OVER AND OVER AGAIN (LBS#1)

Chapter 2

"ANG DAYA MOOOOOO!" naiiyak na sabi ni Cheasty at padabog na nilalagay sa loob ng isang brown na malaki-laki din na box ang mga gamit ko dito sa aking clinic.

I stared at her for a moment before flashing a sweet, but sad smile.
"You know I'll visit you, right?" She nodded like a child, so scared to be left alone. "Ayun naman pala, eh. You're such a cry baby, Cheasty." Pang-aasar ko sa kanya at sinamaan niya ako ng tingin at tinulungan pa rin ako sa pagliligpit.

"Promise me one thing," sabi niya at saka ako hinarap. Itinuon ko na sa kanya ang buo kong atensyon saka ngumiti ng napakaganda sa kanyang harapan. She pouted and I could feel her urge to cry again. Ayun nga, humikbi na naman siya.

The door of my clinic opened and a pouting Maximus entered. He then sighed before hugging me so tight.
"Why do you have to leave? Can't you stay for another week?" Maximus asked me. I could smell his manly perfume when he tightened his hug. What a warm embrace from the coldest man I've known. Not totally cold, but he can do that if you deserve his coldness.

I sighed and tried to push him slowly away from me. I showed him how tired I am hearing that question over and over again.
"This is an important matter, Max. I can't let this pass. It's about merging...our businesses?" Napakibit ako ng aking balikat dahil sa hindi siguradong sinabi ko.

"Merging both of the family's businesses by arranging your marriage with their first born." He emphasized the word arranging up to the last word.

"It's my parents' decision, Max...Cheasty." ngumiti ako.

Napatango-tango naman si Cheasty na parang may naiisip na sobrang nag make sense para sa kanya.
"Oo nga. It's your parents' decision and I'll bet for this one, you love that decision. Huh? Tama ba, Cresandria?" She is now playing the game called staring contest with me and it's so hard to give up my throne.

Hindi ko alam kung hahayaan ko na lang ba siya sa kanyang ginagawa o hindi. Gusto ko siyang talunin na naman this time, pero may nagsasabi din naman sa akin na hayaan na lang siya at igive-up ko nalang ang panalo ko noon sa larong 'to. Ganito talaga ginagawa namin sa tuwing may gusto kaming ipitin sa aming dalawa. Kung may gusto kaming ma-hot-seat or what.

She's been very competitive with this one. Alam kong hindi niya hahayaang matalo ko siya ngayon, lalo na at alam niyang may malaking posibilidad na matalo niya ako at siya ang mananalo. Yeah. The hindi-pinagbigyan-feeling-queen wants the crown now.

I rolled my eyes and comforted myself after breaking our gaze. Talo ako. Tss! Nararamdaman ko 'yong inis pero mas nararamdaman ko 'yong feeling na parang kailangan kong mag explain.
"Oh, yes. I love the idea of merging both of our business by arranging our marriage. That's so amazing!" Mangha kong sabi.

I heard Maximus sighed while Cheasty rolled her eyes at me.
"Obsessed?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Cheasty kaya napatingin ako sa kanyang direksyon.

"Spell obsessed, Cheasty." Maximus commanded.

"C-R-E-S-A-N-D-R-I-A!" proud pa na pag i-spell ni Cheasty sa aking first name.

Napabuntong-hininga nalang ako sa kanilang ginagawa saka naupo sa aking swivel chair at nilaro-laro ito sa pamamagitan ng pag-iikot.
"I'm not obsessed. I'm just telling the both of you how I feel about it." I explained.
"I've been dreaming about this for so long. To marry the love of my life named Gallego Nathaniel Lancaster." I dreamily told them.

Napunta sa harapan ng aking mesa si Maximus at yumuko ng kaunti para harapin ako. Nakalapat ang kanyang magkabilang palad sa table at sobrang seryoso ng titig niya sa akin. "But he doesn't love you, Cresandria. That's the biggest problem and also the hindrance to your dreams, Cres. Hindi ka niya mahal." Masakit. Naramdaman ko na ang ganitong klase ng sakit nang paulit-ulit. I've been here before and now I'm feeling it again. The words that came out from my bestfriend's mouth strucked me. Hard.