Fit the Puzzle (Azcona Cousins #3)

15

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Chapter 15

Humupa ang inis ko kasabay ang paglubog ng araw. They've already set up the bonfire. Mama prepared a bunch of marshmallows on sticks. While Papa was having fun as he grilled the marinated pork. Buti nga't maagang naabisuhan si Mama at Papa na hindi pwedeng kumain si Brent Iverson ng alimango o hipon.

Ang unang usapan pa nga ay uuwi na sina Yuliya at Brent Iverson pagkatapos ng meryenda subalit gusto pa nilang magtagal. I understood that Yuliya wanted to stay, 'di ko lang alam kung ano ang rason ng kapatid niya... he's basically drowning himself with schoolworks.

Ngayon pa lang siya lumabas ng cottage simula nang ayain siya ni Papa na gumawa ng bonfire.

"Blow the candle and make a wish!" Dad exclaimed as they finished singing the usual song.

The one piece of gold candle was properly drilled on the simple cake which Kuya Alex bought for me.

Congrats, legal ka na! I won't bail you out of jail if you get caught!

That was the message on the cake that somehow destroyed the ethereal design. Napaka-unconventional.

I closed my eyes as I quietly mumbled my prayers with clasped hands. After all of my humble prayers, I opened my eyes and blew the red blazing light. Sa pagtunghay ko ay una kong nakita si Brent Iverson. His arms were leveled with hands circled on his phone, enough to obtain a decent photo of me.

May maliit at tipid na ngiti sa kanyang labi bago niya ibinaba ang braso at sumabay na rin sa mga pumapalakpak.

I enjoyed every second of the night with them, but I still felt crippled. My brother played the guitar and sang several songs to entertain us. Kaming dalawa naman ni Yuliya ay panay ang kain malapit sa bonfire. I felt awkward because I was beside Brent Iverson.

He wasn't talking. Ang tangi lamang niyang ginagawa ay ang maglaro ng isang offline chess game sa tabi ko.

I admit, I am seriously disappointed with him. My birthday ended without his pure attention to the party. Sige, naiintindihan ko naman na busy silang dalawa ni Kuya Alex, appreciated ko na rin na nag-effort siya pumunta para maki-celebrate... pero 'yung simpleng greeting... bakit tinipid pa?

He can't even say it directly to me! Is it that difficult to greet me?!

Ang bigat tuloy ng puso ko nang pumunta na ako sa villa na kailangan naming rentahan para sa aming lahat. The villa has three rooms, sakto lang para sa amin. The Azconas wanted to share for the fee but Papa insisted on paying for it.

Yuliya and I shared a room.

She's already preparing for bed while me? I am still entertaining my heavy heart.

"Croozian, hindi ka pa ba matutulog?"

Bumuntong hininga ako. Mula sa malayang pagtitig sa buwan ay inimuwestra ko ang tingin ko sa kanya.

"Hindi pa, e... parang busog pa 'ko," ani ko. "I guess I have to stroll around the shore before sleeping."

Truth is, I wanted to vent out. I have to clear my mind and comfort myself.

Maagap siyang tumayo. "Do you want me to go with you? It's dark outside."

"Hindi na, Yuliya. Baka sipunin ka pa," ngumiti ako. I ravaged my bag to get my thin cardigan. Nakasuot lang kasi ako ng tank top at denim shorts.

"Are you sure?" dumapo ang pangamba sa maamo niyang mukha. "Kuya Brent wouldn't know that we'll sneak out."

I laughed.