2nd of Spring - A Sudden Interest (P2)

Marga entered the Fontanilla mansion without bothering to say her intention to the maid that greeted her. It's common knowledge that the reason why Marga comes to the mansion was always either Alexis or Alexander, but mostly the former. 

She went straight to the library where Alexander stayed most of the time. She found him sitting on the study table, reading a book. She slammed her hands on the table. “Who is that girl you were with?”

Alexander flipped a page on his book, not bothering to look at Marga. “Pwede ba, Marga. Hindi lahat ng babaeng makakausap ko or ni Alexis kailangan kilala mo.”

“I have to. Baka mamaya pera lang ang habol n’un sa inyo,” she said, her voice raised an octave.

“She’s not like that.”

She crossed her arms. “How would you know? You saved her from falling down the stairs. Kailangan pa ba talaga na ihatid mo s’ya?”

Alexander closed his book and looked at Marga. His eyes were serious. “Stop this. Or I’ll hate you like Alexis does.” 

He stood up and left the library. Marga slammed the table with her palms. Hate me all you want. I am doing this for you. I have to protect you both. Aalisin ko lahat ng pwedeng manakit sa inyo.

She saw an old box labelled Limstella Andrea Monteverde lying on the table. Xander might be looking at its content earlier. She opened the box. She took out a picture of twin boys and two girls smiling at the camera. She caressed the photo with such affection. You have to come back soon, Andie. I cannot protect them on my own.

---

It was four in the morning when Selena woke up. She felt it’s strange. Usually, she's still at the café by this time and working. But because Ms. Jean sent her home, she had no choice but to take a rest. She couldn't think of anything to do. It's too early to get ready for school. She also had her assignments done last night.

"Gising na kaya sila?" She asked her teddy, pertaining to her friends. She decided to try calling them. She first dialed Kringle's number. She made several attempts but no one's answering her. 

She then tried to call Lucy. It took only a few rings to get her call disconnected. She attempted again but the same thing happened. 

She keyed another set of digits, hoping that this time, she could talk to someone. She didn't wait for too long because it took only a few seconds before the line was connected.

"Hello?" the person on the other line spoke.

"Maine, nagising ba kita?"

"Hindi. Gising na ako kanina pa. Inaayos ko 'tong report natin e." Sharmaine answered. "Bakit nga pala napatawag ka? Break n'yo?"

She shook her head even though her friend could not see her doing so. "Hindi. Andito ako sa dorm. Pinauwi ako ni Ms. Jean. Sabi n'ya magpahinga na lang ako," she responded.

"Mabuti nga. Masyado mo pinahihirapan ang sarili mo. Kailangan mo rin naman magpahinga. Hindi ka naman robot para hindi mapagod. Nakikinig ka ba?" Her friend ranted at her.

"Oo, narinig ko." She chuckled. Her friend was acting like a mother hen, protective of her chicks. "Nga pala, may ikukwento ako."

"Mabuti pa, mamaya na lang sa school. Malamang gusto rin malamang 'yan ng dalawa. Isa pa, meron ka pang dapat sabihin sa kanila, tama?"

"Oo nga. Hay. Malamang andaming tanong ng dalawang 'yun mamaya."

"Panigurado 'yun. Kukulitin ka nila ng sobra, lalo na ni Kringle." Sharmaine agreed. "Sige na, mamaya na lang. Malapit ko na matapos 'tong report natin.

"Okay, mamaya na lang. Bye."

It seemed the time was moving too slow. Their call only lasted for a few minutes. She decided to read their lessons in-advance. She had a professor who would call a student and ask them to discuss almost the whole topic. She got bored and then made up her mind that she's going to school early. She remembered that players of the sports club would be excused today, so the SC officers' help would be needed.

The school was almost deserted when Selena arrived. Silence reigned in the places where students were commonly blabbering about anything under the sun. She headed to the SC office, wishing to find something to do. She found a big box, with a note attached to it, at the corner of the room. She read what was written on the paper.

