Ocean's Kiss (Isla De Verde Series #1)

Chapter 13

Katatapos lamang ng aming klase at papunta na ako ngayon sa cafeteria pero nagulat nalang ako ng bigla na namang sumulpot sa harapan ko si Harvey.

"Oh, Harvey!" Gulat kong saad. I didn't expect that he would just popped out especially now that there are many people that could see us right now.

"Hi, Marine, how's your day?" tanong niya habang sinasabayan ako sa paglalakad. Gusto kong itanong kung parte ba ito ng sinasabi niyang panliligaw kahit pa tinanggihan ko na siya pero nahihiya ako.  

Baka isipin ni Harvey na hindi ko pa rin maalis sa utak ko ang panliligaw na sinasabi niya dahil totoo naman. Partly, that's because of his so-called permission to court me and the other one is about Yana.

Today is Yana's birthday. September 12. It's been months and I can't still forget what happened. I keep on dwelling about the past and it didn't do any good about me. Pero kasi ang hirap lang kalimutan ng mga pangyayaring alam mo na tatatak na talaga sa isip at puso mo. Lalo na't ilang linggo akong wala sa sarili noong mawala siya.

Every night I'm crying so hard just to ease the pain. No one's there when the police declared that Yana's dead. Gusto ko rin makalimot at magpatuloy na walang dala-dalang pagsisisi. I keep on blaming myself about what happened to her that day.

Pero sa tuwing may mga taong nagpapakitang mahal nila ako, I feel at ease. I feel calm but not happy. This is not the calm happiness that I once felt before when I was still living in Isla De Verde. This is just pure calmness and nothing more.

"It went well. How 'bout you?" balik tanong ko sa kan'ya.

Nang makapasok sa loob ng cafeteria at agad kong ipinalibot ang aking paningin para maghanap ng mauupuan. Baka sa makalawa ay uumpisahan ko na rin maghanap ng extra job. I've actually been thinking about being a waitress at the restaurant but I haven't fully decided yet. It's just a mere thought.

Marami pa kasing ibang trabaho na malaki ang pwede kong maging sahod kaya naman hindi pa ako nagfa-file ng application. Pansamantala lang naman ito para habang nag-aaral ako ay may naiipon akong pera. I need to save money. I won't waste my time here in Manila just walking around and enjoying myself without considering my family's condition.

"Masaya na. Nasilayan kasi kita e..." aniya kaya napatigil ako at ramdam ko ang pamumula ng aking pisngi.

"You're blushing, Marine! Does it mean you're affected?" Panunudyo nito sa'kin na agad kong inilingan at inirapan.

"No, stop dreamscaping, Harv." sabi ko sa kan'ya at naupo na sa nakitang available na pwesto. He followed me there too and sit in front of me.

"Sabay na tayo mag-lunch?"

"Ano pa bang magagawa ko? You're already sitting in front of—" I was cut off when someone put a plateful of food on the table.

"I believe this is my seat?"

Awtomatikong umangat ang tingin ko nang marinig ko ang paos na boses ni Alon. What is he doing here? We're not in the same university! How come he's here?

"Oh, sorry, pare. Lilipat nalang kami ni Marine..." ani Harvey at aktong tatayo na sana ngunit hinawakan ko ang kamay niya para pigilan siya sa pagtayo.

I returned my attention to Alon. His eyes are focused on my hands holding Harvey's hand. Agad ko itong inalis kaya bumalik sa akin ang kan'yang atensyon. Panandalian lamang 'yon pero marami akong nakitang emosyon sa mga mata niya at hindi ko mapangalanan.

It immediately faded. I felt a sudden disappointment but I pushed it away. Hindi ito ang tamang oras para rito. At isa pa, hindi ba't gusto kong iwasan na magkrus ang mga landas namin ni Alon? So now, don't be so stubborn Oceane and get lost!