Gorgeous

Challenge # 14

Simula

Bruno's

I woke up with that buzzing of my phone. Before I answer that, I looked beside me and found Cinderella asleep. Nakaunan siya sa braso ko. Her mouth was a bit parted and she looked so peaceful while asleep. Muntik ko nang makalimutang may tumatawag sa akin. My eyes widened when I saw Judas Escalona's number flashing on my screen.

What time is it?

"Good evening, Sir." Bati ko. It's only eleven pm. Cinderella has until one am – that's her curfew.

"Where are you and where did you take my daughter?" Tanong niya sa akin. Tinatantya ko kung kalmado ang boses niya. Wala naman kaming ginagawa ni Cinderella. We just watched her favorite series, and I guess I was the first one to fall asleep because I don't really remember what happened after Cindy laughed and farted loudly. Tawa siya nang tawa kay Joey. Napapailing ako. Hindi ko talaga matandaan kung anong nangyari matapos iyon.

I cleared my throat. Dahan – dahan kong inalis iyong ulon ni Cindy sa braso ko para makatayo ako. She stirred and then she turned around. She even sighed, oh that cute sound she makes. Bago pa ako muling makalimot ay nagsalita na ako. Lumabas ako ng silid para hindi magising si Cindy.

"Sir, I took her to my place to celebrate her birthday in advance but we have no hanky panky. I didn't even touch her, she's asleep now but as soon as she wakes up, I'm taking her home."

I can imagine his face in a very grouchy expression. Gusto kong maubo. The last thing I want is for him to not like me because I like Cindy very much and because I want this - I really do. I'm just taking it slow because I feel like Cindy isn't like the other girls.

"Take her home before 1 am." Wika niya sa akin. "And on your way back, can you bring me some potato chips? Three bags. Ikaw nang bahala sa flavor. Thanks, Orejon." Sabi niya pa. Tinapos niya ang tawag. Nagtatakang napailing ako. Para saan ang potato chips? I shook my head again. Ang weird talaga ng mga tatay.

Bumalik na ako sa kwarto pero bigla akong napahinto nang makita ko si Brandon na nakatayo sa dulo ng kama at titig na titig kay Cinderella.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Marahas niya akong tiningnan. Nagulat ako nang daluhan niya ako uoang kwelyuhan at saka itinulak papunta sa pader.

"Putang ina!" He told me. "I am calling you! Ang buong akala ko nasa Cebu ka pa! I needed back up! Putang ina! Wala ka na ba talagang pakialam sa akin?!" He hissed at me.

"I am with Ruel and I told you, I will never take the trouble near him!"

"O! E paano naman ako?!" He hissed at me. "Magkakambal tayo, Bruno pero puro sarili mol ang ang iniisip mo!" Natigilan siya at tumingin kay Cinderella. "Is this because of her?" Tanong niya. "Gago mo, Bruno, gusto mo bang maulit iyong nangyari sa misyon sa Etophia?! Babae lang iyan. Blood is always thicker than water."

"Ruel is my blood." Wika ko pa. He shook his head. Dinuro niya ako.

"This isn't you, Bruno."

"Ayoko na." Sabi ko pa sa kanya. "Matagal ko nang inuulit sa'yong ayoko na. I told you when you were badly hurt that this is gonna be my last mission with you. Ayoko na, Brandon. Sasabihin ko na rin kay Papa ang nangyari at ang tungkol sa'yo." Wika ko pa. "Ayoko na. I want my life back."

Hindi nagsalita ang kakambal ko. Basta na lang siyang umalis. Sa bintana siya dumaan. Alam kong may tampo siya sa akin, but Brandon and I always finds away to make things work. Mahal niya ako, kahit madalas kaming mag-away, alam kong hinding – hindi siya gagawa ng kahit na anong ikapapahamak ko.