We Broke Up

11 - Big Brother

"Work? Anong ibig sabihin nito, Riza?" Jay, who seemed to appear out of nowhere asked from behind Tessa with a frown on his gorgeous face.

"Kuya..." Riza mumbled as she bowed her head. The poor girl looked terrified. "Magpapaliwanag po ako."

"Sa bahay tayo mag-usap. Uwi! Ngayon!" He snarled at his sister. I don't think he even noticed I was there or it was me that his sister was with because when I spoke he was so surprised that he couldn't figure out whether to continue being angry at his sister or be happy to see me. At least, that was how he looked to me with that smile that insisted on pulling on the sides of his lips and the furrow of his eyebrows.

"Teka lang, Mr. Ferguson. I think we should all sit and talk about this first." I said.

He looked at me slightly taken aback at how I addressed him formally. He took a deep break to calm himself down a little but his voice was still stern when he answered. If there was any trace of his delight to see me again, that was already gone. I am now being confronted by a totally different person.

"Miss Montefrio, pasensya na pero wala na pong kailangan pag-usapan. Nakapag-desisyon na po ako. Iuuwi ko na ang kapatid ko. Hindi po siya magta-trabaho para sa inyo o para kanino hangga't hindi siya nakakatapos." He spoke solemnly and his eyes held mine determinedly. He then turned to his sister and held her elbow. "Riza, magpaalam ka na."

"Pero, Kuya..." His younger sister said in a soft and shaky voice as her eyes filled with tears. It was obvious that she did not want to go but couldn't voice out her protests. That scene struck a very sensitive chord in me.

"Jay, I think you should let her go. Halata naman na ayaw niyang sumama." I told him. "Besides, she signed a contract with us, she can't just leave."

"And I think kailangan mo nang tigilan ang pakikialam mo sa pamilya ko." He answered, his eyes were cold and piercing. I was hurt but I was not about to back down. I met his gaze directly. "Hindi ko siya pinapayagan pumirma ng kahit anong kontrata kaya walang kwenta yang pinirmahan niya."

"Are you hearing yourself right now?" I scoffed. "Riza is an adult, old enough to make her own decisions and legally allowed to enter any contract SHE wishes to do so. Her signature on this paper is binding." I argued. "Do you understand?"

He stepped towards me, seething and gritting his teeth. "Oo. Hindi ako graduate ng college pero naiintindihan ko. Kahit English pa yang sinabi mo."

I realized how offensive my last question was and felt a pang in my chest. "Jay, I didn't mean to... I'm sorry." I whispered as my expression softened. We were both just looking out for Riza and there was really no point in hurting each other.

"Kapatid ko pa din siya. Ako ang nagpapa-aral at bumubuhay sa kaniya, lahat ng dala at suot niya pagpunta dito sa inyo, galing sa akin. Pinaghirapan ko. Pinag-trabahuhan ko para hindi na siya ang mahirapan." He told me. The indignation in his demeanor slowly melted as he moved closer to me, his voice softer and his eyes a little gentler. He was becoming the friend I had on the beach again. "Okay na ako kahit hindi na ako magkaroon ng pagkakataon na makatapos basta ang mga kapatid ko makapagtapos pareho. Yun lang naman ang hiling ko kasi yun lang ang kaya kong ibigay sa kanila. Kahit man lang sa kanila, hindi ako mabigo. Naiintindihan mo din ba yun?"

I nodded but I could still see Riza's apprehension so I continued to argue for her. "Oo. But you have to respect her own choices too. Kaya naman niya. She assured me that she would still do well in school. Hindi din naman namin hahayaan na mapabayaan ang pag-aaral niya while she works for us." I explained. "This is her life, Jay. She has a say in it. You can't mute her voice."

To my surprise, Jay took my hand and looked in my eyes then sighed.

"Tungkol pa din ba kay Riza ang pinaglalaban mo, Miss Naveah?" He asked and I sighed when I realized what he meant.

I stared back at him and answered. "I think you should ask yourself the same thing, Jay." We stood quietly gazing at each other for a while.

"Miss Naveah..." Riza's gentle voice called our attention and we both turned to face her. "Kung okay lang po, pwede po bang suamama muna ako pauwi kay Kuya? Mas maganda po siguro kung sa bahay na lang po kami mag-usap."

"Is that what you really want, Riz?" I asked.

She nodded. "Opo. Gustong-gusto ko po yung alok niyo sa akin. Napakalaking opportunity po nun para sa akin pero wala pong maayos na mapag-uusapan kung magtataasan po kayo ng pride ni Kuya."

I sighed. "Okay. Just call me ha? I'll hold on to this contract. Hihintayin ko ang decision mo." I told her.

"Opo. Thank you po, Miss Naveah." She smiled then spoke to her brother. "Kuya, halika na." She said. "Bitawan mo na yang kamay ni Miss Naveah."

"Ha?" Jay asked and looked at his left hand which was still holding mine. We looked at each other with wide eyes then blushed as we let go and looked away while Riza giggled softly. "Hala! Sorry, Miss Naveah." Jay whispered.

"I-it's fine." I answered, tucking my hair behind my ear, feeling my cheeks burn and my heart beat like a thousand raging horses were in my chest. "Ingat kayo. Riza, please call me soon ha?"

"Opo. Promise, Miss Naveah." She smiled. "Thank you.

"Thank you din. Ingat kayo."

After they had left, Tessa was frantic as she apologized repeatedly as if what just happened was her fault. I assured her that I was fine and accepted the coffee, juice, milk, water, cake and ice cream that she ordered in panic to make sure that I felt better. I called it a day and told her to go home and meet me in the morning. I can handle taking photos and videos of the city's nightlife on my own. I think.

//

It was around nine in the evening. After a quick nap, a shower and slipping into a casual black dress for late dinner, I was sitting in a Resto-Bar in Paseo de Sta. Rosa when my phone rang.

"Hello, Kuya." I greeted my brother who was on the other line with a wide grin, all too excited to report our accomplishments on the first day of my first assignment.

"Naveah Montefrio, what the hell were you thinking?!" Kuya Nico snapped.