Kiss of Sunset

Kabanata 11

Kabanata 11: Distance

After what Rich did, I found myself staying away from his presence. We had a little conversation and glad he accepted my words. Ngayon ay mag-isa ako sa garden, nasa taas ng puno at nakahiga sa isang malaking sanga.

I let out a deep sigh. "How could I even save him if I am hiding from his shadow?" I smirked and laugh a bit. "I am being irrational this time. How could I let myself be blind by my own emotion?" Dumbass.

A bird landed on my feet. Dahan-dahan akong umupo. I saw a paper tied on its right foot. The bird is cheerfully chirping and it made me somehow, relax. Maingat kong tinanggal ang tali at kinuha ang papel.

"The flower is already bloomed in the desert, out of nowhere, distant to the other. Nurture it. It symbolizes your own history."

I mentally read it. I looked at the bird, it tweeted one last time before it flew away. Hindi na rin ako nagulat nang mawala ang papel na hawak ko. From the first letter they sent me, I actually didn't get one of them. I just read it.

Maybe one day... those messages, it all makes sense.

I slid my hand to my pocket to get my phone out, when I feel the sudden vibration. I slightly creased my brows, when an unknown number slid inside my inbox. At mas lalong nangunot ang noo ko nang mabasa ang message.

From: Unknown Number

Damn, Akerson! It fucking hurts like hell. Go get me something to eat. I can't walk!

I smirked but my mind bursted in laughter. I already know who's behind this message. I already replied where she is before I put it back. Nagmadali akong bumaba ng puno at hinanap sila Cassie at Shaina. Only to find out that Rich is looking for me.

"Kanina pa kita hinahanap. Can we go for a lunch?" Rich asked and smiled. Tinignan ko sila Cassie at Shaina sa likuran ni Rich. He take a glimpse behind him and shifted to me for a second. "No worries, we will take them. My treat again."

Muli na naman akong nakaramdam ng pag-vibrate sa bulsa ko kaya napailing na lang ako. I shook my head for a respond. "I'm sorry but I have to go. Maybe next time, Rich." I said. "Cassie, Shai, mauuna na ako." Tinanguan lang ako ng dalawa.

Dumiretso ako sa canteen at nag-isip kung anong pwedeng bilhin. Ilang minuto akong patingin-tingin sa mga nakahain ngunit wala talaga akong mapili. Natataranta ang utak ko. Napailing na lang ako nang kumulo ang tiyan ko.

Nilabas ko na lang ang phone ko at tinawagan ang number ni Ms. Carson. "What do you want?" Bungad na tanong ko.

"You," she plainly answered.

"Something to eat?"

"Still you," I mentally rolled my eyes to her reply.

"When did you become a cannibal?" I sarcastically asked. She just laugh. "Come on. You want something to eat yet you're—"

"I want you on my table. Eat you alive. Lick—" hindi na niya natapos ang sinasabi niya dahil pinatayan ko na. I don't have time for that kind of conversation.

Bumili na lang ako ng dalawang frappe at tatlong club sandwich. Nagmadali na akong nagtungo sa office ni Ms. Carson. Naabutan ko siyang nakaupo sa kaniyang swivel chair at parang may malalim na iniisip.

"Here," sambit ko at nilapag na ang pinamili ko. "Something bothering you?" She nodded her head. "Mind to share?"

"I am just wondering if what might happen after Rich's confession." She let out a deep sigh. "Kyrie, you know him. Kahit ayaw mo ay gagawin niya pa rin. He doesn't care even you push him. He is a man of his words. He meant it. He will do everything just to make you his girl. And, I'm afraid that he might," napailing ito at napasandal sa kaniyang swivel chair, "nothing."