Midnights with Pierce Psyche Esquivel

Chapter 19

Humarap ako kay Brianna at hinaplos ang buhok niya. Hindi ko na mapigilan na ipakita ang mapait kiong ngiti.

"I'm sorry...I ruined your meeting with Mama. We didn't even have our dinner." Malumanay kong saad.

She shook her head on me. "Okay lang, Ate. If you are not comfortable meeting her then I am not too."

I chuckled at her remarks and kissed her cheek. Humagikgik siya sa ginawa ko.

"Don't worry. I'll talk to her again."

She just nodded her head and giggled again. She matured so much, despite her age and I am feeling kinda bad about it. Masyado pa siyang bata para sa mga ganitong klaseng problemang bagay. It is not appropriate for her age.

I wanted to give her the childhood that I was missing but I guessed I am miserably failing on it. I need to do better for her.

Naghintay pa kami saglit ng huminto sa harapan namin ang sasakyan ni Pierce. I opened the back seat but Brianne pointed out the front seat again. I closed her door and Pierce was already there, opening the front seat for me.

Sumakay na ako at siya naman sa kabila.

"I haven't eaten my dinner yet, may kukunin lang akong take out." He blurted and opened the engine.

Napatingin naman ako sa kanya. "Pwede mo kaming ibaba na lang sa isang fast food na lang malapit sa building, we will have our dinner too."

Kumunot ang noo niya muli ng bumaling ito sa akin. But he didn't have a choice but to look at the road.

"Hindi pa kayo kumakain?"

Kahit hindi niya ako kita ay nahihiya akong umiling. "Hindi pa...may emergency si Mama."

I lied, of course.

Rinig ko ang pagbuga niya ng malalim na hininga. "Brianna, do you wanna have dinner with me?"

Nagulat ako sa tanong niya at tumingin kay Brianna sa likod na malawak na ang pagkakangiti nang tumingin siya sa akin.

"Ate, let's have dinner with Kuya Pierce, please."

Tumingin ako kay Pierce na malawak rin ang ngiti ng bigla niya iyong binura ng makita akong nakatingin sa kanya.

He cleared his throat. "Your sister is hungry already...kaya sabay-sabay na tayong kumain. Right Brianna?"

"Yes, Kuya!" She answered back enthusiastically.

Napailing na lang ako. They are becoming a team already while I was left alone. I felt like anytime now Brianna would claim Pierce as his brother instead of me as her sister.

We had our dinner and the two of them continued their business as if I wasn't there. Sa isang filipino resto rin kami at kumuha rin siya ng pribadong kwarto. Rooms like this are made to be in advance but we just barged in and they gave us a room. Perks of being an artist and coming from an influential family.

"Here, eat more." Sumimangot ako ng bigyan ako ng kanin at ulam pa.

He chuckled at my response and so was Brianna. Pagkatapos naming kumain ay umalis na kaming tatlo. He wore his mask and cap before getting out but at this point, I won't be even surprised if my name is already published next to him.

May makakakilala sa kanya at sigurado akong araw na lang ang bibilangin bago iyon mangyari.

Hinatid niya kami sa may apartment at maya-maya naman ay may susundo kay Brianna. Nasa parking na kami ng tumawag ang matagal na na driver ni Papa at naghihintay na sa labas.

"Ihahatid ko lang si Brianna sa labas. Salamat ulit sa pagsundo at paghatid." I thanked him.

"Okay...goodbye Brianna." He then ruffled Brianna's hair.