Leave A Little Later - Soon to be Published under PaperInk Publishing House

#LALLCHAPTER26

Reign

Upon receiving a text from Kynde that he's on his way to studio ay nagpaalam na rin ako kina Mama. In less than half an hour, I arrived and found Kynde waiting for me outside.

"Ang bilis mo namang mag-drive, kaloka," 'yun ang way ng pagbati ko at mabilis ko lang rin binuksan ang studio gamit ang digital card.

He just shrugged and smiled at me. Pinagtulungan na namin 'yung mga equipment, we decided to use my car pero siya na raw ang magmamaneho.

"Chill ka lang, Miss Ma'am," he said as he started the engine.

"Thanks, Teacher Kynde. Oh, I almost forgot coffee?"

"Sure," he said at inabot sa kaniya 'yung iced coffee.

It took us almost an hour para makarating sa address na sinend sa akin nu'ng kliyente. We didn't have to door bell dahil automatic na ang gate nila. I geuss they're really waiting for us.

"Medyo ang layo rin pala," I commented and get out of the car, Kynde immendiately followed.

"Introduce yourself first inside, ako na sa mga gamit," Kynde said and walks towards the compartment.

"Sure ka?"

"Oo, dalhin mo na lang muna 'tong camera mo," he said at sinuot pa sa akin ang lace ko as he tapped my shoulders.

"Okay, thanks. Balik ako," I said as I smiled at pumasok na ako sa loob.

Upon entering the luxurious front door, I was still fixing my camera lace and checking its battery life. When I properly fixed it, I slowly looked around, and as what I was expecting, sobrang ganda talaga ng bahay. It even has a central rutonda and a staircase in the middle.

I was about to step forward in order for me to know where the exact area is, but before I even do that, I saw a family of four slowly descending the stairs. As I watched them do that, naramdaman ko ang unti-unting panghihina ng tuhod ko. I was completely stunned. Hindi ko maalis ang paningin ko sa kanila. I couldn't contain myself, I feel like any moment, tatakbuhan ko 'tong gig na 'to.

When he realized that it was me, nakita kong bumagal ang pagbaba niya sa hagdan. Halos hindi niya maihakbang nang maayos ang mga paa niya. I saw Tita Mina approach him and fixed the collar of his barong tagalog.

It's been two years. Two fucking years. Dalawang taon na, pero bakit ganito pa rin pala? Bakit parang pinipiga pa rin ang puso ko sa sakit?

Am I too dumb not to cxpect this or am I still not ready to face him?

He couldn't take his eyes off me and neither could I. Halos walang nagbago sa kaniya, parang siya pa rin 'yung Gabrielle na minahal ko noon. Matangkad at moreno pa rin, mas lalo siyang naging gwapo dahil sa barong na suot niya. I bit my lower lip to contain any emotion that I could unconsciously show.

Before he even reaches the last stair, I heard Kynde's voice calling my name.

"Rei," he said as I felt his hand landed around my shoulder. Napansin ko rin na bitbit niya sa kabilang kamay ang tripod at nakasabit sa balikat niya 'yung shoulder bag.

I saw how Gab's gazes turned into something unpredictable. Para gusto ko na lang talaga tumakbo at mag-drive papalayo sa bahay na 'to.

"K-kynde," I said at para na lang ako nakakapit sa pagkakahagkan niya sa akin mula sa gilid.

"What's wrong?" he asked, smiling at me.

"Wala naman, tara?" I said as I finally averted my eyes from him.

Tinulungan ko si Kynde sa mga equipment at sabay kaming lumapit sa kanila. I mustered all the courage I could find within me in order to form a smile on my lips.