Just by the Window (COMPLETED)

Chapter 21

The next day has passed but I still haven't got any messages from him. Simula nung hindi na siya pumasok sa klase, hindi na rin siya nagpa-paramdam. We used to go to school together, but now, ako na lang mag-isa iyong pumunta. Pagdating ko sa classroom, wala rin siya. I'm so worried.

"Xyll, you are not lying to me, right?" tanong ko kay Xyll. Kasi pati siya ay wala ring idea kung nasaan ba si Dee. I couldn't ask Drex either.

"Bakit? Anong nangyari?" tanong pa ni Demi.

"Dee's missing," Xyll replied and then looked at me. "Have you tried to check his place?"

Umiling ako. "Do we have a quiz today?"

"Huwag mong sabihing balak mo ring umabsent ngayon?" ika ni Demi.

"But I need to find Dee. I am so worried."

"Okay. I got you. You may go now," sabi ni Xyll.

I thanked him before I left. I went to Dee's place but it was locked. I tried to contact him again but his phone was off. My next move was to check their house too, but there's nothing. Going there was too risky, baka makita pa ako ng pamilya ko. I can't handle the guilt if ever they'll find out I cut in the class.

Hindi ko na alam kung saan pa ba siya hahanapin. Xyll told me na si Drex na iyong mas laging naka-kasama niya kaya hindi siya sigurado kung saan ba sila usually pumupunta. Not until I realized, he may be at the hill. Hindi ko rin sigurado kung nandun ba siya dahil umaga pa. Once he told me that he only went there when it's night.

But as soon as I arrived there, there's no Deandrew.

Napaupo na lang ako sa ground sa pagka-dismayado. Kapag may nangyaring masama kay Dee... I'm willing to take the consequences. I know it's my fault. It really is. I should've trusted him more than Drex... inunahan na naman ako ng takot.

I tried to call Dee again, pero wala pa rin.

From: Drex
Excealas'. Try to chek him there. You know that place?

Agad akong napatayo nang ma-receive ko iyong message ni Drex.

I knew where it is. Olivia once brought me there!

Agad naman akong nagdrive papunta roon. Excealas is a freaking bar, for heaven's sake. To think that Dee's were missing for 20 hours... just shit. I couldn't even imagine. Jusko, hindi naman siguro delikado ro'n...

Nang makarating ako ay agad akong tumakbo papasok sa loob. Napahinga ako nang maluwag nang makita ko na siya. He's at the counter, naka-ub-ob lang na para bang natutulog na. May ilang bote rin ang naka-paligid sa kanya. Fuck, sumisikip iyong dibdib ko sa nakikita ko. Why is he doing this?

Lumapit ako sa kanya. I caressed his back and tried to wake him up.

"Dee, I'm here..."

Inangat niya ang kanyang mukha, nanatiling nakapikit. "T-Tori?" tugon niya habang kinukusot ang kanyang mga mata.

I hugged him. "Yes, it's me..."

"Tori..." sagot niya at mas hinigpitan ang yakap. "A-Am I not dreaming, right?"

Kumalas ako at hinawakan ang kanyang magkabilang pisngi. "Yes. I'm here to pick you up. You need to go home."

He kissed me. "I t-thought you're leaving me..."

"Why would I do that?"

"You're ignoring me..."

I sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Can you please tell me why?" Pagkatapos niyang itanong iyon ay nagulat na lang ako nang makitang tumutulo iyong luha galing sa mga mata niya.

Damn.