TEARDROPS OF TOMORROW

Chapter Twelve

HINANG hina ako habang sinusuka ang tubig dagat. Naimulat ko ang mata ko ng makarinig ako ng hagulhol. Someone then hug me. So tight. I hug that person back. Tiningnan ko ang taong yumakap sa akin and i realize that it was Nicholai. Was he the one who saved me?

“Ate!” Frantiska went to me and hug me while crying. I couldn't help but to cry. My sister was so worried. I look at Nicholai and whispered “thank you”.

Everyone says that they're sorry for what happened but I told them it was fine. I realize that Rod is here with us and he’s wet but Nicholai isn't. Does this mean?

Rod saved me and not Nicholai.

“Sana hindi ko na lang kayo pinag paalam at pinasama dito kasalanan ko ang nangyari. I'm so sorry Nic.” I told Jasmin that it wasn't her fault.

I told everyone that i'm fine and they should continue what they're doing and gladly they went back to swimming. Nicholai and Rod sat with me. “thank you guys if it wasn't for you i would be —”

“—Don't say that” they said. I smiled and thank them again.

Umuwi kami pero bago yung sinabihan ko sila na wag sabihin ang nangyari sa kahit kanino mabuti na lang at sumang-ayon si lang lahat. Pag-uwi ko ng bahay ay agad akong naligo at nag bihis pagkatapos ay tumungo ako sa malapit na computer shop at nag in-open ang fb account ko.

Habang busy pakikinig ng kanta ni Selena ay may naramdaman akong galaw sa likuran ko kaya agad akong napalingon then nakita ko si Nicholai. As usual, paramdam ako ng butterflies sa loob ng tiyan ko.

“Hey,” aniya.

“Hey.” he smiled and sat besides me. “You really like her huh?” I nod smiling.

“I’m sorry if i was late.” napakurap ako sa kanyang sinabi. “... I'm sorry if i wasn't the one who saved you from drowning. I was late.” he sounds so disappointed of himself but then...

“You may not be the one who saved me first but at least you're the one who brought me back to conscious and i thank you so much for what you did if it wasn't for you i don't know what would have happened.” i gave him an assuring smile.

“I want to give you something but let me get let me get it first.” titingnan ko siya ng nagtataka pero tumango rin. Agad siyang lumabas sa computer shop at ilang minuto at nakabalik rin and he's holding a paper bag.

“That's for you.” he said and turn his back. “I gotta go.” speechless ako kaya hindi ako agad nakapag salita ng makaalis siya ay ‘saka lang ako nalagalaw. Tinignan ko ang nasa loob ng paper bag at nakita ko ang iba't-ibang klase ng mga chichirya chocolates and even c2. I immediately run pero malayo na siya. Akmang tatawagin ko siya ng lumingon siya and shoot! He's smiling.

I mouthed him “thank you” at agad tumalikod at ‘saka tumakbo pabalik.

Kung pwede lang tumili ng malakas. Pwede bang mag assume na gusto niya ako? Kasi sheets, this isn't just random kindness! There is definitely something behind this!

KINABUKASAN ay klase na ulit. Hindi ako nakasabay ‘kay Nicholai kagaya nang nakagawian noong nakaraan dahil sinabay ako ni mama, pupunta kasi siya sa Balintawak upang bumili ng ulam para raw mamaya. Napagdesisyonan ko ring umuwi mamayang lunch. Nakarating ako ng school ng maaga.

“Good morning ma’am and happy new year po.” I said sa isang teacher. “Good morning hija and happy new year din.”

Nakarating ako ng classroom. Ilan palang ang classmates kong naroon. “Good morning Nicholai!” lumingon ako sa bintana. There I saw Nicholai looking at me through the window. As usual, his aura was cold. He entered the room normally. Then he went to my direction. Maybe, sa likod siya uupo. Pero nagulat ako ng huminto siya sa harap ko. “Can i sit beside you?” I was shocked pero nang makabawi ay agad ring tumango. Though, alam kong magtataka si Clark dahil siya ang nakaupo rito pero bahala na nga!