The Ruins of Winter

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Juan Luis

"I'll just message you pag nakauwi na ako mamaya," I told Erys when I dropped her in the hospital today, "Eat your food on time..."

She nodded, "Ingat sa flight."

Totoo naman na dapat ay may flight ako ngayon. But I cancelled it para magasikaso ng mga bagay na mas importante. Besides, I don't have enough sleep. After what happened last night, sino pa ba ang makakatulog? I stayed up all night to think. I don't want to be reckless. I don't want to lose her over my recklessness again.

I watched Daenerys until she entered the hospital premises. Nang mawala na siya sa paningin ko ay lumabas na ako doon at agad na nagU-Turn para makauwi muna sa bahay nila Mommy.

Mabuti na lang at hindi traffic, dahil wala akong pasensya sa kahit na ano at sino ngayon. Parang isang kalabit lang ay mapapatid ang pasensya ko sa lahat.

My eyebrows furrowed when I saw cars outside the residence. May mga bisita sila ngayon. If I would guess, it's their friends. Our uncles and aunts. Isa lang rin ang ibig sabihin niyan, malamang ay nandito rin ngayon si Saysa.

I sighed and almost punched my steering wheel. Pinipigilan ko pa ang sarili ko na makita siya. Pinipigilan ko ang sarili ko dahil gusto kong makinig sa kanya. Kahit tangina, alam kong hindi na naman valid ang rason niya. Tangina!

Savannah is my best friend. That's even an understatement. We grew up together. She's one of the few people na alam kong kahit anong mangyari ay nasa tabi ko lang palagi. At ganoon rin naman ako sa kanya. Believe me. I can always be a one call away friend for her. Our friendship is not shallow. Pero tangina...

Tangina...

"Kuya?! Oh my god!" Hera went out of the house, probably shocked to see me here unexpectedly. I forced a smile to her. She giggled and went to me to hug me briefly, "Tamang tama! Everyone is here for a lunch!"

Hindi naman kami ganito ni Hera noon. We are close but not to the point that we will hug each other. The air just shifted when our parents got angry at me at ang pakiramdam niya yata ay siya na lang ang mayroon ako.

"Even your boyfriend?" I asked.

"N-No!" She denied, "He's busy..."

Nagkibit balikat ako, "Let's go inside."

Sabay kaming pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Malayo pa kami sa dining area ay naririnig ko na ang kwentuhan at tawanan nila. Masaya ang circle of friends ng mga magulang ko kaya naman hanggang sa amin ay minake sure nilang magkakaibigan pa rin. Our generation is also fun. I treasure this friendship. Pero ngayon...

"Mom, Kuya went home!" Hera announced.

Pumasok kami sa kusina at agad akong nagmano sa mga nakakatanda. Tain is also here so he raised a brow at me. Hindi ko siya pinansin kaya alam ko na nagtaka na agad siya na ganoon ang reaksyon ko.

"Luis, kumain ka na dito, anak," Mom said.

Tumango ako, "Sure. I'm hungry."

"You have work, JL?" Tanong ni Dad habang paupo ako sa upuan sa tabi ni Hera. That's my usual seat.

"They cancelled the flight." I lied. I eyed Risela to wave a hand at her and smile, "Hi Risel..."