All Is Not Lost

Chapter 9

Miss

Sinikop ko ang buhok ko at ipinirmi sa aking likod. I tried not to fiddle with my hands as I wait for Kuya's last class to finish. It was around eight in the evening and the only students left in our school are the med or law students.

Kalat na kalat ang med students sa building kung saan ako naghihintay. There are a few who glances at me and surely wonder why am I here.

Nang bumukas ang pinto at lumabas na ang prof ay napaayos ako ng tindig. Unti-unting lumabas ang mga kaklase nina Kuya hanggang siya na ang namataan ko.

Kuya Kinniel's default furrowed brows turned back to normal when he saw me. Dali-dali siyang lumapit sa akin kaya medyo napatingin ang iba pang mga estudyanteng naroon.

"Kuya..."

"Hey... Why didn't you text me that you'll wait? Nakakain ka na? How long have you been waiting here?" He became more concerned and concerned as the minute passes.

I opened my mouth to speak, but some of his block mates talked to him as they walk. "Uy, Kinniel is that your sister?"

Kuya glanced at them and nodded.

"She's pretty! She looks like the girl version of you!"

Umiling si Kuya. "She has prettier features. She's a goddess."

"True!" sumang-ayon iyong mga kaklase niya. "Wish I have a sister! Sige, una na kami!"

Lumagpas ang tingin ko kay Kuya at napunta sa likod niya. My heart skipped a beat when I saw a familiar figure that almost look like the guy I haven't seen for weeks.

"Kuya Raki," I called.

He closed their room's door with one hand and looked at my direction. Napatingin sa kaniya si Kuya Kinniel at hinintay akong magsalita.

"Can we talk po?" They both looked shocked. Or let's say Kuya Raki looked frightened at my brother...

Pumasok kaming tatlo sa room nila at doon nag-usap upang magkaroon ng kaunting privacy. Kuya looked confused as I explain Santi's situation to his friend.

"Alam niyo po ba kung nasaan siya? What is he doing? Is he well?" sunud-sunod kong tanong pagkatapos kong magpaliwanag.

This news isn't new to Kuya Raki. He's aware of what's happening. Walang bahid ng takot o gulat sa mukha niya kaya naisip ko 'yon. He looked rather... sorry.

And I'm not sure what for.

"I don't know where he is, but... these past few months, he disappears a lot. Ate Rex came to me, also looking for him when he didn't come home for days, but I do not know his whereabouts." He licked his lips and sighed. "I tried my best to catch him on campus and when I did, I tried to ask him where he goes."

Bumaba ang tingin ko at napaisip kung paano kaya niya natagpuan si Santi, pero ako ay hindi? His schedule are far hectic than mine, pero nagawa niyang makita ang isang nagtatagong tao.

"He said he's uh... trying... seeking medical help because he said... a certain friend made him realized that he's unwell," sumulyap siya sa akin at kaagad ding nag-iwas ng tingin. "That's all I know. Ate updated me that she already talked to him about it. Siguro ay magkasama sila o alam na ni Ate kung nasaan siya this time."

"Do you have contact with Ate Rex po?"

He pursed his lips and then nodded. "I can give you her number." He took his phone out and borrowed mine to register the number.

I tried calling Ate Rex that night when I got home. She didn't answer nor replied to any of my messages.

Kuya Kinniel visits me during lunch time or when he does not have any classes. Sabay kaming kumakain o minsan ay hinahatid nya ako sa bahay. He seems concerned about me because of Santi's disappearance.