Mended Broken Souls (✔️)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

"Okay... Aalis na ako, Micah." Iyon lang ang nasabi ko bago nagpaalam na aalis.

I heard her mutter 'Sana all' before I finally went out from our classroom. Madaldal din pala siya katulad ni Venice.

Last group na ang kasalukuyang nag-p-present sa section namin. The screams and cheers continued, the reason why a crease formed on my forehead. I really hate noises. I looked at the place where I caught a sight of Caleb earlier, but he was nowhere to be found there. Nasaan na kaya siya? And why am I finding him? I just shook my head.

"Ashia! Regards daw si Jasper! Ang galing mo raw sumayaw at ang ganda-ganda mo raw!"

Nilingon ko ang sumigaw na hindi pa rin nawawala ang kunot sa aking noo. He was one of the altar-servers I onced encountered inside the sacristi when I was one of the lectors. Ito pala ang nang-aasar sa 'kin at kay Jasper na isa ring sakristan. May iba pa silang kasamang lalaki na nanunuod din ng hip-hop.

I didn't give them even a bit of my attention. Nilagpasan ko lamang sila.

Papalabas na ako ng gate nang mamataan ko si Caleb sa labas ng gate. Nakaupo siya sa ginagawang upuan ng mga estudyanteng mag-aabang ng sasakyan tuwing uwian. Dala-dala niya pa rin pala ang gitara niya. Naalala ko na naman ang nangyari kaninag umaga lang. He just saved my life.

Dahil mag-aabang ako ng sasakyan, umupo ako sa inuupuan niya, pero may malaking espasyo sa pagitan. I saw him glancing me at my peripheral vision, but I didn't do the same. Nakatingin lang ako sa harapan kung saan nakikita na mula rito ang papalubog nang araw sa karagatan.

"Uuwi ka na?" tanong niya.

I nodded.

"Why are you here?"

"Hinihintay kitang umuwi. Kinakabahan akong mangyari na naman 'yong nangyari kanina. I want to keep an eye on you for now."

Natigilan ako saglit. His voice was soft and gentle. He's really worried for me?

"I'm not a kid anymore to be eyed on carefully, but I still appreciate your concern," I stated honestly. Nilingon ko na siya at gaya kanina, nakangiti pa rin ito na parang timang.

"Kung thank you man 'yan, you're welcome. At you're welcome rin pala sa kanina, haha. Dalawang beses kang nag-thank you sa 'kin. Una, roon sa pagbayad ko ng pamasahe mo, at sa pagsagip ko sa 'yo. You're welcome, Julienne." He grinned.

Muntik pa akong matawa na hindi ko inaasahan. I just pursed my lips for him to not notice my almost chuckle.

"Para kang timang." Napailing na lang ako.

Nahagip ng tingin ko ang isang isang taong kasalukuyang pinapagana ang maliit na bell at may dalang malaking box ng ice cream. My mouth watered for an ice cream especially that I was from a hot presentation. Naalala kong matagal na ang huling pagkain ko ng ice cream. It was when I was still eight years old with my father at the park.

I was about to stand up but he stood up first. I followed his direction towards also the ice cream vendor.

"Manong, dalawang ice cream po," narinig kong saad ni Caleb. Kanino niya naman ibibigay ang isa? Of course, perhaps for himself, too.

"Isa po sa akin." I took a twenty pesos from my wallet.

"'Wag na, Julienne. Ako na. Sa 'yo 'tong isa." I shifted my gaze to Caleb when I heard what he said.

"Why are you doing this? I have my own money," naiinis kong saad, pero ngumiti lang siya. Nang matapos si manong ay ibinigay niya na sa 'kin, pero hindi ko tinanggap.