The Universe of Us

CHAPTER 6

Sandro's POV:

Clarion and I have going out every night since we meet.

She is so jolly and masayahing tao.

She a daughter of a business man and nag-aaral ng law sa UP.

Matalino din siya and she plans to have her masteral sa California.

"So when are you leaving for London?" She asked habang nagmamaneho ako.

"This wednesday." I answered.

"Ohh.. hindi ka ba pwedeng mag-extend?" She was pouting her lips at natawa naman ako.

"I already extended my vacation here for two weeks." I answered then winked at her.

"Do you like me, Sandro?" She suddenly asked at muntikan ko ng maapakan ang preno.

I looked at her and she was staring at me.

Waiting for an answer.

"Of course, I like you." I said.

Napangiti naman siya.

I do like her.

I like Clarion.

"I like you too." She responded.

We stopped sa may traffic light.

I looked around smiling but it faded when I saw Hiraya.

She was walking sa side walk and just enjoying the evening stroll.

I checked the time and it was already 9 in the evening at nasa labas pa siya.

"Where are we going, Sandro?" Clarion asked.

Napalingon naman ako sa kanya but I was distracted by Hiraya.

"Um... just a casual night drive with you." I said.

I looked back at Hiraya and naglalakad pa din siya.

Where is she going?

That girl is weird.

Gusto ko sanang puntahan siya but my mind is stopping me.

This is what she predicted.

She predicted that I will meet Clarion.

"Sandro.. it's green light na." Clarion said.

"Oh right." I said at nagmaneho na.

I looked back at Hiraya through my side mirror and she was looking at our car.

I guess she predicted that she will be seeing us tonight.

Clarion and I went to see the city lights and just talked.

I tried my best to focus on her pero bumabalik yung isipan ko sa kulot na babaeng yun.

Hay naku.

"Sandro.. Sandro..."

"Hey.." Clarion tapped my shoulders and it startled me.

"Okay ka lang ba? Kanina ka pa tulala." She said frowning.

"Um.. sorry.. may iniisip lang."

"Ano naman iniisip mo?" She asked.

"Stuff.. like school works." I answered.

"Anyways, can I ask you something, Sandro?"

"Yeah of course."

"Do you think we are going somewhere with this?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, tingin mo ba may patutunguhan tayo? You came from and powerful family. Why would you settle for a girl like me?"

Natahimik naman ako.

"It's alright, Sandro. I understand."

"Clarion..."

"I could not survived long distance relationship din and you are a very handsome guy."

"Any girl would want to date you." She said.

"Umm.. I like you, Clarion—"

"I know you do and I like you too.. but...us? together? Maybe in a different universe but not on this one."

I was speechless.

Did she just rejected me?

"You mean... you don't want to have a relationship with me?" I was quite offended.

Na-reject ako?

"I do but... can you handle to have a relationship with me?"

"I want you all by myself. Kapag ba sinabi ko na dito ka na lang mag-aral sa Pilipinas? Would you do that?" She was straight forward.

Too straight forward.

"Umm..."

"See..."

"Kaya hindi tayo pwede... baka maging hindrance pa ako sa mga plano mo sa buhay." She said as she took a sip of her beer.

As much as I hate being rejected.

She is right.

I don't want a relationship na hindi kayang maging independent and mature para maintindihan yung buhay na meron ako.

After that I took her home.

"I'll see you around, Sandro." She said as she kissed me on my cheeks.

I was driving back to my hotel when I happen to passed by sa Baclaran church and naalala ko na naman si Hiraya.

The thought of her made smile.

I hope I get to see her one more time before I go back to London.

I was too distracted by my thoughts of her na muntikan pa akong makabangga.

I didn't notice someone na tumatawid.

I hit the breaks and that person fell down.

Pero alam ko hindi ko siya nabangga.

I took a deep breathe.

Check myself if nasaktan ba ako and then I went out to see if okay lang ba yung tao.

It was a girl.

And she looked familiar.

She was sitting and nakatulala.

Napatakbo naman ako papunta sa kanya.

"Oh my God, Hiraya..."

"Are you okay?" I asked.

I caressed her face and she was crying.

Basang basa din siya ng pawis niya.

She looked at me blankly.

"Hiraya..."

"Hoy... okay ka lang ba?"

She wasn't saying anything.

"Are you hurt? Gusto mo dalhin kita sa hospital?"

"Sandro... yung mama ko." She uttered then tried to stand up.

"Kailangan ni mama ng gamot—"

"Hey, hey, hey..."

And then she passed out.

Good thing I was there to catch her.