Chapter 10
Meriedeth Salazar
"Are you sure you don't want to go to school?"
"Kuya, I don't feel well. Also, we are only having intramurals."
"Your friends are not gonna visit you?"
"They are busy."
"Anyways, cook any food you want. Text me if you are going outside. Okay?"
"Opo."
I heard the door shut. I continue to eat my food. It's the fourth day of our Intramurals, and it's my fourth day being absent.
I finish my food fast and washed the plate and utensils that I used for eating and cooking. I locked the door and windows and proceeded to my room.
I fixed my bed and went under my blanket. I don't have anything to do, I'll just read something online, when suddenly something pop up at the side of the screen of my phone.
Messenger app, I don't know who it is. I pulled it downwards to remove it. A few seconds passed it came back, I removed it again.
Should I deactivate my account? It's really annoying, who is messaging me?
Shela Navarro
Rovic Fajardo
Eryx Fuentabella
Tss.
Deactivate account
I clicked the button. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. The three of them are annoying me, like they only have one braincell.
I sighed, I can still remember everything that happened. After the event, I was dumbfounded because of the results.
I don't want to win.
I don't want to swim again!
I don't want to!
I immediately left the venue, I changed clothes and went home. Im glad they didn't chase me. Kuya Marcus suddenly called.
"Yes, Kuya?"
"Prepare lunch."
My forehead frowned because of what he said, I took a glance at the wall clock that is here at my table. Its 10am, he will go home?
"Why, po? You'll come home?"
"Yes, also cook a lot of rice."
"Are you that hungry, Kuya?" I heard him laughed.
"Do you have something you want to eat? Doughnuts?"
My brother is really weird. Is he up to something?
My birthday is done, his birthday is still far away, and even Mama and Papa's birthday is still far away.
"Are you up to something?"
"Nothing. Can't I have lunch with my sister?"
"Whatever, Kuya. I'll cook some rice now."
I ended the call. Just like what Kuya said, I cook a lot of rice. His words still lingers in my mind. What is he up to?
I want to cook some French fries, I checked the refrigertot. My brother has a lot of stock of it. Hmmm.
Ah, there is no more cooking oil.
I grabbed my hoodie which is hung at the back of the door and went out of the house. I have money from my pockets. I immediately went to the nearest store.
Outside is very hot. Tss.
I fixed my hood. When I arrived at the store I immediately bought oil and went home.
I really don't want to go out of the house.
I took off my hoodie and hang it at the back of the door. I went to the kitchen and do some work.
After cooking a bowl full of French fries seasoned with salt I went to my room and fix my laptop. I'll watch some movies. What movie is good towatch?
I decided to watch a Pokémon movie. I need to relax, when I see cute Pokemon I feel relaxed.
While eating French fries I heard some kids screaming from downstairs. Kuya will call me if he is already home, maybe those kids need something from our neighbors.
"Anybody homeeeeeee?"
I think the sound is near our gate. Nobody is going to visit my brother, everybody knows he is working. Also, who is going to visit me? Duh.
"ANYBODY HOMEEEEEE?!"
I stood up, the fuck, I paused the movie. I peek out from the window. My eyes widened because of I saw three figures standing in front of our gate.
My jaw dropped when I notice who they are.
What are they doing here?!
I saw Eryx put his phone towards his ear, he is talking to someone. After a few seconds he put it down. I saw my phone lit up, I received a text from Kuya Marcus. I almost drop my phone when he called.
I took a deep breath, and answered the call.
"Kuya?" I pretend that I just woke up.
"Did you take a nap?" he asked.
"Kind of. Why?"
"Open the door, your friends are outside."
"What?!"
"Your friends called me. They are going to visit you. They are currently at the gate.i'm almost there."
I ended the call. I went down stairs holding the bowl of fries. I placed it on top of the coffee table, I washed my hands before wearing my hoodie, I grabbed a mask and wear it.
I opened the door, I heard Rovic's voice.
"I think we are at the wrong house," I heard him said.
"But, the lady at the store said that this is Salazar's house," Shelanie said.
"But, this is their address," Eryx said.
I took a deep breath, how can I drive them away? I hope Kuya will not meet them.
I went out of the house. The three of them fell silent when they saw me. I went near them, I saw how Rovic and Eryx stood properly.
"The three of you are disturbing the neighborhood," I reprimand them using my deep voice.
"We are looking for someone, the house of our classmate," Rovic explained. "This is their address."
"Who is your classmate? Maybe they live at the other street."
My eyes widend when Eryx came near me and pulled my hood down.
"Shark girl?!"
"Salazar?!"
Rovic and Shelanie has a shocked expression. I took off my mask.
"What are you doing here? Can you please leave?"
"You are absent for a few days," Eryx started.
"Your brother said, you're not feeling well. We brought fruits," Shelanie said and raised the plastic bag she is holding.
"We are worried about you, Shark girl. That's why we are here."
"Really?" I sarcastically asked Rovic.
I looked at the three of them, I was about to say something when I saw Kuya's car. I immedaitley opened the large part of the gate for the car to went inside the garage.
When he parked the car, he went of the car and raised a brow at me. He looked at the direction where Eryx and the others are standing.
Great.
"Let your friends come inside."
"Kuya—"
"Are you shy?" he asked seriously, my eyes widend when he put his arm around my shoulder and we walked towards the direction where Eryx and the others are.
"I'm Marcus, Meriedeth's brother. Come inside," as he opened the gate and the three of them went inside.
The four of us looked at each other and didn't speak a word.
"I'm sorry about Meriedeth. She's doesn't feel well. It's her first time to be visited by her friends," he smiled. "Let's go insde."
We silently walked towards inside the house. Kuya told us he forgot something in his car and went out to get it. We went inside, I let them sit at the couch.
