Daraga Series #1: The Fire's Sanctuary

Chapter 9

You can play the song attached above: Mahika by Adie and Janine Berdin

It was bold of me to think that it would even bother him... it's not that I wanted him bothered pero kung ano man ang sinabi ko kay Paris I wanted to do it. If it makes her uncomfortable me being close to her brother... then I won't do it.

If it's for her sake then I won't do it.. it's not like sobrang close namin ng kapatid niya.

I thought we have established.. even friendship, but I guess not.

Sobrang naging assumera lang siguro ako but I guess mas maayos na nga pag ganito, Paris would never doubt my intention.. that I really want to be by her side at alam kong alam niyang crush ko ang kapatid niya at naging close lang naman kami nang nakilala ko ang kapatid niya... I can understand her doubting my intention.

But I right now as willingly forget about my attraction towards her brother.. I felt relieved that I am willing, that my intention for her is not to get close to Camilo.. but to be by her side.

But the sudden disappointment resurfaced when he went home days before Christmas.

Hindi na kami nag-usap kahit through phone hindi na rin. I even contemplated if I should message him to explain pero ngayon ay napagtanto ko na magmumukha lang akong tanga kung talagang ginawa ko iyon.

and he has a girlfriend now.

O baka dati pa hindi ko lang talaga alam.

Wala akong balita sa kanya dahil iniwasan ko magbukas ng social media apps kasi naiinis ako sa mga post niya kaya medyo naging peaceful ang buhay ko... but now I feel like I'm back with that bothered feeling.. and I hate it so much para na akong tanga, happy crush ko lang naman siya tapos hindi naman nga kami gaanong nag-uusap.. I don't know why I am so affected.

"Bakit ang tahimik mo?" tanong ni Kej na katabi ko ngayon habang nagpa-pack kami ng iilang donasyon para sa nasalanta ng bagyo.

It's December kaya sunod-sunod na naman ang tumatama na bagyo sa Bicol, tngina kasi bakit di nalang umikot yung bagyo lagi nalang sa amin tumatama.

I did not even volunteer to be here, meron din kasi si Mommy sa bahay pero marami siyang volunteers roon kaya naman sabi niya ay mas kailangan rito sa hotel... but I didn't know that the donation drive here isn't the one she organized.

This donation drive is actually organized by Camrix Licerio and his friends from his school at masyadong na engganyo si Mommy dahil ang bait bait daw ni Camilo.

"Narinig ko na it was Mayor's gift for him but he donated all of it and even organized this donation drive... tingnan mo siya Rayen lumaki siya sa mayaman na pamilya pero responsable, I offered them one convention hall to help what if tumulong ka sa kanila.."

"Dito na lang ako My—" hindi ko pa nga natatapos ang sasabihin ko ay agad  niya na akong sininghalan.

"Marami ng volunteers rito.. nandoon din daw si Paris, sumama ka na sa akin aalis na ako pakatapos nito.." aapila pa sana ako ngunit may tumawag sa kanya at iniwan na ako. Alam kong tatalakan ako kung hindi ako sasama at dahil naroon din si Lolo ay mas mainam na umalis na nga lang ako.

"Tahimik na man talaga ako.." I answered Kej habang naglalagay ng canned goods sa isang eco bag na nakalaan para sa isang pamilya.

"Tahimik ka lang naman pagrecitation.." he scoffed at nagtawanan naman sina Paris, Leal at Olivia na nasa gilid ko.

"Maybe she's jealous.." I glared at Paris na biglang sumabat.

"Kanino sainyo ni Janina?" Olivia asked Paris innocently at natawa naman si Paris at napailing na lang. Everyone knew that I'm quite possessive when it comes to Paris.. naiinis ako pag may ibang nangaaya sa kanya but I knew that's not what Paris meant.