Love Above It All

Chapter 4

Astrid clung on my arm when she saw me walking alone in the hallway. She kissed my cheek for a greeting. Ngumiti ako ng nahihiya sa kanya. She always kisses me. Malambing si Astrid, ayaw kong masanay kaya minsan hindi ko siya pinapansin. Pero ayaw ko rin naman siyang ipagtabuyan nalang.

She's nothing but nice to me.

"Guess what," she beamed.

"Oh?" I asked coolly while we're still walking.

"It's my birthday today!" she exclaimed, she's all smiles and blooming in her blue chiffon dress.

Bigla akong napatigil at napatingin sa kanya, gulat. It's her birthday! Of course, she should be happy.

"Happy birthday! Sorry wala akong gift." Bati ko. She giggled and hugged my arm. We resumed walking.

"It's okay, I know hindi mo alam. But can you come to my simple celebration later? I don't have lots of friends to invite anyway. It's just dinner in my house. Don't worry, the food is great!" she smiled and skipped excitedly. Parang sigurado na siyang pupunta ako.

I don't really get excited with birthdays. It's just another time of the year to know the existence of a worthless child, which is me. Well for me, of course. Iba naman sa kanila. Their parents love them.

"I don't really know about that, Astrid..." Napatigil siya sa ginagawa dahil sa sinabi ko. Her face fell, oh no.

"Why? Connor's gonna be there. I promise it's comfortable! Please, please..." She held my hand. Napakurap-kurap ako. Is my presence really needed there? Nakita ko ang mga mata ni Astrid, it's pleading. Ngumuso siya.

"I have work.." bulong ko... pero si Astrid.

"I called Duke, he said it's okay if you go out for tonight." Biglang nagpakita si Connor na nasa likod ko pala. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Si Sir Duke.. siya ang may-ari ng Smolder!

"P-Paano?" I asked, confused.

"We're friends." He shrugged. "Paalam ka nalang sa unang trabaho mo, just for tonight? Relax yourself. Minsan lang.." mahinang sambit niya na parang kinukumbinsi rin ang sarili na patigilin ako sa pagta-trabaho.

"Oh no, you have work? Am I disturbing? It's okay. I'm sorry-" Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Astrid at halatang natakot bigla.

"Ah, hindi hindi. Magpapaalam nalang ako. It's your birthday, you should be happy." I don't want to spoil it. I smiled at her and held her hand, assuring her. Her eyes lit up. I knew I made the right choice. Niyakap niya ako at nagpasalamat. I don't get it.

"She's a lonely girl, don't believe in her very happy facade. She's home schooled for the past years so.. thank you for considering. Kinausap ko na si Duke kaya huwag ka na mag-alala," Connor whispered when we reached Astrid's room. Kaming dalawa nalang ang naglalakad patungo sa kung saan.

My lips parted. Home schooled? That must've been lonely.

"You like her?" tanong ko bigla. Bumaling siya sa akin, his brows shot up. "Si Astrid? You take care of her like she's the most precious girl in the world, you like her don't you?" I deduced. Sumimangot siya.

"I'm taking care of her in behalf of my twin brother who doesn't have the balls to come home yet... well. I understand him," bulong niya sa huli. Mas nalaglag ang panga ko. May kambal siya! So there's another Connor?

"If you don't know yet, we're actually childhood friends. I knew her since she was born, like a sister. Tapos may thing sila ng brother ko, tapos iniwan nung kambal ko without paalam, tapos sinusundan niya secretly like a stalker. Parang aso. Susmaryosep, basta magulo sila! Let's not talk about it!" He stomped his feet. Napangiwi ako, ang daldal niya. So he's taking care of her because his twin can't. And he treats her like his sister. Ngumuso ako at tumango nalang.