章節 8: Love Me Tender Summer
After breakfast, Justine volunteered to clear the table and washed the dishes while Auntie Aida helped me take a bath. She boiled a big pot of water with guava leaves and told me to rinse with the infusion. Auntie Anita used to do that with me when I was little. I smiled at the recollection.
I felt refreshed but sleepy after my bath. I was ready to take a nap when I remembered that Justine was in the house. I regretted that I had not chosen a cuter set of pajamas. I was wearing a white tank top and a worn out PE uniform pants. I felt so ordinary in my OOTD. I couldn't change my outfit anymore because he was already in my room when I entered. Auntie Aida made a quick clean-up of my room. She reminded Justine and I of my father's no-closed-door policy as she exited my bedroom. She also added that she'd be just downstairs.
Justine took my hand and looked at me from head to toe. "Nice pj's," he said teasing. I stuck my tongue out at him.
"Do that again and I'll kiss you." Justine threatened. I did it again but pointed downstairs to remind him of Auntie Aida's presence. He took a deep breath and wagged his index finger at me. I giggled softly.
"Your room is nice," Justine said, admiring my room.
I liked my room too. It was not as big as the bedrooms in the White House but was roomy enough.It was painted in ivory white. It had two wide windows. A big white table was tucked against the window facing west. I put my desktop computer and printer there because I like to work while I admire the view from my window. On the walls between the two windows was a framed cork board. Photos of various landscapes and people and post-it notes peppered the board. My twin bed was made of wood painted white too.White linens covered the bed mattress and the different sizes of pillows. Fairy lights hang casually above the headboard. I clipped photos of my parents on the fairy lights. They were like my guardian angels watching over me while I sleep.
"Hey, I know who owns these." He said, noticing the two polo shirts that were hang on my wall.
"Tell the owner I am not giving them back." I said and went to the shirts to hug them.
"Keep them, they're yours." Justine said, feigning nonchalance. I mouthed the words 'thank you'.
He continued his room inspection. He browsed the photos on the cork board. He pointed at random people asking who they were. I had many photos with Karlo. His arms were always wrapped around me just like Alexis.
Something occurred to me: "How come you're not jealous of Karlo?"
"I asked him if he liked you but he said you're just like a little sister to him. That you're just the best of friends. I believed him. I made it clear to him though that I like you."
I was flabbergasted by his answer. I was a bit angry that he confronted Karlo but at the same time, I was thrilled that he was staking his claim on me. No one has done that before.
"When did you talk to Karlo?" I asked curious.
"When we went to the river." He answered. It was only his second day on the farm and he already made clear to my best friend of his intentions. 'Whoa'
"Meeting you in the forest was not a coincidence, right?" I probed further.
"You mean our Secret Garden?" he reminded me. "No. I followed you when I saw you heeding out to the forest. I kind of have an inkling where you will go because Karlo have already told me about your hide out. But my confession was spontaneous, Nina. I can't believe you gave me a golden opportunity. And the rest they say is history." He took my hand and made a curtsy. I smiled at his explanation.
"Can you give Alexis some slack too? He's just like a little brother to me," I appealed.
He looked at me tenderly. "Do you have a hair dryer?" he asked, avoiding my question.
"Don't change the subject please." I pleaded.
"I'll answer after I dry your hair." He said.
I pointed to the bathroom. Justine found the hair dryer and proceeded to dry my hair. I feel sleepy every time somebody does my hair be it in the hair salon or at home. Justine took his time blow-drying my hair. He finger-combed my hair gently untangling unruly ones. He was careful not to put the blow dryer near my face. My eyelids are heavy with sleep but I fought the drowsiness. I wanted to hear his answer on my appeal.
After he was done with my hair. He helped me to my bed. He propped up the pillows so I can sit comfortably. He also sat down on the bed, facing me.
"Nina, let's tell everyone that we're a couple now. That's the only way I can make my brother behave. Alex is used to having his way. When he was young, he was sickly. Our parents thought that he inherited our grandmother's weak heart. Although doctors declared that he does not have a weak heart, everyone in our family spoiled him already, including me. I always give way to his whims no matter how silly they were. When he showed you his fondness, I thought of dismissing my own growing fondness for you too. But I can't do it. My feelings for you grew every day. And I find myself resenting Alex's fixation with you. It tortured me that you seem to want it too." Justine explained.
"I won't deny that I enjoyed Alexis' attention. But there's nothing more to it. He's just a little brother to me even though we're the same age. Also, I treat all my friends the same way. Look at those pictures on the wall, that's how I've always been." I explained back.
"I'm learning about that. But can I please make an appeal? I get jealous Nina. I can't help it. Sometimes, I'm frightened by my own emotions. Please be a little bit considerate. I'm not asking you to stop being friends with anyone or to stop being fond of Alex, just don't get too physically close. PLEASE?" He pleaded.
He was so tortured, I touched his face to comfort him. He put his hand over my hand. We looked at each other intently. He looked at my lips. I absentmindedly caressed them. He smiled. I felt a great sense of comfort, I fell asleep!
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