Love on Trial

Chapter 15: New Year

Maxine's POV

Nang magising ako kinabukasan, nagulat ako nang makita kong andaming missed calls from A’ishah yesterday.

I typed a text message and was intending to send it but my sister knocked on my door, hurrying me to go down para sabay-sabay na daw kaming kumain.

Sa taranta ko nabalibag ko pa yung phone ko sa kama para at nagmamadali na akong bumaba.

“Do you wanna go with us sa office today?” My brother asked me out of nowhere.

“Huh? Why?” I asked in curiosity.

“Nothing. Just to keep your mind busy.” He shrugged.

I appreciate him for that. After all, they witnessed how frustrated I've been these past few days. I'm glad they're looking out for me.

“I'll think about it.” Tanging nasagot ko. Ayoko rin kasi na maapektuhan yung trabaho nila sa office. Because I know that I'm not in the right state to work.

Our breakfast is like our usual meals together. They've talked about a lot of stuff, they joked, they teased each other.

After eating, umakyat agad ako sa kwarto ko. I decided to play my guitar, and not dwell in sadness.

I was enjoying myself to the point na hindi ko na namalayan na oras na pala. It's already 2 o'clock in the afternoon at hindi pa ako kumain ng lunch.

I'm alone now in our house ‘cause my whole family are working in the office. Our employees naman went home to their provinces to enjoy the holidays with their family. Pero may dalawa pa kaming security guards na nagbabantay around the house.

Napagod na rin ako kakatugtog sa guitara ko kaya napagdesisyunan ko nalang na bumaba para kumain ng late lunch.

Kaso wala nga palang mga kasambahay ngayon at nagwork si mom kaya wala pang lutong pagkain pagkababa ko. I don't know how to cook a proper meal din kaya I decided to order nalang from a known restaurant nearby.

While I was waiting for the food to arrive, I decided to water my mom's plants in the garden. There, I saw the plant A’ishah have given to my mom as a Christmas gift.

A smile crept on my face as I looked at it. My mother placed it on the top center, highlighting it. Pagdating mo sa garden, yun ang unang unang halaman na mapapansin mo.

I smiled at the thought of my mother liking it. She must've liked it kasi hindi naman niya ilalagay yan sa pwestong yan kung hindi niya nagustuhan.

Just in time after watering the plants, the food finally arrived.

I went to our gate where our two security guards were sitting, talking to each other. Agad silang tumayo nang makita nila ako. I gave them a smile, not wanting to intimidate them. Wala namang masama ma nag-uusap sila.

They are cautious kasi I heard na napagalitan silang lahat kay Dad bago kami umalis papuntang beach. He was furious that they let Denise inside the house without informing my Dad.

Matapos kong kunin yung pagkain, I looked at the two security guards who are now standing feets away from each other.

“Kuya, kumain na ba kayo?” Tanong ko sa kanila.

“Ayy, kanina pa po ma'am.” Nahihiyang sagot nila.

“Kanina pang breakfast?” Natatawang tanong ko. They smiled in relief to see me carefree interacting with them.

“Tara, nag-order ako ng pagkain natin. Pagsulahan na natin ‘to.” Yinaya ko sila pero tumatanggi sila kasi baka magalit nanaman daw si Dad kapag umalis sila doon sa gate.