Chapter 2

Mukha agad ni Nicole ang unang bumungad sa akin pagbukas ko ng pinto ng condo unit. She was looking at me with a curious face. I just walked passed by her and immediately lied my back on the sofa. Isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa armrest at bumuntong-hininga nag pagkalakas-lakas.

Thinking of what happened yesterday is making my head throbbing. I lied about what I said to Elijah. I remember everything of what happened last night. I wasn't drunk, I was just tipsy. I can still remember his touch on my waist, how his hand covered my mouth to not make any sound while the guys are outside the comfort room, and how he managed to have a gun with him in that situation.

Naramdaman kong may umupo sa tabi ko kaya napatingala ako rito. My friend since Third Year College, Nicole Fontilla. May hawak na siyang basong tubig bago niya ibinigay sa akin. Nagpasalamat ako sa kaniya bago ininom ang tubig.

"Saan ka nanggaling?" tanong niya. Tumingin ako sa kanya bago ko nilagay ang baso ng tubig sa center table. “I was just late, but I really remember you saying that we will celebrate your birthday.” dagdag niya.

“Sorry, lasing kasi ako kagabi. Sa condo ni Kuya ako natulog.” Nagsinungaling na naman ako. Hindi niya dapat malaman ang nangyari kagabi. Magtataka siya. Hindi niya na kailangang malaman ang lahat tungkol sa akin.

Narinig kong bumuntong hininga siya bago niya ako niyakap. "Forgiven. Pero next time, tawagan mo ako." Ngumiti ako at tumango sa kanya. “By the way... I forgot to tell you. Someone's been looking for you. His name is Elijah.”

I stilled on my sit when she mentioned his name. I slowly looked at her with widened eyes. She looked at me curiously.

"What did you say?" My voice almost shivered while asking that to her.

"Well, last month, nakita ko siya noong birthday ng Lolo ko at binanggit niya ang pangalan mo—"

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin ang tungkol dito?"

“I forgot about that until I saw him last night outside the Madrigal Towers.” She shrugged while still has that curious look on her face. “Wait, why are you reacting like that, huh? I just told you about him 'coz maybe you know each other.” she even added.

I sighed and looked away. I was carried away by the thought that Elijah might come here. Knowing the fact that he also knows Nicole which is my friend, I don't think I can still escaped from him. Our world is really small and we might bumped into each other again. And hiding from him won't be easy as I thought.

“I don't know him,” I answered my friend who's now staring at the clock in front.

"Ah sige." Sabi niya sabay baling ng tingin sa akin. Ngumiti na lang ako bilang tugon.

After few hours of staying in my condo, Nicole went out and bid goodbye. May date pa raw sila ng boyfriend niya. Good to know na nagkabalikan na silang dalawa.

It was already late evening and I was about to go to sleep when the door bell rang. I sleepily went to check on it. I saw my brother waiting outside with someone on his arms. I immediately opened the door and checked on the woman he's carrying.

“Hey, sis! Might if we'll sleep here for tonight?” he asked. I was still checking at the person he's carrying and just nodded. It was Ziena Santiago. But when I looked up, someone else is also with him. My eyes widened and almost gasped while staring at him, intensely looking at me.

Someone cleared a throat. “Rielle?” Kuya William called me. I looked back at him before opening the door widely for them to enter.

Pagkasara ko ng pinto, huli akong pumasok, kasunod ni Elijah at ng kapatid ko (kasama si Ziena na buhat-nuhat niya). Ramdam ko ang sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko habang nakatitig sa likod ni Elijah. Hindi ko alam kung bakit siya nandito, but one thing is for sure, I shouldn't act as if I am still affected with his presence.

It's already been five years and yet, he still has this effects on me just like before.

Pumunta si kuya sa bakanteng kwarto habang ako nama'y dumiretso sa kusina at naghanda ng maiinom para sa kanila. Minsan pumupunta si kuya William sa condo ko kasama si Ziena, ang babaeng kasalukuyang nililigawan niya. Kaya hindi na nakakagulat na nandito sila.

Pero kasi, nandito si Elijah! Hindi ko alam kung paano ako magrereact at kung paano ko siya lalapitan pagkatapos ng nangyari kagabi. I am good at pretending that everything's alright but it won't last long. I don't know how to response when he ask me about him or if he will ask if I remember everything already.

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako habang iniisip ang mga bagay na iyon. I should calm down. Maglalakad na sana ako papuntang living room nang may narinig akong boses na halos magpanginig ng mga tuhod ko.

