When the Cold Fire Burns

Chapter 07

Chapter 07

Jimson

It was already 11 p.m. when I arrived at the clubhouse. My cousins were already there, still active and awake. Well for me, I was beat.

Studying is tiring. I always hated it, but I had no choice. I needed the scholarship to get going. However, I felt the exact opposite earlier.

It had something to do with Winonah's small smile or her passionate eyes. There's something with the way she reads and the way her fingers trailed the pages of the book.

"Oh, you're here," sabi ni Jeno Emmanuel.

"Yeah," I replied and proceeded to find the sofa. I immediately lie down and closed my eyes.

"Kakarating mo nga lang tapos matutulog ka na kaagad?" rinig kong sabi ni Haben.

"I guess he's tired," si Joseph.

"Kailan ba kasi 'yan hindi pagod? Tsaka alas otso kaya ang usapan. Alas onse na kaya."

I only sighed and ignored them.

"Baka iba na ang pinagkakaabalahan," tukso ni Chester.

I heard Joseph's chuckle. I closed my eyes shut and tried to ignore them but the thought of Winonah sitting across me kept coming back.

A curse made its way out of my mouth when I opened my eyes and sat properly.

"In love ka na ba, Dok?" tukso ni Haben.

"Yan? In love? Marunong ba 'yang ma-in love?" ani River.

"Stop with all the nonsense," I said. "Why are we here?"

In the afternoon, they decided to meet to discuss an important matter with me. I am the guest of the event. And yes, I'm the one who came in late, specifically at 11 in the evening. They didn't seem to mind though. They know I am busy. Always busy.

Joseph sighed. "Mother said something earlier."

Nagkunot-noo ako. The others looked at me with sympathy. The others couldn't even meet my eyes.

"About what?" I asked.

"During the family dinner in the company, she said something about you."

I scoffed. "Ano pa ba ang bago?"

"She's so confident that you'll not succeed."

Silence. It was so loud. So ironic. So haunting. I heaved a sigh and leaned on the couch. "What's new, anyway?"

"It's different this time," River replied. "Tita wants to set you up."

I raised a brow. "Set me up?"

Jeno Emmanuel sighed. "Kuha na muna ako ng inumin sa baba."

His footsteps echoed the place. They were so careful. I appreciate it. They know how long I have fought with my family regarding my situation that they couldn't accept. They know how important this is.

"It's just a date, right? I'm guessing it must be Janice," sabi ko habang inalala ang sinabi ni Mom kanina sa agahan.

"Iyan ang sinabi niya," si Haben. "Pero parang hindi 'yan ibig niyang sabihin."

All eyes on me. I creased my forehead. At that certain moment, I felt my heartbeat quickened.

"Just tell me directly. I'm so tired," I said and closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep just to hide my emotions.

"Iba yata ang kutob ko rito, bro," ani Haben. "Parang hindi maganda."

"It seems like she wants you to have a special bond with Janice," si Jeno Emmanuel na kakapasok lang at may dalang bucket na may inumin nang binuksan ko ang mga mata.