Nagising ako sa tunog ng alarm ko. This is the third time it rang and it irritates me. I got home late last night kaya tinatamad akong gumising ngayon.
I remembered our conversation and I don't know how to react to what he said. Should I be thankful or be mad that he was the one who helped me yesterday?
Yes, I am thankful that he helped, but what he did can be dangerous. And that what makes me mad. I don't want him to be in danger. I already told him that I don't want him to be involved and to meddle with my work. Tss.
I was still irritated, when the alarm rang again. I turned it off and got up. It's already eight in the morning. We don't have any special missions for now that's why I can have a rest today.
I went to the kitchen to prepare for breakfast.
Since I don't know how to cook, I just eat toasted bread every morning or fry some eggs. But, when I opened the fridge, it was empty. I checked the cabinets for bread sana, pero wala ring laman. Kahit canned goods.
How frustrating!
I checked the clock and just decided to buy in a grocery store. It was just blocks away from my condo.
I'm wearing a white t-shirt partnered with gray sweatpants and a black slippers. I just put my hair into a messy bun before I took my wallet and phone.
Nang nakapasok na ako sa grocery store, pumili na ako ng mga kailangan ko. Kumuha ako ng ham, canned tuna, eggs, pork, chicken, flour, and everything I need for the whole month.
I was about to put on a band aid and an alcohol, when someone put a betadine on my cart.
Tiningnan ko kung sino, and my brows furrowed when I saw Cap Looking intently at me
"Kailangan mo ng betadine para malinis mo ang sugat mo." bahagya siyang ngumiti.
I was about to say thank you, nang biglang may maglagay ng cotton at gauze sa cart ko.
"Pa add to cart na rin neto para maprotektahan mo ang sugat mo at hindi lumala ang sakit. Hehe." saad ni Yudis, habang nakataas- baba ang dalawang kilay.
Nilingon siya ni Cap at sinamaan ng tingin "Umayos ka nga".
"Maayos naman ako ah." pilosopong sagot ni Yudis.
Ang liit nga naman ng mundo para magkita kita kami dito. Tumikhim ako dahil hindi ko alam anong sasabihin.
Sabay silang napatingin sakin bago nagsalita si Cap. "Uhmm, napadaan lang kami para may bilhin. I didn't expect to see you here. By the way how's your wound?"
"It's fine." maikling sagot ko.
"It's fine lang? Ang tipid mo namang sumagot." natatawang ani ni Yudis.
'Ano ba dapat?'
"Wala ng further explanation? Like 'okay naman siya, hindi na gaanong dumudugo or pwede rin namang, 'It's fine, ginamot na ng boyfriend ko.' kung meron kang bf. You know." aniya.
Nagsalubong ang kilay ko sa pinagsasabi niya. Di ko alam na recquired pala ng 'further explanation' sa pakikipag-usap. Sobrang outdated ko naman kung ganoon.
"Feeling close. Tabi nga." saad ni Cap at bahagya siyang tinulak dahil may dumaang isang costumer na dadaan sana kaso may nakaharang. Humingi pa ng pasensya si Cap sa babae dahilan upang ngumiti ito at tumango.
"Ang sabihin mo inggit ka lang." Yudis said in a low voice then stick out his tongue, teasing Cap.
The scene in front of me is not new anymore. That's their normal treatment for each other. Love language na nila ang pag-aasaran. Hinayaan ko na lang silang magbangayan kaya kinuha ko muna ang cellphone ko para tingnan kung anong oras na. Pasado alas-otso na hindi pa ako nakakapag-agahan.
"I think I need to go. It's nice seeing you here Cap and uhmm Yudis. Thanks for this. Bye."
I didn't hear what they were talking about, because I already pushed my cart to the cashier.
I don't have time to chit chat with them. We may be teammates at work, but I'm not that close with them. Ma a-out of place lang ako kasi hindi ako makarelate sa pinag-uusapan nila.
I just stopped my thoughts when I'm already at the counter. The cashier guy immediately smiled at me.
"Good Morning ma'am." maligayang saad niya sa akin.
"Morning." I said while putting all my groceries on the counter.
After a while, I paid for my groceries and left the store. I was holding two big cellophanes in my both hands.
Someone tried to help me when I entered the building of my condo, but I refused. I'm not a damsel in distress. I can do it myself. Besides, I will ask for help if I need it.
Nang makarating sa condo, I arranged everything first before I toasted bread for my breakfast. It's already nine in the morning.
I finished eating five toasted bread coated with butter.
Since, wala akong trabaho ngayon, I decided to just read a book. Tungkol ito sa isang babae na binubully at action. Tila siya ay pinagkaitan ng mundo dahil sa mga naranasan niyang sakit mula sa kaniyang pamilya mismo.
