Guarded ✔ (Alpha Sigma Omicron #5)

5. Old Married Couple

CHAPTER FIVE

Balisa akong nagising na wala sa tabi ko si Russle. Wala rin sa kwarto si Gotham. Nagmadali akong bumangon, mabilis kong nilibot ang kabuuan ng mansyon para hanapin ang dalawa.

May mga pagkakataong hindi pa rin ako panatag pagdating sa lagay ng kapatid ko kasama si Gotham.

They weren't every part of the mansion where I searched. Baka mapagod na naman ito ng masyado.

I waited for the two impatiently while cooking something in the kitchen. I took my annoyance out on the vegetables I cut. Namalayan ko na lang nakapagluto na ako ng breakfast.

Narinig ko ang paghagikhik ng kapatid ko patungong kusina. Buhat siya ni Gotham na maaliwalas din ang ekspresyon ng mukha, bahagyang pawisan ang kanyang noo. Wala rin itong bihis na pang-itaas. I figured they went out for a run.

Agad kong inirapan ang lalaki at kinuha ang kapatid ko mula sa kanya.

"Napagod ka ba? Russle, alam mo ang laging paalala ni ate..." My voice was firm trying to send the message to my little brother.

He just caressed my face with his little hand. "Hindi naman ako pagod, ate. Si kuya po ang nagbuhat sa akin, hindi niya ako pinatakbo saka naglakad lang kami. 'Wag na ikaw magalit. Lagi na lang nakakunot ang noo mo." Pinilit pa niyang ituwid ang aking noong nakakunot.

I felt Gotham's stare penetrating my insides. "Don't you trust me?" he asked with a little smirk.

"Hindi. Hindi ba obvious?" I rolled my eyes once again.

Russle laughed.

"Para kayong matandang mag-asawa. Ganyan din sina nanay Cynthia, laging sinusungitan niya raw ang asawa niya dati pero sweet din naman sila... Ate, nami-miss ko na si nanay Cynthia." Kumamot siya sa ulo at lumabi.

I sighed. Hinalikan ko ang kanyang noo at niyakap ng mahigpit. I don't know how to comfort him about her death, it's just a reality I couldn't protect him from. Wala akong ibang magawa kung hindi yakapin siya at patahanin tuwing nasasaktan.

Sometimes, I wish I have powers to shield him from the heartache of losing someone, but I'm no superhero.

"Sorry..." Kinagat ko ang aking labi.

"Hindi mo naman po kasalanan..." He hugged me back.

My heart tightened. I knew, for some reason, it was my fault. Dinala ko ang masamang kapalaran sa kanila. I was the bad luck and I couldn't undo things that already happened.

That's why I hate kind people, it makes me sympathize with them when my heart's supposed to be cold and unbothered. I'm only breathing for my little brother. Kailangan pa niya ako.

I fed them breakfast. Russle played with his toys in the living room afterwards. It was my time to corner Gotham. Natagpuan ko siya sa tapat ng fitness room. His mansion has different room for leisures. May sarili siyang gym sa kabuuan ng bahay.

Ngumisi siya agad ng masilayan ako. "Are you here for some sparring, sweetheart?"

Hindi ako sumagot. I took my time walking toward him. The moment I was inches away, I stopped and threw my first punch. He dodged without a second thought. Gotham's chuckles were heard across the room.

I attacked him several times. None of my punches came through. Gotham was fast avoiding every move I made. Hindi siya gumanti sa bawat subok kong saktan siya. Halakhak lang ang sinalubong nito sa akin.

Tumigil ako, habol ko ang aking hininga. Pawis na pawis ako.

"Short fuse..." He shook his head. "Damn, you're fucking aggressive. That's a good fucking exercise."