ET2: Through The Storm

Chapter 33

Crystal Dwight's POV

Worries eat me up when I didn't receive a response from Ryle. Hindi siya rumereply sa mga text ko and his phone was unattended. Malamang nasa byahe pa sila papuntang Glimm. Gusto ko lang naman malaman kung nakarating na ba sa sila dahil hindi ko mapigilan ang hindi mag-alala. 

Nasa opisina na ako pero ang isip ko ay si Ryle pa rin ang laman. Ganito pala ang pakiramdam kung labis mong mahal ang isang tao, you couldn't help but worry even they say they'll gonna be fine. 

"Salubong ang kilay natin, ah, mare!" Rover stood next to me and rested his hand on the railings. I know that he is laughing at me right now. 

I glanced at him sideways. "Maka-mare naman, 'to."

"Are you worried about him?" he asked in a serious manner. 

I nodded. "Hindi ko mapigilan, eh."

"Trust him, Dwight. He'll be safe for you." 

"I trust him, kuya," I replied. "Lagi naman. Nag-aalala lang talaga ako para sa kaniya. Paano kung ma-injured while dealing with the casualties?" 

"You are this worried because you love him that much." He gave me a once-over. "Normal lang 'yan."

I was in the middle of talking with Rover when the voice of our boss interrupted us. 

"Dwight," he called. "Your team was assigned to cover the news about the earthquake at Glimm. Don't forget to interview the survivors."

"You're going to send the girls there, sir?" singit ni Rover na tila ba hindi pabor sa utos ng aming boss.

"Rover, I am sending our field reporters there" our boss casually reasoned out.

"Why does it need have to--"

His phrase were cut off midway when I halted him. "Kuya..." I uttered, convincing him not to argue with our boss. 

"Aalis kayo ngayon, Dwight. Prepare yourselves," he said. 

"Sir, allow me to go with them," Rover pleaded. "Kahit free. You can deduct it from my salary."

Our boss stayed still like he was thinking about it deeply. "Sure, you can follow them," he agreed. "No need to deduct salaries," he continued and left a pat on Rover's shoulder before he left. 

"Kuya, hindi mo naman kailangan sumama."

He just shook his head. "No, sasama ako," he firmly added. "Pumayag naman si boss."

"Kahit na," I said. "Today was supposedly your day off."

He smiled, a confident one. "I am worried. . ." he rubbed his forehead, "sa inyo."

We all prepared our things. We all readied our equipment. Most importantly, our guts. Hindi basta-basta ang pupuntahan namin dahil malakas na lindol ang tumama roon. Anything could collapse anytime but we couldn't care more about that. We need to do our job as reporters. 

"Dwight, sabay ka na sa akin," alok ni Rover sa akin nang huminto ang kotse niya sa harap ng bahay. "Nauna na sina Jessi at Joy."

Hindi na ako tumanggi pa at umakyat na sa passenger seat ng kotse niya. 

"Your car looked nice," komento ko. Ito kasi ang unang beses na nakasakay ako ng kotse niya. 

"Thanks," he replied. "Bought it with my sweat and tears."

When I buckle my seat belt, I thought of Ryle. Hindi ko alam kung saan sila sa Glimm. Hindi niya nabanggit sa akin. He probably busy dealing with the victims of the quake.