Written On A Canvas

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

"Why are you in the middle of the road?!" He tried to shout, eyes almost closed because of the heavy rain pouring. We almost couldn't hear voices, too, that's why there's a need to modify vocals.

I pointed at my car and shouted, too. "Na-flat ang gulong ng sasakyan!" My right eye was also closing because of the rain trying to get in. I had to cover my face using my palm, deflecting the rain drops.

He glanced at the direction I pointed at and ran towards it. Sinundan ko naman siya. He turned to me and opened his palm, asking for something. "May flashlight ka ba?" His voice is still loud.

I nodded at him and went inside my car to get the flashlight. I left wet trails on my seat when I hopped off of the car to hand Zibon the thing he needs. Tinanggap niya iyon at lumuhod sa harap ng tinuro kong gulong. Pinisil-pisil niya iyon at kahit madilim ay nakita ko itong napailing.

He stood up again and faced me. "I'll try to do something about it!"

Kinailangan ko pa siyang lapitan para marinig siya. I can't hear anything but the ravishing rain!

"Susubukan kong gawan ng paraan!" he shouted.

Lumayo ako ng konti para ipakita sa kanya ang pagtango ko at ang ngiti kong puno ng relief. I leaned closer to his hear to say something loud. "Thank you!"

We went inside my car dahil may sasabihin raw siya. Hindi na namin inalintana ang pagkabasa ng mga upuan sa loob. He brushed his hands over his hair before looking at me.

"Dito ka lang at wag kang aalis. Basang-basa ka na," sabi niya habang tumutulo ang tubig pababa ng mukha niya. "May dala ka bang mga damit?"

Umiling ako. "Hindi ko naman inaasahang mangyayari 'to ngayon," sagot ko sa kanya.

I saw him sighed. After that, he nodded. "Okay, I'll go get my spare clothes. Huwag ka nang lumabas." Pagkatapos 'non ay dali-dali niyang binuksan ang pinto at kumaripas ng takbo papunta sa sasakyan niya.

Nakatingin nalang ako ng diretso habang hinihintay siyang bumalik. Napabaling agad ako sa tabing direksyon nang biglang may sumakay, hinihingal. Nandito na siya ulit, may dala. Nakaplastic ang damit para hindi iyon mabasa.

He handed it to me and I hesitantly received it.

"Bakit na-flat ang gulong mo?" tanong niya.

I shrugged. "Bigla nalang may kung anong sumabog. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Pag-tingin ko, flat na siya..."

Napatango-tango ito. "I have my tools sa sasakyan ko. I'll see what I can do. Maybe... remove the tire then bring it to the nearest vulcanizing shop."

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng hiya. Naabala ko pa tuloy siya. Basang-basa rin siya ngayon. Imbes na sa kanya 'tong damit na ibinigay niya ay sa akin pa ipapasuot. Tapos susubukan niya pang ayusin 'yung gulong. Paano niya kaya gagawin 'yon? Kailangan niya ba ng tulong ko?