Autumn of May

CHAPTER 10: We Are Being Pulled Away

*Beep* *Beep*

Nagising ang diwa ko ng marinig ang horn ng sasakyan sa likuran. Kanina pa pala nag-Go signal para sa mga sasakyan pero nakatulala lang ako. Pinaandar ko kaagad ang sasakyan and find a place to park. Nakahanap ako ng magandang parking area kaya agad kong kinuha ang aking phone at tinawagan si Gayle. She pick up the phone kaya nagsalita kaagad ako, "Hello, ano nakapagcharge kana? It's been hours but you never called me" I heard her laugh a little over the line.

"Okay lang kami dito Niks, don't worry about us.." I cut her off and ask her "Kailan ka babalik dito sa city?" She didn't responded. There is a silence on the line and it's kinda weird. Abbi never did things like this before, I mean she's never been silent about anything before. Kaya lalo akong naghihinala that there is something wrong going on."Hindi ko pa alam Niks, siguro this time, I'll stay a little bit longer" she said.

"How about your work?" I asked her. Kasi the company that she's in is super strict kaya minsan lang kami nakapagbakasyon sa isla. "I already asked the company about my urgent vacation at okay lang sa kanila" she said while trying to make her voice jolly. "Oh, okay sabi mo eh. By the way, call me everyday and give me an update" sabi ko sa kaniya. Narinig ko naman siyang tumawa.

"Are you my mom or what?" she said while laughing so hard. "I am your Mom so darling call me or else" she continue laughing and at this point parang nakahinga ako ng maluwag. Gayle is unexpressive of her emotions, she tend to bear all her struggles alone. Kaya nga noong high-school, nahihirapan akong intindihin siya. She never said she's scared or hurt, but in the corner of her room, I always find her crying.

At first, it is hard to be friends with her. Kaya nga wala siyang masyadong kaibigan and wala siyang boyfriend dahil napakahirap niyang basahin. She's selfless, and it's a good thing dahil mas inuuna niya ang kaniyang pamilya kaysa sa sarili niya pero minsan nakakalimutan niya na importante din na kahit minsan lang unahin niya ang kaniyang sarili.

She ended up the call kaya nagbuntong hininga ako. I started the car, parang gusto kong uminom ng coffee. I drive the car to the nearby Starbucks. Lumabas ako ng kotse at pumasok sa loob ng Starbucks and walk towards the counter. Nag-order ako ng coffee afterwards umupo ako sa table malapit sa may puno. This is my favorite spot here in Starbucks. I opened my phone and check for my school tasks but good thing I don't have anything to do right now.

I opened my Instagram and scroll the news feed when someone drop his coffee in my shirt. Napatayo ako dahil ang init ng kape sobra. "Hala, I'm sorry miss. Pasensiya na miss" I look at him and he was so shocked about what happened. Agad siyang kumuha ng tissue at pinahid sa aking t-shirt. When we both realize that it's kinda pervert that he touch my t-shirt near my bo*bs area, I hurriedly cross my arms in my chest. Binawi naman niya kaagad ang kaniyang kamay na parang nahihiya din sa kaniyang ginawa.

"Excuse me ma'am, sir, what happened here?" a waitress ask us. "I'm sorry miss, kasalanan ko. I accidentally drop my coffee right exactly to her direction" he said while convincing the waitress that it's his fault. "No, it's okay" I said to both of them kaya napalingon sila sa direksiyon ko.

I move the chair para makalabas ako sa table. Tumakbo naman kaagad ang waitress and report the incident to their manager. "Miss, I'm very sorry. Hindi ko sinasadya. Something came up on my mind and hindi ko napansin na.." hindi ko siya pinatuloy sa pagsasalita. I raise my hand signaling him to stop talking.

"I'm okay, and this is totally fine" Sabi ko sabay turo sa nasira kong t-shirt. "I need to go" dagdag kong sabi sabay talikod at lumakad palayo sa kaniya. Walang tao sa loob ng Starbucks kaya rinig na rinig ang bawat paghakbang ko papalayo. I pull the glass door open and leave the place.

Malapit na ako sa aking sasakyan when I familiar voice called me. "Miss, just a minute" he said. Lumingon ako sa kaniya and right, he is the guy who throws his coffee at me sa Starbucks. "I can't let you go like this.." he said sabay hubad ng kaniyang coat na suot. Lumakad siya papalapit sa akin at mahinang isinuot sa akin ang coat.