Athaliah's Redemption (Ortega Series 1)

Kabanata 21

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XXI - Blood

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I was humming as I wrote in my notebook. My friends and I were in the cafeteria, sitting on one of the round tables.

"Wonderland pa rin?"

"What?" I asked Deuel, confused at his question.

"You look well these past few days. Parang hindi malapit ang midterms."

February's already ending. Meaning, we only have a week or so to prepare for midterms. But, I don't really feel much pressured about it.

"I have you as a tutor, so..."

Umiling si Deuel.

"She's stress eating," Addessa said, opposing.

"It just comforts me," I said as I ate from my slice of blueberry cheesecake. "Pareho lang naman tayo ah."

Addessa had been eating a whole dozen of ube cheese pandesal by herself. Akala ko para sa amin lahat iyon. Sa kanya lang pala. Well, she got two dozens but it seemed like the first one isn't enough for her appetite.

"Fine, but compared to you, I am not that happy."

I shrugged. "I try to look at the bright side of life."

"Or somebody's making her happy."

I immediately shot Deuel a sharp glare. He just raised a brow at me.

Mabuti nalang at mukhang walang narinig si Addessa dahil abala siya sa pagtitipa sa kanyang phone.

I heard Assunta clap and fake-coughed before speaking. "Since my birthday falls during exam week, we'll just celebrate it on the weekend after the last day."

"Saan naman tayo?" Akierah asked while I remained writing on my notebook.

"Just in Tagaytay, sa vacation house namin. You should all be present. I hate a grand debut so just an outing. Bring your bikinis."

"Can't come, sorry," Deuel said.

"Same," sagot ko agad.

I don't think I could ever have the guts to feel like nothing's wrong between us. It had been months after the hotel incident but I didn't forget that. I thought Assunta was not gonna talk to me for the coming semester but lo and behold, she even smiled at me. Still, the aura she is giving seemed dark. Ayoko sa ganoon. Mukhang may masamang iniisip.

"Athaliah!" Addessa nudged me. "C'mon."

"Athaliah's gonna think about it," Assunta said as she looked at me.

I equaled her expression, sans the smile plastered on her face.

I was adamant with my answer. But, Addessa had been persuading me for the past week.

"Malay mo, dito na maaayos ang lahat," Addessa said.

We were both walking to the parking lot. Wala si Deuel dahil umalis agad siya matapos niyang i-submit iyong test paper niya sa last exam namin.

"Why do you want me to be friends with someone who I don't think is even sincere?" I asked. "You know about this, Addessa. I appreciate how you were willing to still accept her even after...Benjamin... but I don't think it could be the same for us."

Addessa bit her lip. "I don't want to lose this friendship, Athaliah. It's not perfect, I know. But, the three of you, no matter how our interests conflict, are family to me."

She looked at me with pleading eyes. "Please. Just for me, then. Malapit na rin ang birthday ko."

I sighed. "I'll think about it."