Captures of Perfect Timing (The Art of Life #1: Life Version)

11.15.19 - Closer

"Posted na raw honor roll sa baba, Avien!" masiglang balita sa 'kin ni Kiel. "Tara!"

As we got out the room, he was pulled to the other section by his friends so I headed downstairs first. 

Nakapaskil na nga ang ranking sa bulletin board. Hinanap ko ang sa grade ten. Napahinto ako at napatitig sa papel nang mahanap ang pangalan ko sa pangatlong spot. My lips parted. 

"Avien! Ba't umalis ka! Iniwan mo 'ko!" I flinched when I heard Kiel's voice nearing me.

I met him halfway and pulled him away from the bulletin. 

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa kaniya at nakahinga lang nang maluwag nang makaakyat na kami. I turned my head to him and saw him watching my hand gripping his.

"M-Mag-ta-time na. Balik na tayo room," sabi ko.

Napatingin siya sa relo niya. "Ten minutes pa?"

Bumuntong-hininga ako at kinaladkad na lang siya paakyat sa library. I don't want him to see the ranking!

"Bakit ka nila tinawag sa room nila?" I opened a topic, blocking his chance to ask a question. And to also divert my thoughts. 

"Inaya lang ako sa bahay nila Paulo next week. Birthday daw. Punta sila buong section after class. Sama ka!"

"Hindi naman ako invited."

"Okay lang 'yun. 'Yung ibang invited nga, nag-i-invite din."

Umiling ako. "Hindi ako close sa kabila."

"Bakit pala tayo nandito?" tanong niya bigla.

Umiling ako at binaling ang mga mata sa field. "Wala lang. Tambay lang ulit..."

"..."

"..."

"Okay ka lang ba?"

I hate hearing that question from him! It triggers my tears!

"Yes." Hindi ko siya nilingon.

He didn't say anything. He remained silent beside me and the silence was drawing me back to my thoughts earlier.

I shut my eyes tightly and focused on my breathing, trying to restrain my tears.

No, Avien. This isn't a crying matter. Napakasimpleng bagay nito. Don't cry over something petty! It's not like wala ka na sa top! Why are you so affected?!

"I don't know what's wrong but do you need a hug..."

I bit the insides of my lower lip and as I glanced at Kiel, I unconsciously sought a hint of disappointed in his face. But all he displayed was a worried expression.

Right. He doesn't know yet... But when he finds out... how would he react? Magugulat ba siya at madidisappoint sa 'kin? Disappointed kasi hindi ko nameet 'yung expectation... hindi na ako 'yung pinakamataas? Iisipin niya ba na hindi naman pala talaga ako matalino?

Nawala ako sa iniisip nang maramdaman ang yakap niya. I pursed my lips ang hugged him back. I buried my face on his chest and breathed him in, washing my thoughts off. 

We remained silent as I hugged him tightly. He wasn't saying anything yet I still felt comforted.

His presence alone was comforting. It was all that I needed to calm my inner chaos.

Kumalas siya sa yakap at tinignan ako. He cupped my face and made me look at him. His eyes looked at me with so much gentleness. "Baby, you can cry... Don't stop your tears..."