AZRIEL'S OBSESSION (Completed)

Chapter 44

Family

The weather is getting very cold nowadays. Dahil siguro ilang buwan na lang ay magpapasko na. It is currently the month of October.

Binalot ako ni Azriel ng jacket matapos nya akong pagbuksan ng pinto. Nakarating na kami sa parking lot ng ospital at kahit kulob na ito ay malamig pa rin.

"Still cold?" he asks.

Umiling-iling ako.

Nang hawakan nya ang kamay ko at idikit ako sa kanya habang naglalakad ay wala na ang lamig na nararamdaman ko. Lamig na lang sa loob ng katawan, kung may ganoon man, dahil sa kaba sa magiging gender ng anak.

Months from now, it will be Azriel's birthday. Ang birthday ko naman ay 11th of April, it's summer time.

Naalala ko tuloy iyong birthday ni Azriel a few years ago.

It was March 3 and is also Sir Nickolson's birthday. Everyone in the company is invited in his big day. The venue is an expensive resort. The whole resort is being rented! Ang laki laki pa naman nito at maganda ang beach.

Naupo ako sa isang kahoy na upuan since that's the theme. Parang beach style? I don't know. I don't even want to be here in the first place.

I suddenly remember the day last week it was announced. Pinatawag kami sa conference room. Not all, but just the people with higher positions to talk about his "party".

"So, everyone is invited to my party. It is not compulsory, if you don't want, then don't. Also, announce this to everyone here after this meeting," he said. He really looks so arrogant and that irritates me.

I don't know if that's just really him or he's really a bastard, arrogant, and rude.

I raised my hand which made them look at me.

"I can't go, Sir."

Kumunot ang noo nito at napaayos ang upo. "What?!"

"I can't go po. I'm sorry, I have something else to do," I said. Well, I actually lied. Ayoko lang talagang pumunta doon.

"What?! It's my birthday, why won't you go?!" He sounds so offended. Kunot noo at mabilis pa ang paghinga.

Nagulat naman ang iba sa paraan ng pag-react nya. Kahit ako ay nagulat but not that much. I see him react like this many times already.

"Hindi naman po required, right?" naguguluhan kong tanong.

"But it's my birthday!" inis nyang sabi na parang bata.

"You just said it's not required-"

Humalukipkip sya at tila nagagalit na. "Then it's required now."

The nerves of this man!

Nanahimik ako sa tabi kahit nakakaramdam ng iritasyon. Sya rin ay iritado at pilit nyang ipinapakita iyon sa akin ngunit wala naman akong pake.

"Uh, so, required na pong um-attend lahat, sir? I'll make an announcement later."

"Yes, Miss Realonda. Required," he said with finality.

"Should we make a public announcement, Sir? Para sa mga kakilala nyo po?"

"No. I have a separate party for that."

Yumuko ako saglit bago sya tingnang muli. "I really can't go, Sir. I'm sorry, what will be the consequence?"

Lalong sumama ang timpla nya. Kumuyom ang kamay na nakapatong sa mesa at mariin nya akong tinitigan.