Athaliah's Redemption (Ortega Series 1)

Kabanata 6

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VI - Smile

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Hindi ko alam kung saan ako kumuha ng lakas na maglakad papalayo roon. Hinang-hina kong kinuha ang tray mula sa pagkakalapag nito sa isang muwebles.

I don't have any thoughts at the moment but the realization I have for myself.

Mariin akong napapikit, pilit na ibinabaon ang nakita wala pang isa o dalawang minuto ang nakalipas at ang realisasyon tungkol sa aking nararamdaman. I inhaled and exhaled heavily before turning the knob of Jemima's door.

I saw her still standing and fixing something in the terrarium, obviously undisturbed by anything. Dahil nandoon nakatuon ang kanyang pansin ay baka hindi niya narinig ang pagbagsak ng malakas na bagay na narinig ko kanina... o kung narinig man niya ay hindi niya na pinakialaman pa.

Maingat kong inilapag ang tray sa isang stool malapit sa kanya.

"Kanina ka pa?" tanong niya nang mapansin ako.

Umiling lang ako. "Kain ka na," mahina kong saad.

Kumuha siya mula sa tray ng pagkain bago bumaling ulit sa akin. "Ikaw? Hindi ba gutom ka rin?"

I just shook my head. I don't have any appetite at the moment. Kung kanina ay gusto ko pang kumain, ngayon ay nawalan ako ng gana.

"I was eating on my way here," I reasoned out so she would not ask me more questions. Buti nalang at mukhang kumbinsido siya sa dahilan kong iyon.

I got my phone out of my purse and texted Ahira. I want to go home. Badly.

I just watched Jemima redesigning her terrarium but my thoughts were elsewhere. Hindi na ako makapag-isip nang maayos. All I was thinking was Jeroboam and the girl.

I may only be sixteen and currently in Grade 10 but that does not mean I am innocent and naïve. I know what happens when people kiss each other. By the looks of what I saw earlier, that might lead to more than just kissing.

Ugh!

Agad akong napailing sa mga kaberdehang iniisip. Sometimes I blame myself for watching romantic movies with passionate scenes or reading some adult romance novels. Pero kahit naman kasi horror o action movie ngayon ay may mga eksenang sadyang makamundo.

I still feel like my heart is being pricked by something that is sharp and ruthless. I just cannot imagine myself having a crush over the first born of the Ortegas.

Sure, he is good-looking. Well, even more than that when I compare him to other guys. Buong-buo ang boses niya kapag nagsasalita siya at malalim pa iyon. He is tall, maybe six feet or more and a bit muscular too. And, his presence speaks his status in life.

I gulped. Unconsciously, I have been observing him all this time, taking note of every bit that I know about him. Ngayon ko lang talaga napagtanto na may nararamdaman pala ako sa kanya. Why would I feel hurt seeing him with a woman if I don't feel anything romantic for him?

I snapped back to reality when I felt a nudge on my right shoulder. Nagulat pa ako nang nakita si Jemima na nakatingin at malapit pala sa akin.

"Your phone is ringing," mahinahong sabi niya.

I looked at my phone which is on my lap and saw my sister's caller ID.

"Y-yeah?" I said when I answered the call.

"Where are you? You wanna go home, right?"

Sinabi ko sa kanyang nasa kwarto kami ni Jemima at bababa nalang para tingnan siya. Nang ibaba ang tawag ay agad akong tumayo. Sinamahan ako ni Jemima pababa.