Chapter 17

Natapos ang klase at nakauwi na rin ngunit wala akong ibang inisip kung hindi ang maaring gawin. I'm pretty sure Xavion heard everything. 

"Call us if something bad happens, okay? susunduin ka na namin." Niyakap ako ni Collete.

"Pwede ka naman na huwag sumipot! Kami na lang bahala na pagtakpan ka," usal ni Ivory, umiling ako. 

"No need, kaya ko 'to."

Nakakahiya sa kanila kung ito ay hahayaan kong sila na rin ang humawak. Kailangan kong makausap si Xavion, paniguradong nagtatampo iyon. 

Minutes passed, I was left alone. Pinapanood ko ang pag-andar ng oras habang hinihintay ang pagsundo sa akin. 

Huminga muna ako nang malalim bago lumabas. Narinig ko na kasi ang busina. I was surprised, van ang dala nila. Someone opened the door for me, sa bandang likuran ako umupo. Maganda nga iyon at saka wala rin akong katabi. 

Ang malas nga lang. Nasa harapan ko pala si Adiel at Sara. 

"Hey!" Nag-apir kami ni Adiel, Sara gave me a sweet smile and I can't help but to smile back to her. 

Kahit saan ko banda tignan, wala akong makikitang parte na hindi maaring kamuhian ni Adiel sa kaniya. 

"I'm sleepy," I heard what Sara said. 

"Rest, love."Adiel gently grabbed Sara's head before placing it above his shoulders. 

Umiwas ako ng tingin. Hindi ko maiwasan na hindi mainggit. Kung umamin ba ako noon, ganito na rin kami? I shook my head, I'm not supposed to think about it. I don't know why but I suddenly remembered Xavion. 

Paano ko siya kakausapin? I'm embarrassed. I tried texting and calling him but I received no response. 

I sighed, I'll deal with him later. 

Napangiwi na lang ako nang makita kung nasaan kami. SM downtown, sumunod ako sa kanila papasok. 

"Arcade muna tayo!" Pag-aaya ng isa sa mga kaibigan ni Sara. They all agreed with it, I didn't bother to answer. I just came here because Adiel asked me to, I heard after this hang out, isasama niya ako sa bahay nila dahil kararating lang ng kaniyang kapatid galing sa Dubai. 

Kung kani-kanino na ako sumama, I don't have plans to play that's why I decided to watch them. One of Adiel's friend treated me, kumain lamang kami habang hinihintay silang matapos. Hindi ko alam ngunit bigla akong nagsisi na sumama pa ako.

Kumain kami pagkatapos, sa aming lahat ako lang yata ang hindi maayos sa pagkain. 

"Sa'n na kayo?" Tanong ni Claudia habang naglalakad. To be honest, I want to go home already. Nahihiya lang akong sabihin sa kanila. I'll visit Adiel's sister whenever I want to. 

"Sasamahan ko si Sara mamili ng damit." Adiel shrugged his shoulders. Inakbayan niya si Sara pagkatapos. 

"Babalik kami sa Arcade, e." 

"Ikaw ba, Yvonne?" 

I bit my lower lip. "Diyan lang sa tabi-tabi, I'm planning to buy some accessories and makeup."

"Alright, sa parking lot na lang tayo mag meet, 6 pm."

I lied. Gusto ko munang malayo kahit saglit. Umikot muna ako sa mall at bumili sa mga stalls. I spend my time roaming around, saka ko na lang napansin na malapit na mag-six. I immediately sent them a message before going outside. 

I was stunned when I get there, alam ko naman ang itsura ng van pero hindi ko na ito makita. Wala na akong naabutan, wala na ang van na sinasakyan namin. I panicked that's why I came back inside the mall, kung saan-saan ko sila hinanap, sa arcade, sa restaurants, sa bilihin ng sapatos at damit. Trenta minutos yata ang ginugol ko para hanapin sila pero wala akong nahanap ni-isa. Wala ring sumasagot sa text at tawag ko. 

"I saw them earlier, umalis na sila." 

I heard a familiar voice behind me. My chest was pumping fast and almost froze on my feet. What is he doing here?

Pumunta ito sa tabi ko. Nilingon ko siya at nakita kong kaswal lamang itong nakatayo habang nasa bulsa ng jeans ang kamay. 

