The Brainy Rebel

TBR 51

Maxine's POV

"He's lucky Mom's patient with him and his much-awaited return."

Binatukan ko si Margaret na kasalukuyang nagiimpake para sa outing nilang magkakaibigan. "It's not much-awaited. I didn't even thought he'd come back."

"But you know you won't move forward without him, diba?" She rolled her eyes at me before throwing a tissue roll in my direction. Mabuti't naiwasan ko iyon. "Much-awaited."

I just laughed. Pero naalala ko ang sinabi kagabi ni Nathaniel na dinala niya kina Mommy ang mga bulaklak. "He said he went here. Did you slap him or maybe kick him in the- "

"Ate, stop. I did not, okay? Pinigilan ako ni Mommy." She zipped her luggage shut and sat on her bed beside me. She showed me her thumb and forefinger placed a little less than a centimeter apart."Though I was this close."

"Glenn and Raiko punched him."

"Wow. Twice?"

"Days apart."

"And he's still sending you flowers?"

"He's sending flowers to everyone." Tila naguluhan ito kung kaya't pinakita ko ang mga sinend na picture sakin ng mga babae kong kaibigan. "Aena, Aine, and Belle... he gives them flowers every day. And Marg, hindi lang 'yun. Even the kids get presents too."

Halata ang pagkamangha nito sa sinabi ko pero alam ko namang hindi lang basta ganon iyon. She saw me climb up, driven by fear of being alone for the rest of time, and guilt, thinking Nathaniel left me for something I've done. Nakita lahat 'yun ng kapatid kong 'to and she's hard to convince against her belief.

"I know how you're uncomfortable with him, but try to give him a chance."

"Are you... seriously giving him a chance?"

"He's the only man I've loved like this. Trust me, I've been so sure with that." I smiled and gave myself a little applause for being able to be this serious with Margaret. "In that case, I'm giving myself a chance to be happy. Now, go! Baka maiwan ka ng eroplano!"

"Are you sure? I can really come with you, may next time pa naman for our outing." Marg insisted as I made my way out of her bedroom. She was following me with a jacket on hand and her baggage on the other.

"You already planned everything out, Marg. I can handle myself. And, come on, you're willing to waste a plane ticket just to accompany me to the grocery? Are you drunk?" Reklamo ko.

"Baka kasi ano eh..."

I heard uncertainty and my heart twitched a little. "Is this about Nathaniel? Na baka samahan niya ako?" Marg nodded before sighing. I did the latter too. "Enjoy Palawan, Margaret. Don't think about me too much." I made my way to the car.

-

"Glenn, talk to me. Please?" Hindi ako nito pinansin at nagpatuloy lang sa pagluluto ng umagahan para sa mag-anak niya. "We don't fight like this anymore, diba? Kausapin mo naman na 'ko."

"About what?"

At least. "I'm sorry if I didn't tell you. I'm sorry I took him here. I'm sorry I had to come with him. I'm sorry if I let him." He did not say anything so I continued. "I'm here to hear from you, Glenn."

"Talaga? Last time I checked, I thought I made my point clear. He was an ass for leaving you like that."

"I know that."