THE BREADWINNER

2.5

——

I have never been this nervous before. As Trevor walks towards my direction, our eyes met.

Nanlalaki ang matang ibinaling niya saakin at nahalata din agad ng kasama niya 'yon.

God, I don't want conflicts.

“Do you know her?” the girl besides him asked. I felt a little bit shame.

Why am I just standing here anyway?

I was about to push the cart when my cousin entered the scene. Oh shoot, a trouble it is. He put a lot of junk foods into the cart. 
I eyed him with annoyance forgetting the presence of Trevor and that gorgeous girl.

“What is this?” a confusion in my voice is obvious.

Pinagkunotan niya ako ng noo.

“Snacks?”
I rolled my eye after hearing him out.

Really? Hindi niya na rerealize na junk foods lahat ng inilagay niya sa cart ko?

“Seriously, junk foods? Balak mo bang magkasakit sa bato?” he just laugh and was about to speak when the girl who's with Trevor complimented us. And I don't take it as a compliment. It insults me.

“What a couple, bagay kayo! How I wish ganyan din ako”

What the effin hell? Bagay kami ng pinsan ko? God, Incest.
And what is she saying? Andyan naman si Trevor, anytime, she could scold him, he's her partner anyway.

And why the hell I am feeling this freaking jealousy?
Stop it Eva, pull yourself together. Matagal ng wala.

Ng mapatingin si Lév sa mga bultong nasa harap namin, nakita ko ang mga gulat sa mga mata niya. Of course, he knew Trevor. Alam niyang ang namagitan at naging pagtatapos namin.

Ngunit ang gulat ay napalitan ng pagngisi ni Lév, I already knew that he has a plan.
He pulled me close to him and grab my waist, then whisper to my ear.

“Go with the flow cousin, Iaalis kita rito.'”

I don't know, pero imbis na matuwa ako, nakaramdam ako ng guilt and urge to push my cousin.

Really Eva, you're expecting him to be jelous eh kitang kita naman na masaya na siya sa iba.

I look at Trevor's reaction leading me to disappointment even more. He look at me as if I was just, nothing.

Nagpahila nalang ako kay Lév hanggang sa counter. Wala siyang imik ng makalabas kami ng mall hanggang sa kotse.

I knew he noticed my refusal to pretend as in a relationship with him in front of Trevor. I know he did that to make Trevor jelous. And it just made me feel disappointed knowing he doesn't even care at all. What a shame.

“Why are you so quiet?” Lév broke the silence while eyes were still on the road.

Alam kong may alam siya pero ayaw kong ako mismo ang magsabi sakaniya ng dahilan. Paniguradong magagalit siya saakin dahil sa pagiging malambot ko sa kabila ng ginawa ni Trevor saakin. Nawala ako sa mood sa naging eksena sa mall.

Maayos na kasi, bakit pa kita nakita?

“I-I'm just tired” I lied.

But he seems doesn't believe me, he raised his eyebrow and look at me Seriously.

“It's because of him” he said 'causing me to startle.

I don't know what to say nor Answer that's why I chose to shut my mouth. Siguro oras na rin para malinawagan. Wala nanaman ako sa kontrol dahil sa sa bawat pagkikita namin, lumalambot ako.

I need advices.

“I hate that bastard for what he did. Hindi ko makalimutan iyong pagluluksa mo dahil sakaniya noon. He left pain in you, and maybe that's a enough reason to stop”

He held my hand as if he's comforting me.

His words were right, but why can't I understand each of it?

Dapat, galit ako kay Trevor naghihiganti pero kabaliktaran non ang nangyari.

Hindi pa ako nakakabawi ay nagsalita muli si Lév.

“One of our business partner is inviting us in their party, and it's mandatory.”

I sigh. Siguro, mag fo-focus muna ako sa ibang bagay. I should distract myself to forget him.

“When is the party?”
I asked.

I must prepare for it, knowing it's a party of our business partner. We don't want to disappoint them

“Day after tomorrow.” he answered me simply

I just nodded not wanting to have another fight with him.

And finally we arrived home safely. But it seems like I've been in a very traumatic scenario. Hindi na 'ko nakapagsalita dahil sa hiya, lungkot, pagod.

I was about to go upstairs when Lév suddenly called my name.
I thought sesermonan niya 'ko, but to my shock, he apologized. Who am I to refuse an apology?

Ng matapos ko ng mag half bath ay nahiga na 'ko sa kama, nakaligtaan ang paglalagay ng skincare.

I look at the ceiling and think about my beloved siblings. It's January 7, and the day after tomorrow, Birthday na rin ni Patriciana. And I can't even do a thing to make her happy on her special day. Ayokong magpakita ng basta basta sakanila dahil alam kong itataboy nila 'ko.

Nalunod ako masyado sa iniisip ko para makaligtaan ang ilaw na tumagos mula sa bintana. Do we have a visitor? I don't expect one.
When I opened the slight folded curtain, I see a Porche was parked outside our gate.

Who could it be? In a middle of the night really?
Seconds had passed, the car finally left it spot, leaving me also confuse and a bit nervous.

Who could it be and what do they need?
Itatawag ko nalang sa guard para ma tighten ang security ng Village. Mahirap na.

Mierda, I can't sleep! Argg
That car still freaking me out.

Sa gitna ng pagkaasar, ay hindi inaasahang tumunog ang cellphone ko.

I slide the screen to see the message notified.
I frowned after I rode the message composed.

09***********

You're too beautiful as a star, upon the sky, hard to reach big time. Mi amor por ti es para siempre.

Who could it be? In a middle of the night really? There's a part of me pertaining Trevor as the sender, however, I didn't end up believing it 'cause why would he send me that kind of message? Eh magkakaanak na nga siya.

——

[Chapter 2.5 End]