Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Chapter 7 Distraction

I was just quiet while Patricio ate, I distracted myself by typing on my laptop, I had already typed almost three thousand words but I felt that it no longer fit the incident I wrote.

"Hey! Eat it! You're looking sick, aren't you? This is too much of food Zeke cooked, oh," he teased me.

Just before he ate, he separated me from what I was going to eat, there were many dishes and anyone who ate would definitely be satisfied. I just swallow every time I smell the food in front of me. I knew he wants me to jealous because he waved the fried chicken especially the wing part.

I'm hungry.

"Awful! Papa Zeke's cooking is delicious," he said then sat down. "You know Annika my friend, he's very lucky to be married. And then you don't matter! It's true. Back then, you didn't pay attention to him, he's so sweet. We'd better just give him one the person you often despise the person you can appreciate," he said in a long litany that stopped me.

I don't know what I should answer to what Patricio said, which in fact is not a question. We don't matter? Of course! I did not say that we are compatible with each other. So maybe Pat is also right, he's there with the woman so he'll be appreciated.

I completely ignored the food and was told to just give it to the cleaner in this office because that janitress was hungrier. Pat followed suit because he knew I had no plans to eat it. It was twelve o'clock so my students went to the Archery Class one by one. We don't have a class because we only have a few discussions.

"Where's Lorence?" I asked my students.

They turned around one by one until the one I was looking for came in breathlessly.

I raised an eyebrow then pointed at the clock. "One minute late. Sit down," I said softly. My time is important and I don t want to just waste it.

"Listen, we had a meeting together with our club teacher. There will be an event this coming Monday. There will be an elimination round and all of you I want to join. Whoever can enter you in the final round, you will become a representative in this , If you win the District Competition, it's an automatic case in the Division, we can leave Manila," I said in a long litany that almost amazed them. "But before that. I want you to sign this letter to your parents. I will call your parents to confirm if they actually signed that waiver just incase anyone can enter here. Remember our lessons. Not just review but also do, Knowledge and skills matter in this field. If you don't use your brain to make a technique, you can overthrow it even if you're good at holding a weapon," I calmly told them and they immediately nodded.

"Any question? Violent reaction?" they shook their head. "None? Okay, you may now go. No classes in Wednesday and Friday, just practice."

"Yes ma'am."

"Goodbye, Ma'am."

I nodded then sat back in my chair. I have one more hour. I want to go and take a walk but I m not used to being alone. Zeren often accompanies me on this kind of thing but she is also busy. I want to call Veron but maybe she's busy too. She still needs to concentrate on making the design.

I just dropped my body on the back of my seat. I want to take a nap and rest, I feel tired even though I haven't done much. My body hurts a lot especially my thigh. As I closed my eyes I felt relief, heard nothing but my deep breathing. That s just how to register in my mind what happened since this morning. My rejection of his wishes and his behavior here in the office. No big deal for that but I felt guilty. Especially when Zeke gave the food to Patricio that should have been for me, that's why he looked like that and the tone of his speech. So he asked me who that man was. I want to say sorry but nah, it's not my obligation, I'm not at fault.

"Annika!" I felt a faint sigh in me, I shrugged and yawned and then slowly woke up.

I immediately saw partricio's face wrinkled as he slapped my thigh. "Hey! You're really sleepy Annika, really!" he said and I noticed that he was already putting my things in my bag.

"W-What are you doing?" I asked sleepily.

"You don't have any plans to go home? It's a good thing I passed by here! The teachers are going home, there are only a few people in the faculty. That's why I can see a light in the opening, that's why you're still here."

Gradually, I was able to process Pat's words and his sermons as if he was arranging my belongings.

"What time is it?" I asked as he stopped sweeping.

"It's seven o'clock! You're sleeping badly, you're really going to die early, I'm telling you," he said shaking his head and then put down the broom.

My system finally returned to my body, I automatically looked at the wall clock and he was right, it was seven o'clock in the evening.

How did that happen? Shit! Why did I sleep here?! I hastened to fix it while Pat was busy preaching. I can't blame him, if no one notices me the school will definitely burn down because the electricity is on all day. And one more thing, I sleep soundly! What the hell!

"That's what Annika Ficarro says, slow down with coffee. Stupid! The next time you go to sleep, you won't wake up. Yes we're friends, but I won't follow you to heaven. I'm not even sure if it's in heaven," he chattered when we got out of school.

I still can t imagine how I slept like that, it took over five hours, unbelievable! I also can t blame myself for the amount of mess in my brain. I don't know, that's not a problem but I'm having a problem.

"I'll take you—"

"Not anymore. I can do it. Thank you," I said quickly then he turned away.

"Text me when you get home!" he shouted that I just raised my hand as if pushing him away.

He already knows what I mean. Even though I wasn't in the mood, I forced myself to ride to get home right away. I was about to blink, thankfully I somehow entertained myself by looking at the cars outside the window.. I grinned at a motor speeding by. It was also the last time I used a motor. When I had an accident. I just walked to Aurora Street, when I entered the house I quickly dropped the body on the sofa then turned on the tv. After a while I got up but instead of changing my clothes I went to the kitchen. I don't have food anymore, I might just lay eggs. When I opened the refrigerator, I quickly saw the food left by Zeke. I had breakfast the other day but since I didn't finish it I just put it in the refrigerator.

"This one is enough," I whispered while holding the two bowls.

Without hesitation I ate it, I even ate it so as not to waste what he cooked. After I ate that I even cleaned the house before deciding to go to bed even though I was already feeling dizzy.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter