Crossing Through A Valiant Heart (ON-GOING)

Chapter 18

the present.

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When I walked out of the elevator, nagulat ako nang hawakan niya ang kamay ko.

"Rylee," he said. "I-I came back.." nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. I tilted my head out of confusion. Didn't I just say welcome back? Did he hear it wrong?

"Yeah? I said welcome back." I blinked thrice waiting for him to respond again.

"No, I mean.." he sighed. "Bumalik ako. I came back after that year. I really did." I smiled upon hearing that. I nodded and let his hand go.

"Good for you." I awkwardly said. I don't know what else I should be saying in front of him. At just the right time, I received a message from someone. Buti nalang at may nag-message! What a great excuse. "I have to go."

He looks like he lost and he didn't run after me. I went back to my unit and fixed my stuff. Kobie told me that we're going to the hospital. I felt prepared earlier.. Not now, though. Bakit ba kasi magkatabi pa unit namin?!

I got a small backpack and hung it on my shoulder. I went down when Kobie called me and said that he was there already. We were pretty quiet when I got in his car. I still feel flustered. Hindi ko in-expect na magkikita kami ngayon.

"What happened? You look pale." he kept glancing at me while driving.

"Nothing.. I'm just nervous. That's all." he nodded and continued driving. It wasn't that far. I felt the car stop in front of a hospital. The parking lot was just outside and he wanted me to leave first in case he doesn't spot an empty spot.

I patiently waited by the door for him. I wore a white watch and I kept looking at the time. Just when I saw him walking towards me, another guy approached me. 

"You're here." he was holding papers in his hand while looking straight into my eyes. I looked at Kobie's direction and he looked confused while he was walking towards me.

"Yeah.." halos pabulong kong sabi.

"Hey," Kobie stood next to me, facing Ice. "Do we know you?" he gently placed his hand on my waist. Napatingin si Ice sa kamay niya at tumingin ulit sa akin.

"Do I know you?" pabalik niyang tanong kay Kobie. Kobie and I looked at each other. Gosh, I have to introduce them to each other now.

"Kobie, this is Travis Isaias. A friend of mine." I smiled at him. "Ice, this is Kobie Nicollo. A friend." they both glared at each other. Did I introduce them right? Why do they look like they're mad now?

"Travis? I like your name, dude." inalok niya ang kanyang kamay kay Ice. Tinitigan lang ito ni Ice at parang nagdadalawang isip kung tatanggapin. "Can I call you Ice, too? That must be your nickname, right?"

He's still not talking. He just made the atmosphere more awkward. Tumikhim ako at tumingin ulit sa relo ko.