I can see myself as her, when I was still young and naive.
Wala ako gaanong mga pictures kasama ang pamilya. It was only my photos taken by Nanay Linda. One of the maids in the house back then. She was my friend, and she can even pass as my mom.
She was the one who took care of me when I was a kid. She's my ally every time mom gets mad at me. She would always console me every time I'm sad. To make it short, she's the only one who treated me like a family back in the house.
Siguro sa sobrang pagod, nakatulog ako kaagad na hawak hawak pa rin ang libro.
Nagising ulit ako ng 1pm na. Hindi pa ako nakakaligo. Hayyst. Nakakatamad.
After a while, nagdesisyon na lang akong maligo para malinis na rin ang sugat ko na medyo pahilom na.
Buti na lang pala at bumili na ako kanina ng band aid at panglinis dahil wala ng laman ang mga ginagamit kong panglinis ng sugat.
After cleaning my wounds, I put on my clothes when suddenly my phone rang.
'Maya calling....'
Seeing the caller's name, I answered it immediately.
I saved her phone number on my contacts for her to call me if there's an emergency..
"Hello?"
"Uhmm maam. Nandito kasi kami sa Jollibee at—-" nang biglang may pumutol sa sasabihin sana ni Maya.
"Our car is broken and we are stuck in the parking lot. Can you please pick me up? It will take too long to fix my car because it needs to be fixed in a taryel. Well, that's what my driver said and I hate waiting so please pick me up. Please" dire-diretsong sabi niya na sigurado akong humahaba na ang nguso niya sa pagkainis.
'Cute but bossy'. I chuckled at my thought before answering.
"Yes boss. I'll be there in a flash." I answered while taking my keys.
"Hmpp. Make sure that you'll be here in 15 minutes since it's so mainit here." aniya bago patayin ang tawag.
Tss. Ang sungit.
Good thing I was wearing a black t-shirt and gray jogger pants. It'll take a lot of time to change clothes. Baka makabuga ng apoy ang dragon. Mahirap pa naman suyuin yon kapag tinotoyo.
I also brought with me another helmet for him to wear. Safety first.
I rode the elevator to the parking lot and immediately hopped on my big bike.
The mall is 20 minutes far from my place kaya kailangan kong bilisan at baka mag tantrums na yun sa tagal kong dumating.
I overtaken the cars in our lane so I can be there in time. Good thing there's no traffic.
Finally, I was at the mall already looking for him. I saw him sitting inside Jollibee.
Magkasalubong ang kilay na ngumunguya ng fries na sinasawsaw pa niya sa sundae.
Hayyst tong batang to talaga. Anong mainit sa loob ng Jollibee? May bitbit pa ngang small fan ang nanny niya tapos naiinitan pa. Ang isa naman ay nag sa-sight seeing sa kabilang mesa. Bahala na kung hindi maayos na nakatutok ang small fan sa bata, makita niya lang ang kinicrave ng mata niya.
Hindi pa ako nakapasok nang bumaling siya sa entrance at lalong sumimangot.
Napangisi ako at pumunta na sa pwesto nila. Dali-daling tumayo si Maya at binati ako. Samantala, ang isang to ay malapit ng maging kamukha ni angry bird dahil sa magkasalubong nitong kilay.
"Am I late?" tanong ko sa kanya at kumuha ng fries na nasa tapat niya at nginuya bago umupo sa katabing upuan niya.
"Naku kanina pa yan nagrereklamo. Tingnan mo ang haba na ng nguso." reklamo ni Maya.
"Really?" panunuya ko.
I saw how Maya's gaze went to the other table. Nakita kong tumayo ang lalaking tipo ata niya, kaya tumayo rin siya at inayos pa ang buhok.
"Oh siya ma'am, sandali lang ha, naiihi na ako. Rstroom muna." nagmamadaling sabi ni Maya.
Restroom huh?! I know she's just making that as an excuse to get closer to the guy's table. Tsh. Kitang kita pagpasok ko pa lang na tinitingnan niya ang table ng mga magkabarkada. Nagpapapansin.
I just let her do what she wants. What matters to me is that she takes care of my brother.
My brother gave me an annoyed look while chewing the food in his mouth. May mga kumalat pang sundae sa ibabaw ng labi niya kaya natawa ako na mas lalong ikinasalubong ng kilay niya.
"Did I make you wait for too long??" I asked him.
He did'nt answer me and just continued eating.
"Sige bahala ka. Iiwan na lang kita dito at babalik na ako sa bahay tutal hindi mo naman ako pinapansin at inaaway–" hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin because he answered real quick.
