Planet Acelatoria

Chaptah Eytin

Happiness~

CLARDIA

My heart began pounding as the surroundings turned black. I can see nothing except to darkness. Who wouldn't be afraid of a sudden blackout? I guess no one.

Kumapa-kapa ako sa aking kinaroroonan. Naka-upo pa rin ako sa tapat ng lamesa ni Xavier. Speaking of that brat, where is he? Tuluyan na ba siyang lumabas ng kuwarto? Pero wala naman akong narinig na nagbukas ng pintuan.

"Xavier? Are you still here?" I called him.

Nagulantang ako nang biglang may kumalabog sa sahig! Parang may kung anong nahulog.

"Xavier! Hey! Is that you?! Answer me, brat!"

Still, no one respond.

Nag-alala naman ako. Sigurado na 'kong nandito pa siya. Pero, bakit ayaw niya sumagot?!?! Ugh. Kinakabahan na 'ko.

Maya-maya pa ay kumidlat. Sandaling nagkaroon ng liwanag sa silid mula sa malaking bintana ng study. Mabilis kong nilibot ang aking paningin sa loob upang hanapin si Xavier.

At nakita ko siya. Nakatayo at tulala sa kung saan. I remembered what Tito told me earlier. About Xavier's trauma. Mukhang totoo nga 'yon. Ngunit sumagi rin sa isip ko ang bilin niya.

"once the power supply got interrupted because of the thunderstorm, immediately getaway from Xavier and run out of the room at all costs."

Pero, iiwan ko talaga dito ang anak niya? Why does Tito's statement don't match? Gusto niyang bantayan ko si Xavier dahil sa trauma niya pero pinapaiwanan niya naman ito kung kailan mas malala na ang sitwasyon? Bakit gano'n? What is the reason as to why I should go away to Xavier as soon as the power supply got interrupted? Ano bang pwedeng mangyari sa—

My thoughts were cut-off when I felt difficulty in breathing. Hindi ako makahinga ng maayos. Parang kinakapos ako ng hangin.

But despite of this, tumayo ako at agad hinanap ang daan palabas. Isasama ko lumabas dito si Xavier. Walang dahilan para iwan ko siya. Kumapa-kapa ako at pilit inalala kung saan ko nakita si Xavier. Buti na lamang at kumidlat ulit. Muli ko siyang nasulyapan.

He's still on the same place. Habang palapit ako ng palapit sa kanya, mas pahirap nang pahirap huminga.

"X-Xavier, what's h-happening?" I asked when I was about a feet away from him. Sobrang lalim na ng paghinga ko.

Hinarap ko siya. Wala, tulala pa rin. I can barely see his face bacause of the darkness.

"X-Xavier, l-let's get out of h-here. I can't b-breathe." Inalog ko na siya ng kaunti dahil wala na rin akong lakas pero hindi man lang siya kumibo. A lighting striked again. I saw his face.

"X-Xavier w-what's the p-problem? T-talk to me."

It doesn't matter to now on how we'll get out of here. Seeing Xavier's extra cold and emotionless eyes made me realized that he needs someone beside him. Kailangan niya nang mapaglalabasan lahat ng nararamdaman niya.

"Xavier, you can s-show me your w-weakness. I'm j-just a stranger, a-anyway." I genuinely smiled at him. I tried hard to chase my breathe after.

My eyes had adjusted to the dark surroundings that's why I saw how his eyes soften and how he looked at me with sadness. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ito sa dilim pero, nag-iba ata ang kulay ng mga mata ni Xavier? Naging kakulay ng mata ng mga tao, itim.