His Broken Gem

HBG 24

Stella's POV

Mika told me that the dinner got canceled because Mom has an emergency. She said that she'll just reschedule it and let us know. I wonder what happened, why did Mom suddenly go home? Maybe, I'll give her a call later.

I already did my night routine and now I was choosing a pair of sleepwear.

Isang maliit na boses kasabay ng pagkatok ang bumalot sa loob ng kuwarto ko. "Ate Stella? Are you sleeping na po?"

Napangiti naman ako dahil. Kahit nasa iisang bahay lang kami ay na-miss ko pa rin ang batang 'to. When I am avoiding Sebastian, nadadamay siya since they're always together. I felt guilty for dragging her into our problem.

"Come in," I shouted as I opted for a pair of silk shorts and a silk top that looks like a crop top. I was still inside the closet when that I heard the door open.

"Ate, where are you po?"

"I'm here, sweetie, wait a minute," I told as I strip my robe and wear my underwear. I didn't bother to wear a bra since it's only uncomfortable while sleeping. After wearing my clothes, I left my closet and saw Shy seating at my bed swinging her feet.

"What is it, Shy?" I asked her, smiling.

I don't know why, but lately, I just found myself smiling. She looks at me as she starts playing with her fingers.

"Well, may event po kasi kami sa school next week. Balak ko po sanang hindi mag-participate kasi hindi naman po ako mahilig sa ganoon," she started. I just nodded my head as I listen to her.

"What event is that?" I asked as I took a seat beside her combing her wavy hair using my fingers.

"Family day po," she said in a low voice.

"Bakit ayaw mong dumalo?" I asked her.

"Well, sabi ni teacher we should bring our mommy and daddy, pero wala na akong mommy at daddy kaya hindi na lang ako sasama," she said shrugging.

I remembered Mika's senior said that Shy was still a baby when her mother died hours after delivery. Too much for a young girl like her to suffer from it. Maybe she doesn't even know what a family feels like. Luckily, she has her brother.

"How about this? I'll come with you sa Family day?" I suggested.

I immediately can hear Megan's opposition to the idea.

'Are you crazy? You'll associate yourself with those strangers?' Megan exclaimed.

I tried my best not to answer her and ignore her.

"Mapapanggap po kayo na Mommy ko?" she asked.

"No, I'll come as your sister. As you can see, it's a family day so a sister can also come. There is no need to pretend as your Mom," I explained.

"Puwede po pala 'yon?" she asked, amused.

I nodded my head as I gather her to the back. "Of course!" I said.

"Then, can Kuya Ali come too?" she asked in excitement. I halt on my track as I realized what I put myself into. Of course, he can come. He actually has more right to come since they are siblings.

"Of course," sagot ko na lang.

Her mood lighten up as she was now excited about the upcoming event telling me that we should prepare an intermission number.

"Ate, can I ask a question po?" she said after a long silence. I hum as a reply waiting for her question.

"Masama po ang magsinungaling, 'di ba?" she asked innocently. She turns around to face me, looking at me with eyes full of confusion.

"Yes, why?"

"Then, bakit po kayo nag-pe-pretend no Kuya Ali as boyfriend and girlfriend? Bakit po kayo nagsisinungaling kay Tita Catherine?" she asked innocently.

Natameme naman ako sa tanong niyang iyon. I am not surprised that she already knows our setup. I mean, we didn't even bother to hide it from her thinking that she's still young to understand. But listening to her right now made me realize that she's a smart child. To think that she can easily adopt the English language and was already able to learn it in just a few months is already proof.

"Well, your Kuya Ali and I have a different situation that requires us to lie," I explained.

"What kind of situation po?" she asked.

"Well, you're still young to understand it, but just remember that we are not lying to hurt other people, okay?" I told her.

She nodded her head even though there is still confusion in her eyes. I return her smile with a smile.

"Pero ate, I really want to have a sister like you. Kasi po ang bait niyo po sa akin at saka maganda," she giggles.

"Really?" I asked smirking.

"Opo!" she guarantees. "Kaya kung maging kayo man po no Kuya Ali sa totoong buhay ay botong boto po ako sa inyo, Ate Stella," she added while laughing. I laugh at her statement too.

I don't why I didn't assure her that her brother and I won't have a relationship, ever. I just laugh with her thinking that her statement is funny.

Narinig naman namin ang pagtawag ng kapatid niya mula sa labas. Hindi kasi tuluyang nakasara ang pinto kaya kahit soundproof ito ay naririnig pa rin namin ang boses niya.

"You should sleep na, your brother is already looking for you," I told her. I heard her sigh as she get off the bed.

"Wala naman pasok bukas eh. Atat na atat talaga si kuya matulog," reklamo nito bago kumaway sa akin para magpaalam at lumabas na. She even close the door properly this time.

I sigh, he's probably going back to sleep at the guest room since Mom is not here already.

'Why do you make it sound like your gonna miss him?' Megan inquires, raising an eyebrow at me.

"What? Of course not!" I defended myself.

'Stella... Let me remind you something. You can't risk to have relationship right, not until he's still here,' she said.

I already understand what she's talking about. She's right. I can't have a relationship rigt now, I'm not allowed to loved someone as I may only bring them danger.

"I know, Megan. I know," I told as I decided to sleep.

Next morning, I woke up due to the repeated alarm. Fortunately, I didn't have any nightmares last night but I didn't get enough sleep rather. I don't know why but I can't sleep at all. I left my room and went to the kitchen to drink some water. It's still 4:25 am, I am now regreting changing my alarm time just to avoid Sebastian.