"Yes!" padabog na sagot niya.
Ewan ko ba kung pinaglihi sa sama ng loob tong batang to. He's a very short tempered kid. Spoiled brat. Buti na lang at sumusunod naman kapag sinusuway ko. Sadyang suplado lang talaga.
"So, what if something bad happens to me if I rush my way here? Would you rather wait for me patiently but I'm safe or you would make me come here immediately not caring if I'll face an accident?" I said, trying to make him understand.
Hindi pwedeng lahat ng gusto niya ang masusunod. He needs to reflect on his actions sometimes.
Matagal siyang hindi umimik at naiiyak itong tumingin sa akin at binalik ang paningin sa pakain niya.
"I want ate safe." paiyak na saad niya habang tumitingin at kinakalikot ang fries sa harap niya.
Nag-angat siya ng tingin na namumula ang pisngi at ilong. Sign that he was about to cry.
Bago pa ako makapagsalita, yumakap siya sa akin at umiyak.
"Why are you crying? I'm just asking you?" natatawang saad ko habang hinahaplos ang buhok niya at pinapatahan.
Bagay talaga ang pangalan niya sa kanya. Maddox Khael. Kaya naman pala sumpungin.
"I'm sorry ate I-i promise not to rush people again because it might be dangerous." humihikbing aniya habang mahigpit na nakayakap sakin.
"Okay, apology accepted. Stop crying. People might think I'm bad, because I made you cry."
Kumalas siya sa pagyayakap sa akin at pinunasan ang kanyang mga luha. I brushed his hair using my fingers. I also wiped his sweat.
Nakabalik na si Maya at nagdesisyon na kaming umalis. Mag tataxi na lang daw si Maya kaya ako na ang nagbayad ng pamasahe niya.
Papunta kami sa parking lot ng fast food nang may mapansin akong parang may nagmamasid sa amin. Hinawakan ko ang kamay ng kapatid at bahagyang nilagay sa likod ko.
Sinuyod ko ng tingin ang buong lugar at napansin ang lalaking nakaitim na nakasakay sa motorsiklo at nakapark sa katabing building lang ng kinaroroonan namin.
Hindi ko man makita ang itsura niya, but I know he's looking at us.
Dali-dali kong hinila papuntang motor ang kapatid ngunit bago pa kami makarating doon, ay biglang dumaan sa harapan ko ang rumaragasang motor.
Mabilis akong nakaiwas habang hawak pa rin ng mahigpit ang kamay ng kapatid.
I saw a rock nearby, so I picked it up and threw it straight to his motorcycle.
'Bullseye'
Natumba ang motor niya kasabay ng pagkaipit niya dito dahil sa biglaang pagkatumba.
People panicked and hurriedly went back inside the fast food. Nahirapang tumayo ang lalaki dahil sa laki ng motor niya na nakadagan sa kanya.
As much as I want my brother to go back inside, I'm scared that maybe something bad will happen to him.
"Stay near ate, okay? If you see something suspicious and someone will try to harm you, shout my name. Understood?"
He nodded and followed me. He knows a little martial arts kaya kampante ako kahit papaano.
Nang makarating sa pwesto ng lalaki, tumigil ako at sinenyasan ang kapatid na tumalikod at takpan ang tenga. I don't want him to see what I will do.
Sinugod ko ang nakahandusay na lalaki at sinuntok ng paulit-ulit hanggang sa nabasag ang salamin sa helmet at dumugo ang kamao ko.
His face was covered with blood. He smirked which made me even more mad. I launched a punch that was stopped by another hand.
"Stop it Zyl!! You're going to kill him!" sigaw ng pamilyar na boses na siyang nagmamay-ari ng kamong pumigil sa akin.
Buong pwersa kong hinila ang kamay ko mula sa kamao niya at tumayo. Lumingon ako at nakita si Atticus na nag-aalalang tumingin sa akin.
"Stop it!" pigil ang galit na aniya.
"It's better to kill him before he kills us." I coldly told him.
He inhaled and looked at me with disbelief in his eyes. "Control your anger. Your brother is watching."
The police were scattered all over the place. The guy was moved to the ambulance to rush him to the hospital.
He sighed and held my hand. "Look at me. Don't let your anger drown you. I know you're mad. So mad right now. But I want you to think of the consequences of your actions. I will help you investigate this guy and what his intentions are."
I sighed to calm myself and get back to my brother and embrace him.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry" saad ko habang nakayakap sa kanya.
"It's fine ate. I know I won't be harmed because you're here." humigpit lalo ang yakap niya dahilan para kumalma ako.
"Don't worry, I will not let anyone harm you. I will protect you at all costs.