I'm In Hell With Him

Chapter Five

"What? Aeicy that's so childish---"

"Alam ko, minsan lang naman. Tara na!"

"Saan na naman?"

"Sa bahay. Last day na ngayon nila Manang at the same time, birthday mo. Double celebration!" Then she smiled. I felt something stirred in me when I saw her smile. But maybe it was just my anger.

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Aeicy made it a point that there will be a celebration, at dahil na-excite na ang dalawang matanda sa bahay, hindi na ako tumutol. She was on fire after knowing that today's my birthday. Siguro sobrang boring na talaga dito sa bahay at wala siyang magawa kaya lahat na lang ng bago at kakaiba gusto niyang pakialaman.

"Pasensya ka na Sir Liam at nakalimutan namin na birthday niyo pala." Sabi ni Mang Nestor sabay tungga ng beer at tumabi sa akin noong nakita niya akong mag-isa sa garden.

"I understand. Alam ko naman tumatanda na kayo nina Manang eh." Biro ko sa kanila at sabay kaming tumawa.

"Pilyo ka talagang bata ka. Talagang ang laki na ng pinagbago mo, sir." Natiigilan ako sa sinabi niya. I decided not to say something in return. Dahil ayokong pag-usapan ang nangyari noon. Not when it's my birthday.

"Tumawag na ho ba sa inyo yung magulang ninyo?"

I winced. Another topic I don't ever want to have.

I shook my head. "Busy. As always."

"Ikaw talagang bata ka. Alam mo namang ginagawa nila yun para din sa iyo--"

"I'm all grown-up now. I don't think that could be an excuse anymore. Pinapakain ko na ang sarili ko kaya hindi na nila ko kailangang intindihin." Napainom na lang ako ng beer. "Damn, I even have a wife now."

When was the last time my family got together? Ah, right. It was during my wedding with Aeicy.

"Alam ninyo Sir, dapat wag kayo mag-isip ng ganyan. Mahal kayo ng magulang ninyo. Para saan pa't para sa inyo din naman yung pagta-trabaho nila." Sabi ni Mang Nestor habang nagbubukas ulit ng isa pang bote ng beer. "Ang dapat ninyong intindihin ngayon, yung nasa tabi niyo na. Yung nasa inyo na... si Maam Aeicy."

I wanted to laugh but I just faked a smile instead. He's right. Intindihin ko na lang ang mga plano ko kay Aeicy. Being nice to her is really out of the question.

"Mang Nestor naman. Siyempre hindi ko pa rin ipagpapalit si Samantha..."

"Aba't nasaan na ba si Maam Samantha?" Tanong niya pabalik sa akin at natigilan ako.

Sam is now with Aeicy's brother. She was no longer mine. I smiled and held my bottle up. "Happy birthday to me."

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIAM!" Bati sakin ng tatlo. As much as I want to roll my eyes at them and just stay in my room, I stayed. In-enjoy ko na rin. Maybe it was because of the alcohol or maybe I really wanted this to happen. Something has changed; and it has something to do with Aeicy. It's because of her-- her smile.

I shook my head. No.

Remember that her brother stole Samantha from you. You will use her for your revenge. You've had everything planned. So please stop thinking foolish things, Liam.

"Liam, ano pang hinihintay mo dyan? Kain na." Pagyaya ni Aeicy sakin habang nakangiti niyang inaabot yung cake. Kinuha ko na lang para tapos na ang usapan.

Soon, those smiles will fade. And it will break your heart, Rio.

______

~FL01