Vow of the Dawn (La Carlota #2)

15

"You're going home already?"

I gave Chanel a nod, she's back here at La Carlota just for the summer, she's already a trainee at the Teatro La Scala, she got scouted last year. Sa isang competition sa Singapore where she represented the country. She grabbed the opportunity as soon as it landed in front of her. I packed my things and looked at her, since my training is done, I can go home na, today has been a long one.

Kaninang morning I fixed my designs for the summer fest that's just around the corner and I also bought yards of fabrics, then to this, my training. It feels like 24 hours is too short to do what I have to do. I'm tired but at the same time I'm not, masaya naman ako e.. I think I am.

"Yeah," mahina kong sabi, dala na rin siguro ng pagod. "I'll go ahead," I gave her a smile and lifted my gym bag and went outside to wait for Mang Bert, sabi niya he's on his way about five minutes ago. I mean I hope he arrives soon because I'm feeling that my eyelids are getting heavier already. I yawned and stretched my arm, gustong-gusto ko nang mahiga at matulog na lang.

But I know my messy room won't let me do that, I need to finish my designs and sew some patterns, hindi ko pa rin naayos 'yong mga fabric and materials na binili ko kanina. ang dami pa naman no'n, nagmamadali kasi akong makarating sa practice ko, 'cause I know I'll get scolded if I arrive late.

I looked around and was trying to find our car when a familiar vehicle stopped in front of me, hindi ko nalang pinansin kahit sigurado akong sa kaniya 'yang kotse na 'yan, I gazed behind the car but Mang Bert was no where to be found, I exhaled harshly when I heard the car door open and close quickly.

Even after the consecutive sounds I didn't paid any attention to the person who got off the car, I kept on moving backwardly, hoping that he won't notice if ever I go back inside the ballet school. Halos pigil ang paghinga ko dahil ayaw kong mapansin niya ako, hindi ko nga alam kung bakit nandito siya.

"Why are you walking backwards? Baka matapilok ka, Lettie," hindi ko pa rin sana siya titignan but he suddenly grabbed my bag from me which gave me no choice but to notice him because our hands touched.

"What are you doing ba? Atras ka nang atras, give it to me," tukoy niya sa bag ko. Hindi ko pa rin binitawan at nanatiling doon lang ang tingin ko. "Let's go na, Lizette, give it to me you look sleepy," even though he's scooching his head faced me pero hindi pa rin siya tumatayo nang maayos, made his forehead crease and his eyebrows furrow.

"Akin na, Lettie," pilit niyang agaw sa hawak ko. "Come on magdidilim na," noo ko naman ang kumunot ngayon, bakit niya ba ako pinipilit? And why is he even here?

"Why are you here ba, ha? Leave na nga," I forcefully snatched it away from his hold which made him stand properly. He angled his head and pursed his lips, I raised my left brow and waited for his answer.

"You said you missed me, Lettie," I gulped and avoided his gaze, I remembered what I told him two days ago! Damn, Ophelia, bakit mo nga naman kasi sinabi 'yon?! I mean.. I was just being honest! Bakit kailangan niya pa akong asarin about doon ulit? Isa pa, I thought he'll be leaving after that fair! Bakit pa siya ulit nandito?!