Symptoms

"How about grabbing a chair?"

"Why do I need to grab a chair? There is still have a huge space here if only you move a little bit."

"Just tell me that you are too lazy that's why you are insisting to take a sit here eventhough the space is limited."

"I'm not lazy! But you are too selfish. You're not letting me to take the vacant seat!"

"STOP!" Rexor interfere between us. "Why you are arguing in a little things? What's wrong with you Althea? Why you don't want to let him sit beside you. That is good for two person!"

"So basically you mean that I always started the fight? That this is my fault? OKAY, FINE! He can have all the space!" I said angrily. I stand up and about to take my leave to the guest room when Auntie hold my wrist.

"Althea, calm down. Rexor didn't say that you start the fight. What he mean is why you won't allow Paul to sit beside you. Anyway, he's just stating the fact. That is good for two person."

"Mom is right! You misinterpret what I mean. But anyways, if you don't want he's presence because you have just met him few days ago then no problem. I understand. No need to throw a tantrums here. Paul, just wait here, I will grab a chair for you." then Rexor stand and starts to walk to the dining room.

"No need to do that." I said to block Rexor from grabbing a chair. "Anyways, I'm not part of this family in the very beginning. And basically, he is your relative. I understand if both of you will side him. I'm sorry." I wiped the tears that started flowing freely in my face. I went to Auntie's side and grab Prince Paul eventhough he's still sleeping. I didn't turn my back from them not wanting to saw their faces specially Chris Paul. I walk going towards to the guest room without saying anything and purposely banged the door loudly to close using my right feet. I push the button to lock the door not wanting anyone to disturb me. But minutes after when I lay Prince Paul on the bed, someone knocks the door.

"Althea, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. Open the door." Rexor shouted but not too loud in the other side. "Althea, please, open the door." I didn't response to him. I sit on the floor while still holding Prince Paul's index finger while sobbing silently.

"Althea, please! Open the door. Althea!" then he tap the door multiple times but still I didn't open it.

"Just leave her alone for now. Give her enough time. Maybe she needs a full rest. Let's not disturb her." I heared Aunt says. She was persuading Rexor. Next thing I heared is the pairs of footsteps walks back to the living room.

I didn't notice the time since I overslept. Why am I here lying down in the bed? Where is Prince Paul? I hurriedly got up when I realize my baby was gone. I run faster to the living room but found no one. Then I turn to the dining room and to the kitchen then found Auntie cooking her specialty.

"Auntie!.....Did you see Prince Paul?" I asked happily then hugged her from the back.

"Oh, hi! You're awake already. Your asking for your Prince Paul? I saw Rexor and Chris Paul carrying him substitutely."

"Thank you!" I said then left without saying anything.

"Hey? What's the matter? You are in a good mood!" I still heared her commented behind though I was already in the living area. I just smiled. I don't know but I just feel glad all of a sudden when I woke up.

I was about to enter Rexor's room but halt as I heared the words I never wanted from the very beginning he came here.

"Your child? You're saying that that baby is yours? Do you mean you are his father? But how? So you and Althea know each other along. But since when?" Countless questions left from Rexor's mouth. He walks back and forth analyzing well the situation. While Chris Paul is calmly carrying the baby in his bare hands trying to soothe him.

I took a one step backward and found myself hiding behind the wall and continues listening between their conversation.

"It's a long story. We've met during my college days. We are both in the same department. Engineering department to be exact."

"I know. Althea is my subordinate as a mechanical engineer once not until she took her leave because her doctor advises her to have a complete bed rest. And that is the time when I offered her to stay here. Which you asked me multiple times how come I adopted a single pregnant girl here." Rexor retorted.

"I'm sorry. This is all my fault. And my responsibility supposed to be. But I run from it cowardly."

"So, you mean you were on a relationship before?"

"No. We never in an official relationship before." then he paused grabbing for a right word to explain. "It was an accident. But all of this was started because of her classmate. I mean....."

"You know? Though I am your cousin, if only you are not holding the baby this time, maybe my fist landed in your face already. And I will make sure that it hits hard enough for you to knock down." then they both chuckled.

"But do you love her?" Rexor asked out of the blue. I didn't wait for Chris Paul to answer his question. I entered the room immediately without hesitation.

"I want to get my baby." I said while both of them was stunned when they saw me entering the room.

"And let me remind you, you don't have the right to carry him whenever you want without my permission." I told him while pulling the baby from his grip.

"Althea." Rexor utter my name like he wants to say something.

"I didn't expect that eventhough I'm just an intruder from this family, I don't have a right to have my own privacy here! I'm sure that I locked the door earlier. But you still open it." I said but now facing Rexor expressing my self of disapproval of what they did.

"We did it because we heared the baby was crying a while ago. We didn't open the door immediately Althea. We call you first multiple times but we didn't heared a response from you. We are so worried in a moment so Auntie told us to use the key. No need to feel so angry when we are just doing what should be done." he stated the story behind trying to defend his cousin.

"But still I warn you. I'm not allowing you to hold even a single hair to my child without my permission starting this time. I hope I make it clear to you."

"You cannot do that Althea. I am his father. I still have the rights to hold him whenever I want. You can't keep me from doing it." he said in exaggerated tone.

"Your not his father! This child doesn't have a father since he was still a fetus! You mark it always inside your damage brain!"

"Wait, wait, wait..... let's talk it calmly. Or else, mom might here us." Rexor said while standing between us.

"Don't worry, auntie already knows." Paul answered out of frustration. What he just admitted surprises us. It is Rexor who recovered first of what he said.

"Since when? Why mom didn't tell me anything?"

"So it definitely explaines the reason why auntie entrusted me to you once in the hospital, huh! You all fooled me!" I said with my teary eyes as soon as I remembered when he suspiciously guarding me whole night in the hospital.

"Ops! Don't include me here? I'm not part of it! I don't have an idea at all so don't accuse me Althea!" Rexor said irritatedly while raising his two palms and moving his head sidewards.

Prince Paul starts to move a little bit until time comes when he starts to cry. Maybe we are too noisy and we forgot that the baby is still here. At first, I tried to calm him by swaying him slowly but he didn't stop. I was too angry of the situation right now then my child added. I think my head is going to explode anytime.

"Prince Paul, stop! What do you want? Mommy is here. I am already swaying you slowly."

"Why you are shouting to the baby who's still in one week old?" Paul asked vigorously.

"I'm not talking to you! And I'm not asking you! Why would you interrupt?" I retorted back angrily while still swaying Prince Paul rapidly.

"Althea! Why you are always vicious these times? I don't understand you! Where is the former Althea I know who is kind, tender and caring? Where is she right now?"

"Don't ask me Rexor! Just admits the fact that you changed a lot since when this man moved here." I said while pointing Chris Paul. "You're always siding him. You always find the wrongs in me! You always blame me! It's not like I wanted it all along." I can't control myself anymore. I burst out all my feelings. I sob in front of the two guys. I felt so weak and I hate it. Not now in front of the two man. "Do you think I wanted it all? Do you think I was greatful for what happened in my life? No! I really hate it! I really hate my life right now!"