Athaliah's Redemption (Ortega Series 1)

Kabanata 20

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XX - Carpe Diem

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"This is so weird."

Napakagat-labi ako dahil sa sinabi ni Jemima sa tabi ko. Jeroboam was already driving his car.

"So... ganito lang kayong dalawa mag-usap?" tanong pa nito makalipas ang ilang sandali.

"Ignore her."

"Sorry. Hindi lang ako sanay. Kapag kasi si Celis..." huminto siya saglit at napabaling sa akin. She smiled apologetically like she mentioned someone she should not have.

"It's okay," I smiled. I actually wanted to know more about Jeroboam and his past relationships. I'm new to all of these things and we didn't really talk about the past.

"You were saying?" I asked.

I saw Jeroboam glance at me. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Ngumuso nalang siya at tumingin sa kalsada.

"Well, they were always talking and laughing and...uhm... they always show too much PDA."

I gulped the bitter lump that formed in my throat. I can't help but feel jealous, which I should not be. Celis already has a boyfriend and they seem happy together. She had been nothing but good to me. Still, I really can't help it.

I looked at Jeroboam. His eyes were still on the road.

"Really," I said and was about to scoff but I stopped myself. I ended up coughing instead.

"May isang time pa nga na naabutan kong – "

"Shut up, Jah," Jeroboam said in a stern and strong voice.

Inihinto niya ang sasakyan. I didn't even realize na iginilid na pala niya iyon kanina. He undid his seatbelt before standing up a bit and turning behind. Agad niya akong hinalikan sa labi.

My eyes were so wide because of what he just did.

"Kuya!"

Nataranta ako nang marinig ang boses ni Jemima. Agad ko siyang tinulak. Napalakas yata at nauntog pa ang ulo ni Jeroboam sa dingding ng sasakyan.

"What the hell?!" si Jemima.

"I'm sorry!" medyo tumayo rin ako para tingnan kung ayos lang siya. I heard him chuckle as he looked at me.

"I didn't know you're strong, baby."

"You caught me off guard!" I said in defense, not really sure if it was because of his action or because of Jemima witnessing it. My hand reached for the part of his head that got hit. "A-are you okay?"

He gazed at me and swiftly planted a soft kiss on my forehead. "Yeah."

"Hey, I'm still here!"

Jeroboam chuckled before distancing himself from me. He looked at his sister.

"Stop talking, Jah. You're making her jealous."

Ngumisi si Jeroboam nang mapatingin sa akin. Ako naman ngayon ang ngumuso.

"I didn't realize that!" Jemima said defensively.

Tiningnan ko siya habang inaayos ang sarili. Jemima bit her lip as she looked back at me. She gave me a peace sign. I chuckled before turning my attention to Jeroboam. He settled on the driver's seat while looking at me through the rear view mirror.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay pero pinantayan niya ang ginawa ko.Tumingin nalang ako sa labas ng bintana at tumikhim.

"Who's hungry?" I asked when I saw that the car stopped just near a convenience store.