High Wind and Waves (Provincia de Marina Series #2)

Kabanata 29

"I want to know what you're doing," aniya.

"Bakit? Mag-v-veterinarian ka na ba? Sawa ka ng maging piloto?" prangka kong tanong at nilingon siya.

He just stared at me. "I just want to familiarize myself with these, para makatulong ako sa iyo."

"I have Ron to assist me," I retorted. "And Doc Malvar or Isidore, kaya hindi mo na kailangan pa iyan."

I point back my attention to the equipment. Isa-isa kong ibinalik iyon sa lalagyanan nila para hindi magkagulo.

"What if they're not around and you'll only have me?" rinig kong aniya.

Nagpatuloy ako sa ginagawa. "I can manage. You just have to watch. Nag-aral naman ako para hindi na humingi ng tulong. If I need your help, then I'll call you. If kaya ko, then what's the point?"

I don't want to put myself again in a situation where I'll depend on him. Hindi ko siya maaasahan. Paano kung sa panahong kakailanganin ko siya ay wala naman siya? What if it's like before? Although I did not need him, what if he'll just leave? Kasi roon naman siya magaling. Aalis nang walang pasabi at mang-iiwan sa ere. Kahit na alam kong nagalit siya...dapat ay tinanong niya pa rin ako.

I am not bitter. I was just stating the possibilities. Ayaw ko na lang ding umasa kaya as much as possible, I don't want to rely to him while he's here. He'll just do his business and I'll do mine. Simple lang.

The days went on like usual. I help Reeve with the farm and its workers, while he does his duties at the clinic. Lagi siyang naroon at kahit tapos na ang working hours ay hihintayin akong matapos para isahang sara na lang.

"Ada, I still don't like how you just hired my brother to become the receptionist of the clinic," ani Isidore sa akin nang makalabas na kami ng clinic. Magkatabi kami sa paglalakad at inaya niya akong sa labas kami mag-usap.

"He's doing a great job, Sid. Hayaan mo na. It will only be for the mean time. Naghahanap na ako," I explained to him.

He is practically the owner of the clinic, seeming that his father was the one who established it. Pero dahil wala na siya ngayon, ako naman ang in-charge doon kaya may karapatan din naman akong mag-hire ng kung sino para sa ikagaganda ng clinic.

"Sid, can we just set aside what happened with you and your brother? Kung anuman talaga iyon kasi labas na ako riyan. I was okay with him here kaya walang problema. He's not invading my space either."

"Are you sure about that?" aniya at nagtiim bagang.

Nilabanan ko ang tingin niyang iyon. "I don't trust your brother. Sapat na bang marinig mo iyon sa akin?"

"But you're always with him."

Napailing ako. "You've been unreasonable ever since he came back. I don't trust him, okay? Whatever he does, hindi ko iyon pinagkakatiwalaan kasi alam ko naman kung ano ang kaya niyang gawin. He'd want to leave on his own kapag nagsawa siya."

"And what if he'll stay this time, Ada?" Lumapit siya sa akin at napaatras ako. Hindi ko na mabasa si Isidore ngayon.

"T-then, he'll just stay, Sid. Ano bang kinalaman ko riyan?" Napatawa ako. "You know what? You're being paranoid right now. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyayari sa'yo."

Naiiling akong umalis sa harapan niya. Ever since Reeve got here, the Isidore that I know shifted from being someone else. Isidore is always good at keeping his cool.  Never ko siyang nakitang hindi mapakali sa trabaho. He was always calm and composed. Pero nang dumating na si Reeve, pakiramdam niya ay lahat ng pinaghirapan niya ay mawawala nang parang bula and that includes me.