Chapter 2 2

"Will you stop calling me!" I froze as I planned to enter the kitchen. Calix was angry with the caller, and I didn't know who it was or why he didn't want them to call him anymore. "I already have a girlfriend, Deborah. Stop making this worse. I don't like you."

My forehead creased. Deborah? It sounded familiar. "I know I made a mistake, you know that too. So please, don't bother me anymore!"

He ended the call, and I saw him leave the kitchen. Trying to follow, I heard footsteps entering the living room.

In a hurry, I rushed upstairs. I entered a room, not knowing whose it was. "What's happening to me?" I thought, gripping the doorknob, hoping it wasn't Tita Raquel's room.

"What are you doing here!" Winter exclaimed. I pulled her in, covering her mouth, not wanting Tita Raquel to see me like this.

"Sh*t!" I cursed as Winter bit my hand. She stared, swearing too, seeing my state.

"What's going on, Ashong! Why are you undressed?"

"I'll explain later, okay? Just be quiet."

"Get out!"

"No, Tita Raquel is outside!"

She couldn't look at me before grabbing a blanket and throwing it at me. I wrapped it around myself. She sighed, asking why I was in her room.

"I made a mistake in my panic."

She sighed again, distancing herself. "What are you smiling about?" she asked, her tone harsh.

"Are you falling for my smile?"

"Dream on!"

"I have hope, Villapania," I said, approaching her. Her reaction was unforgettable - raised eyebrows, beautiful eyes glaring, and her lips pursed, all while looking at me.

"One day, you'll like me. I won't fail because I'm confident. You're mine, because I want you."

I saw her swallow. I liked that she was tense in my presence, unable to look straight at me.

"I just don't want to be jealous, Villapania. I might end up claiming you out of jealousy."

"Trixie is yours, Ashong. Stop it; I don't want to be the reason for your separation. I don't want to ruin the relationship between cousins."

I avoided eye contact, resting my palm between us before bowing my head.

"I'll tell Trixie the truth. I'll confess, but I won't blindside her."

She chuckled.

"You won't confess, Ashong. Stand by your choice!"

I remained silent, unsure of what to say or how to navigate the situation.

Why couldn't I have met Winter first?

Why did her cousin catch my attention?

"I'm the only one deserving of a person, Ashong. Because a person's heart is only one, don't mix two together," I said with a serious gaze. Later, I chuckled before bringing my face closer to his.

"I only have one in my heart, Villapania," he paused, his eyes widening as they moved.

"...Just you."

He swallowed as a reaction, but I didn't get a response due to a knock that turned our attention.

"Are you inside, huh?" Winter asked as Calix knocked. His eyes squinted due to the sudden knock.

"Should I come in?"

"Wait!" Winter shouted in response. He seemed flustered as I stood pretending not to watch his reaction.

It's better for Calix to see us here.

"Go over there, kneel down!"

"What?" My face twisted at what he said.

"Kneel down! Hide under the bed!"

"What the f*ck, no!"

"I'll break your bones, Ashong!"

"SH*T!"

I had no choice but to kneel. He forcefully made me sit and hid me under his bed.

"Be grateful; I like you," he just gave me a look before standing up.

Later, he walked and opened the door for Calix, who immediately sat on the soft bed where I was hidden.

Wtf!

"Winter POV.

(Her Parents' Past)

I can't stay still in the room as Calix tells me about the photos he brought. They're in a box, and he's going through them, listing them for me.

"You told me earlier about these old photos, right?" I nod, remaining standing because I can't sit on the bed. I think of Ashong, wondering if she's still comfortable with her head bowed down.

"Just put them there; I'll look at them later."

That's what I tell Calix, who stops rummaging through the box. He places it down and looks at me.

"I thought you wanted to see this?"

"Yeah, but I have something to do; I'll look at it later."

"Am I bothering you?" I shake my head before smiling.

"No, I'm just going to take a shower since I just got home from the farm," Calix says, nodding before finally closing the box.

"Will you wait for me at the rest house?"

"Yeah, I'll wait for you there."

He nods again, putting the box aside before looking at me. I can tell he wants to say something but hesitates. He takes a deep breath.

"Can I invite you to our house?"

"Now?"

"No, on Christmas. Mom just wants you to be with us." I don't respond to Calix. I don't have plans for Christmas since I'll be here with my family.

But I don't know what will happen next week.

Christmas is next week, and I still don't have plans, unsure if I'll make any.

"I want you to come, it's in the evening. I'll ask my uncle for permission."

"Sure, if that's what you want." He smiles at me, holds my hand, and pulls me to sit beside him.

I don't know how to act in front of Calix. This isn't the first time we've been in the same room. He used to come here often during high school, and we'd finish our assignments together.

My parents trust Calix. But our status has changed, and I no longer feel comfortable, especially now that I know Ashong is under the bed and might suddenly act up.

"You give me an early Christmas gift, Wen. I'm happy today." Calix is serious while looking at me. I used to blush whenever he looked at me like this, but I don't know why it doesn't affect me now. I'm not moved by his sweet voice.

What's happening to me?

"We were supposed to celebrate our 3rd month this December 25th. Do you still remember?"

I nod.