“I didn't know that your brother is the famous Aragon William Rivera.” I can feel the playfulness on his voice. I slowly looked at him and nodded.

'I can do this. I will pretend like nothing happened.' I reminded myself as my eyes are shut closed.

“Oo. Hindi ko alam na nagresearch ka tungkol sa akin." Ngumisi pa ako para itago ang kaba ko.

Nakatingin pa rin sa akin ang mga mata niya na para bang may hinahanap. “I should know about you. I just helped a 'stranger' from those dangerous people.”

Tinitigan ko siya habang unti-unting nawawala ang ngisi ko. May kung ano sa mata niya na hindi ko matukoy. It's something deep. And the way he considered me as a 'stranger' give an exquisite feeling inside me. He really didn't remember me at all.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" Nagkunwari akong wala maalala. "Bukod sa party kagabi, may ginawa pa ba ako?"

“No. You just passed out.” He smirked after. “How's that?”

I bit my lips as I sense that he's playing along. This could lead to something. I keep myself stern while still staring at him.

"Hindi ako tanga, Rielle." His voice immediately went serious after that. “Don't you dare lie to me again. I won't buy that.”

“What do you want me to do?” I asked. “Do I need to remember those dangerous gangsters and let myself traumatized by how they almost killed me? Do you want that?!” My voice begun to rise.

I just want to show him that I don't want to meddle with those things at all.

My life is so simple and kinda outrageous. But because of what happened yesterday, my world turned upside down. I was now surrounded by fear knowing that someone might looking and wanting to kill me. I am being paranoid of even going outside.

"Rielle." He uttered my name but it didn't stopped me from my outburst. Since he already opened it up. I let myself be vulnerable right now.

“No. I shouldn't have remember what happened but because you opened it up, I remember it again. Those guys shoots bullets on me that it almost killed me!”

“What bullets are you talking about, Rielle?” I immediately got stilled when I heard my brother's serious voice—screaming peril and danger.

“William...”

Lumapit sa akin si Kuya at hinawakan ang magkabilang braso ko. Bigla niyang sinipat ang mukha ko na para bang may hinahanap. Nakakunot ang noo niya bago niya marahang ibinaba ang mga braso ko.

"You look fine to me," he uttered, seryoso pa rin sa boses niya.

“I-i’m fine...” Bumuntong-hininga ako bago ako tumingin kay Elijah na nasa harapan ko. Tahimik pa rin siya kahit nandito ang kapatid ko na nakatingin pa rin sa akin. Dapat sinabi niya sa kapatid ko ang nangyari kagabi.

“'The Hawk' is still on the chase. And they are after your sister.” Elijah calmly said that made me avoid my gaze at him.

“You what?!” My brother yelled that made me flinched on my position. I moved away a little as I know that he's freaking mad right now. “Sabihin mo sa akin kung ano ang nangyari, Rielle!”

“William.. I-uh, went to the bar and kinda celebrated my birthday. And then, someone caught me gossipping. I didn't know that they're dangerous. I heard that they are looking for someone. Until Elijah came that made them knew that I heard them. They shoot bullets at us even after we're inside the car. T-that's what happened.” I abruptly explained to him.

Alam kong hindi ganoon kadetalye pero ang punto rito, kailangan niyang malaman ang nangyari. Napakaprotective niya sa akin na gusto niyang malaman kung ano ang ginagawa ko. He even doesn't want me to party before, but then he agreed when I keep on persuading him that I'm on the right age to party. At alam ko rin na galit na galit siya ngayon base sa pamumula ng mukha niya dahil sa sinabi ko sa kaniya.

“You know that you should call me first to check on you. You don't know who's been after you, Arabella Rielle!” He started to become rigid. I just looked down to avoid his intense glare. His veins are completely showing on his arms.

“Alam ko, pero lagi kang busy nitong mga nakaraang araw. Ayokong istorbohin ka.” Sabi ko.

“Hinding-hindi ka magiging istorbo sa akin, Rielle. Responsibilidad kita, at kapatid kita.” Napabuntong-hininga siya habang nakapikit din. “Elijah.”

“Yeah?” Elijah answered him boredly.

“Keep an eye on her.” My brother instantly commanded as if he knew the guy he's talking with. Elijah won't agreed on that. I am sure of it. “Don't let her go to parties without my approval. That's an order.”

