The Book in Disguise

5.3

Apollo

PUMUNTA na ako sa rooftop at huminga ng malalim. Sumisimsim ng kape para malaman kung bakit ba hindi nalang ako, at kung bakit wala siyang pake sa sakit na nararamdaman ko. 

Tinanong ko sa sarili ko kung bakit hindi ko kayang kontrolin ang sarili ko kapag nakakaramdam ako ng sakit. Kung bakit kailangan kong magpakatanga at maghintay sa isang taong hindi naman ako mahal at hanggang kaibigan lang ang turing sa'kin. Kung bakit hindi ko siya magawang kalimutan.

I leaned on the railing of the rooftop while watching what was happening below, like the tired Agnor students sitting on a bench and resting themselves. I salute them. Sometimes, when I wake up in the middle of the night and think of hanging out here on the rooftop, I see them fixing their things and getting ready for the next activities. Sometimes they patrol, like a curfew.

Nasa kabilang side sila Navina, sa activity na ginagawa nila, pero siyempre hindi ako roon tumambay kase umalis ako roon para iwasan muna sila. Napaka-engot ko naman kung pupunta ako rito tapos sila titignan ko, 'di ba?

"Oh, there you are."

I quickly turned to the door leading to the rooftop when I heard a voice. Wala akong ine-expect na susunod sa'kin.

However, my lips parted a little when I saw who spoke. I felt my chest tightened a bit, but I tried not to pay attention to it. It's just a hindrance

But wait, oh? This is surprising. He rarely even talks to me when we're outside, so what's going on? What did he eat? Baka may lagnat?

I sipped my coffee while watching him walk towards me.

"I've been looking for you since earlier," he said before stopping his walk and standing beside me. Hands in his pockets.

He leaned on the railing and looked down, watching the Agnor students and their activities. I didn't immediately respond because I was sipping my coffee. But I quickly swallowed it so he wouldn't get impatient waiting for me, and I don't want to look rude.

Kilala ko pa naman ang taong 'to sa pagkakaro'n ng maliit na pasensiya.

"Hoi, umamin ka nga," pangunguha ko ng atensiyon niya. "Type mo'ko 'no?" I joked, nang-aasar ko rin siyang tinaasan ng isang kilay para mas lalo siyang mainis sa biro ko.

And yep, gumagana talaga 'yan every time. Dahil biglang nangasim ang mukha niya at nandidiring iniangat ang tingin sa'kin.

"Ouch," I whined and held onto my chest. "You're so rude, bro. Cheater! Akala ko ba ako lang?!"

He threw me a sideward glance then rolled his eyes. He's really got an attitude problem, as if he's already pregnant and craving. And he hasn't gotten used to it, I'm always like this when it comes to him. Teasing or pestering him. Maybe I inherited that from Dad. I'm not complaining though. 

After my little tease, neither of us spoke and we just remained silent, staring down. The silence between us wasn't awkward, it was comfortable silence. And hindi naman nakaka-off dahil wala rin naman kaming pag-uusapan.

I continued sipping my coffee while he was getting bored staring down. I didn't know if it was just my imagination or if he really wanted to say something to me but was just waiting for the perfect timing. I didn't bother him for now, his aura was too serious, he might even curse me if I disturb him.

I mean, usually, iistorbohin ko talaga siya. Pero ngayon, wala ako sa mood kaya naman hindi ko 'yon nagagawa. Oh well, guess he's safe sa ngayon. Pero once na okay na uli ako iinisin ko talaga-

"I'm sorry," Lucas suddenly apologized to me, causing me to pause in my attempt to sip my coffee and look at him for a moment.

What the hell. . . ? The prideful half-half is apologizing to me?