Loving the Nation's Idol

#WTMH Roll 28: At Long Last

"But ---"

"Only a woman can read what a woman thinks, Isaiah." She reassures him. "Wag mo munang ipilit ang sarili mo sa kaniya, baka mas lalo iyong mainis."

"Akala ko nadadala ang mga babae sa lambing." Bumagsak ang mga balikat nito.

"As you can see, Marga is not one of them." She smiles hesitantly. "So, this is gonna be tricky, Isaiah. The first thing you need to do is give her a space."

"I miss her already." Nanlulumo nitong saad.

Doon na ngumiti nalang malapad si Avery. Of how mighty people perceive this blonde-hair and blue-eyes chairman, he is the opposite now. All Ava can see is a sad, love-stricken, man.

A side she never seen despite growing up with him basically and it made her happy.

Indeed, Margaret successfully pulled out a better man out of him.

"I know. But let me talk to her, hmm?" She holds both his shoulder. "Relax, she still loves you and I know she's not serious on leaving you." Gusto niyang matawa sa nakitang maleta ni Marga sa paanan ng hagdan. "Puntahan mo nalang kapatid mo sa baba. His nose might be in a bad shape right now. Okay?"

Tahimik itong tumango.

.

.

"Good thing someone decided to welcome me." Isaac remarks upon seeing Isaiah walking towards him.

"Sorry about earlier." Namulsa siya.

"Women." He nods in agreement. Tumingala ito para libutin ng tingin ang kabuuan ng bahay. "Great interior, by the way."

Isaiah looks at his brother. Even if Isaac's nose is slowly turning red and that hit must be really painful, his face is at peace. 'Is it because he already has everything?' He thought. "Isaac."

"Hmm?" Binalingan siya nito.

"Here." Lahad niya sa isang ice-bag. "For your..." Tinuro niya ang ilong nito. "...nose."

"Oh, thanks --- " Natigilan si Isaac nang makapang walang laman ang ice-bag. "No ice?"

Isaiah points something on the kitchen's doorway which Isaac turns to look at.

'ISAIAH-FREE ZONE (except breakfast, lunch, dinner)'

"Sorry, brother." Tapik ni Isaiah sa balikat ng kapatid. "Di ako pwedeng pumasok sa loob."

Isaac throws him a weird look. "Seriously?"

He shrugs. "I don't want her hating on me more, bud. Gotta take the safest steps from now on."

"Unbelievable!" Napailing nalang si Isaac na pumasok sa kusina para kumuha ng yelo at malamig na tubig para isilid sa ice bag --- para sa sariling ilong na namamaga na.

.

.

Avery knocks on the wooden door. "Margaret? It's me... Avery." No response. "Can we talk? I wanted to hear your stories; you know." Ayaw niyang isipin nitong si Isaiah lang ang pag-uusapan nila. Baka kasi inis na inis talaga ito sa lalaki. Avery will play it safe by gaining her trust first. "Margaret?"

Few minutes passed by before Avery hears the door unlock from the other side. Napangiti siya nang nakita niyang sumilip si Marga sa awang ng pinto. The princess' eyes and nose are red from crying hard. "Hello." Ava looks around then back to the sad woman behind the door. "Coast is clear. No sign of Isaiah."