“William! I don't need him!” I seconded. I don't need a bodyguard. I shook my head while looking at my brother's serious face.

“Sure.” He simply said which made my eyes widen in shock. He agreed?

“Good.” My brother uttered. “It's settled now. If you don't want me to guard you, then I'll let my friend be your bodyguard.”

“But—”

“No buts, Rielle. That's final.”

“I'm already an adult, Kuya.” I sighed, already surrendered. “Hindi ko kailangan ng magbabantay o magpoprotekta sa akin. Kaya ko ang sarili ko.”

“Alam ko, pero hindi mo mapoprotektahan ang sarili mo kapag may nanakit sa'yo. Lalo na 'yong mga lalaking nakabangga mo sa bar. They're not just dangerous people. They're gangsters. They will do everything so that they'll get what they want.” My brother explained. Tumingin ako ng diretso sa kanya. He did the same too. I shook my head. Ayoko nang marinig ito.

I walked out even though they're both calling my name. I went straight to my room and locked myself up. I don't know why this is what I'm feeling. I felt like a prisoner who doesn't have her freedom to choose what she wants to do.

I understand that my brother's been very protective of me. But to limit myself from doing what I want is not acceptable. My life is in danger, knowing that someone is searching for me just because I overheard their plan. Nag-aalala lang si Kuya na baka masaktan ako. Pero ayoko pa rin nang binabantayan ng ibang tao. I am already 23, for Pete's sake.

At si Elijah... Pumayag pa siyang maging bodyguard ko. The fudge is he thinking? The last time I know, he doesn't want me to be with him. Ayaw niyang mapalapit ako sa kaniya dahil lang sa pag-amin ko noong 18th birthday ko na gusto ko siya. He rejected me and shoved me away as if I was a trash.

I am making him a favor by being away, hiding from him na para bang tutulong 'yon sa akin na pigilan ang nararamdaman ko para sa kaniya. Kinalimutan na niya ako. And my little sympathy for myself is all what I have now. I can't face him anymore after he dumped me in front of many people. I will never forgot that night.

I didn't slept straight as I still need to think what will be the consequences of my actions. Maybe Elijah will also stay here. I don't care for now. Suits themselves here. I'm very annoyed at my brother on making decisions for myself even though I can do that. I woke up late afternoon and saw my visitors already having their lunch.

Tahimik akong umupo sa upuang katabi ng kapatid ko. Naramdaman kong tumingin siya sa akin pero hindi ko pinansin. Tahimik din akong kumain at tanging tunog lang ng mga kubyertos ang naririnig ko.

Call me stubborn for disobeying my brother, but I am not that someone who will just be nice to everyone after arguing. I have a higher pride. They should talked about it first.

I heard someone cleared a throat. Napatingin ako sa kabilang side ko at nakita ko si Elijah na seryosong nakatingin sa akin. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Ngumisi lang siya bago magpatuloy sa pagkain.

“May nangyari ba?” Narinig kong tanong ni Ziena. I shook my head even though I feel that the atmosphere is really awkward right now. “Something did happen. What is it?”

“It's nothing, Z.” My brother uttered at her. I rolled my eyes and finished my food first.

“I am not dumb to know nothing,” she bitchily said to my brother. I almost smirk at that. “Oh, wait. Your birthday was on March 12, Rielle? Am I right?”

Tumingin ako sa kanya at tumango lang. I heard someone snorted.

“That's why you're being grumpy today. I thought you're having your period.” She casual said. “Who celebrated with you?”

“By myself.” I shrugged my shoulder. Even I didn't celebrated it.

Biglang hinampas ni Ziena ang braso ni Kuya kaya napadaing ito. “Why didn't you celebrated with your sister that night? I really thought you're just making excuses to me.” she scolded my brother. Napangiti ako ng bahagya. Wala pang nakagawa no'n kay Kuya William. Si Ziena lang.

“I'm so sorry, Rielle. I didn't know that your brother isn't with you in your special day. Don't worry, I'll always remind him next time,” she apologizes. I just nodded. Buti na lang hindi niya nasaksihan kung paano rin ako pinagalitan ng kapatid ko kagabi. William was really mad that time.

I finished my food and asked to leave first. Still, their eyes are on me. I didn't make a fuss and went back to my room. But I stopped when I heard Elijah spoke up.

“Starting today, I am now your bodyguard, lady.” He even has that timid smile while his eyes are focused on me as if it's reading what's on my mind.

I glared at him and immediately answered a big “NO.”