A Promise on the Sand (Isla de Negros Series #2)

Chapter 35

CHAPTER 35
Baby

"I did."

Sancho turned his attention back to her.

"Did what?"

She gulped and released a breath.

"Love you," she said absently.

Napaawang ang labi ng kanyang mga kaklase nang dahil sa kanyang sinabi. She started to hear whispers and gossips, but she remained still.

He stood straight and grinned.

"I don't think so."

"I kept my promise! I swear!" she shouted defensively, raising her right hand.

"Did you really?" he asked again.

Napaluha siya at dahan-dahan na napatango. "Yes, I did."

Napatayo si Nolan at sinabunutan siya. "Huy, gaga. Sit down na raw."

Napailing siya at tila wala sa sariling napatingin kay Nolan. Ilusyon lang pala 'yong lahat.

"You can now sit down, Flores."

She looked at him, but his attention was already in her classmates while calling their names.

Hindi niya alam kung matutuwa ba siyang hindi totoo ang lahat ng 'yon o hindi.

She sat down already and touched her face. The tears were real. Ibig bang sabihin n'on, kanina pa siyang nakatulalang nakatayo ro'n habang lumuluha nang walang dahilan?

"Mag-usap tayo mamaya," bulong ni Nolan sa kanya. Hindi naman siya nakasagot dahil hanggang ngayon ay tulala parin siya rito.

Pakiramdam niya ay hindi siya makahinga. Knowing that they were just in the same room, breathing the same air, made her want to panic. She couldn't explain the emotions she was feeling. Mabigat, na para siyang kinakabahan, na para siyang pinagpapawisan, na para siyang hindi makahinga.

Normal lang ba 'to? At ano ba talaga ang nararamdaman niya?

Lungkot? Takot? Konsensya? Hiya?

Wasn't she supposed to be glad that she already found him? But why did it feel different from what she had expected?

Sa isip niya, kapag nakita niya itong muli, agad niya itong sasalubungin ng yakap.'Yung mahigpit na mahigpit. At pagkatapos n'on, saka niya agad na ipagtatapat lahat ng nararamdaman niya dahil hindi na niya kaya pang mag-aksaya ng oras.

But why did it end up like this? She could hardly say a word. She could hardly breathe. And could even hardly look him in the eye.

"Tahimik mo yata," bulong ni Calvin sa kanya mula sa kanyang likuran.

"I'm fine," pabulong din niyang sagot habang ninanakawan pa ng tingin ang guro.

"Sure ka, ha?"

She answered a nod. Hindi naman na nagtanong pa si Calvin pagkatapos n'on.

Hindi pa muna ito nagsimulang mag-discuss. Kinilala muna nito ang kanyang mga magiging estudyante nang araw na 'yon.

"Mr. Del Rosario is on leave due to personal reasons. The school contacted me to take a sub temporarily."

"Ay, ano ba 'yan? 'Wag niyo nang pabalikin si Sir Del Rosario! Okay na po kami sa inyo," kinikilig na sabi ni Francesca.

Sancho laughed. "I'm sorry. We can't make that happen."

"Ay sayang naman. Paano na 'yan, sir? Hindi ka na namin makikita kapag bumalik na siya?"

"I am currently teaching at NOHS, actually."