Trieja: Jake And Josh [Under Revision]

Chapter 41

I completely understood why Mama Jennette had to kneel and beg for me, because she was desperate in saving my life. I understood why I wasn't pregnant from the beginning, because a tumour — in the shape of a fetus — is the one growing inside my womb. I understood everything that has happened to me the past few days.

Yet somehow, the moment I woke up after Papa Joaquin introduced me to Jake's brother — the gardener — three days ago, Donovan has never left my side. He is indeed a part of their family, but I don't understand why he needs to act like this... treating me nicely as what he was told.

As if he's only a member of the Ignacio family's staff and not biologically related to them. And what's even more weird is, Doctor Javier's words kept replaying inside my head.

"Maiintindihan ng pamilya mo kung may maramdaman ka, Claire. It is only normal here in this island."

Kahit anong puwersa kong kalimutan ang mga sinabi niya, lalo lang itong tumatakbo sa isipan ko. Why do they confuse me so much? Why is their family so complicated even when I don't know a single thing? Is this normal? To feel something that you shouldn't because you've only known them for a few months?

And by known, only the family tradition and culture, and not the romantic or tragic story of their lives. Bawat araw na ganito ang nararamdaman ko, pakiramdam ko ay hinuhusgahan ko na sila. And even if I don't want to be with Donovan today, I couldn't shake him off of my side. He seemed to be instructed to not leave me by his own family.

Tumigil ako sa tabi ng lawa, at ganoon din ang ginawa niya. May bench 'di kalayuan sa amin pero pinili ko ang tumayo.

"We should sit, Mia Signora." His husky voice synchronised with the clashing leaves of the trees as it is blown by the cool wind of December.

"Thank God, you can speak English..." mahinang biro ko.

Donovan chuckled darkly.

"And I can speak and understand the nation's language, fluently."

Hindi ako nagsalita at tinitigan na lang ang malawak na lawa. It is so peaceful here. Walang kahit na sino sa pamilya nina Jake ang nandidito. Ilang buwan na rin akong nakatira rito pero sina Tita Marilyn pa lang ang kilala ko. Idagdag pa si Donovan na mukhang tinatago ng pamilya Ignacio.

However, I'm still not sure whether they are hiding him from the rest of their clan. Mukha kasing humble lang talaga ang lalake. Nakita ko kasi siyang lumabas sa isang kwarto sa second floor ng manor. Malayo man ang puwesto niya kahapon nung mahagilap ko siya, but it's clear that he lives inside the manor and is being treated equally.

"We should sit—"

"How come I do not see you even though we live on the same floor?", putol ko.

Naramdaman ko ang paggalaw niya. Sunod na nangyari ay pumalibot ang mainit niyang kamay sa aking bewang bago marahan na hinawakan ang kamay ko.

"Come... it's not good for—"

"I'm not pregnant," pumiyok ako. I fought back the tears, nagbabadyang magpakita. Tumalim ang mga mata ko nung lumingon siya sa akin. "Hindi ako buntis, so you don't have to act as if I will have a miscarriage."

The wind blew once again when both of us went silent. Iniwas ko ang tingin and blinked back the tears. Why does he have to be like this when I don't need help from anyone?

"We should sit... Mia Signora," his voice cooed softly in my ears, as if hypnotising me to surrender to his command.

Wala na akong nagawa nung marahan niya akong hinila patungong bench. Mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko nung maupo kami. Akala ko ay bibitawan na niya ako pero nanatili lang ang isa niyang kamay sa aking bewang.