Impervious Treasure (Azcona Cousins #2)

38

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Chapter 38

Hinilamos ko ang aking malamig na palad sa aking mukha. I stretched my arms and yawned. I cracked the bubbles in my knuckles. I bent my neck and let out a satisfied grunt. Inabot ko ang ang kahon ng menthol plasters ko. Kumuha ako at nilagyan ang balikat at likod.

I leaned my back against the cushion of my swivel chair. Pinikit ko ng pansamantala ang mga mata para umidlip. It's tiring but this is the only way to keep myself out of trouble. Working my ass off helps me to forget everything that I've seen in the Philippines.

Wala na akong babalikan pa. Mabuting lunurin ko na lamang ang sarili sa trabaho para maisantabi ko ang pag-iisip sa kanya.

"Clair, wala ka nang ginawa kundi mag-overtime," sermon sa akin ni Mira. "The nurses are here to help you, okay? Kasama na rin ako."

Mira's frustration woke me up in my short trance. Niyugyog niya ang balikat ko at sinamaan ng tingin. I stopped her from uncluttering my desk.

"Don't. I am not finished checking those papers yet."

She glared at me again. "Umuwi ka na, Clair. You've been sleeping here for almost a month! Dito ka na ba sa clinic titira, ha?" sigaw niya sa'kin.

I pressed my lips. Sino ba namang hindi makakapansin noon? Dito na talaga ako natutulog sa clinic. I brought my clothes and things here because I feel so lonely in my apartment.

'Di ko kakayanin na mag-isa lang ako roon. I need a companion... masisiraan na 'ko ng bait kung 'di ko pa aabalahin ang sarili.

Tikom ang bibig ko nang padarag na inayos ni Mira ang shelf organizer ko.

"These papers can wait, Clair. Go home and have some rest. Pwede naman tayong kumuha ng reliever mo."

I plastered a reassuring smile. "Kaya ko pa."

Mira placed her hands on her hips. Isang mataray na tingin ang iginawad niya sa akin.

"What the heck happened back in the Philippines? Kasi simula nang bumalik ka rito, masyado mo nang binubog ang sarili mo sa pagtatrabaho."

I chuckled with slight humor. "Wala naman, mga realizations lang."

"Realizations katulad ng ano?"

I gave her a half shrug. I stood from my swivel chair and took out the papers that she properly stashed. Mira quickly followed me. Inagaw niya sa'kin ang mga papel.

"Mira," I warned. I faced her with my stern visage but it didn't scare her a bit.

"Ano ngang nangyari? Nakita mo siya? Galit siya sa'yo? Ano?"

"Yes, I saw him and no, he was not angry at me when we met again," mabilis kong sinabi 'yon dahil ayaw ko nang balikan pa.

"E, hindi naman pala galit!" she hissed. "Anong minumukmok mo?"

My eyes welled up for the reason I fucking know. I sucked a vast amount of breath to repress the tears. "He's moved on... he has a new and bright life with someone who truly loves him."

From that day, Mira didn't bother to nag me again whenever I overworked myself. She politely asked and invited me that I could be with her family every weekend. Nagustuhan ko naman 'yon. I get to play with her son Niccolo. Having them with me is a good distraction. I refrained from keeping in touch with them, but there were instances that Patrick was checking up on me and I appreciate him for that.

Well, I just agree that I am bad at communicating. I am convinced that I am always resorting to shutting down doors. Lagi kong iniisip ang sarili at minamabuting kipkipin ang damdamin.