Midnights with Pierce Psyche Esquivel

Chapter 25

I stared at my plane ticket in my hand, pati na rin si Brianna ay nakatitig rin rito sa tabi ko.

“Will you be with me at Kuya Pierce concert, Ate?” Nalulungkot at kurioso nitong tanong.

I smiled at her and patted her head. “Oo, masasamahan pa kita. Don’t worry.”

Nagliwanag ang mukha niya at ngumiti rin siya pabalik sa sagot ko. “Will he be fine na nasa abroad ka na, Ate? Won’t he be sad?”

Napababa ako ng tingin. “He will be fine, Brianna…he will be fine.”

I'm just hoping now that he will. Pero siguradong masasaktan ko siya.

My flight would be the day after his concert, kasama ko si Sir Ejay sa training sa U.S at kumpleto na lahat ng papeles namin. Mom didn't lie when she said she will prepare everything, ako na lang ang kulang.

And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get rid of me. Masakit isipin pero totoo.

I sighed heavily and looked at the luggages and clothes scattered in my bed. Maghahanda na ako dahil sa makalawa na iyon. Hindi ko mapigil na mapangiti ng mapait, I just felt so weak and helpless with my situation.

“Don’t worry, Ate, Mama will be with me. At tatawag ka naman po lagi sa akin.”

But I am doing it all for my sister. Siya na lang ang naiwan sa akin na tunay na kapamilya, I can't afford to lose her, I needed to be strong for the both us. Hindi ko kayang pati siya ay mawala sa akin.

She helped me pack my clothes. Somehow, she is still clearly sad and she would often cry in her sleep. She’s acting so tough but I know that she is still broken inside. Kailangan niya pa ako, at ito lang ang paraan na alam ko para maprotektahan siya.

Bukas naman ay maglilipat na siya ng gamit sa bahay nina Mama. She is excited and I am just glad that Mama is treating her better than me. Sapat na sa akin iyon.

“Handa ka ba?” Sir Ejay asked as we sat in a coffee shop.

I bit my lips and nodded. Hindi ko pa rin talaga alam kung tama ba ang desisyon kung sunduin si Mama, o kung mas kabubuti ko ba ito. Everything is unsure and I'm just doing it all for my sister.

“It would be a three year training, Liberty. Well, this would benefit you a lot.” He concluded.

Tumango ako muli. Hindi naman lingid iyon sa akin, the training will give me more advantage and advice skills in my field. Matagal ko na rin gustong mag train pero na kuntento na ako sa akong ano meron dito. Hindi ko kayang iwan si Papa at Brianna, pero ngayon ay iba na. Papa is gone and Brianna needs me.

“Let’s just see each other at the airport tomorrow? Five in the morning.”

“Yes, Sir. Thank you.”

Nagkahiwalay kami at tinungo ko ang bahay nina Mama. I’ve been here twice and it wasn't a good experience, kaya hindi na nasundan pa.

It was located in a private subdivision at ng makarating ako rito ay bumungad sa akin ang renovated nilang mansion. It was a modern house with four floors and Brianna will be living here with her.

Tumuloy ako sa loob at saktong nakita ko si Brianna na pababa ng hagdan.

“Ate!” She exclaimed and hugged me right away.

Niyakap ko naman siya pabalik na siya ring pagkakita ko kay Mama na pababa ng hagdan. She is holding an envelope in her hands.

“Wala na po si Ate Andra, ngayon po concert ni Kuya Pierce eh! Magkasama po sila sa stage mamaya.”