Love n' Dear

Chapter 35: Sucks

I'm glad Zero is not doing something weird today. His routine is giving me a lift away from my school and I'm happy that no one ever notice it and he is as flash as he can, every time I text him so he can pick me up.

Marami akong dala sa kamay dahil bitbit ko ang pasalubong para kay Elle at iyong paper bag na binili ko para sa damit ni Luis that I am even hesistant to give iyong mani at stick-o pero I end up giving it too.

Nakasalubong ko pa si Troy na papasok pa lang sa gate and dping something with his id he can enter. We both went to the office because somehow, our schedule is the same.

"Breakfast?" he asked, holding a cup to his right hand while the other one is for the books. Wow! He's also studious just like his little sister.

"Thanks and I'm done but don't get offended I never knew you are siblings with Elle. " He is hesitated to walk because of what I have said and I'm just thinking if I'm being nosy again?

He put a little smile before resume walking. "What change your mind?"

"You both love to study or maybe needed because of your strict parents." I'm just blessed my mom loves me so much and is very supportuve to what what I wanted to do.

He sips his coffee. "Is that so?"

I nodded while saying, "Yep, you two are don't resemble anything and I didn't really know about you being Elle's brother because if I knew, I would probably cut any connection I have with you. Anyway, I just realized it today when I saw you holding a book. You two have so much in common." Am I being not myself again? Oh shoot! This is why I always think before I speak.

"Spill it," he said then pushed the button of the elevator and we both enter. Does it mean I should tell him the things they have in common?

Nagkwento ako sa kaniya sa pagiging perfectionist nilang dalawa pero natatawang umiling siya. "Yes you are, remember when we are both counting the books and you saw a book that is not in a proper line, you organize it and starts counting again, and when you photocopy the book that was assigned to me and you get mad for no reason just because I keep grabbing it but you are busy checking the pages..."

We both laugh, remembering what we have been through for a month of being a student assistant until we enter the office.

"You two are not close, right?" I elbow him when he's busy enjoying his coffee but here I am sitting pretty waiting for instructor to give me a task.

"Elle?"

"Wow! You also called her Elle? Thought, you're one of the people whose first to annoy her." My brothers and I were not closed but at least we still annoy each other because that's normal or maybe not especially in the case of them, lalo na si Karan.

"How to annoy her?"

Hindi niya alam? "What? You surely don't know? You can call her Rence and she'll be in a bad mood all day."

I remember calling her that and freak! She avoided me for a whole day. She didn't talk to me and when I asked her for a sheet of paper, she ignored me. I suddenly became invisible to her. The next day, I was shocked because she's the first one who greeted me and acted like she didn't ignore me at all.

I noticed Troy became silent and exactly the time we are given a task to do. I won't pry with their business and I get it, they are hiding something but who cares? As long as Elle is my best friend, she'll remain as one.

Nang may isang oras akong bakante bago ang klase ko, nauna akong nagpunta kay Elle at ibibigay sana sa kaniya ang pasalubong/pabili niya sa akin pero absent raw ito. Hindi ko naman alam kasi wala siyang pasabi. Since, malapit lang naman ang room ni Luis, nagpunta na rin ako. I need to give him the shirt. I was welcomed by Renz smiling like an idiot.

"Is Luis inside?"

"Not yet, why?" He and Elle will make a great pair. They love issue.

I pushed the paper bag to his chest. "Give it to him," pag-uutos ko. Alangan naman kasing antayan ko pa siya, gumastos na nga ako't lahat.

"Sana all may bagong damit," natatawang biro niya. He should ask for my friend, she'll probably give him a department store. That's how nice and spoiled Elle is.

"Tell him, I'm just repaying the shirt I threw up."

He raised his one eyebrow then went inside and quickly came back, throwing me a thick sticky note.

"I'm not a messenger," aniya.

I shrugged and try to compose what I'll write but nothing's coming in my head. I haven't experience this. Hindi ko nga ito nagawa kay Zero noon.

"What should I say?" Nagkamot pa ako ng ulokasi I don't have any idea what to say.

"Don’t know," he nonsensical said. He surely helps me big time.

Not a gift, just a token for your generosity.

I shook my head and crumpled it. The message is too corny.

"What?" I asked Renz. It's annoying how he's spying me of what I'll write. Nagkibit-balikat siya at nagpanggap na walang ginagawa when it's evident na gusto niyang makiusyuso.

Sorry, had to throw at you. -LV. I've decided na lagyan ng initial na lang. I paste it in front of the paper bag and handed it to Renz' care. It’s up to him if he'll give it to his cousin or not. Itatanong ko pa sana kung bakit absent si Elle pero baka wala rin siyang alam.

"See you later," sabi niya pero wala akong balak makipagkita sa kaniya o sa pinsan niyang weirdo.

I actually blocked Luis yesterday night. I just want to stay away from him. Pagdating ko rin sa bahay kahapon, alam kong may nangyari talaga sa stepdad ko at kay Luis. Mom being oa, in-examine pa niya ang katawan ko kasi baka may sugat ako or what. Tinanong pa nila kung sino ang kasama ko or saan ako natulog and I don't think I need to lie because they deserve the truth so I said that I'm with Luis and nothing happened and I also clear the misunderstanding that he is not my boyfriend. Hindi naman nakuntento si Mama dahil parang nagloloko ako, to think na kasama ko pa sa pagtulog si Luis but I don't need to explain that much. Bahala na silang tanggapin iyon. I'm just tired of all the things at maaga na lang natulog para makabawi. Noong dinner time naman, dumating sina Kyros at Karan kaya naibigay ko ang pasalubong ko sa kanila.

