The Burning of Summer

Chapter Thirty Three

Chapter Thirty Three

When I woke up the next morning, I was completely alone. Hindi ko alam kung paano akong nakatulog kagabi, I'm not even sure what time did he leave last night or if did he leave at all. Basta ang huli kong naaalala ay paglalagay ni Reid ng ice bag sa paa ko.

I sat up to check my foot. Hindi na iyon masyadong masakit hindi kagaya ng kagabi at mukhang nag-work naman ang cold compress na ginawa ni Reid.

Alas nuebe na nang umaga nang tingnan ko ang orasan. Dahan dahan akong tumayo at nang masigurong hindi na masyadong masakit ang kanang paa ay tuluyan akong naglakad papunta sa banyo.

I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and combed my hair using my fingers then put it in a messy bun.

Pagkatapos ay lumabas ako ng kwarto kahit na hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta kaya inalala ko na lang ang mga dinaanan ko kahapon. Naglakad lang ako ng naglakad hanggang sa marating ko ang hagdan at doon bumaba.

I saw a lot of househelps cleaning around the place. When they saw me, they immediately stopped what they're doing and smiled before greeting me a good morning.

I responded with a nod and did not smile.

Hanggang ngayon ay nagtataka ako. Why is everyone welcoming me so politely? Ano bang tingin nila sa akin? That I'm only friends with Reid? But for sure they heard about the news months ago so I don't know why they're very welcoming. Well aside from that old lady who obviously doesn't like my presence here.

Suminghap ako at nagpatuloy lang sa paglalakad. The place is decorated with lots of Christmas decorations. Even their Christmas tree is huge. Seems like everyone here loves this particular holiday.

"I told you to rest your feet." Napalingon ako kung saan nagmula ang boses na iyon only to see Reid standing behind me. Umirap ako dito. "Does it still hurt?"

Bigla itong lumuhod sa harapan ko upang suriin ang  aking kanang paa. Luminga linga ako sa paligid at halos murahin ko si Reid dahil sa ginagawa nito. Everyone looked at us because of it.

"Oh my god stand up will you!" I hissed at him at mukhang tapos na rin ito sa ginagawa at tumayo na rin ito. "What the hell is wrong with you?" hindi makapaniwalang sambit ko dito.

"Come on, breakfast is ready." aya niya sa akin at sumunod na lang ako.

"When do you plan on bringing me back? I have work to do Mr. Velasquez." utas ko habang naglalakad kami.

"It depends."

"On what?"

"If you behave like a good girl."

"You must be kidding? I've never been a good girl."

Huminto ito sa paglalakad kaya napahinto din ako.

"Then you'll stay here forever." seryosong sabi niya habang titig na titig na sakin.

"Such thing doesn't exist in real life." I said bitterly and walking past him.

Hinabol ako nito at hinablot ang kamay ko.

"What?"

"Let's eat together." he said before pulling me with him to walk. Inis kong pilit na binawi ang kamay dito ngunit mariin ang hawak niya sa akin na nabigo ako.

Ramdam na ramdam ko ang init ng kamay niya na nakahawak sa akin, holding my hand so tight that he doesn't want to let go.

"We can walk without you holding my hand." hindi ito kumibo. "Tell me, why is it that almost everyone here is giving me a warm welcome? And how do you think Vivienne will react if she found out about all these stupid stunts that you're doing?"