"Maybe you want some fries," I offered them.
"Thanks, Shark girl," Rovic said as he took some. Shelanie slapped his arm because of what he said.
"Don't tease Salazar."
"What are you guys doing here?" I asked them again.
I stressed of what is happening now.
"We just want to visit you, that's all," Eryx said.
"Tss."
I noticed his eyes are fixed in one direction. I followed his gaze, I immediately went to the shelf where my trophy and medals are, I grabbed it. Also an old picture with me and my teammates before.
I went to my room and put it inside in the cabinet.
Damn it.
I know that the three of them know about it, but I don't want them to see it. Why did I not keep it before?
I heard them talking downstairs. It looks like Kuya is there, as I approached the kitchen, I can smell the chickenjoy!
"You brought Jollibe, Kuya?" I asked while looking at the dining table.
"Yep," he said and glanced at me. "I'm really sorry about Meriedeth. She's still adjusting, she's shy."
Duh. Me? Shy? No way. I just want to be alone. I don't need friends.
"Its okay po, Kuya Marcus. We are used to Salazar. We brought fruits pala," I heard Shelanie said.
"Salazar?"
I closed my eyes because of what my brother said.
"You don't call her Meriedeth?"
I looked at them, I saw Rovic gulped.
"We are on last name bases po," Eryx said, "Right, Salazar?"
"Yes, Fuentabella."
"Oh, okay, we should eat."
They went to the dining area. I took plates and other untesils. I took the rice and placed it in a big bowl.
"I also bought doughnuts for dessert. I just put it in the refrigerator," Kuya said while eating.
"How is Meriedeth at school?" I drink water because of what my brother said.
"She is good in class po, Kuya Marcus," Shelanie answered.
"I heard this week is your intramurals niyo this week. What sports did you joined?"
"Uh, me and Salazar are ony in the cheering squad."
"I joined the basketball team, but I wasn't able to play so I joined the swimming competition instead. First place!" Rovic happiliy said.
Why did he mention swimming?!
"Oh? Swimming? Did you know Meriedeth is good at swimming? Look—wait,"Kuya looked at me. "Where's your trophy?"
"It's not worth displaying," I answered.
"Well, she was a champion when she was 8 years old? If I remember it correctly, she was 8 years old when she won."
"We heard about it po, Kuya Marcus," Eryx said.
Tsk.
"Meriedeth, what sport did you join?"
"I'm assigned in the cheering squad."
"You did not join the swimming competition?"
"I don't want to swim, please stop."
I stood up and put the utensils and plate that I sued for eating at the sink. I heard Kuya called me as I went upstairs.
Ugh! I forgot about the doughnuts! How annoying.
I don't want to go downstairs while they are still there. What? They will force me to swim again?!
I suddenly heard a knock on my door. Tss.
"I'm not going downstairs, Kuya!"
"It's me, Salazar."
I annoyingly opened the door. I saw Eryx holding a box of doughnuts. I grabbed it from his hand, I was about to close the door but he hold my arm. I raised a brow at him.
"What? You're going to force me to swim again?"
"Today is the championship game. We just wanted to see you swim later."
"Tss. Fuentabella, please stop forcing me, because I don't want to! I already told you guys that I don't want to do it! I only did it once and there are no next times!"
"Nah, we just came here to check you. I guess you are lying about your condition."
I placed the box of doughnuts above my study table before facing Eryx. I don't want to throw those doughnuts because of annoyance, it would be a waste.
"So, what if I'm lying? You guys will never listen to what I said. It will always be your choice that will be followed! You guys never understand me! And you will never understand, so please stop!"
"Salazar—"
I'm not swimming again, Fuentabell! So, please le-"
"What's going on here?" we looked at the person who spoke.
Kuya is standing near us, behind him is Shealnie and Rovic.
How good…
Great..
Just great..
"Nothing po, Kuya. They will leave—"
"Eryx?"
"We just wanted to check her and tell her about the championship game that is going to be held later."
"Where?"
"She joined the freestyle event, po."
"What?! What are you waiting for, Deth? Go! Fix your things—"
"No!"
Kuya went silent and stared at me. He was about to speak but I speak up first.
"Please, stop forcing me to swim. I'm not feeling well everytime I see a swimming pool. Yes, I'm a swimmer but that was in the past. I don't want to swim anymore. So, please. Stop forcing me."
"Dad will be disappointed by your behavior, Deth," Kuya said.
"Don't bring them up because you know nothing, Kuya!"
"What? Yes, Dad is sick but he still supports you on swimming. What will happen to him when he hears you talking like this?"
I felt like I became a statue because of what I have heard.
Papa, still supports me?
What a joke.
"I don't care about what he says. Because in the first place nobody believe me. Nobody understands, so just stop!"
"We are here for you, Salazar," Shelanie said.
I sighed.
"Dad still supports you even if his sick, Deth. Think about it. I'll go ahead," he tapped my shoulder. "We will continue talking later."
The four of us are left there standing. I sighed again, I frowned my forehead when Shealnie suddenly hugged me.
"S-Sorry, Salazar."
I did not utter a word.
"W-We will not force you. Sorry, please don't cry."
I touched my cheeks.
Damn.
When did I last cry?
"Sorry, Shark girl," he tapped my head.
I just sighed, I looked at Eryx.
"You really don't want to do it or are you just being scaredy cat?"
"Eryx!" Shelanie reprimanded.
"When did I became a scaredy cat? I just don't want to get involved in that sport!"
"Calm down, Salazar," Shelanie told me to relax.
"Let's go."
"W-Where, Salazar?"
"So, the three of you will shut up, bullshit."
"You'll swim? It's fine if you don't, Shark girl.
"Bullshit!"
I just found myself riding a jeepney, we are going to school.
I hope after this, it will all be over.