Kiss of Sunset

Kabanata 16

Kabanata 16: Storm

"Hi..." napahinto ako sa paglalakad nang magkasalubong kami ni Ms. Carson sa hallway. "Uhm... Kyrie, can we talk?" She bit her lower lip and secretly snapping her fingers. She looked nervous.

"May dapat ba tayong pag-usapan?" I said, coldly.

"I just wanna tell—"

"Elionhir!" Napapikit at napabuntong-hininga si Ms. Carson nang marinig ang boses ni Ren. Lumapit ito sa amin. "Good morning, sweetie. Good morning, Kyrie." Ngumiti ito sa akin bago humalik sa pisngi ni Ms. Carson.

I diverted my gaze. "Maybe next time..."

Agad akong umalis sa harapan nila. I don't want to see them happy for each other while I'm bleeding in pain. I can't still accept it. My wound is still fresh from cruel reality. It cuts deeper than any wound I had. This... I know that it's hard to act okay when you're not, especially to the ones that you love. Breakdown will simply follow.

"Kanino galing 'to?" I saw a coffee and a red rose on my table.

"Ewan, basta nakita na lang namin 'yan. Maybe, you should read the letter." Sagot namin ni Shai. "By the way, how are you?"

"I'm fine, Shai." Maikli kong sagot sa kaniya. Inayos ko na ang mga gamit ko at naupo na.

"You like it?"

"Oh! Si Rich naman pala ang nagbigay," sambit ni Cassie. "Ky, may gusto ka bang ipabili? Ibibili ka na namin. Kailangan mo kumain."

"Two club sandwich, one cookies and cream frappe, and one large french fries." Sagot ni Rich. "Ito 'yung bayad. Sasamahan ko na lang muna si Kyrie." Rich grinned. Nag-abot na rin siya ng bayad.

Pagkaalis nila Cassie at Shai, umupo sa tabi ko si Rich. I could still feel the heat streaming in my throat, caused by too much devouring of beer. Sa sobrang bigat ng nararamdaman ko kahapon, nailabas ko kila Cassie at Shai. Somehow, gumaan pakiramdam ko.

"Nagustuhan mo ba?" Rich asked, referring to the rose and coffee. "I hope you don't mind of what I am doing. I just want to help, at least to lessen the heavy feeling you are carrying by doing these. I am not taking advantage of the situation to take another step for me to stand out and own you. I am doing these because I am your best friend."

I nodded my head. "You're too good, thank you." I mumbled.

"Well..." he stood up. "Who am I if I don't have you? Not to brag but, ako yata ang other half mo." Mayabang niyang sambit tsaka tumawa na parang nang-aasar.

Nakarinig naman kami ng sigawan at asaran dahil sa ginawa ni Rich. Takaw pansin talaga si Rich sa mga pinaggagagawa niya. Hindi na ako magtataka kung pagtitinginan na naman ako ng mga estudyante.

"Tama 'yan, guys! Kami yata ang para sa isa't isa." Hinampas ko ito dahil ginatungan pa niya ang pang-aasar. Muli itong umupo at binulungan ako. "I am doing these because I want to protect you." He smile widely after that and gave me a thumbs up.

"Hep! Hep! Ano 'yung narinig namin? Paki-ulit nga!" Sigaw ni Cassie mula sa pinto. Dala-dala na nila ang pinabili ni Rich at mga pagkain din nila. "Nabingi ata ako. Kailangan kong marinig ulit."

Rich stood up again. "I am Richter Shaunford, the one and only other half of Kyrie Yvette Aker—"

Napatigil si Rich nang makarinig kami ng malakas na pagtikhim. Lahat kami ay umayos nang pagkakaupo. Ms. Carson's facial expression is new to us. Kung dati ay maaliwalas ang kaniyang awra, ngayon ay tila nababalutan ng itim.

One captivated my eyes, which is her swollen and tired eyes.

I didn't even bother to look at her eyes again. It feels heavy again. Para bang bumabalik ang mga nailabas kong emosyon. Her presence bothered me so much that my mind couldn't focus on what she's talking about.