The Universe of Us

CHAPTER 16

Sandro's POV:

It has been six years. SIX FREAKING YEARS since I last saw Hiraya.

Sabi niya hihintayin niya ako.

Sabi niya may sasabihin siya sa akin kaya dapat bumalik ako.

Pero when I came back. She's nowhere to be found.

Halos araw-araw akong bumabalik ng Baclaran hoping to see her there pero wala.

I came to her house and guess what? Lumipat na sila.

I even went to her school pero wala. Lumipat din daw ng school.

And then she's here in Ilocos Norte and she's a police officer now?!

She's so unpredictable and nakaka-frustrate siya.

"Valdez, Sir Sandro here is looking for you." Chief Cuesta said.

I glared at her and halata sa itsura niya ang kaba.

"Um.. y--yes, Sir?" She said as she fixed her posture and salute on us.

"At ease." Chief Cuesta said at naupo ito.

"Chief Cuesta, can I talk to Patrolwoman Valdez in private?" I asked him.

Parang nag-aalangan din yung itsura niya pero he just nodded yes.

"Of course, Sir, you can talk in our interrogation room if you want." He said.

"Valdez, lead Sir Sandro." He commanded her and she salute again.

Tumayo naman ako at naglakad palabas without even looking at her.

She followed me quietly and ramdam ko naman yung bilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

She opened the door then let me inside first.

She followed me inside and then closed the door.

"So... this is where you interrogate criminals..."

I started habang nakatingin sa kanya.

I can see she's beginning to tear up.

"... and guilty people?" I asked with sarcasm.

I looked at her from head to foot.

"Y--yes... Sir." Her voice was breaking.

Umupo naman ako sa harapan niya.

"Sit down. Hiraya Manawari." I commanded her.

Pero I can sense the hesitation in her body language.

I stared at her as she walked towards me.

Hindi na siya kulot.

She have this pixie cut hair and she really looked good in her police uniform.

Nakayuko pa rin siya habang nakaupo sa harapan ko.

"Is there anything I can do for you—"

"Cut the crap, Hiraya!" I raised my voice which made her startled.

She just stared at me with her innocent brown eyes.

"Bakit bigla kang nawala?" I asked directly.

She just stayed quiet and stared at me.

I can see na naiiyak na siya pero she's trying to control her own tears.

Napahinga naman ako ng malalim.

"Ilang beses akong nagpabalik-balik sa Baclaran."

"Ilang beses akong umasa na magkikita tayo ulit."

"Why... did you leave?" I asked in a very disappointing voice.

Pero tahimik lang siya.

Nakaka-frustrate talaga siya.

"Please say something." Tanong ko trying to calm my own voice.

"I just want to know, Hiraya." I tried to reach for her hand pero iniwas niya ito sa akin.

Napapikit na lang ako sa inis.

"Please, Hiraya.. say something... I- I just really need to know." I almost pleaded her.

Pero wala pa rin.

"SAY SOMETHING, HIRAYA!" I shouted as I slammed my hand on the table in front of her na ikinagulat niya.

She looked at me as a tear fell on her eye.

"I'm sorry." She said.

Napakamot naman ako sa batok ko sa sobrang inis.

"Yeah. You should be." I said then stormed out of the room.

I intentionally closed the door, banging it.

Hindi ko alam kung anong nararamdaman ko.

I told her I like her before.

But it was already six years ago.

Bakit naapektuhan pa rin ako hanggang ngayon?

It's not like I am in love with her.

She abandoned me for six years and then ma-iinlove pa ako?

Palabas na ako ng police station when I bumped into this Patrolwoman.

She's the same height and body with Hiraya.

"Oh my God. Sir Sandro Marcos?" She exclaimed as she stopped me from walking.

I gave her a subtle smile.

"Oo.. ikaw nga, Sir Sandro!" She exclaimed again.

"Sir, I am a big fan of yours." She was so excited to see me.

I looked at her surname on her uniform.

"Perez?" I asked her.

She looked at me smiling.

"Yes, Sir. My name is Mirana Therese Perez." She answered.