Winter Heat

Chapter 8 - The Doll Delivery

Chapter 8 - The Doll Delivery

It wasn't mentioned again. I mean, what happened on that table with the twins. We never talked about it. And nothing's changed because of it—I think. We're normal. Heat's still annoying. I still want to kill him.

We're good.

We were ahead of the general cleaning schedule. The original time allotment was seven days but it's only the third day and we're already almost done. That's why the management was no longer that strict on cleaning assignments. They don't care anymore whether we do something or not. I knew, they plan to just rush us again on the last day.

"Nawalan na 'ko ng gana." I slightly pushed my plate away from me when I saw Brian approaching our table at the canteen.

"Sure? I love luncheon meat," dire-diretso niya namang sabi habang umuupo sa harapan namin ni Heat. Akmang dadamputin niya nga ang sandwich ko nang hilahin ko ulit ang plato papalapit sa 'kin.

"Then get your own," inis kong sabi saka gigil na kinagat ang sandwich ko. Ngumisi lang si gago, satisfied na nabwisit niya ako, kaya napairap ako.

"Her mom pulled her out," maya-maya ay rinig kong sinabi ni Brian. Nayayamot ako sa mukha niya, as usual, kaya nakatingin lang ako sa plato ko habang patuloy na kumakain. "The dad just called."

Heat slightly nudged me. "Si Athena," he said, as if he's so sure that I'm curious about what Brian was talking about. I was, but I'd also be able to sleep at night without knowing.

"Her mom initially signed her up here for until two weeks more, but her business trip was cut short so she pulled her out."

"They're using this camp as daycare?" I couldn't help but scoff.

Brian raised a forefinger and pointed at me. "That's the exact same thing the dad said."

"Broken family?"

"Yep."

Napatango-tango ako. "I guess, that's the trend now."

"Siraulo," napapailing na sabi ni Heat kahit totoo naman ang sinabi ko. Humarap ulit siya kay Brian. "Pa'no 'yong manika niya?"

"I mentioned that on the dad. He thinks Athena left it on purpose."

Nilunok ko kaagad ang laman ng bibig ko para lang sabihing, "she knows Heat wants it."

"Hoy!" madrama namang reaksyon ng katabi ko. Inirapan ko lang siya. Siguro dahil isang buwan na kami sa Camp Mitesco, nakapag-adjust na ang mga tainga ko—my patience still hasn't though. "Ikaw nga, nakita kong hinawakan mo 'yon no'ng isang gabi!"

Halos mabitawan ko ang sandwich dahil sa huling sinabi ni Heat. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba, tulad noong bata ako, tuwing nahuhuli akong naglalaro.

Heat must've noticed the sudden change in my expression. He looked confused and worried at the same time. Mukhang magsasalita sana siya pero nauna si Brian.

"Athena knew that her mom's coming, and she kinda don't like her playing."

"Huh?" Heat couldn't help but return his gaze to Brian because of what he said. "Eh, bata siya, ano ba dapat—"

"That's why the dad is fighting for custody." Brian sighed. "As it seems, the mom's super strict and not letting her have her childhood. The dad snuck that doll in on Day 2 of the camp."