I’ve never been happy in my entire college life when my class ended early and teachers are all in a meeting so I don't need to go to the office. I plan to meet Kerr today because I need to give him the things I bought for him when I'm in the Philippines.

I texted Zero that he can wait for me at the building of the tutor center where Kerr is learning because that's not far from my school. I can actually walk and that would be seven minutes or less than that.

I unconsciously dropped my phone because of a sudden honking.

"Hop in," the owner of the car said.

I bend down and pick my phone and I'm glad it still working. I shook my head kasi malapit naman iyong pupuntahan ko. Sumabay lang iyong kotse niya sa paglakad ko.

Inis naman akong lumingon sa kaniya na nakakagulat kasi he's already wearing the shirt that I bought. I didn't know it will suits him well.

"If you're planning to thank me, save it, that's actually nothing." Nothing my foot! I am broke because of that shirt. I'm trying to save because being a student assistant does not mean the money for tuition is on time and three weeks later, I have midterms. No tuition, no exam. Or maybe I can deal with a promissory note?

"I'm really sorry," he said with apologetic eyes.

I just smiled. "Apology accepted, now get lost." Itinuloy ko ang paglalakad sa gutter dahil dalawang building na lang para marating ang building kung saan nag-aaral si Kerr.

"But you are still mad," he murmured.

I look at him, disbelief of what I heard from his mouth. The hell he it is! If I cupped his chest will he be happy about it?

"I'm not! Why would I be angry? You just popped out of nowhere suddenly slip his hand inside my shirt and did something to my chest. I'm not mad, really," I sarcastically said. Screw everythint about him! I'm trying to move on with his irresistible seductive lips but here he is, toying me with his hand.

In life you'll meet someone as persistent as someone I know. Because if he sets his goal, he'll surely do it no matter what challenges are waiting for him. It's annoying but you can't do anything and just watch him achieving it. Yes! I'm talking about the annoying weirdo and maniac Luis who's trying his luck to get me.

He raked his fingers through his hair while asking me if we can talk. He's probably frustrated but there's nothing to talk. I don't want to clear the misunderstanding between us. I just want to forget everything about him, and the freak! Why am I being like this when in fact we never really dive in a relationship?

"I don't think I have time. Sorry," I said, smiling while opening and closing my fingers without thumb to show my goodbye kasi nandito na ako. Nagmamadali akong pumasok sa building because I don't want to be late. I promised Kerr I'll treat him one of these days. Pagkalabas ko ng elevator, I'm glad that Kerr is still here.

I waved at him, trying to catch his attention because he's talking to his teacher. He also waved his hand and approached me.

"How's the lesson?" I asked, kissing his cheeks.

"I got stars!" he cheerfully said, showing me his paper full of stars.

I pat his head. "I'll treat you because you did a good job today."

I can see how delighted he is hearing the word treat. I hold his hand while getting out of the building. But unfortunately, his bodyguards and driver were waiting for him.

"Ms. Violet, should we give you a lift?"

I rolled my eyes with the kind of question. Why now? I was about to eat with my brother but they came, ruining it.

"No, my driver will pick me up." I hugged Kerr one last time and handed him the paper bag that's meant for him, before they leave me. He's not even living in our house but I feel annoyed that they explained to me about Kerr's schedule basically I have to do some appointment so I can see and bond with him. Why they are so strict? We're half siblings. We both came with same mother. I only want to eat with him and it's not even far. The fast food is there, across this building.

Fine! I'll just eat in solo flight. I'm not a fan of praying but I did pray right now a lot and even called angels before crossing the street. I already did it and it's twice, the difference is that I'm alone. Luis is not with me and it's not like I have him beside me every day.

I smiled, reminiscing how I avoid the streets for years but unexpectedly Luis came, I'm still afraid but not that much anymore. I just take three steps before a hand grabbed my wrist and drag me, away from the street.

"Are you crazy?" he angrily said, veins popping to his neck with fire spitting in his eyes.

I glared at him for messing what I want to do. "Does crossing the street means crazy to you?"

"I'm serious, Louisse. Stop acting like a kid! You can just ask for help, I'm willing to lend you a hand. Just ask, is that hard to do?" Now, he sounds worried but still with his angry tone.

I pushed his shoulder. "Hey, why are you freaking raising your voice at me?" I didn't shout at him so why would he do it? I hate shouting!

He breathes in and out, calming himself. "If you need to cross the street, call me."

Why would I call my ex just because I'll cross the street?

"Stay here, I'll get the car. We don't have time; I have to drive you to the hotel."

So this must be the schedule of Kerr that the bodyguard is explaining to me before. There must be an occasion.

He starts walking away because the car is on the other side. I turned my back because I don't want to watch him. Until I heard a freaking loud noise, few cars were honking. I turn around, looking for him. He should take care of himself because he's my bodyguard.

"I'm here," he said getting out of his car.

I closed my eyes and cover it with my right palm because I don't want to see him that I'm crying.

"Did I scare you? I'm sorry," he said while hugging me.

My memories began to flash back and tears suddenly burst out while I'm in his arms. I may want him to leave me alone me but not to the extent to leave the world, permanently.

This really s**cks!