CHAPTER SEVEN
792 Words
CHAPTER SEVEN
"Is it because of money?" Robert asked, coming out from the house and walking towards me.
My heart raced as I heard that question. I was at the balcony outside our house, washing clothes because it was the weekend. I stayed for some minutes without moving an inch, before I turned back to see who it was that asked that question from me. It was Robert. My stomach suddenly growled and I felt uneasiness within me. I threw up in his front as I looked at Robert standing and asking that question in front of me.
A lot of question kept on bombarding my brain. What did he mean by that question? Did he know already? How did he know? Wasn't he asleep then? Was he listening to our conversation yesterday night? I couldn't put myself to ask one particular question from him, as I didn't know what exactly to say.
We discussed about him yesterday, about not wanting him to be exposed to more because of his early age but now, seeing Robert asking that question in front of me made me throw up while holding my tummy tightly as I felt a sharp pain in my stomach.
He had known already and we said we didn't want him to be more exposed to the situation going on in the family. "Could Mom have told him?" I asked myself in mind. "No, she wouldn't have brought herself up to tell him" I answered back swiftly and further added "Probably he wasn't sleeping then".
"Is it because of Money, Big Sis" he said with a shaky voice while shouting this time around, jolting me away from my thoughts.
I couldn't find the right words to put together as I mumbled within, before I could bring myself up to ask him the questions I have been looking for answers to. "Were you not sleeping then? Were you listening to our conversation? Did mother tell you all these?" I asked, filling him up with a whole lot of question.
"Answer my question!" he exclaimed, moving closer to me with this painful look in his face.
I knew I couldn't ask him more questions so I answered him, while stuttering "I... I had no choice than to do it, Robert... We have to survive" I whispered, fumbling with my words.
"Did you know I watched the news yesterday?" he asked, looking into my eyes like someone in a state of distress.
I couldn't hold it in anymore and I let out the hidden tears in my eyes. I walked to him like a dying person, as I dragged my feet on the ground. "I'm sorry, Robert... I'm deeply sorry" That was what I could say continuously as I ran to meet him.
"So did you accept the job?" he asked further and my eyes widened, looking at him from below. I was at the floor already, holding his leg tightly and seeing him questioning me further, I knew I couldn't hide anything from him already. "What's there to lie about anymore when he knew the truth we were hiding from him?" I asked myself rhetorically.
I sighed and answered "I accepted his offer, Robert" with my face looking at the floor like a person who had surrendered herself to be killed. Just then, I felt a hand patting my back. It was Robert. I quickly held his hand tightly to myself, not wanting to leave him. I looked at him and I felt so happy and excited within.
"Big Sis... We are only after your safety that's why" he said to me.
"I understand, Robert... I promise I'll protect myself" I said, smiling at him.
"Please do, Big Sis... I love you" he said, using his small hand to draw me closer to him.
I hugged him more while tears strolled down my eyes, enough to float a ship. I looked up to the sky, not wanting the tears to flow down while I used my hand to rub his head alongside. "I love you, Robert" I uttered in silence.
"I know you do and you will always do anything to protect me" he smiled at me, opening his small white set of teeth.
"Yes, Robert. I promise" I assured him.
"But I hope you will protect yourself better, big Sis... And I also promise to protect you from any danger" he moved his head behind, and used his little hands to clean the tears in my face.
"I know you will, Robert" I smiled, rubbing his head roughly and patting him playfully on his back.
We were like that for some minutes, giving each other the support and courage that we needed most at that particular point in time.
To be continued...
- Writer