"Please distribute these to the sports club. Give it to the clubs' coaches and ask them to sign on the 'receiving sheet'." - Mr. Aquino, SC adviser

She lifted the box. It was a bit heavy, but she didn't have a hard time carrying it. She got her strength back, good thing she had an eight-hour sleep. When she turned to her back, she saw an unexpected person.

"Selena," he greeted her, smiling. 

"Alexis," she shyly said. "Ano'ng ginagawa mo dito?" She couldn't help but ask since he comes to the SC office once in a blue moon. 

"Bakit, officer din naman ako, 'di ba?" He asked, chuckling. 

She shook her head. "H-hindi naman gan'un ibig ko sabihin. Nagulat lang ako na nandito ka." She mentally slapped herself for stuttering and hoped he didn't notice it.

"Pinapakuha lang sa akin ni Coach 'yung mga jersey namin. Ako inutusan nya kasi alam n'ya na SC ako," he explained. His eyes wandered around the room, evidently looking for something. "Now, where is that box?"

Selena suddenly remembered the box she was carrying. "Ito ba'ng hinahanap mo?" She asked and showed Alexis its contents. 

"Yup. That's the one," he said, then took the box from her and placed it on the table. He took his and his teammates' jerseys inside and signed on the received sheet for his coach as instructed. "Bakit dala-dala mo ‘to?" He asked her.

"Nabasa ko 'yung note sa box, pinapabigay 'to sa mga coach ng sports club. Wala naman akong ginagawa kaya naisip ko na ako na lang magdadala nito d'un," she said, looking down again and rubbing her hands.

"You shouldn't be the one doing this. Babae ka kaya hindi ka dapat nagbubuhat ng mabigat." He then lifted the box. Selena attempted to snatch away from him the box as she felt shy about him helping her out, but he insisted that he’ll carry it. Axis offered to accompany her in distributing the jerseys and she agreed.

"Kamusta na nga pala pakiramdam mo?" Axis asked as they were walking to the sports complex. 

"A-ayos naman na ako." Then she looked down. She felt the heat on her face. She knew she was blushing too much.

"Ayos ka lang? Namumula ka."

She lifted her head. "Ha?" 

The boy's next gesture surprised her. Alexis placed his one hand on her forehead. "Hindi ka naman mainit." 

She took a step back and said, "Siguro dahil sa araw." And she looked down again, feeling more flushed than earlier.

No one was talking after that. They continued distributing the jerseys to different clubs; tennis, volleyball, badminton, and many others. They were nearing the soccer field when Selena remembered something she should have done earlier.

"A-ano..." Selena started. She couldn't finish her sentence. She was too nervous to say anything. 

"What is it?" Alexis asked. 

She raised her head a little. "Ah... G-gusto ko lang mag-sorry." 

He raised his brow. "For what?"

"'Y-yung sa kahapon. Sa'yo ako nag-thank you sa pagdala sa'kin sa infirmary." And turned her face away. 

"Ah. 'Yun ba? Wala 'yun. Madalas namang gano'n ‘yung nangyayari. Hindi kasi sinasabi ni Xander na s'ya ang gumagawa ng mga bagay-bagay. Kaya I get to claim all the glory, kahit na hindi dapat," he explained. 

Selena got curious so she asked Axis. "Gan'un ba talaga s'ya?"

"Uhh… yes… and no," Axis answered.

Selena wondered what he meant by that. 

"He's been kind ever since we were kids. He used to smile more often then. Probably much more than I do." He had a faraway look in his eyes. 

Selena wanted to ask more but Alexis’ teammate called him. "Sorry, Selena, but I gotta go. Mag-start na daw kami mag-practice." 

"Hindi. Okay lang ako. Kaya ko na 'to," she said and took the box from him. 

"Are you sure?"

Selena nodded. "Konti na lang naman 'to, kaya matatapos ko na 'to mag-isa," she assured him with a smile. 

He smiled at her as well. "I'm really sorry for leaving you. Do take care, okay?" He waved at her then he left.

Selena couldn't move for a moment. She was so happy with what she heard. Concerned s’ya sa’kin!. She was giggling at her thoughts. Though she was curious of what Alexis was close to saying about his brother, she didn't mind it for now. What matters to her is that her relationship with her crush is somehow growing.

END OF CHAPTER