Athaliah's Redemption (Ortega Series 1)

Kabanata 2

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II - Birthday

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Whenever we were dismissed together, we often see the same black tinted car waiting for the girl.

Si Akierah ang nagsabi sa amin tungkol sa babae. "She's Jemima Ortega!"

Now the girl has a name. Jemima. And an Ortega?

Napatingin ako kay Akierah. "Related to Ahira Ortega?"

Tumango siya. "Iyong kasa-kasama ng ate mo palagi. Magkapatid sila. Isama mo na rin sa listahan si Jonathan Ortega, 'yong kambal ni Ahira."

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Assunta. "And the guy?"

It had been a full two weeks since the first time we saw the guy. And Assunta was too curious about his identity.

"Hindi ko pa alam ang pangalan niya," sabi ni Akierah. "Pero narinig kong tinawag siya ni Osborne ng Mercado noong isang araw."

"Baka iyon ang apelyido niya," si Addessa. I thought the same too.

Napaisip ako. The guy looks older. Baka magkasing-edad sila nina Osborne. But he's with Jemima?

"This is so disturbing. I don't even know the full name of my crush," sabi ni Akierah at pumangalumbaba.

Nakita niya ang reaksyon ko. "Oh please. Naging crush mo kaya si Osborne! Stop being prejudiced!"

I stared at her icily. "I am not prejudiced," mariin kong sinabi. "Nakita mo lang siya sa parking tapos crush mo na agad? Besides, he might already be the girl's boyfriend."

Humalakhak si Addessa but there was no humor in it. "Can you not be so serious? Just this once, Athaliah."

I don't get them. They are obsessing about the guy too much. Well, I know Assunta is just curious because of her encounters with Jemima. But Addessa and Akierah are curious because they like the guy.

Mabilis ang panahon. Magtatapos na ang school year. That means vacation is upcoming. Our family decided to go up north. Gusto ni Mommy na bumisita kami sa Les Valles. She wanted us to see our relatives there for the break.

Ahira had plans of her own. Gusto niyang mag-tour naman sa Ilocos Region. Pumayag si Mommy dahil madadaanan naman namin ang rehiyon papunta sa Les Valles.

I thought about my friends. Assunta might probably be in Italy with Cosimo and her family. Akierah still does not know the name of the guy. Unlike Addessa who had given up and had taken another crush, Akierah is stuck. Umiling ako.

"Have you packed yet?"

Tumingin ako sa may pintuan. Nakatayo roon ang kapatid ko at tinitingnan ako.

"Tapos na, kahapon pa," sagot ko bago tiningnan ang orasan sa aking bedside table. It's still five o'clock in the morning.

Sadyang maaga kaming lahat para sa biyahe. Les Valles is twelve hours away but we have some stop-overs along the way.

Tumango siya. "Baba na tayo. Naghanda si Mommy ng hearty breakfast., an early birthday celeb for you."

Oh, right. I'm turning sixteen in two days.

Pagkababa ay nakita namin ang mag-asawang naglalambingan.

"We're here na Mommy," Ahira said, distracting them. Mommy giggled.

Naupo na kaming dalawa at agad kong pinansin ang nasa hapag. Bacons, eggs, mixed vegetables, fresh lettuce leaves, toast, and more. Mommy does love an American breakfast though she incorporated some Asian style to it.