LIO Book 2: Game of Fate [Completed]

Game 7

Andra Celestine Xanford

After that day, everything went awkward. Hindi ko alam kung anong naging reaksyon ko noong araw na 'yon. Basta ang alam ko lang, sobrang nagulat ako. I don't know if he's just fooling around or he really did that horrible thing. After that day hindi pa kami nag kikita ni Hezekiah. It's my last day today at kahit na hindi ko alam kung papaanong aakto sa harapan niya, gusto ko pa rin siyang makita ay makapag paalam ng maayos. After all, he became a good friend to me while I'm staying here.

I was just sitting in the sand under the shade of the trees. Watching those people enjoying the beauty and serenity of the island. People are playing, doing beach activities. Others are swimming and doing private stuff in the middle of the sea.

"Damn it, Andra. Stop remembering things." Pabulong na suway ko sa sarili ko noong naalala ko 'yung mga panahong kami ni Calix ang nandirito. This island witnessed how our story started and how it ended. Mapait man 'yung naging nakaraan namin, pero at least natutu ako. Natutu ako na respetohin at mahalin ng buo ang sarili ko. Self-love is the nicest gift I've given to myself.

"Hi." Napatingin ako sa lalaking naupo sa tabi ko at nakita kong si Hezekiah 'yon.

"H-hello." The atmosphere was awkward. Pareho kaming nangangapa kung papaanong makikiusap sa isa't isa.

That revelation was too much! Hindi ko alam kung papaano kong ilalagay sa utak ko na 'yung taong naging kaibigan ko ay may gano'ng nakaraan. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang rason, pero parang ang hirap namang paniwalaan na nagawa niya ang gano'n.

"Uuwi ka na bukas?" he asked gently. I just nodded at his question and went silent again.

Minutes pass and no one dares to speak. Hindi ko talaga alam ang sasabihin ko. I can't find the right word to say! I want to talk to him. I want to act normal in front of him, but it's hard! Hindi ko kayang baliwalain na lang 'yon.

"Tuloy pa ba ang plano natin mamaya?" his voice was soft. Like he's afraid that I might judge or push him away.

"K-kayo ba." I can't even manage to speak properly!

"Okay naman sa amin. Sagot mo lang naman 'yung hinihintay namin." Nakatitig pa rin ako sa dagat at gano'n din siya. I can see him from my peripheral vision.

"Ahh." And after that, no one dared to speak again. This is so awkward!

Nilaro laro ko ang buhangin sa gilid ko at tahimik na pinapanood ang mga tao sa paligid ko. Everyone looks happy. They look comfortable with the people around them and with the place. Why do I need to feel like this? Why do I feel like I'm afraid of something that I shouldn't be afraid of? Hezekiah is a new friend. That's all. I shouldn't care for his past because I am sure he has reasons. I should stop thinking things.