Chapter 44

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Quote for this chap :
“You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present.”














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The little girl can't remember when she had realized it. It was one of those things that crawled up on her slowly. Don't ask her why and when it occurred.










There was no defining moment. All that she can remember is that her simmering fascination gradually turned to a liking where it must have flourished into some kinda love. Puppy love perhaps. She didn’t know.










There was none of those fireworks erupting from my heart. Who could blame her anyway? She was just 10-turning-11 soon. It didn’t happen drastically like one of those cliché movies we’ve seen. She suppose it had been there for a while but not quite long













It was friday afternoon when the little girl hurriedly went up to their two-storey house to show to her parents her A+ swimming actual exam result












She was skeptical while imagining her parents' reaction. For sure they'll be proud of her and no doubt she would taste her mother's speciality, Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie..












She was interrupted with her chain of thoughts the moment She took her step right on their front door 








And when she turn their knob, The first thing that she heard was not the usual but ..








"Wow! Rima, Dear! A++ on your swimming actual exam!!" It was definitely her mom, her sweet serene voice wasn't hard to recognize.











"That's my girl! Papa is so proud of you, Rima" She could even picture out of her Dad would bend to kiss her older sister's forehead. Something that she wish she could've experience too






Maybe she could've pretend she didn't hear a thing










Just as she was about to turn around and completely close the door she heard her mother called upon her to get inside












"Nina Bear!" Her mother uttered as she approach her, bent down to plant a tender kiss to her youngest child and led her to the dining hall




"Gutom ka na ba? Mommy prepared for your meryenda a Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Crepes"







Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Crepes 

The little girl frown. Isn't that Rima's favorite? 









"Nina, Come sit next to daddy" Her dad patted the chair next to him, just in front of Rima's









She hesitated at first but nonetheless, smiled at her father and took the seat to where her dad told her to and watched as her mother laid the plate of Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Crepes right in front of her










"What is that thing you told me hija through the phone? You seem excited about it" Her Dad casually said with a smile while her mother poured a lemon juice on her glasses











She was about to utter something when Rima burst another words
"hhhmm.. Mom! this is--- AWESOME!" She took another spoon full of Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Crepes into her mouth and then smiled at their mother










She noticed that there was something stuck between her older sister's teeth and she couldn't help but wonder .. 






Was it the blueberry stuck between her front teeth?











"Easy, Rima .. 'Di ka naman uubusan ni Nina" Her father chuckled before sipping into his lemon juice











"Well, That's your reward for getting an A++ on your swimming class awhile ago" then her mother turn her direction to the youngest child who seem a little taken aback 







"You were saying kanina, Nina?" Her father asked her darting his direction to his youngest child









The little girl bowed her head a little and crumpled the paper behind her. She looked up with a smile , a kind of smile that didn't exactly reach her eyes












"Nothing, Dad. I was just...--" She couldn't find the next word to say and glance to her older sister "--- happy, right.. I was happy for me who got an A++"










Her older sister grinned widely and said "Thanks, sis. It was just a peice of cake anyway.. How about you? what did you get?"










She flinched before blinking twice and bit her lower lip. 
"I--uh.." she was obviously stammering but didn't continue whatever she was about to say. There was nothing to be said anyway.








Her paper's result is nothing compared to Rima's. Afterall, she only got an A+











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"Ikaw, Nina ah! nung kailan lang na sa hospital ka tapos ngayon may saklay ka na. Aba'y improving!"










I whirled around as I heard and recognized to whom that girly voice came from. It was Jesse's with her signature megawatt smile










Should I pretend I've forgotten her too?
I thought as I from at her, pretending to think harder as I could. My brows both pulled together











"Uhm ... Pardon? Do I know you before? I'm sorry.. I don't ---"
"Silly me, wala ka nga pa lang maalala"













I saw a sudden tone of sadness the moment she said that and I couldn't help my self but be sad as well. 






What am I doing?














"Tanga! nagka-amnesia nga raw yan eh! malamang 'di ka talaga maalala" Iy was Bea with a cup of brewed coffee on her hand and a folder on the other. then to her side, there was Gail who stared at me for awhile










Maybe the crutches bother her a lot










"Okay ka na?" Bea asked as she approached and patted my shoulder





"I'm Bea .. Hindi tayo masyadong close but that's not the point" She grinned and gestured me to the woman next to her"You probably dont remember a slightest thing about us but we're more than willing to give it another shot" She added and winked at me











"This is Gail over here and that's Jesse .. "






The two ladies beside her smiled at me and I return the favor as genuine as possible








"Wanna Join us for lunch?" Gail offered









"Well, What are we waiting for? I'm staaaarving!" Jesse grabbed my arm and dragged me behind her















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Later that night after the office hours were finally over we decided to have a little chit chat on our way down the elevator and at the midst of our conversation










Ding!!











"Nina, need a lift? we could take you to you----OUCH! HEY! that hurts, Gail!" I chuckled as I watch them squezing on each other's neck










"Mukhang may sundo si Nina, Bea. Let's go na?" Gail grabbed on to Bea's hand and winked at me












There was nothing else I could do but watch their retreating back. I smiled before turning around. I stopped dead on my tracks when someone out of nowhere called upon my attention and said














"Hey!"







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(A/N: Hoooraay!! for another update Hmmm... now that you're done reading it..



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