"Good thing I found you."

I feel so betrayed, nag-text na lang sana dapat sila sa akin. Nagsimulang bumuhos ang ulan, nasapo ko na lang ang noo. Napakamalas, wala pa naman akong dalang payong. 

"Halika na, ihatid na kita." He smiled. I frowned, he's not mad at me? 

"You don't need to, nahihiya ako." 

"You shouldn't be, I won't let you wait here for hours." 

I gulped, after I rejected him? Why is he acting like this? He acts like I did nothing wrong. 

"I brought my car but I don't have an umbrella." 

"Lumusong na lang tayo, saglit lang naman 'yon." 

Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi. May tensyon sa pagitan namin at gusto kong mawala 'yon. He talks casually and it's awkward for me. I regret everything! 

"Okay." Hinubad niya ang jacket na suot at ipinandong ito sa ulo ko. 

"Paano ka?" 

"Don't worry about me, malakas naman ang resistensya ko." Nag-alangan ako noong una pero kalaunan ay hindi na ako umangal. 

Sabay kaming lumusong sa ulan, hinila ko siya palapit sa akin at pinilit na takpan ang kaniyang ulo. He held my waist and pulled me towards his body. 

"Be careful or you'll get wet." 

I don't know why but my cheeks suddenly felt heat. Nagulat pa ako nang bumilis ang paglalakad niya. Malapit na kami sa parking lot kaya naman nakisabay na rin ako sa kaniya. 

"Get in." He opened the door for me. I chose not to move. Nararamdaman ko na rin ang pagkabasa ng balikat ko.

"What are you waiting for?"

"I'm sorry but what if I told you that I want to stay outside?" Tumingila ako at pinagmasdan ang madilim na kalangitan.

"Okay, I see what you want to pull out." He removed his jacket and threw it inside the car. I closed my eyes when the cold rain welcomed us.

Hindi ko inaasahan na sasakay siya sa trip ko. Sumandal ito sa pintuan ng kotse at matagal na tumitig sa akin.

"What now?"

"Let's dance?" I smiled. He looked at me with amusement. 

"What are we? Kids?" 

Napailing ako. Tumabi na lang ako sa kaniya at pinanood ang pag-alis ng iilang kotse. 

"Did you have fun?" 

Mapait akong natawa. "Not really, I feel like something is missing."

Hindi ko rin maramdaman na tanggap ako kanina. I was bored and regretting my decision. Samahan mo pa ang mga binitawang salita ni Devika kahapon at idagdag na rin si Xavion.

"Why not? Kasama mo naman si Adiel."

Yet it didn't excite me. I was more paying attention and looking forward to meet his sister again. She is my sister's close friend and I became close to her too.

"I think my feelings for him is fading." Nagkibit ako ng balikat. I just know it.

"Ikaw? Are you completely moved on?" tanong ko.

"Yes."

Napaawang ang labi ko at napalingon sa kaniya. He was staring at me already, he didn't even bother to break our gaze.

"Someone made me happy as I was before."

His side of lips rose up. I blinked twice and avoid his eyes. He makes me nervous and I felt awkward towards him. Hindi ko ikakaila na naiilang ako sa kaniya na hindi naman nangyayari noon.

"Who is she?"

"You know her well, Eveone."

Sandaling nagkaroon ng katahimikan sa pagitan namin. Palihim ko siyang pinakakikiramdaman.

He doesn't look mad at me. And why is that? Am I expecting something?

"Sometimes I'm wondering what's inside of your head, I want to know what you're thinking," he uttered.

"You won't be happy if you found out."

Magulo ako minsan lalo na't hindi pa ako nakakatanggap ng treatment. And if he ever found out everything, I'm guessing that he'll go insane.

"You won't understand me," I added.

"I will because I care for you. I managed to save you everytime, Eveone. I managed to make you laugh and somehow be brave even just for a bit."

"Pagtitiisan kita, Eveone."

I was speechless. All I can do is to smile, feeling every words he said. It helped me trust him more. I trust him how I trusted my sister. 

He stood straight and offered a hand. Naguguluhan akong napatingin doon.

"Let's dance."

-

@GrandDandelion