I grab a glass and fill it with water, I was silently drinking from it when I turn around. I almost loosen my grip on the glass as I was surprised to saw someone standing at the kitchen door.

"Oh my gosh! Can't you make a noise to inform me that you are there? I feel like I'll suffer from heart attack from you," I complain, putting the glass on the sink and wash it before placing it back to the rack.

"I'm sorry, I am spacing out," he explained as he cleared his throat. He looks away after staring at me for so long.

May dumi ba sa mukha ko? I tried to secretly wipe my face, wondering if there's an eye booger or any traces of saliva in the side of my mouth.

"Maaga pa ah? Ba't gising ka na?" he changes the subject as he walk pass through me getting himself a glass of water too.

"I can't sleep," I simply said.

"You should sleep more, masama sa katawan ang walang tulog or kulang ang tulog," he commented before washing the glass he used.

"Are you deaf? I told you, I can't sleep," I told him, rolling my eyes at him.

"I know. I'm not deaf, what I meant is you should go back and try to sleep again," he explained. "Subukan mo magbilang ng 1-1000 hanggang sa makatulog ka," he suggested.

I furrowed my brows on his statement. Sino naman ang magbibilang para makatulog?

'Oh! I know that! It's effective, Stella. Mom use to make me count a sheep in my head,' Elly suddenly commented with an excitement in her voice as she started counting the imaginary sheep.

Weird.

"No thanks, magtatrabaho na lang ako," Ibtold him as I go back to my room to grab my laptop. I decided to do my work at the living room. I was reviewing some report when I heard him saying good morning.

Hindi ko na iyon pinansin at pinagtuunan nang pansin ang ginagawa ko. My eyes suddenly felt heavy after a few minutes. Naramdaman ko na lang na para akong nakalutang bago ko naramdaman ang malambot sa likod ko. May ipinatong din sa akin na bawal tela. I feels nice so I immediately goes back to sleep.

Naalimpungan ako dahil sa tunog ng doorbell ng unit. I open my eyes and found my self on the sofa, covered by comforter. I really did fall asleep. Halos bangag pa ako ng nakabusangot na lumitaw si Sebastian sa pinto ng unit. It looks like he's from outside or he opened the door for someone.

Magtatanong pa sana ako nang may biglang lumitaw sa likod nito.

"Hi," Angelo said, smiling and waving at me. I was still in daze while looking at them. Sebastian was frowning while Angelo was smilig from ear to ear.

When the situation sink in to my mind. Agad akong napabangon at gulat na napatingin sa kaniya.

"What are you doing in here, Attorney Gonzales?" I asked him, confused.

Lalapit na sana ako rito nang bigla akong hinawakan ni Sebastian sa balikat at hinarang ang katawan niya sa akin.

"What are you doing?" I asked him, starting to get annoyed.

"I won't let you face him in that clothes," he whispered as he makes me turn around and push me towards my room.

"What?" I questioned him.

"Change your clothes, Stella," he said firmly as he opens the door to my room. I shook his hands away from my shoulder as I push him away.

"Ano bang pinagsasabi mo?"

"You can't face him wearing that! It's too short and thin, you're not even wearing a bra beneath that top," he exclaimed as he looks at my clothes.

Kunot-noo naman akong napatingin doon at agad na nagtakip ng dibdib. I glare at him.

"You should have told me!"

"I did!"

I rolled my eyes at him as I walk towards my closet and pulled out a robe to cover my clothes. Nang makalabas ako sa closet ay nakita ko pa rin siyang naghihintay sa pinto. I passed though him and face my visitor.

"Atty. Gonzales? Can I asked what are you doing here, early in the morning?" I asked but he just responded me with a laugh.

"Early you say? It's already 10 in the morning, Ms. Salvador. I believe that we have somewhere we need to go this day," he said smirking.

I glance at the wall clock and confirm what he said. It's 10! How is that even possible? I just took a nap!

Dali-dali akong bumalik sa kuwarto para makapagligo at mag-ayos. I opted for a blue green jumpsuit paired with a 2 inch black stiletto. I grab a sunglasses to civer my puffy eyes due to lack of sleep last night. Sebastian was already inside of my room when I left my closet.

"Saan ang lakad niyo?"

"Why didn't you wake me up?"

Both of us asked in unison. I look at him, shocked that we are asking a question at the same time.

"You're sleeping."

"None of your business."

Sabay ulit na sagot namin. I sigh as I grab my things and ready to leave. We have a trial today so I can't be late.

I was about to walk passed through him when he suddenly grabbed my hand.

"I'm asking you, saan kayo pupunta?"

"Bakit ba ang dami mong tanong?" I asked him.

"Sagutin mo na lang kasi ako," he said.

"Somewhere important, kaya puwede ba? Bitawan mo 'ko? Nagmamadali ako," I told him.

"You spend time with him but you're avoiding me this past few weeks. That's kinda unfair you know?" he said lowly but I was still able to hear it.

"What the hell are you talking about? He's handling my company's case that's why we're always seeing each other," I explained. I don't know why am I even explaining myself to him. I jsut notice the sadness in his voice and face and I can't help to explain myself.

Nang hindi siya sumagot ay naisipan ko na umalis na. We really need to go now. When I reached the door, he suddenly spoke. And what he said shocked me.

"I'm the boyfriend here, so it's normal for me to feel jealous..."