng fries sa mini kitchen.

Sembreak na rin n'ya.

Para akong bata na nakahalumbaba sa countertop habang kumakain ng mga unang naluto n'ya.

"Huwag ka munang kumain! Kaya 'di ako natatapos, e!" sita n'ya sa akin, busangot ang mukha. Hawak ang handle ng deepfryer at naka apron, nanlilisik ang tingin sa akin.

I sighed. Matatawa dapat pero hindi 'yon nangyari.

Binalot kami ng katahimikan. Nakita kong dumaan si Kuya Mooze at Trevor sa pintuan. Only Kuya Trev bid goodbye by raising his arm and moving his fingers with his jaw-dropping face.