Beneath the Two | Academy Series #1

Chapter 34

"You were invited and you came?"

Ibinababa ko ang hawak na pumpkin basket para pumamewang sa harapan niya. Judging his fit right now, mukhang wala siyang duty. He's wearing a black, long sleeve polo folded up to his elbows and a pair of dress pants. Pwede rin namang night shift siya at katatapos niya lang.

"Your Mom asked me to come, because you might need some help here. As your ex, who am I to refuse?" Umangat ang mga balikat niya.

Hanggang kailan niya ba gagamitin ang ex card niya? He seems to brag about it too much, eight months lang naman naging kami.

"We don't need any help here, we're almost done as you can see."

Tinalikuran ko siya at pumunta sa isang malaking table to fix the mantel. He tailed me and watched me allign the witch hats on top of it. Pagkatapos ko room ay ginalaw-galaw ang mga dekorasyon sa backdrop kahit tapos na iyong ayusin.

Kulang na lang ay damuhan ko ang paligid para may magawa. I'm doing random stuff to appear like I'm busy and I am not affected by his presence, but the jerk kept tailing me wherever I go.

Iaayos ko na ang mga upuan sa mga lamesa at inunahan niya akong buhatin iyon. He started alligning the chairs too, without talking and looking at me.

Mahihilo na ako sa kaiirap dahil sa ginagawa niya. My arms crossed my chest. Hinintay ko siyang matapos sa ginagawa bago tarayan.

"Wala ka bang ibang gagawin, Mr. Javier? Like preparing for something important, like your wedding?"

Mabilis na bumaling ang leeg niya sa akin. Nagsalubong ang dalawa nitong kilay. Hindi ako nagpatalo, tinaasan ko rin siya, kabilaan pa. Attitude ka? Mas attitude ako.

Natahimik siya sandali, he was thinking of something. Then an amused smile plastered on his lips, followed by a soft chuckle.

"Yes, I think I need to start preparing."

"Then what are you waiting for? You can leave, there's the gate."

"But I should start preparing my bride first," he said and turned around to continue aligning the chairs on the next table.

Tatanungin ko pa sana siya kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin nang lumapit na si Mommy sa amin. Wearing a sage bodycon dress and a moss green pump, Mom looks like he's ready to get married again. May asim pa siya. She can actually remarry if she wanted.

"You invited him?" Tinuro ko si Zach na abala sa pag-aayos ng mga bangkuan. He's conversing with the PWDs with a huge smile on his face.

"Yes, sweetheart. I thought you might need some help since Idris has errands today. I called him," sagot ni Mommy.

"Out of all people, Mom. Why him?"

"Why not, anak? Mas marami a mas masaya, hindi ba? Are you not comfortable around him?"

"That's not the problem." His fiancee might get the wrong idea if she found out that his man is helping her ex.

"And isn't today your blood testing day? I also asked him to bring his things, sweetheart. Para hindi ka na pumunta ng hospital. He can perform venipuncture here."

"Ni-request mo rin 'yon sa kaniya?"

"Yes, sweetheart. You should at least thank him. Mabuti nga at pumayag siya kahit pahinga niya dapat ngayon, anak."

Napairap na lang talaga ako. Sa sinabi ni Mommy, parang kami pa ang may utang na loob sa kaniya. Hindi na sana ako magpapa-blood test! He could've refused the invitation. Kung busy talaga siya, puwede naman siyang tumanggi.