Break Fresh Ground

36: JEALOUSY, JEALOUSY

I sharply exhaled after I finished doing everything. I just packed some clothes into some luggage dahil may pupuntahan kami ni Artemis. Speaking of her, nasa baba siya at nagsasaya kasama sila Tita Esme. They are throwing a simple celebration for Sapphire being the Bb. San Nicolas 2023.

Speaking of last night, naalala ko na naman ang nangyari after I sang.

Our friends' reaction are very opposite from what the people inside the stadium are having. Our friends are silent, even Artemis' family. Tita Esme and Sierra are frowning with annoyance; Sergio was pouting his brows very furrowed, looking at Tim with anger.

One of the crew of the program got the mic from me after my performance. I sat beside Sergio and silently laughing with how cute his reaction was.

"Ate, may nakapasok na maligno," the kid whispered to me making me burst out laughing. When I turn around, they are all looking at me, but I just gave them a smile the watches everything between Artemis and Tim's interaction.

"Tim, alam ko kung anong ginagawa mo. At alam mo kung anong ginawa mo," Artemis calmly yet intimidatingly said.

Tim sighed. "Alam ko. Pero sana mag-usap tayo in private."

"Gago ka?" I whispered making sure I only hear it myself.

Artemis scoffed humorlessly. "Alam mo naman pala," she didn't even tried to touch the last sentence Tim just said, "kaya alam mo rin kung bakit hindi ako naniniwala sa mga pakulo mo."

"Pero--"

Eli and Violet stepped in cutting him off.

"Alis na, baka magamit ko kamao ko sa 'yo," Eli said, his voice deep and annoyed.

"Si Sienna ang pi--"

"Eh bobo ka pala. Alam mong may event dito tapos magbibigay ka ng bulaklak sa harap ng maraming tao? Sa harap namin at ng nanay ng pinsan ko? Kung hindi ka ba naman buong tanga!" Violet angrily said, just enough that we only can hear.

Mabuti na lang at kami-kami lang ang tao sa puwestong ito, dahil kung hindi, malamang ay may kumukuha na ng video o baka nagla-live. Ang malala, baka kung ano-ano na naman ang sabihin ng mga marites at idagdag sa mga tahi-tahi nilang kwento tungkol kay Artemis.

When Tim looked at Violet, clearly offended with what she said, Tita Esme stepped in. "Hijo, umalis ka na, pakiusap. Kung gusto mong makipag-usap, sa pribado. Huwag sa harap ng kahit sino, lalo na huwag sa harap ko. Nakakawala ng respeto na alam ko kung anong ginawa mo sa anak ko pero heto ka ngayon at gumagawa ng ganito, sa publiko pa mismo."

"Tita--"

"Alis ka na daw," Sergio said, "po!" he continued, making me tried my best not to laugh.

When Tim didn't move, I sighed sharply. I smirked while shaking my head. "Sa susunod ka na makipag-usap, kapag okay na silang lahat sa 'yo," I said boldly, dripping with sarcasm. I heard Ivy, France, and Paris silently laughing.

He glared at me, his jaw tightening. Then, he turned his back, holding the flowers in his hands. We almost cheered as he left.

I scoffed triumphantly as I remember how he walked away. I shook it off my head and focused my mind on the vacation that my girlfriend and I are going to have.

I checked my phone to check everything, from tickets to the reservation on where we are staying for this vacation before starting the finals for the 2nd semester.

I stretched my body before going out of the room, but I glanced back inside to quickly check if I did really finished everything. Then, bumaba ako to see na nagkakantahan sila sa living room. Everyone is having fun and happy. Talagang maaga silang gumising para mkapag-celebrate. I think by 4 or 5 in the morning, gising na sila. Even our friends slept here and now celebrating.