CHAPTER 45: AN AWKWARD ATMOSPHERE
THE GIRL WHO CAN’T DATE
By Eleventh
CHAPTER 45: AN AWKWARD ATMOSPHERE
“That trip gave me a stiff neck!” – Ira P.
2017
“LET’S GOOO FAAAMMMMM!!!”
Orion was thrilled and ecstatic as he called for his family to get going. He has been waiting for this special day to come and it’s finally here. He went to the door, opened it wide, and as he inhaled the morning air, he smiled and whispered, “Happy Birthday, Self!”
He took his sunglasses hanging on his buttoned shirt and wore them, took a selfie with his phone and posted it on his social media.
Meanwhile, his sister Ira glared at him with a curled lip.
“Why don’t you…”
As she opened her mouth for scolding, Eros gently squeezed her arm and shook his head.
“Cut him some slack, today. Okay? It’s his birthday!”
“But he could at least carry this ice box outside and put it in the car.” She argued.
Eros smiled and took the box from her hands and answered, “It’s his birthday.”
Ira rolled her eyes and muttered, “Whatever! No wonder he got a such attitude because you, guys, are spoiling him.”
Eros chose to ignore Ira and just went his way out carrying the ice box.
That morning was indeed hectic for the Pardilla. Mageneo was in charge of preparing their food, cooking, packing and securing them in a large container. Ares was on his phone throughout the morning, confirming their booking at Blu Sands Beach Resort and at the same time, taking calls from the hospital. He did not look like he was on vacation at all.
Amid busyness, Orion’s special guest arrived.
“Brooo! You made it! I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Happy Birthday, Bro!”
Ira’s ears tingled at the familiar voice. She paused from walking and when she glanced at the door, she caught a glimpse of Adrielle doing a fistbump with her brother, suddenly feeling disoriented by his presence.
[Oh no! He’s here! What should I do? What should I say?]
“Do you need help with that?” Orion asked, noticing that she was standing frozen in the way.
“No.” she quickly replied.
However, when she moved, the container almost tipped over but Adrielle was quick to run for help.
Their hands touched and their eyes met.
Nobody said a word but the look in their eyes was speaking loud, his shouts a query while hers cries for an apology.
The atmosphere was awkward for a moment.
Adrielle’s gaze then shifted from Ira’s repentant eyes to the bandage on her head. He slightly opened his mouth to speak but quickly zipped them back.
He seized the container from Ira’s hands and went outside to give it to Eros. While Eros was transporting all the containers, jugs, and bags in the car, Seah had been running her checklist a couple of times to ensure they did not forget anything.
“Food, check. Clothes and toiletries, check. First aid kit, check…”
“I think we got all we need,” Maggie murmured, feeling tired of Seah who checked everything ten times already.
“Sure?”
“Seah, I checked everything with you and you’ve run your checklist ten times already.”
“I did?” Seah gave Maggie a surprised look.
“Yes!” Maggie replied as she let out a heavy sigh.
“Are we all set?” Ares came to check, finally free from phone calls.
“Yeah. Should we go?”
Ares nodded. “Alright, everybody. Let’s go.”
“Hey, guys! We won’t fit in the car so I'd go with Adrielle instead.” Orion proclaimed.
"I think another one should go with you, Rion!" Ares added. "There's only one seat remaining."
Ira checked the car. Seah was in the front seat with Ares driving the car. While the backseat was too full with their stuff, the middle lane was occupied by Mageneo, Usher, Eros, and one more fill-in.
“Maggie can ride with us,” Eros suggested which made Maggie secretly pleased.
“If that’s set then, let’s go!”
Adrielle went in and started the car, followed by Orion who sat in the backseat. Seeing her brother leaving the front seat empty for her, Ira fret and ran to hold the door.
“Why are you there? I should sit there!” she whispered with a sneer.
“Take the front seat. You have motion sickness.”
“It’s okay. I’m fine at the back.”
“No, you’re not! I don’t wanna take any stopovers just because you want to vomit.”
Orion closed the door behind him, leaving Ira in a frustrated state. The seating arrangement was not for negotiation.
“Why do I have a brother like you?!! Argh!”
She got in and felt that someone was glaring at her. Yet, she did not dare look at the driver’s seat.
“Where are we going again?” Adrielle asked.
Nobody answered him. He looked at Orion through the rearview mirror. He was busy scrolling on his phone.
“Rion?” he called.
“Oh, sorry! What?”
“Where to?”
“Blu Sands Beach Resort,”
“That’s in Initao, right? Out of town?” Adrielle contemplated. With his hands on the wheel, he was calculating the hours of travel while on a convoy with Ares.
“That’s an hour and thirty-minute travel. You fine with that?” Orion, out of concern, asked.
“I easily doze off during long travels. Can you keep me awake?”
“Ira’s beside you. She can keep you awake.”
Ira swiftly turned her head to the window and slowly leaned on while groaning, “Ow! Ow! My head… it hurts! Must be the injury. Ow! I… I think I need sleep.”
Orion grimaced. “You’re such a bad actress, Ira!”
Ira did not move. She remained leaning on the window with her eyes closed.
“How about you play some loud music?” Adrielle suggested.
“That's a better idea,” The birthday boy opened his phone and connected it to Adrielle’s car. “Turn on your Bluetooth, bro.”
His other hand clicked on the screen to activate the car’s Bluetooth while the other one was on the wheel. Seconds later, a rock song is being played in the car.
“Oh, dude! Dare You to Move! I like this song.” Adrielle pronounced.
“Really? I didn’t know you’re a fan of rock songs.”
“Not really. I only like this rock band, Switchfoot. I became a fan since I watched the movie, “A Walk to Remember”.”
Orion’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, oh! Ira too! She likes Switchfoot a lot and it was because of the same movie. I started listening to it when I bumped into her saved playlist on Spotify. I listened to their album "Learning to Breathe" and then liked it. Was that their 2000 album, Ira?”
Ira did not budge and kept her act. Orion glared at his sister.
“Tsk! You’re so annoying, you know! I know you’re not asleep.”
Ira still did not move. Orion gave up and left her alone.
"Hey, bruh! How was your date by the way? The one you told me about? You said you're going to tell me about your new girl."
Adrielle zipped his lips and for a second, glanced at the woman next to him. Meanwhile, Ira was all ears even with her eyes closed.
"Ooooh! What does that silence mean? Don't tell me..." Orion began to mock. "Oh boy! Did you get rejected, bro? AHAHA!"
"Seems like it," Adrielle answered and took another glance at Ira.
"That sucks! All your efforts went the drain then, huh? The candle-lit dinner, the bouquet of flowers, the expensive necklace you bought at..."
Screeeech!
"Ow!!!"
Adrielle made a sudden turn at a curb making Orion fly on the other side of the seat and bump his head on the window.
"Sorry 'bout that. You okay, Rion?" With panic on his face, he checked his friend through the rearview mirror.
Orion showed him a thumbs up while stroking his hurt head. Adrielle checked Ira too. She persisted to act asleep but he can see her bit her lip and squeezing her eyes. She must have hurt her head too.
Adrielle heaved a sigh, feeling so awkward behind the steering wheel.