Aurora Borealis

Chapter 62 - Beyond Happy Ever After

>> • WENDY • <<

"Here. Eat up."

Tiffany tried offering me the spoon. I buried my face on the table and shoved the plates away.

"You're still not feeling better?"

"Hmm. The rain sucks my motivation to be productive today. I want to crawl back to my bed." I sulked as I tilted my head to see the glass walls with raindrops dripping down from outside. The aircon in the cafe doesn't also help since it's only making me more drowsy.

"Naiintindihan ko 'yung lagay niya." sabat naman ni Jamila na nasa tabi ko. "I really love Talon. But I don't think that's the case for him. I guess he just wants the idea of having someone beside him."

"You broke up with him?"

"Uhm, oo. Three years ago pa. I don't mind being single now. He's not the only man in this world. Mag-aaral muna ako since ilang buwan na lang din naman yung natitira bago ako maka-graduate." Jamila replied.

I listened to their chit-chats and ignored the grumbling of my stomach. Just like any other days, I'm not in the mood to eat something. Pumunta lang ako rito dahil gusto nilang makipagkita.

Umasa ako na darating si East, ngunit maski anino ng bruha ay hindi sumipot sa meeting place. I discovered that she and her brother transferred to a different university somewhere.

I'm still asking for an explanation as to what happened, but all connections including my social media accounts has been blocked by her. I'm starting to get mad at them, but I won't get something out of it.

The others around them are also too tight-lipped to not tell me or anyone what's going on.

"Wendy, aren't you supposed to have a collaborated gaming vlog with Peyton?" tanong pa ni Tiffany at sumubo sa pasta.

Nag-angat ako ng ulo at tarantang kinuha ang camera sa bag ko. "Well then, I have to go."

Jamila gave me a mischievous grin, "Nagde-date na ba kayo?"

"Of course not. We're just friends." I denied.

"The guy looks interested in you. Ulysses told me. He's even sending me screencaps of his convos with my brother asking about you." Tiffany leaned on the table and playfully raised her eyebrows. She flashed her phone in front of me but I decided not to pay attention to it.

"No. I'd rather not." I grabbed the slice of cake and placed it on my plate.

"Why not? He's independent, he's nice, he's hot." protesta ni Jamila. "I happened to see him at a gym once with his buddies."

"Why don't you date him, then? You seemed more interested in him anyway." pambabara ko sa kaniya.

She hit me softly on my shoulder. "Nagsa-suggest lang ako. Bakit ka nagagalit?"

"She's right, Wendy. You should try dating my brother. He's one passionate guy, you know?" dagdag pa ni Tiffany.

"How about you shut up?" I clicked my tongue when I felt something stuck in my teeth. "Tell your brother I'm going to be late for a while."

Napahinto siya sa pagkuha ng litrato ng mga pagkain sa mesa. "Why?"

Napayuko ako, naghahanap sa sahig ng pwedeng maging palusot. These siblings are quite hard to convince. Kahit na tumatango sila sa palusot ko, halatang-halata sa mukha nila na hindi sila kumbinsido.

"I got something to do first." the lamest excuse was spoken by this lips.

Her lips squirmed.

See?

"Okay. A few minutes might not hurt. Although I saw him preparing the gaming equipments so early this morning." she looked at me with guilt-tripping intent.

There's no way that guy will do something like that. In my perspective, he'll be that antisocial kid who refuses to join to eat with the class and thinks it's cooler to sit on one corner of the room as he spends the rest of break playing in his phone just so he won't look like someone pitiful.

I finished the slice before returning my things on the bag.

"I'll see you guys later. I really have something urgent to attend to." nakiraan ako sa tabi ni Jamila upang makaalis sa upuan ko.

"Before you leave, I have something to give you." ani Jamila.

"What?"

She took my hand and slid a paper on it.

"What's this? Your tabs? This better not be your tabs." I glanced at the two of them with intimidation. They shooked their heads.

Jamila removed her hand and what I saw is a ticket.

"Para sa'n to?"

She winked at me and whispered. "Don't tell anyone about that. Just pick the best attire that you have."

"Hey, are you talking about me?"

"Why would we talk about you?" sagot ko at nagpaalam na sa kanila.

"Ingat!" Jamila waved her hand and yelled, "I'll watch your stream with Peyton later! Dapat manalo ka!"

Airhead. There's no way I could win against a pro, unless some miracle happens.

Binuksan ko ang payong at dali-daling naglakad. Huminto ako sa may waiting shed at may dinukot sa suot kong purple turtleneck.

The necklace that he gave me, with a ring pendant where his name is engraved. I kinda hated how the memories rung even if I'm not in the exacy, same waiting shed where that moment happened.

Tinanggal ko na ito mula sa pagkakasuot. I figured that I'll just return this to them. That's what exes do, return each other's stuffs that they deem returnable—

"Hey!" was all I could shout.

I was left in shock when it was snatched away from me. Naihagis ko na lamang ang payong na hindi ko pa naisasara at sinubukang habulin ang snatcher.

I can't see clearly because of the rain but I'm grateful that I didn't wear some wedgies today.

We sprinted all the way through the avenue while I yell at him to come back and return it. Stupid. I know.

He took turns in the alleys but I never lost sight of him. I chased him all the way through the trails that he left.

Sobrang lapit na niya sa 'kin at ilang usad na lamang ay maaabot ko na ang kuwelyo nito.

I reached for the collar but my hands grabbed no collar. I didn't realize what was happening immediately.

Before I knew, flashes of light flickered so fast beside me. Something hard and scorching blew on me as I was thrown off balance with huge force.

The next thing I felt is the shallow puddle of rainwater on the ground, soaking me entirely as I was tossed.

Why can't I feel anything?

Screams enveloped everywhere as I saw figures of people gathering one after another. I can hear their voices but I can't understand what they're saying.

I need it back.

I still need to return it.

"...back..."

I can't move even how much will I have exerted in my body. There's an urge in my head that makes me feel sleepy. My sight's moving everywhere that I don't know anymore where to look.

Ugh... it's rolling upwards...