Chapter 23 New year

I could almost cover my ears because of the excessive noise that enveloped uncle's hacienda. The gate of the mansion was open and I couldn t believe different people were entering that gate. The others are running children who are the children of those who live in our village as well. We know them. The whole area was enveloped in noise and fun, some even laughing because Martin wanted to run because they might be blown away by various types of fireworks displays.
Everything is colored red. I was just standing next to Mildred and Zafia who were five months pregnant. Mildred was very happy and shouted at Martin who was so scared that in fact uncle Asher was supporting her. I was busy counting the whispers when a child hugged my leg, it was just small and still grinned at me.
"Claire, come here!" her mother calls her to still smile at me.
"It's okay, come on baby! Chase Kierra!" Keirra's consolation to run slowly to catch up with the child left in front of me.
Patricio just stared at him preferring to stay here rather than in their house. It was just on the side next to Jairo who was just smiling.
"10!"
"9!"
"8! ..."
As time went on I was nervous, the fun around because the people here were noisy. The surroundings were dark and the only source of light was the Christmas light hanging from the body of the tree.
"3!"
"2!"
"1!"
The dark sky was enveloped with beautiful fireworks displays coming from various places. Martin ran quickly, laughing, and approached Jairo to confront him. Everyone around me was smiling and only one was shouting.
"Happy new year!"
I even laughed because Kierra suddenly ran to Simon for a hug. "Happy birthday!" her greeting which was obviously memorized by Simon.
January 1 is his birthday. He was about to leave but he chose to stay with us first. He just greeted them, as I entered the mansion. I just chose to stay inside because I didn t know how to show I was happy. I was tempted to look at the food as if the whole village would eat because of the sheer quantity.
I accidentally caught sight of Zeke's photo. I suddenly lost my appetite. He has not been here in the Philippines for a month because they went to Thailand, for his job. I don t know what for and why he s still aging. He makes a lot of money here.
I walked towards the swimming pool. I slightly pushed the sliding door that was just in the Living Room through that swimming area. I sat down and then laid the body on the folding chair.
I'll wait for you, I promise you...
I just closed my eyes while listening to the accompaniment of the music I was listening to through the earphones plugged into my ears. I feel like I m not in the mood to hang out with others and have fun. I am satisfied that I am the only one. I like this presence, the surroundings are quiet and calm, this is what I did last Christmas and I haven't heard anything yet no matter what of them.
Some time later I felt a presence on my right side, I just felt it lying on my right shoulder and hugging me. "Zeke, get out of there, they'll see us," I whispered.
His passion for that kind of work, good thing I just got used to it. I kept my eyes closed and he followed, losing it on my shoulder.
"Hey, I'm not Zeke," she said laughing.
I was blindsided in no time, she wasn't Zeke. I heard a soft voice and it was very familiar to me. I immediately woke up and sat down, I swallowed staring at what looked like I was frowning and smiling obviously teasing.
"You haven't heard anything, right?" I dare say as she smiled.
"I heard," she said approaching me and then hugging me again.
"Why? We all know that she's in Thailand," she added and lay down on my shoulder again.
I couldn't speak, I knew she was thinking of others and in a few moments she was going to ask me a question. I notice the coffee you have on the mini table there, she probably brought it.
"I'm just shocked," I replied weakly then slightly took the coffee so she left and sat on the other side.
"Liar," she said softly so I was nervous.
"I'm not!"
"Then why are you shouting? Affected hmm," she said laughing as I smirked.
I m affected because that s true, of the two of them my twin, Zeren knows better if I m lying or not. It is easier to fool one of my sister because she is only based on what she sees. My bad.
I ignored her because I knew she was catching me, I preferred to ignore her and laughed even more. I just frowned here and then decided to go out next to her. My colleagues who were busy talking to me while eating something came up to me.
"Happy new year Niks!" Martin's greetings.
Obviously, he had just finished teasing Kierra because of her ugly appearance. I approached my uncle whispering something to Veron that made them laugh together. I'm not jealous.
"Hi," I said then sat down next to them.
"You're always separating us," uncle whispered as if I had to answer the matter.
"It's too noisy," I reasoned and he laughed.
"What food do you want to eat? You like biko right?" its question I nodded so he stood up.
I feel very low in my energy, I lose my appetite even though everyone around me is lively, I notice Patricio who is continuous when drinking a glass of wine. Although I wanted to take him away but that was the only way for him to forget the family problem for a while, he was next to Zafia who also agreed with him.
I continued to drain the coffee in the cup and rudely laid it on the center table. Later, I took uncle's plate with the plate where the biko and the maja were placed, I also said goodbye to eat it at my height. I immediately locked the door then went straight to bed, put down the food and then picked up the laptop.
While consuming the food I was just looking at the photos in my account. Most of them are acquaintances of mine, I noticed a few messages to me but I chose to look at some pictures. I was struck by the sight Fred's photo with his co-workers, I see Lucas there and next to him is Zeke who is leaning over and not looking at the camera, it looks busy. I even lowered the scroll until I stopped because of a very nice photo.
Photo of Fionah with her family Jonalyn and his father Roger, smiling and obviously satisfied with their lives. But that smile disappeared when I saw a photo on the side. Photo of Maru and Fionah. Zeke's dress in the photo of Fred and Fionah's dress in the photo with her family are striking. I don't tend to know and suspect but I just moved my own finger to find out what Fionah's location is, she's also in Thailand. They are in the same place.
I don t know how I m going to feel, there s still no change in my emotions, no appetite and tired of having fun. I couldn t help but be confused by what was happening. He likes me, but there s something about me that bothers me that I don t want to believe what Zeke says and what he does.
He was the one who said before that they no longer have a connection with Fionah, what am I reading?
New year with you, my love!