Kissed By The Wind

9

Kabanata 9

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Isa lang ang alam kong gagawin, ang umiwas. Gusto kong pumunta at kamustahin si Mama pero bumagabag sa isipan ko kung ano ang maaring mangyari. 

Ang mahalaga sa ngayon ay masaya si Ina'y. Iyon ang mas importante.

She's been stressed when she's with me. My face reminds her of my dad. I can't control that, of course. A teenager like me would just look away and pretend I didn't just see my mom. Besides, I think she's happier with Albert. She wasn't really proud of her daughter. My only wish for now is to enjoy what she has with Albert since my mom can't get that from her daughter.

Yes, I am craving for a mother's love and care. Tears pooled in my eyes. I immediately gulped and bowed my head down and turned away. I just sighed at the sadness that I'm feeling.

Asteria, nagtatrabaho tayo. Pokus. 

Tumalikod ako at napansin ko ang katawan ni Boss na nasa likod ko. Napatingin ako sa tatlong lalaking nagtatawanan, nilingon ko si Kairos na mukhang napipikon. Hindi naman tungkol sa negosyo ang pinag-uusapan nila kaya't hindi na lamang ako nakinig, hindi rin naman ako nakaka-relate roon.

Hindi ko na nilingon si Mama.

Kairos bid his goodbyes and tapped his friend's shoulders. I kindly waved, smiled, and waved goodbye at them. Before I could walk behind him, he held my elbow gently and turned. He eventually let go of my elbow. I was confused at first, but I realized there was a door at the back of the restaurant.

At doon naghihintay ang dalawang lalaking nakasuit. I waved at them, showing friendliness, tumingin lamang sila sa'kin, walang expression. Napatawa ako sa sarili.

Kumunot naman ang noo ni Boss sakin.

Pagkalabas namin, nakita ko kaagad ang sasakyan na nakapark sa hindi kalayuan. May iba ring nakapark na mga sasakyan ngunit hindi madami. 

"Pinili namin to, Boss para walang camera ang susunod sainyo." Narinig ko ang sinabi ng isa.

Tumango lamang si Boss, pinagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan ng kaniyang sasakyan. Nagulat ako at mukhang nagulat din ang dalawang lalaki pero nanatili ang kanilang 'poker' face. Napansin ko ang pagkagulat ni Kairos, he cleared his throat.

"Get in." He said.

Mabilis akong pumasok at inayos ang aking seatbelt. Dapat na akong masanay sa pagse-seatbelt hindi puwedeng si Boss palagi ang mag se-seatbelt sa'kin. Nakakahiya naman iyon, baka magreklamo siya.

'Nilingon niya ako pagkatapos niyang pumasok sa kaniyang sasakyan, tumingin siya seatbelt ko at ngumisi ako sa kaniya. He raised a brow and set his own seatbelt. Hindi nagtagal nagsimula na siyang mag-drive.

As usual, the silence surfaced around us two, but I always find comfort in it, especially every time I see his serious face while driving the car. I can't help but admire his face.

I turned my eyes to the window, only to see the buildings, stores, people, and all the expensive cars. Somehow, I also found comfort in watching it. My eyes looked at my reflection in the window. My curly lashes are giving a nice view of my eyes. Unconsciously, I smiled at myself in the mirror and checked myself out. My cheeks flushed when I realized what I was doing. It became intense when Kairos looked at my side. He found my eyes in the reflection in the window. I pretended I was watching the cars and buildings, creating a way to avoid his eyes.

The moon is appearing, and the dark is surrounding the city.

"Are you okay?" He suddenly asked.

"Huh?"