Athaliah's Redemption (Ortega Series 1)

Kabanata 17

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XVII - Drunk

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I thought I'd be the last to wake up since I was the last one to sleep. Mabuti nalang at tulog pa sina Addessa at Effie.

I saw Jemima and the others already wearing a new set of clothes. They all looked like they had just taken a bath or a shower.

"Pool party later," Akierah told me the plan for that day.

"I have to text my cousin," I said because Alastair only thinks that it's only a sleepover. "But I won't be swimming with you. Wala akong iba pang pamalit bukod sa susuotin ko ngayon."

"Jemima has new swimwear for each one of us."

Tumango nalang ako. Bakit ko nga ba nakakalimutang mayaman ang mga Ortega? Givng things for free is just fine for them. Walang kaso dahil maliit lang para sa kanila.

Since the bathroom is not being used by anyone, I got that opportunity to take a shower and change. Nang natapos ay sakto namang gising na rin ang dalawang natutulog.

Pinauna na kami ni Jemima sa lanai kung saan nakahanda ang pagkain. The sun was already glaring when I glanced at the sky. Mabuti nalang at covered rin ang pool nila kaya hindi masyadong ramdam ang sikat ng araw.

I looked back inside and saw Jeroboam talking to one of their househelps. I just smiled as I remembered our conversation last night.

"I won't entertain any suitors if there would be," I said with confidence as I looked at him. "Do you really like me?"

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "What do you think?"

I bit my lower lip. Hindi rin kasi ako sigurado. "Na...hindi mo naman talaga ako gusto?"

He sighed. Hawak ang kamay ko ay inilagay niya iyon sa palapulsuhan niya. He placed two of my fingers on a particular part of his left wrist. "Can you feel this?"

I slightly nodded.

"Just hold on to it for at least fifteen seconds."

Why is he making me check his pulse?

Naguguluhan man ay sinunod ko pa rin.

Nobody talked for a while. Baka nga higit pa sa labinlimang segundo iyong lumipas. But I did concentrate on his pulse. Mabilis iyon kumpara sa normal na ritmo. Pabalik-balik ang tingin ko sa kanya at sa dalawang daliri kong pinapakiramdaman ang pulso niya.

"That's one proof that I like you. I'm exclusively yours, baby."

Napasinghap ako sa sinabi niya.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin. Should I joke? Is he aspiring to be a lawyer...or a doctor?

I let the air remain serious as it is. Nakatitig lamang ako sa kanyang mapupungay na mga mata. He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it.

"Be my boyfriend," I whispered.

Naramdaman ko ang pag-iling niya. "Don't just decide when you feel so happy."

"Sinong tinitingnan mo diyan?" si Akierah.

Nasa likod ko na pala siya at nakatingin na rin sa loob kagaya ko. Wala na roon si Jeroboam.

"Wala," sabi ko na lang at ibinaling ang atensyon sa mga pagkaing nakahanda.

I did not see Jeroboam until it was lunch time. Sa lanai pa rin iyon at kumasya kaming lahat dahil masyadong malawak. He was busy talking with his brothers.