Sweet Disposition

Chapter 11 - I feel like I've seen that before

Nicole's POV

"You said we will talk when I get here. Now, tell me"

"Let's go to Ethan first. He's waiting for you"

Pagkarating ko pa lang ng airport, kinukulit ko na agad si Max na mag-usap kami. Pero ang dami niyang excuses. I feel like hindi niya talaga gustong makipag-usap sa akin.

Pumunta kami sa rehab center kung saan nag-sstay si Ethan.

"Hi. How are you?"

Makikita mong kulang siya sa tulog. Pumayat rin siya.

"I'm good. And Im glad na andito ka"

Lumapit ako sa kanya at niyakap siya. Tama nga si Rain, kailangan ko nga talagang tulungan si Ethan.

"How long are you going to stay here? "

"Until they let you get out of this place" naka-smile kong sabi.

"They said I've been making progress. Maybe pumayag silang lumabas ako ng mas maaga"

Nagtinginan kami ni Max. That's what happened last time. Mom thought na ok na siya kaya umuwi sila ng Pinas. But they were wrong.

"Ethan you don't need to rush this. Max and I are here. Plus it seems that you've been making some friends here"

"Well, yeah. But gusto kong bumalik sa Pinas. Andun yung talagang mga kaibigan ko"

"You will. Just be patient. Nicole is here, she can visit you. At the same time, imomonitor kita" sabi ni Max.

"Okay. I'm glad you're here" sabi sa akin ni Ethan.

Im glad na pumunta ako. Nakita ko kung paano siya dito sa rehab. Alam kong nahihirapan siya. And he needs someone familiar para hindi siya ma-home sick.

After namin manggaling sa rehab, pumunta na kami ni Max sa bahay.

"Can we talk now?"

I turned around and look at her.

"You know what Max, I'm tired. I'm tired sa byahe and tired of you. You keep on making excuses. So, no. We can't talk right now. Actually, we don't have anything to talk about. If you have problems with me being with Rain, wala na akong magagawa. But just to be clear, I will not break up with her"

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Kakatapos lang namin mag-video call ni Rain. Madaling araw kasi dun ngayon kaya hindi na kami gaano nag-usap ng matagal. Biglang tumunog yung cellphone ko. Si Belle, nag-imessage.

Did you get to talk to Max? - Belle

No. I'm tired of her. She keeps on doing this to me. I don't want to talk to her - Nicole

Are you sure? Baka importante yung sasabihin niya - Belle

If it's important then she should have told me noon pa lang. Can we not talk about her, please? - Nicole

Okay. How's Ethan? - Belle

He's better, I think. Max and I will make sure that he's fully recovered this time - Nicole

I'm glad andyan ka para sa kanya - Belle

Yeah. Bakit hindi ka pa natutulog? It's like 4 AM there - Nicole

I'm with someone :) - Belle

Napasmile ako sa reply ni Belle. I think it's a good thing na nakikipag-date na ulit siya.

Photos! Now! Sino siya? - Nicole

It's just a date! I have to go - Belle

Magrereply pa sana ako kay Belle pero biglang may nag-knock sa door. Tatayo pa lang sana ako para buksan yung door pero pumasok na si Max.

"I know you dont want to talk to me. I get it"

Lumapit siya sa akin at umupo sa may bed ko.

"But we're here for Ethan. Hindi makakatulong kung magiging ganito tayo in front of him"

"I know" sagot ko

"So, can we forget muna kung anong problema natin and just focus on Ethan?"

"Of course"

"Once his fully recovered, we'll talk ok?"

Tumango ako at niyakap ko siya. I'ts been a while since nagkausap kami ng maayos. And to be honest, I missed her.

"You want to go out tomorrow? We have to buy some foods and stuff"

"Yeah" sabay smile ko.

Biglang tumunog yung phone ko. Si Belle, nag-send ng photo nila ng date niya. Napatingin si Max sa phone ko.

"Is that Belle?"

"Yeah"

Tumayo si Max. Pagtayo niya nakita ko yung necklace na suot niya.

"Is that new?" tanong ko.

"Huh?"

"Your necklace. Is that new?"

Lumapit ako at tinitigan yung pendant.

Para siyang nagulat sa tanong ko. You can clearly see na hindi siya komportable.

"No" simpleng sagot niya.

"I feel like Ive seen that before"

"Well, this is not the first time I've worn it. Baka nakita mo ng suot ko to noon. Matagal na to sa akin"

Bigla na siyang pumunta sa door.

"Get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight"

Saka siya lumabas ng room ko.

Max has always been classy and confident. Pero kanina para siyang nahuli na nangungupit ng pera sa bag ng nanay niya. Natawa na lang ako kasi ang weird niya.

I texted Rain bago ako matulog.

Goodnight, Delgado. I love you . I miss you.