Midnights with Pierce Psyche Esquivel

Chapter 19

Andra stood up and wiped away her tears with her hands. She looks so frustrated and insulted at the same time as she made her way to me. Tumigil siya sa harapan at nang iinsultung tiningnan ko mula ulo hanggang paa.

I remained calm on my seat. Walang mangyayari kung papatul ako. I know that I am more capable than her, physically and mentally.

She hissed under her breath. “Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo, ikaw pa ngayon ang may hihilingin. Do you think Pierce will settle on you? Pagsasawaan ka rin noon at ako pa rin ang babalikan.”

Pumiyok ang boses niya sa huli at muling pinunasan ang namumuong luha sa kanyang mata. She is trying so hard to look strong but she is obviously crumbling inside.

I shrugged my shoulders off and looked at Mom as she stood on her seat too. Muling bumalik ang tingin ko sa kanya at tumayo na rin. I am taller than her but it’s only a small difference.

“Okay…if that’s what you think. Tingnan na lang natin.” I calmly responded instead.

Kinuha ko na ang gamit ko pero hinayaan na lang muna ang mga gamit ni Brianna sa upuan niya. Tumingin ako kay Mama na medyo gulat pa rin.

“Pierce never courted someone else…he never gave flowers to someone else.” Mom concluded as she looked at me.

Nakangisi na tumingin sa akin si Andra. “I am sure that once he gets in your pants, he’ll drop you like a hot potato. I’ll give it a week.”

Nanatili ang kalmado kong postura. “Pierce just gave me ten bouquets this morning, and I have already rejected his courtship once…nagpumilit kaya wala rin akong nagawa sa huli. My work is at stake”

Pareho silang napasinghap sa sinabi ko at muling napaupo si Mama sa upuan niya sa gulat.

“I am sorry if I have ruined our dinner…pero gusto po kayong makita ni Brianna. Just contact me again when is your available time, o kaya po ay dumalaw naman po kayo sa bahay.” Malumanay kong saad.

Tumikhim si Mama ng malakas habang nanatili ang awang na labi ni Andra habang nakatitig sa akin.

“Have a goodnight.” I gathered all our things and I went out right after.

Pagkasara ko pa lang ng pintuan a nadatnan ko na na naghihintay sa may labasan si Brianna kasama ang sekretarya ni Mama.

Her eyes went wide and quickly hugged my waist. Napangiti ako at hinaplos ang kanyang ulo.

“Gusto ko ng umuwi, Ate.” Her voice was full of concern.

Binigyan ko siya ng marahan na ngiti. “Then let’s go.”

We went out of the resto and upon reaching outside, ramdam ko ang biglaang pagbagsak ng kalooban ko sa naging usapan namin. Bitterness crept to me as my head replayed the concerned look on my Mom’s eyes as she consoled Andra.  

Napahugot ako ng malalim na hininga at humigpit ang kapit ko sa kamay ni Brianna. Masasanay rin ako…it is fine…wala na dapat akong ipag alala. I’ve been through this several times already.

I looked for a taxi but I spotted someone familiar instead. Naglakad siya palapit sa amin habang kunot ang noo.

"That was early, akala ko mamaya pa kayo matatapos?" He curiously asked and looked at the resto.

Tumikhim ako. "Uuwi na kami. Tapos na."

He looked at me again. "Okay...wait for me here."

I looked at Pierce as he went back to the parking lot. Hindi ko naman alam na maghihintay siya, mas mabuti na sana kung umuwi na lang siya para magpahinga.