Behind The Pain (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 16

BTP KABANATA 16

"Are you sure about this?" I anxiously said to Cloud.

After eating last night, he drove me home. We also planned that I would talk to Satan now. I was confident last night, but right now, I just wanna run and hide. Aatakin ata ako sa kaba.

"It's now or never, Vera," he said in a pressing tone. He fixed his eyeglasses, making me frown. He reminds me of Satan's mannerisms.

"Stop fixing your eyeglasses," sumimangot ako.

This gives me deja vu. Sinabi ko na rin 'to kay Satan dati. Pinaglalaruan na ata kami ng tadhana.

"Stop minding my mannerism. Worry about how will you talk to Nate," pang-iinis niya. Ngumisi pa siya. Pwede bang sapakan na lang kami?

"Oo na," I said afterward and pushed him away from me. "Now, go home. I can manage," I added.

Pinagpag niya ang damit niya at tumingin ulit sa akin. "Are you sure you can handle it alone?" he asked. Worry was visible in his voice.

I broadly smiled and nodded. "Of course. It's not that I'll be talking to Satan himself," I rolled my eyes.

"Fine," he sighed. "If something happens and you feel like running away... again, call me." He gave me a reassuring smile.

"Kaya ko," sabi ko sa kanya. Itinaas ko ang kamay ko at isinarado iyon.

"I'll go ahead," paalam niya.

Tumango ako sa kanya. I watched him walk away from me. He would turn around to look at me, and I would always nod at him.

Nang hindi ko na siya matanaw, tumalikod na rin ako para pumunta malapit sa classroom nila Satan. He's still in his last class, and he didn't know I'll be here. I don't have the courage to tell him.

While waiting, I started to read my trans. I was too focus that I forgot the time. Nalaman ko na lang na oras na pala nang maging maingay ang paligid.

I cleaned all my things and stood up to wait for Satan. Unti-unti nang lumalabas ang mga kaklasi niya. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa bag ko nang makita ko siyang lumabas. Lalo akong kinabahan. Nang pupuntahan ko na sana siya, bigla na lang siyang tinawag ni Heather.

Bumuntong-hininga ako para pakalmahin ang sarili ko. As Cloud said, it's now or never. Whatever happens, happens. At least, I tried.

When Heather finally left, I grabbed the chance to approach him. He looked shocked by my sudden presence. I smiled awkwardly and waved my hand.

"Long time no see," pagak akong tumawa. Napatingin din tuloy sa akin ang mga nandoon.

"Yeah," he merely said. "Long time no see," he said and smiled a little.

For a moment, I wanted to shut up and hug him. I missed this. I missed his voice and his warm smile. I craved this for a long time, and finally, I got to witness it again.

Binuka ko ang bibig ko pero walang lumabas na mga salita. I didn't know what to say. Should I talk or should I just hug him tightly like I always do?

"Subic?" he asked when I went silent. My forehead creased. "Do you want to visit Subic again?"

I was shocked. Subic. It has always been our safe place. Hearing it from him melts my heart. It brings nostalgia. This hits way too close to home...

"Okay," maikling sabi ko.

Sinundan ko siyang maglakad papalapit sa sasakyan niya. Pasakay na sana kami nang bigla siyang tinawag ng ka-block niya.

"Subic na naman punta mo?" tumawa ang lalaki. Kasama nito ang iba pa nilang ka-block.