Villaverde Brothers Series 2: Jilting the Fearless✓

Chapter Twenty-two

I hugged her tightly because I felt doing it, and it's been a long time since I last felt the warmth of her embrace. Isang mahigpit na yakap ang ginawa ko habang siyang marahang hinahaplos ang likuran ko na parang sinasabing magiging magaan din lahat ng mabigat na nararamdaman ko.

Hindi ko akalaing yakap lang pala ang kailangan ko para kahit papaano ay mapawi ang bigat sa akin.

But I know mommy needs it, too. I am silent but I notice everything. Mom and dad's relationship had never been the same these past few years. There's still love but it's not strong as it was. Hindi na tulad ng dati. Hindi na gano'n.

Everything changes— in good or bad ways.

The sweet little gestures of Dad for mom I've always admired and wanted to feel too were gone. The kiss on the forehead, his hand on her waist while they walk, opening the door for her; he's not doing it anymore. They were totally gone.

I don't know what happened. Dahil ba tumatanda na? Hindi siguro.

If the love was strong, I believe that everything will be consistent until the end.

Hindi siguro sa sitwasyon ng mga magulang ko. Maraming nagbago, but I'm still thankful that they still choose to be together for us. Kahit para sa akin at kay Reneil na lang.

Days passed by like the usual. I spent it taking care of my business. The product testing is still ongoing. I have also thought of my name brand. Pinagagawa ko na rin ang logo, walang iba kundi kay Jai since he insisted.

I named it "Hello, Glow!" I don't know how I came up with that brand but for me I find it catchy. Ganoon din naman ang sinabi ni Jai kaya naniwala na lang ako.

I asked Mil and Raya to be the face of my products at wala rin naman silang problema roon. Nagulat nga sila dahil may ganoon pala akong plano na hindi sinasabi sa kanila. S'yempre I kept silent about it while I still don't have progress pero ngayon kahit mabagal ay meron na. Sa family ko na lang hindi nasasabi at mas mabuting h'wag muna.

After a week of not seeing each other because we're both busy, I received a text from him saying he's done with the logo. Nagkasundo kaming magkita ngayon sa cafe para ipakita niya 'yon sa akin, at s'yempre para daw makita niya ulit ako.

Bumaba ako nang nakaayos na, naabutan ko si Reneil sa living room na nagbabasa ng libro. He mentioned to me last night that his exam is coming and I'm happy to know that he's taking his studies seriously. Hindi siya bulakbol tulad ng iba.

I patted the top of his head. "You can do it, baby brother."

Nag-angat siya ng masamang tingin sa akin. "I appreciate your kind words, ate, but please stop calling me baby. I'm a teenager!"

I chuckled. "But you'll always be my baby."

"Just please go if you're leaving. H'wag mo na 'kong asarin," aniya at sinara ang libro.

Siya na mismo ang tumayo at iniwan ako. Ako ang pinapaalis niya pero siya 'tong umalis. Nailing na lamang ako dahil mukhang wala sa mood ang kapatid ko.

Maybe I'll just buy something for him. Aminado naman akong nawawalan na rin ako ng oras sa kaniya, but I'll make sure that I'll make it up to him. Alam kong nagtatampo siya sa akin dahil kilalang-kilala ko na siya.

I heard a beep from the outside. Kahit hindi ko pa man nakikita kung sino, alam kong siya na 'yon kaya lumabas na ako.

"Good afternoon, pretty!" He greeted me with a wide smile and opened the door for me.

I smiled at him and greeted him back, "Good afternoon."

Umikot siya papunta sa driver's seat. "Walang handsome?" biro niyang tanong saka tumawa. "Hays! Na-miss kita nang sobra! Isang linggong hindi buo ang araw ko!"