Teardrops Over My Head [Art Of Love Series #1]

Kabanata 8

Kabanata 8

Habang nagmamaneho pauwi ay lumilinga linga ako ng tingin sa my labasan. Hindi naman masyadong okupado ng mga sasakyan ang daanan papunta sa mansion. Kapag nasa Centro ay saka lang nati tiyempohan ng traffic.

A tall figure carrying huge luggages caught my attention. Naglalakad lang siya at may backpack pa siya at mukhang mabigat nga naman iyon.

I stopped the engine and rolled down the window to talk with the man.

"Manong..." I trailed.

He halted and looked at me. I flashed a small smile.

"Mabigat po yata iyan kaya sumabay na kayo sa akin. Villa Hermosa Heights din po ba ang tungo ninyo?" I asked.

"Ah, huwag na. Kaya ko naman..."

Masyadong eksakto sa kanyang mukha ang linya ng sikat ng araw kaya hindi ko gaanong mahalata ang hitsura niya.

"I insist. Mainit pa naman ang panahon ngayon," sabi ko. "Saka baka wala ng dumaang sasakyan."

"Huwag na. Kaya ko na ito..."

"Come on. Let me help po."

Mukhang ka edad ko lang naman itong lalaki. Ganito talaga siguro, magalang tayo kapag hindi natin kilala.

Hindi siya nagsalita ng ilang saglit bago dahan dahang tumango. His figure kind of resembled someone on my recent memory but I cannot recognize who he really is.

I went out of the car and walked near him. I picked up one of his luggages and brought it into the compartment. Dinala na rin niya ang isa pa noon.

Tahimik kaming pumunta sa loob ng sasakyan. Hindi siya gaanong nagsasalita habang nasa biyahe.

"Wala masyadong sasakyan dito, ano?" I asked to erase the tension.

I just feel like he's uncomfortable.

"Uh... ganoon nga," he said and took a brief glance at me before looking back at the outside view through the windows.

"Would you mind if I turn  the stereo on?" tanong ko.

Tumango siya.

I played the stereo. A memorable song played. I fought the urge to stop it and just chose to listen to it even though it was throwing a slight pang on my chest. Maybe this is just the way it has to be. You can only appreciate the healing of your wounds when you felt pain. Not numb, at all... You cannot feel empty when you haven't experienced the fullest moment in your lifetime.

The song was played by Sylvia's favorite band. That song is one of her all time favorite songs too. We used to sing it together... before.

I cleared my throat and looked at the man who looked like he was in deep thought as he stared on the roads ahead. His body was stiff.

I cleared my throat for a question.

"Uhm... mister, saan po pala ang iyong address?"

Lumunok siya at saglit na lumingon. He formally stated his address. Nasundan ko naman kung nasaan iyon.

"Dito na po," aniya.

Tumigil ang sasakyan sa harap ng isang tarangkahan na kulay puti ang pintura. A woman was sweeping near their gates.

Lumabas na siya ng kotse kaya sumunod na rin ako para tulungan siyang ilabas ang kanyang mga bagahe sa compartment.

"Salamat," he said in a deep voice.

I looked straight into his expressive eyes but he broke my line of vision of it, avoiding my gaze.

"You're welcome..." sambit ko at tumango.