YS1: Yesterday's Torment ✔️

VII. AMIDST OF CHAOS

Chapter 7

9–12 AM.

TIME FLEW so fast since that incident happened—I met Ryo, Red and Aoi. Those three who had three letters in their name too. Whatever occurred at past, stays at past. Yet one thing changed; we create unforgettable bond, experiences and heaven-sent memories.

We’re here in a mall dahil bukas, it’s going to be a big celebration kuno. They will buy stuffs for tomorrow’s celebration. It’s their group’s 10th anniversary. Wow, they’ve been together since they are junior high school.

I then reminisce how their story start...

One thing I can tell to their story is that... it was awesome.

Going to mall, Ryo’s the one who is driving Tyron’s car. He wants to be productive and not a sleepyhead daw the whole ride and no more coffee muna nga dahil siya ang nagmamaneho. Besides, it was the anniversary of the group he established. 

Katabi niya si Tyron incase na matulog siya habang nagmamaneho. Mahirap na. Napaka-antukin pa naman ng leader namin. As usual, Red and I are in the back seat and Jaime, siya ang mag-isa ang nasa middle seat. She’s sleeping because she finished the entire episode of the series she’s watching.

“Sampong taon na pala kayong magkakasama. Hindi pa ba kayo nagsasawa sa pagmumukha ng isa’t isa?” Tyron opened a topic. Ryo laughed na kinagising ni Aoi.

“Sawang-sawa na ako. Buti nga may bago,” sagot nito sa kausap. Napailing na lang ako sa kanila. Aoi’s already throwing them death glares, marahil narinig ang usapan nang dalawang ’yon.

“Luh, ahas ka, erp? Kasi ’di ba, kapag ang ahas umayaw na, ang tawag do’n, sawa na?” tanong nito kaya napatawa ako. Tyron and Ryo’s lips formed in a tight line—hindi nagustuhan ang ginawang biro ni Aoi.

But instead of joining Aoi’s joke, Tyron asked about their group.

“Well... I just want to ask. Buti magkakasama kayo until now? Do the three of you took the same strand and course?” Aoi chuckled lightly in the latter’s question before answering it.

“Honestly, we were five in our group when we were high school. Ang kaso, tatlo na lang kaming natira. And... dapat talaga dalawa na lang kami, Ryo and I,” and that pique my interest. What about their other comrade, Red?

Sandaling natahimik si Aoi, when I look at her, she was looking at the man beside me whose eating chips. Ang atensyon naman nang lalaking tinitignan niya ay nasa labas ng bintana.

Napatingin ako sa katabi ko nang may malamig na medyo magaspang na bagay ang dumikit sa balat ko. As usual, Red’s looking at the window while offering me a chip he’s eating since we entered the car—not minding Aoi’s stare.

I shrugged my shoulders before picking some. Napabuntong hininga si Aoi bago tinawag ang pangalan nang lalaking kanina niya pa tinitignan.  

And finally! The guy looks at her too. He then slowly nodded to her. What?

“When we were about to graduate and reach senior high school, Red, who loves astronomy decided to be an astronaut. He planned after graduating shs, he will take uh... what is that degree again, Atienza?” Ryo butted in when Aoi was about to confront Red again.

“BS... BS AeroE. Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. I did a research about my dream job...” he paused, still looking at the window then successfully, his gaze went to us before continuing what he was saying. “Passing the Licensure Examination for Aeronautical Engineers is one of the requirements in seeking employment in the Aeronautical Industry.” He continued then go back in his own world—attention on the window.