Wretched Choices

Chapter 5

#WretchedChoicesWP

Chapter 5
Wait

"Nako! I hope you'll be more patient with Keia," I heard my mother said when I was approaching the dining room to eat breakfast before going to school. "She isn't like that before... She's slightly hard-headed now."

My forehead creased while hearing the words coming from my mother. I walked faster to see whoever she was talking to. I wasn't pleased with whatever she's saying. She's basically ruining me.

"Hindi ko na nga lang sinasabi sa Daddy niya dahil baka kuhanin siya no'n. Ayoko namang umalis siya ng hindi ako kasama—"

"Mom!"

My mother looked like a criminal who was caught in action. She smiled slyly and pursed her lips before she continued to eat her yogurt, while I turned to Archer who was casually eating breakfast as well.

Gusto kong mangiti nang makita ko siya pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko. I remained wearing my stoic expression. Mas diniinan ko nga lang ang aking pagtingin sa kanya para maramdaman niya ang aking galit na gustong ipakita.

"Why are you here?" I coldly asked him.

"Keiandra! Stop being rude," agad na suway sa akin ni Mommy.

"Mom, he's the reason why I got sick!" sumbong ko. "Galit ako sa kanya!"

Matalim kong tiningnan si Archer habang siya'y tahimik lamang habang nakatingin sa akin. Bakit pa kasi siya pumunta rito? Ngayon ay mukhang nakuha niya pa ang loob ng Mommy ko.

"Keia, I already know that," kalmadong sabi ni Mommy. "Si Archer mismo ang nagsabi sa akin na siya ang may dahilan kung bakit ka nagkasakit at nanghingi na siya ng pasensya sa akin. He's the one you're supposed to meet the other day, right?"

I couldn't believe that he really managed to get my mother's trust that fast. Mukhang magkakampi pa sila ngayon ni Mommy.

"Stop frowning and sit here with us. Kumain ka na ng breakfast. Si Archer ang nagluto at nagdala nito rito," pag-aya ni Mommy at saka itinuro ang upuan sa tabi ni Archer kung saan ako madalas umuupo kapag kumakain sa hapag.

My eyes scanned the dining table and saw the foods he brought. There were bacons, fried eggs, and fried rice. A simple breakfast fried foods.

I almost rolled my eyes if it wasn't only for the presence of the food. Kaya ko rin namang magluto ng ganyan.

"Mauuna na ako. I'm not hungry," simpleng pagtanggi ko at nang tatalikod na ako'y nakita kong tumayo si Archer.

"Please, eat, Keia," I heard Archer said that made me stop for a while. "Kagagaling mo lang sa sakit. You need to eat."

I gritted my teeth and clenched my jaw. "Thanks for your concern, but I'm not hungry."

Hindi na ako nagtagal pa't agad akong nagpatuloy sa paglalakad palabas ng dining room.

"Keiandra!" tawag sa akin ni Mommy pero hindi ako natinag no'n sa kagustuhan kong umalis.

Hindi pa ako gaanong nakakalayo ay may mainit na kamay nang humawak sa aking braso. I didn't need to guess who stopped me from walking away. Just by the touch of his big, warm and calloused hand, I already know who he was.

Kaysa iikot niya ako paharap sa kanya ay ginawa ko na ang kanyang gustong mangyari. Humarap ako sa kanya't agad na sinalubong ang namumungay niyang mga mata gamit ang aking matalim na titig.

"What?"

He heaved a deep sigh and his expression became gentle. "I know you're mad at me because I stood you up, but you need to eat at least," he told me like a child who needed some scolding for not wanting to eat. "You just got well from having a high fever. In case you don't remember, you fainted yesterday."