Tangled Ropes

Chapter: 1

Nakatulala ako sa bintana nang pumasok si Polly sa kuwarto at ihain ang pagkain sa harapan ko.

"Andiyan na ba siya?" I asked.

"Opo, Ma'am." She answered.

"Okay, iwan mo muna ako."

I stared at the bloody mess in the bathroom. I lost my baby. I want to hate Aire for leaving me but I knew he was still grieving Avery's death.

Pagkatapos kong kumain ay iniwan ko ang plato sa lamesa at natulog na.

Kinabukasan ay ako na naman mag-isa ang kumain ng agahan. Maaga raw umalis si Aire kaya ako na naman ang naiwan dito.

"Kamusta ka?" I looked behind and saw Manang Ester.

"Ayos lang po." I answered. "Manang.. gaano po kamahal ni Aire si Avery?"

"Sobra." She answered. "Higit pa sa buhay niya ang pagmamahal niya kay Avery. Maraming beses na sinisi niya ang sarili niya sa pagkawala ni Ma'am Avery."

Tumango ako at kinain ang veggies sa harapan ko. Tanghali na nang maisipan kong linisin lahat ng pregnancy tests at books ko about being pregnant. 5 weeks akong buntis before the baby was gone, I wanted to tell Aire but he was never home.

Kakasara ko lang ng basurahan nang makita na pinapanood ako ni Aire.

"Usap tayo." He said while dragging me inside. "Why didn't you tell me about the pregnancy?"

"S-Sorry. Hindi ko kasi alam kung kelan ang tamang oras at palagi kang nasa sementeryo kaya hindi ko muna pinlano na sabihin sa'yo. I didn't want to put stress on you."

"Well now my mother knows and she's calling me irresponsible and immature because you told her instead of me."

"S-sorry." I ducked my head and stilled when he stormed off and went to his room.

Agad akong pumunta sa kuwarto ko para tawagan si Marcus. He was my best friend.

I fixed myself and took some things. I wanted to hang out with him and Gia again, I was their legitimate third wheel.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Aire asked when I closed my door. "Aalis ulit ako, you need to stay here."

"Aire, nasa labas na ang mga kaibigan ko. Hinihintay na nila ako." I reasoned at pumunta siya sa pinto at binuksan iyon kaya dali-dali akong sumunod. "Marcus."

"Yana! Ano, ready ka na?" He asked.

"Hindi aalis si Luxiana." Aire said kaya napalingon kami ni Marcus. "Our baby just died and you go around and about with a boy?" He asked.

"Woah, hindi ako interesado kay Yana ah. I have a girlfriend."

"Hindi kita kinakausap."

"Kilala nina Mommy si Marcus, papayagan nila ako." I said. "Uuwi ako mamayang 8:30."

"Eh aalis din ako." He said.

"Promise, uuwi rin ako kaagad. May ganap lang sa friends ko kaya sila andito."

Tinitigan niya si Marcus kaya he made a thumbs up gesture bago ako lingunin ulit ni Aire.

"Fine. 7:30." Aire said.

"What? Dude, hindi pa kami makakapag enjoy niyan. Extend mo ng 8." Marcus said.

"7:50." Aire answered. "Final."

Tumango ako kaya pumayag na si Aire. I was just happy to be out of the house. Gia was laughing when Marcus complained about Aire's attitude towards me.

"Hayaan mo na."

Nanood kaming tatlo ng movie at kumain ng dinner. It was almost 7:50 kaya inaaya ko na si Marcus na umalis. He didn't want to go pero napilit naman ni Gia.

I was a minute late and saw na Aire was home na already. Kinakabahan akong pumasok sa pinto pero nakita kong andito ang mga kaibigan niya.

Natigil ako when they all looked at me.

"Woah, greek goddess." One said and tried to approach me pero pinigilan ni Aire. "Oh man! Taken na naman!?"

"Go upstairs." Aire told me. "You're late."

"Sorry."

I ran upstairs and continued doing work. Birthday ngayon ni Avery.. that's why his friends and her friends were here. Her parents were also here as well as her siblings.

Kumatok si Alexis sa pinto ko kaya pinapasok ko siya. She was Aire's older sister.

"Hey, greek goddess." She said and smiled. "Tambay ako here ah? It's crowded pa downstairs."

"Sure." I said.

"Don't worry, Aire is just warming up to you. Alam mo na 5 month pa kayong married." She tried explaining.

"I know, I just feel disrespected. Ayun lang naman eh."

"I'm sorry for his behavior."