Temporary (Amorist Series #2)

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

"Christmas is near. What's your plan?" Eira placed the coffee and cheesecake in front of me and sat. We're here at their coffee shop as a duo; Ches isn't with us.

Iniwasan ko ang mapanuring titig niya at inusisa ang paligid. Konti lang ang customers ngayon hindi kagaya dati na punuan talaga. Nakapwesto kami malapit sa salamin.

It's been weeks since we took that trip and like Ash predicted my mother showed up and begged for forgiveness, interrupting Ethan's birthday.

Papa and Ninong ignored her that time while I headed straight to my room and locked myself in. Ethan was hesitant at first, but after a few days of longing, he gladly accepted her, and he's the only reason she's allowed to enter our home.

Alam na rin ni Ethan na ate niya si Ches. I thought he'd be mad but he took our mother's explanation like a man. I'm kind of confused as to why but I didn't dig deeper. I'm still not ready to talk to her.

I didn't move into Ash's condo either unlike what we planned, but whenever my mother came to visit I'd always ask for Papa's permission that I'd spend the night with her.

Ayaw ko kasing maabutan si mama sa bahay lalo na't hindi na ako sa shop ni Ninong nakikituloy, mayroon na siyang trabahante. Ang nakakaasar lang ay ang tagal niyang bumalik sa kanila tuwing binibisita niya si Ethan, na para bang hinihintay niya rin na makauwi na ako galing sa university.

Bukod diyan ang dami niyang pinagbibili na mamahaling gamit para sa 'min ni Ethan, ito ata ang paraan niya para bumawi pero hindi sapat ang mga ginagawa niya para sa 'kin. May time din na nag-aaya siyang gumala kaming lahat pero si Ethan lang lagi ang sumasama sa kaniya. And no matter how tempted I am, I won't use the chair and materials that she bought for me for painting.

Holding grudges isn't my thing, but I can't help to feel this way, and yet, no matter how long I act tough, I still couldn't bring myself to tell her to stay away from us because my brother was so happy with her company. I can't just take away that happiness from him. He suffered a lot.

Si Ches naman, hindi talaga siya lumipat ng upuan kahit wala na kaming pansinan. She tried to greet me or have a casual talk but I also pretended she didn't exist like my father's coping mechanism.

Hindi na rin kami partners sa projects at hindi ko na rin siya tinutulungan sa mga PETA. It sounds petty but my feelings are valid. Gustuhin ko man din na makalayo sa kaniya ay wala akong choice.

Hindi ko kayang bitawan ang favorite seat ko.

At last, I did what Ash advised me to do. I decided to play along and tried to be comfortable with the thought that I'd see them from time to time.

"It's been weeks, I miss hanging out with us being complete." Eira took a sip of her coffee and eyed me like a lamb, gauging my mood.

"I'm not forcing you to choose me. Pwede naman kayong maging duo."

Napangiwi siya. "Yeah, because if I do that you'll end up being alone."

"Me being alone feels like tuesday Eira," I used the fork to taste the cheesecake. "It's not a recent news."

"Hangang kailan ka ba magmamatigas?" Kinuha niya ang tinidor sa kamay ko matapos ko gamitin.

"It depends on how long you'll also forced me to befriended her again." I shrugged.

"I am not forcing you," malumanay niyang sabi at tumikim na rin.

"And yet you're guilt tripping me."

I may be wasting my time doing this, but I can't think of anything else.