Ocean of Feathers

Chapter 104

The short story is dedicated to Dianne Qate Apostolero. Thank you for helping me during muting days!

Chapter 104

What I like about the weekend is when I have long hours that I could write on my laptop, order different foods online and have them delivered, watch movies, play with my dogs, and watch my little nephew play inside my room while eating different kinds of chocolates.

Masaya talaga ang buhay kapag nakukuha mo ang lahat ng gusto mo kahit nakaupo ka lang. But of course, that's always through hardwork.

My nephew's currently lying on his stomach on my carpeted floor while coloring his huge drawing notebook. Sa tuwing wala akong pasok lagi siya narito sa kuwarto ko dahil alam niyang marami akong chocolate at handang pagkain para sa kanya.

To watch a little child playing innocently inside your room is quite an entertainment.

"Tita Dianne? Tita Anggie has a boyfriend yesterday, why didn't Tita Dianne bring one?"

"What?" natatawang sagot ko sa batang paslit na nakadapa sa carpet. Bakit iyon ang bigla niyang tinanong sa akin?

"I saw Tita Anggie."

"Do you want me to find a boyfriend? You will not go to play and eat here anymore, because my boyfriend will stay here instead of you."

"No way!"

Natawa na lang ako sa sinabi ng makulit na bata.

I thought my weekends will continue as it was, but I didn't expect that an unexpected guest would suddenly appear at our family reunion— my ex-boyfriend.

Pinandidilatan ko ang mga pinsan ko dahil sa nakikita.

"Why is he here?" bulong ko sa kanila. But all they did was giggle in front of me.

Hindi talaga ako lumapit kay Miguel kahit na kinakausap siya ng mga pinsan kong lalaki. Why does he act like he's still part of the family? Hindi niya ba nakakalimutan na break na kami?

Mas lalo pang naningkit ang mga mata ko sa kanya nang makita kong kasama niya ang paborito kong pamangkin na si Llyod. Buhat niya pa ang bata at nakikipagtawanan sa kanya.

Akala ko ay magagawa ko siyang hindi pansinin hanggang sa matapos ang reunion party pero hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko.

Nang sandaling makalapit na ako sa table nila habang kalong niya si Llyod, hindi man lang siya nagpatinag sa akin dahil nagawa niya pang ngumiti nang pagkatamis-tamis.

"Dianne. . ."

"Let's talk, Miguel."

"Tita Dianne! Tito Miguel told me that he's trying to be your boyfriend again," my niece said innocently.

"Really?"

"Yes, Tita Dianne!"

Nagtatawanan na ang mga pinsan ko dahil sa sinabi ni Llyod. Of course, they are all aware that I was that one who asked for the break-up. And Miguel was against on it, kahit ang buong angkan ko ay hindi rin gusto ang naging desisyon ko.

I know that we had a fight and it was my fault. Pinangunahan ako ng emosyon ko kaya nakipag-break ako, but I just want to stand by my decision.

"Sure," sagot niya.

Pinabuhat niya sa isa sa pinsan ko si Llyod bago niya ako hinarap. I pulled him away from the crowd. Nakapamaywang na ako sa kanya habang nanliliit ang mga mata ko.

"Why are you here?"

"Your family invited me."

"We're not together, Miguel."

"No. You are still my girlfriend. I never agreed with you. Yes, maybe it's what they say cool off?"

"Huh?"

Huminga siya nang malalim at hinawakan niya ang dalawa kong kamay. "Let's end this childish act, Dianne, okay? I love you."

"I hate you."

Kinabig niya ako at niyakap nang mahigpit. "I hate you because my family likes you so much. . ."

Tumawa siya sa sinabi ko. "At least, kakampi ko sila lagi kapag sinusumpong ka, even Llyod is my accomplice."

Hinampas ko ang dibdib niya. "Nakadaya mo."

"Well. I can always play tricks to have you."