Into The Reality (PUBLISHED UNDER LINES OF LOVE)

Chapter 3.1

I've always denied to myself of how Martin feels about me. Hindi naman ako manhid, 'no. I could think that maybe he has feelings for me, but I never became sure of it. Sometimes, he'd treat me as a friend. Sometimes, he'd act like a suitor. Ni hindi ko na nga alam kung anong tawag sa mayroon kami. More than friends, less than lovers? I shrugged.

Hinahayaan ko na lang siya sa mga gusto niya. He's a good friend anyways. I've become used to having him around me, usually, by my side.

"Uuwi ka na?" I looked at the man beside me. Tumango na lang ako bilang sagot. "Sama ako. Hatid na kita."

"Huwag na..." pag-tanggi ko. "Umuwi ka na, baka hanapin ka na sa bahay niyo." I refused. Mag-gagabi na rin akong makakauwi dahil may hinabol akong requirement sa school. While he had a basketball training.

"May sasakyan akong dala ngayon." Napatingin ako sa kan'ya. He already owns a car knowing that he's still in high school. Mga mayayaman talaga... mga nakaka-inggit.

"You're really that eager to come with me, huh?" pag-bibiro ko pa.

"Oo naman." he smiled partnered with a low chuckle which almost sounded like a scoff. "Para alam kong ligtas kang makakauwi. Kaya sumakay ka na." he used his head to point at his black car. I'm not good with classifying cars, but based on the logo, it was a Mazda car. Mukha ngang bago.

"Sure ka?" paninigurado ko. "I'll take this as a peace offering." I chuckled. Nauna na'kong mag-lakad papunta sa sasakyan niya. He jogged to get ahead of me and opened the car door for me.

"Gusto mo mag-drive thru?" he said along the traffic when we were in the middle of the highway.

"Hindi na." pag-tanggi ko kaagad. "Huwag ka na mag-abala." Tumingin ako sa bintana at naambon na. Staring at the car window would always send me a peaceful feeling, lalo na kapag naulan nang marahan. It was breezy and calming. I appreciate it so much, dahil minsan lang rin naman ako maka-sakay sa sasakyan, sa kadahilanang wala naman kaming sasakyan, e.

Napahawak ako sa balikat ni Martin. "Sandali!" kahit siya ay napa-preno dahil sa pagka-bigla sa'kin. Buti na lang at 'di gaanong kalakasan ang pag-preno niya, dahil kung gano'n, baka tumalsik na kami. Sumilip pa si Martin sa harapan namin dahil akala niya ay may nasagasaan siya dahil sa reaksyon ko.

"What? Anong meron?" kunot ang noo niyang tumingin sa'kin. Ang boses niya talaga parang hindi makabasag-pinggan. It was low, to the point that you'll think that he doesn't know how to get angry. It was a calm voice that almost sounds like a whisper.

"I just saw... a familiar face." Turo ko sa mag-lolang naka-upo sa gilid ng daan. May hawak na bote ang batang babae at kasama niya ang lola niya. "Si Aika at lola Eloisa."

"Sino sila?" tanong ni Martin.

Natahimik ako.

"Alice! Huwag kang tumakbo nang mabilis, madadapa ka na naman niyan." Rinig ko ang boses ni papa mula sa likuran. Nasa labas siya ng bahay namin, at ako naman ay natakbo.