It's been three months. It's fast, and I didn't think we'd reach this point in our relationship. This is what I wanted before, but I've proven to myself that I only admire Calix."

Up until there, because the truth is, I'd prefer us to stay friends while I admire this. No love, I don't feel that. Different feelings exist for Calix.

"This is the first Christmas we're officially in a relationship. I thought we wouldn't be together."

I smiled again. I couldn't say much because I didn't feel well, thanks to Ashong.

I'm annoyed because he's hiding underneath, and I know he hears everything Calix says.

I don't know if he's laughing or getting angry.

"I should have confessed to you earlier; maybe we would've been together by now."

"It's better that you focused on your studies before we got together, at least finish your last year at Fatima. Let's prioritize that for now."

He smiled, squeezed my cheek, then pulled me into a sudden hug.

I leaned against his chest, his hand on my back, his head over mine.

"I can still study even if you're my girlfriend. You've never been a hindrance to me."

I didn't reply. I let him hug me because I knew he was happy.

But I didn't stay long in our embrace because suddenly, someone touched my leg. I separated from Calix, surprised by what Ashong did.

Calix gave me a puzzled look. "What?" he kept his gaze on me before standing up to approach me.

"M-my stomach hurts."

"Why? What did you eat?" Calix immediately concerned, but my stomach ache wasn't the issue.

I was nervous because I saw Ashong's hand on the side.

"I-I didn't eat anything. Can you just wait for me at the rest house?"

"Are you sure?" he checked me. I nodded before opening the door.

"I'll just go to the resthouse. I'll take a quick shower," I led him out. He followed but stopped before I closed the door.

"Take medicine before coming down. I'll wait for you there, okay?" I nodded, hurriedly closing the door, and he approached me, surprising my system.

He gave me a peck on the lips before distancing himself.

"Take your time; I'll go ahead," he said, disappearing from my sight.

I stood there, blinking. It didn't feel right; I felt like I was lying to Calix, like something was wrong with me.

"I can't believe that jerk..." I was startled by Ashong suddenly appearing next to me. I gave him a disapproving look because of what he was doing.

"Leave, Ashong. Can you?"

"Tsk..." he looked away, his forehead creased, then bit his lip before turning back to me. "So, that guy kisses too?" he frowned, running his hand through his hair.

"I'm jealous."

I laughed at what he said.

"Stop this, Ashong. I don't want this; leave me alone."

"Why should I?"

"Because that's what's right!"

"Is it right to endure what you want?"

"Is it right for you to intervene?"

"I know how you feel about Calix. If you just want him, you shouldn't hesitate to be with him this Christmas."

I avoided eye contact.

"You shouldn't get involved in that, Ashong. Be content with your girlfriend. She's my cousin, so don't challenge me because we will never be defeated."

He remained silent, staring at me intensely before bursting into laughter.

"For now, you can't change what I want, Winter. No matter what you say..." He walked towards me, grabbed the doorknob, and seemed about to leave but turned to look at me first.

Later, he took a step closer, causing me to step back.

"What's going on again?"

"I just forgot something..." I leaned against my drawer's door. He stopped in front of me but didn't come any closer.

He leaned down, held my chin, and quickly wiped my lips with his finger.

"You're not allowed to kiss anybody else. Just me, always just me."

He turned away after doing that, left, and left me bewildered by his words and actions.

I sighed, running my hands through my hair, trying to make sense of it all. What does that guy really want?

Does he truly have no feelings for Trixie? Impossible. How can his feelings disappear and shift to me so easily?

I rubbed my face before getting something to wear for a quick shower. No matter how hard I try to push Ashong out of my mind, I can't.

I hate this feeling, especially when I have a boyfriend who genuinely loves me. It should only be Calix, no one else.

I left the room after showering. The house was empty; everyone was at the rest house near the flower farm. The air there was fresh, and it was breezy, though here, the wind was strong enough to make you sweat.

I walked from the house to the rest house, finding them chatting while Mama prepared food.

Calix was there next to Dad. But Ashong's presence bothered me. They flanked Dad, each saying something. The men were on one side, Aunt Raquel and Trixie on the other. I approached Mama, who was setting the table.

She looked at me before putting down what she was holding. "Is your stomach hurting?"

I sniffed. "No, Ma, maybe I just got used to the heat earlier."

"Are you sure? Maybe you're just hungry?"

I shook my head. "No, Ma. I just don't feel like eating right now." I looked at the table filled with my favorite dishes, but I wasn't in the mood to eat.

"Do you have a problem?" Mama looked at me, concerned, scrutinizing me thoroughly. I forced a smile before sitting down.

"None, Ma. Just not hungry, really."

"I know you, even if you're tired and lazy, you'll have an appetite when you see your favorite food..." I closed my lips. Mama was right, but I didn't want to share what was on my mind.

I didn't want her to get mad at me for admitting I'm not sure what I feel for Calix.

Now, I regret the decision I made. I should have thought it through more.

I sighed.

"Is there a problem between you and Calix?"

"No, Ma. Don't mind me too much; maybe I'm just tired because it's been a while since I worked on the farm." Mama still had a thoughtful look. I smiled at her before grabbing a plate to eat. "Calix and I don't have a problem, Ma. We're fine."