Capítulo 27: Who's birthday?
The noise of the roasters woke me up, so I slowly got up and gawked at the window. I still can't get rid of what happened last night.
"Ate Kaesu, let's take a bath before breakfast. Besides, Mother has already agreed that you will join us in the stream." Arwin eagerly jumped on me and we both lay on the bed again, and I just giggled with joy.
"But.."
"Just what?" Arwin's face, which was full of excitement, immediately changed to sadness.
"I don't know where it is, besides, I don't have any other clothes."
We both stood up, and he pulled me towards the living room. I looked first to see if Antonio was there, but there was not even a shadow of him there, so I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ate Kaesu agreed," Arwin shouted, so Aunt Lus immediately came to us and gave me a towel and a duster.
"T-thank you for this." I was still too shy to respond, but this Arwin couldn't wait and immediately pulled me out, so we walked to the stream that Arwin was talking about.
When we got there, Arwin immediately started paddling, and I was about to chase after him, but the rocks were slippery, so I just walked slowly.
I was surprised when Gimley suddenly shouted at the other side, so I didn't notice what I was walking through, and I almost slipped. Fortunately, someone caught me.
If fate tempts you, yes, it is really cruel.
Antonio grinned big and was still half-naked while I was still leaning on his stony body. I was so annoyed to see that smile on his lips, but I couldn't take my eyes off his face either.
"Enjoying the view like you always do?"
Because of my eagerness to leave his arms, I stood up immediately and unexpectedly went straight into the water, causing me to swim out of nowhere.
I smiled because of how good it felt and the kids and I played there while taking a bath. After that, we hung out by the side while waiting for Antonio because we didn't know where he was going.
I was looking for beautiful stones that I could take home as a reminder of this place when suddenly Gimley approached me smiling and almost restless from where he was standing.
Before I could speak, he handed me some flowers. They were beautiful, fresh, and fragrant, so I accepted them with a smile.
"Thank you... Where did you get it?"
"That's not mine," Gimley responded, shaking his head and pointing to someone behind me, so when I looked, Antonio's gentle face appeared to me, but he was also looking at something in the water.
I approached Antonio and also looked at what he was looking at.
"I thought you would avoid me for a year."
"You're not only getting on my nerves, but you're also overreacting." I chuckled. "Thanks for the flowers though."
"Keasu..."
My attention shifted to him when he said my name in a soft but sweet voice.
"Last night, I know you knew my true feelings for you and I have liked you from the moment-"
"I'm sorry I like someone else." I cut him off, going straight to the point. I couldn't think of any other. I don't know if I really do, but I feel like I am betraying Canim right now.
"I know." He replied with a smile, but I could see pain through his eyes.
I stood up and took a deep breath. "There are many other women out there, other women who are more beautiful, intelligent, and kind than me."
"I know, right? But I guess you can't tell your heart about who it wants to love. But I'm not forcing you to love me, I just want you to know that I love you." He stood up and looked straight into my eyes and seemed to be talking to my soul. "I like you, and I'm not asking you to like me. Just let me show you and make you feel what I feel. You don't need to distance yourself from me, because I'll still protect you like before, I'll be right next to you, as usual, and I will still annoy you again and again without you noticing that I have feelings for you. I can do that, just don't walk away from me."
I can't find the right words in this situation. I just kept quiet while letting him wipe the tears that I didn't know were slowly flowing from my eyes.
The children have asked us to go back to the hut and maybe Aunt Lus is looking for us to have breakfast. And when we got back, the table was ready, and we finished eating. Antonio's big bike was ready, so we bid goodbye.
"Are you still coming back, Ate Kaesu?" Arwin almost tearfully asked me and Gimley held him.
I patted their heads and tried to smile at both of them. "I'll visit, okay?"
The two nodded enthusiastically, so Antonio and I left after we said our goodbyes properly to Aunt Lus and Sir Diego.
We were silent the whole ride and I gave him the tape. He said he and Uncle Luis would look into it and would immediately start the next step.
After arriving home, I immediately stretched out on the bed and lay down on the bed thinking about what happened there with Antonio and the stream.
I feel like a bad person to turn down Antonio like that, but at the same time, I don't know what I really feel. I haven't even understood my emotions and feelings these past few days. It's all mixed up.
"Hey there my Kaesu."
I knew it was Alex's voice and I also heard him enter, so I didn't bother to get up.
"What are your plans for this Friday?"
I just shook my head at Alex because I felt like my brain was floating in the air.
"What are you doing? It's Lara's birthday this Friday. You haven't even planned what you're going to wear and what you're going to give as a gift?"
I got up and cupped Alex's face.
"Why didn't I know?" I shouted out in panic.
"I don't know, why didn't you though?"
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
YennuiXiel
YennuiXiel Ate is a filipino word of "Big sister" it is used to respect or greet an elder woman, may it be a stranger or a close friend or family.
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