Chaining Lockets

Kabanata 17

TRIGGER WARNING: Might contain sensitive topics.

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Kabanata 17

I was confused and shocked too, mabilis akong tumayo sa bench habang karga si Chichay at nakita ko ring napatayo si Locket sa tabi ko, nakatingin pa rin sa babae na kunot na ang noo sa kanya.

I don't know why but the look on Locket's eyes are new, it was sad and longing...

"Veronica?" he called again and the lady frowned a bit, her lips suddenly lifted for a sly smile.

"Locket." The woman called and when I glanced back at Locket, I saw how he froze.

"Via..." he suddenly said, as if he realized something and the lady smiled and nodded.

She's beautiful, brave looking eyes, long hair and black eyes. Nakasuot siya ng floral dress at kaagad na sumulyap sa akin ng bahagya pero 'di ako pinagtuunan.

"Long time no see, ah?" the lady said, inayos niya ang dress niya, marahang naglalakad papunta sa aming dalawa.

"Yeah, long time." Locket said and cleared his throat, I saw him brushed his hair with his fingers, licking his lower lip and stared at the woman who smirked and nodded.

"You thought I was Veronica?" she smiled and I didn't know why but my heart ache, medyo naguguluhan pa rin kung sino ang babae.

"No, I was just-" Chichay suddenly barked, lahat kami ay nagulat. She souded angry and growling while looking at the girl he called Via and she was shocked.

"What a creep!" she screamed when Chichay growled.

"Shhh, it's okay...it's okay." I said, hugging Chichay more na mukhang galit na galit pa rin.

"What's-" tahol pa rin ng tahol si Chichay kaya mas niyakap ko ito at hinaplos ang likod.

"It's okay, baby. It's okay." I said and I felt how Chichay relaxed after a few touch, the lady frowned but stood straight, as if nothing happened. Si Locket ay mukhang wala sa sarili, bahagyang nakatingin kung saan at nakaigting ang panga.

"I'm so sorry about her," I told the girl who glanced at me from head to toe before smiling.

"Oh, it's okay, stray dog?" she asked, pointing Chichay and I was offended but I chose to remain calm.

"Ah, no. My pet." I said and the lady glanced again at the growling Chichay and smiled awkwardly.

"Oh, I see..." she smiled at mas hinaplos ko si Chichay hanggang sa tuluyang manahimik. "Anyway, Locket, anong ginagawa mo rito?" the lady asked.

Locket stared at her before glancing at me, mukhang pinapalapit niya ako kaya marahan akong lumapit sa kanya.

"We just ate, Via." He said and the lady nodded, glancing at me.

"Hmm, magkasama pala kayo." She said and nodded, as if amazed yet I can see the wicked look on her eyes. "That's new. Date?"

I smiled a bit, was about to nod but he spoke.

"No." Locket said, stopping me.

What? I thought...

"May binili lang dito sa Batangas," aniya habang nakatingin sa babae na tumango-tango at sumulyap sa akin at ngumiti.

"Hello, Miss, that's so rude of me na hindi nagpakilala. I'm Via Abad." She said.

"Nice meeting you, Via." I said. "Crest. Crest Veronica Sandejas."

I saw the lady stopped, napasulyap siya kay Locket na seryosong nakatingin lang sa kanya at tumango ang babae bago nagsalita.

"It's been years, ah? 'Yong kambal ko. Hindi ka pa rin-"