When it Rains (Completed)

CHAPTER 30

After 3 days, I took a taxi and went back home, carrying my things. Kasama ko siya, actually. Hindi na sana ako magpapahatid pa, at baka madatnan pa siya ni Kuya sa bahay pero nagpumilit talagang sumama. He was worried; it started raining when I was about to leave. We didn't use his car, just so we couldn't be caught.

It rained hard all along our ride, and we just stayed quiet in the back seat with our hands tied. I was leaning my head on his shoulder, sharing his earphones, playing songs from his phone.

There, I couldn't count how many times he kissed my forehead. I wish I could hate the way he keeps my heart racing, but I can't.

Geez, ang corny ko na.

Nakarating na kami sa tapat ng bahay namin. We exchanged goodbyes with one last kiss before I got off the car. He's worried again, but I promise I'll be fine. Tsaka nasa tapat na namin ang bahay.

"I badly wish I could take you home without hiding this from them," he said.

"Soon, Patrick. Soon."

I finally got out of the taxi and immediately took refuge under my umbrella until I walked to our front door. I knocked several times until it opened and Tita Alice greeted me. But there was also someone I wasn't expecting to be back home.

"Kakarating lang din ng Kuya Alrey mo," sabi ni Tita at nakasalubong kami ni Kuya sa sala.

I politely greeted him, then walked past him, but he was quick enough to grab my arm to stop me. "Sa'n ka galing?"

I was about to answer when Tita spoke. "Alrey, may ginawa lang silang project kaya wala siya rito."

He simply nodded to her response, but still, I couldn't escape from his glaring eyes at me. He released his grip and let me go, and I went to my room quickly.

Kaagad kong binagsak ang sarili sa kama. I won't deny it, I really don't want to go back here anymore. I want to live with him. His place became my new home. Walang Lily nakukulit sa akin. I can't prepare for our dinner. No one is sleeping beside me.

Everything's different when I'm with him.

I spent the rest of the day with my schoolwork and went to my class the next day. Hindi ko na rin nakikita si Johen. Even in our favorite place.

My week made me feel like I was constantly in hell—taking exams, complying with everything, and having restless nights. Tinutulungan rin ako ni Lori na maka-catch up sa mga missed activities ko. We spent our time together inside the library, finishing our projects, until that Donnabelle showed up in front of us.

Agad siyang tumabi sa akin na ikinataka ni Lori. I knew she'd be terrified of her presence, while I kept myself calm.

"Have you seen him?" first thing she asked.

I knew she was referring to Johen. "No, 'di na kami nag-uusap pa."

"Well, call him."

"Why would I do that—"

"Do me a favor. That's what friends are for, right?"

Friends? I still remember how she slapped me hard before I left the reception. She might be the reason why I chose Patrick over Johen, but being friends with her isn't necessary.

"Shouldn't you be grateful I told you where Patrick was at the wedding?"

I had no choice but to take my phone and dial his number. I forgot she knew about us. Baka ipagsabi pa niya ang tungkol sa amin.

It rang for almost a minute until he answered. "Hey, ba't napatawag ka—"

I was about to speak when I heard another girl's voice on his end. "Sino ba 'yan, paepal nagmoment tayo dito."

I saw how Donnabelle's face went furiously mad and slammed the table. Buti na lang nasa isang room kami at 'di namin nadidistorbo ang iba na nasa library rin.

"Tell him na magkita kayo," she whispered.

"Let's meet. After my class," I said.

"Okay. Meet me at my house tonight."

That ends our call. Now, she's clenching her fist, which made Lori more terrified than she was awhile ago.

"Why'd you have to use me just to meet up with him?"

She grinned. "Because every time I go to his house, he won't let me in. At least, he would, this time, if I'm with you."

She stood and patted my head like I was a kid. "Call me after your class. You're going with me."

After that, she finally left, and Lori heavily sighed with relief. "Grabe, ang bigat sa pakiramdam kapag kasama natin siya," sabi pa niya.

"By the way, Flynn, are you guys dating?"

"With whom?"

"Johen? Sorry, I could hear rumors na kayo na raw officially—"

"No, we're just friends."

Lori was staring at me, seemingly waiting for me to say something.

"Okay, okay fine."

"Sabi ko nga eh, may tinatago ka sa 'kin."

"No, it's not what you're thinking. Walang kami. He just tried to court me, but I rejected him."

"Coz you're seeing someone else?"

"Well, aside from Donnabelle being the main reason, that's somehow true."

"For real?"

I nodded as she gasped in surprise. "You broke our promise," she frowned.

"But, if you're happy naman with that person, okay lang sa 'kin. Lately, napapansin ko, parang masaya ka na. Ngumingiti ka na lang bigla, akala ko nababaliw ka na dahil sa dami ng activities natin. Pero iba na eh, parang kutob ako. And finally, you said it!"

She tapped my hand on the table and smiled. "I'm happy for you. If I figured out na sinasaktan ka, susugurin ko siya!"

I just laughed, knowing she's too quiet to go out and pick a fight. But, at least I knew she'd support me. That's what I really need before telling anyone else about this.

After our class, I was about to call Donnabelle and was already heading to the parking lot when someone grabbed me and dragged me away. They were two guys, actually, and they wore the same uniforms as mine. "Bitawan nyo ko!"

I was trying to escape them when they forced me to go inside of a car and left me. Now, they're kidnapping me—

"Rainer Flynn. It's me."

I heard Donnabelle's voice in the front seat. "Sobrang tagal mo. Kaya, I called them to bring you here."

"Seriously? You should never do that again. Papunta na nga ako dito."

"Whatever. Wear your seatbelt."

I hadn't locked my seatbelt yet, but the car quickly started to move and drive down the road. Biglang hihinto, biglang bibilis. Parang akong mahilo sa pagmamaneho niya. Kulang na lang, madisgrasya kami dahil sa kanya.

Kaagad kaming nakarating sa subdivision namin at dumiretso sa bahay ni Johen. She parked the car somewhere else, para hindi makita ni Johen.

I got out of the car dizzy, but I can still handle myself. Hindi na ako papayag na sumama pa ulit sa kanya sa susunod. Nahilo ako.

Ako muna pinauna niya. I clicked the button beside the gate, and the doorbell rang. Johen went out of his house when I took a peek, and he opened the gate. "I knew you'd come back," he said, but Donnabelle stepped in.

"Yes, I'm really back."

"Donnabelle?" he was shocked. He then looked at me and said, "Why did you bring her here?"

I spoke. "Napilitan la—"

"He did me a favor, Mister. Now, let's talk," Donnabelle said, and grabbed his collar to drag him back to his house.

I was left and decided to walk home. Malapit lang naman ang bahay namin sa kanya.

But it was too late when it suddenly rained. I tried to take refuge under any shelter nearby, but I was already soaked in the rain before I could find one.

My anxiety has already crept in, tightening my throat. I was barely breathing, my vision was blurring. I did dial a number, and quickly heard Patrick's voice, but my knees got weak and so my body fell on the ground and passed out.