Embracing the Cold

Chapter 47

"Ma'am, may nagpapabigay." Inabot uli ng isang house help namin ang isang kumpol ng bulaklak, kakaiba sa natanggap ko kahapon. Naguguluhan ko siyang nilingon habang tinatanggap ang bulaklak. "Ganoon pa rin, po. Delivery man." Tila nahulaan niya ang iniisip ko. Bumuntong-hininga ako at nagmamadaling umakyat sa kwarto. Sino naman ang magpapadala ng bulaklak sa akin eh wala naman akong manliligaw sa ngayon? Si Bryce? Duh, assuming. Binuklat ko nalang ang maliit na card.

You're so beautiful. -🤍

Weird but okay, thank you. May stalker ba ako?

Nilagay ko ulit ito sa gilid, katabi ng bulaklak na natanggap ko kahapon.

I went in my little library inside my room and thought of a new plot. I'll be writing stories again. Ginugol ko ang ilang oras sa pagsusulat. Pagkatapos ng prologue ay bumaba ako dahil tinawag ako para maghapunan. My cousins are already sitting across each other, waiting for me. When they saw me, they immediately smiled at me.

"How's the company?" Tanong ko nang makaupo. Kumakain na kami.

"Fine, Quish. How are you?" Tanong pabalik ni Anthony. I shrugged.

"I'm okay. How about you two? Andrea?" Nilingon ko ang babaeng pinsan. Nag-angat siya ng tingin at ngumiti.

"I'm fine, Quish. I just missed our parents," malungkot siyang ngumiti. Kahit ako, miss ko na sila. Nagpatuloy nalang kami sa pagkain.

"By the way, have you heard the news about Bryce?" Tanong ni Andrea. Natigilan ako. Kinakabahan. Don't tell me he got into an accident. Umiling-iling ako, trying to shoo away the thought.

"I heard he's engaged.." mahinang sinabi ni Anthony. Napatingin ako sa kanilang dalawa. Nang magtama ang paningin namin ay kaagad ko itong nakitaan ng awa. Ngumiti ako.

"That's.. great news." Malungkot akong ngumiti. Ofcourse you can't unlove someone overnight, it still hurts.

"Sorry, Quish." Maliit ang boses na sabi ni Andrea. Tumango lang ako. "But I still can't believe it." Andrea shook her head. I just gave them a small smile.

"He's just busy. I'll be meeting him tomorrow, I'll ask him personally." Mariing sinabi ni Anthony. Napatingin ako sa kanya at nakitang seryoso ang mukha niya habang sinasabi iyon. "I refuse to believe it. It's just rumors. He never did confirm any of it." Dugtong niya.

"Yes, and who's the girl again? Hailey? I think she's a model." Sabat ni Andrea. Nakikinig lang ako sa kanila habang kumakain.

"He promised our family that he would take care of you, Quish." Seryoso akong nilingon ni Anthony.

"Ton, we're adults and the promise was made when we were teens." Tawa ko kunyari.

"No, Quish. He promised to marry you, only you." Giit ni Anthony.

"And he was 21 that time, not a teen but an adult." Sabat ni Andrea. I love how they want me and Bryce to be together but no. We both have reasons.

"I can take care of myself and I genuinely hope Bryce is happy and being taken care of." Nakangiti kong sagot sa dalawa.

"Tito would be so disappointed." Iling ni Anthony.

"No, Papa just wanted me to be happy. He liked Bryce but never really pushy about us being together." Sabi ko. Andrea was just shaking her head.

"Don't you love him anymore?" Tanong ni Andrea na nagpatigil sa kung ano mang ginagawa ko. I also felt Anthony was waiting for my answer.

"It doesn't matter anymore." Malamig kong utas. I do love him, I still do.