When the Cold Fire Burns

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Jimson

Fierro confuses me a lot of times.

We were fine when she bought me dinner. Then the day after, she wanted me to stay away from her. And I started overthinking where did I go wrong. Because as far as I knew, I haven't done anything bad to her.

It also hurts. She shouldn't expect that I will read her whole personality when she doesn't communicate.

Feelings are hard to understand. Still, it won't hurt to say something because it's hard to guess.

The whole afternoon, I was not in the mood. I did not encounter Fierro in the hospital. It seems like she was avoiding me also. If that's what she wanted, then fine, I'll give it to her. Even if it pains me.

I am also pissed at her, you know. I have every reason to be.

"Hello, Dok!" Haben greeted when I went inside the clubhouse.

Our oldest cousin, Gabriel, came home from the US and we're all gathered to have a welcome party against his will. He had no choice though.

"This isn't necessary. I really want to take a rest," aniya.

"Hindi mo man lang ba kami namiss?" ani Chester.

"Hell no."

Dumiretso na ako sa sofa. I was about to close my eyes to rest when Gab pointed at me.

"Look at Jimson! I bet he's about to take a nap. You are all being unfair. You can let him rest but you won't let me?"

"Party mo nga kasi 'to," Jeno Emmanuel said seriously while blowing the balloons.

"Huwag ka nang magreklamo. Pasalamat ka nga nagpa-welcome party kami sa 'yo," si River.

Joseph just laughed.

I sighed and got comfortable in the sofa as I closed my eyes. With the noise, I knew I couldn't sleep but I'll pretend so they will ignore me. I am just not in the mood. Still, I listened to them.

"So ano na ang plano mo?" ani Haben. "Kikitain mo ba ang ex mo?"

"Stop, Harold Benedict. Leave me alone," si Gab.

"Halata naman na crush mo, eh."

"One more word from you or you'll die right here, right now."

I heard Joseph laughed.

Jeno Emmanuel said, "We should eat the food so we can all go home."

"Nagsimula na ngang kumain si Chester, eh. Sobrang takaw," reklamo ni River.

"Ang dami niyo pa kasing sinasabi. Tsaka ako lang ba ang susuwayin ninyo? Kanina pa kaya kumakain si Joseph!"

"Joseph is excluded," si Jeno Emmanuel. "He's the youngest."

"Ako ang pangalawang bunso 'no!"

I was about to drift to sleep when someone shook my shoulders. My eyes opened and saw Haben's smiling face that I badly wanted to punch.

"Kain ka na muna, Dok. Mamaya ka na matulog. Sige na para makauwi na tayong lahat," aniya sa akin.

"Wow. Ang lakas maka-welcome party," I sarcastically said as I stood up.

"Oo nga. Parang sapilitan lang," sabay tawa ni Chester.

We all sat down. The long table was filled with foods and drinks. I checked my younger brother and he was happily eating already.

"Haben is acting weird today," ani Gab.

"Yeah," si Jeno Emmanuel.

Chester chuckled. "Parati naman 'yang weird, eh. Ngayon niyo lang napansin?"