Before Sunrise (Scenery Series #2)

Kabanata 7

Invite

I thought my story was like Romeo and Juliet who have talked that night and put spell in each other's eyes, Romeo sees no one but Juliet. I thought we're already in good terms and started getting closer. Kanina, while I was with Akio and his friends, dumaan si Altaro na mag-isa. I tried to called him, lumingon siya pero sinuyod lang niya ng kan'yang mga mata ang mga kasama ko bago umalis ng hindi ako tinitignan.

It's been weeks since our last conversation. Maisip ko tuloy na hanggang doon lang iyon. There are some people you crossed with in a bridge, pero hanggang doon lang iyon. You'll both go ahead to where you are going after that simple smiles.

"Aia, are you going with us? Masyado kang matagal."

Nagmamadali akong tumingin kay kuya na busy sa pagche-check ng kan'yang pick-up. It's summer and some people are rushing to spend time tanning their skins. Kaya naman pinagpasyahan ko na lang na pumunta sa Resort para mag aliw. Beside, ayaw ni mama na magbakasyon ako sa Maynila.

I was right with my notion. There are plenty of tourists, mostly, foreigners. Hindi na ako pinansin nila kuya pagkarating namin sa Resort. I don't have any project of roaming around. I called Willow, my dog. She immediately hopped in my lap so I scoped her around my arms as she wiggle her tails. I smiled before walked outside. Isang tingin muna sa loob ng resort bago ito nilisan.

I looked up on the abandoned mansion. I am standing here again. I don't understand the feeling of walking alone in someone's property. Pero sa pagkakarinig ko ay iniwan naman ito matagal na. And there's something good feeling that hauls me to come back.

I look sideways as I remember the scene I had with Altaro here. I shrugged. Hindi ko na rin siya masyadong nakikita sa school. Busy siguro dahil nasa kolehiyo na. I saw him last time, but whenever I tried to approach him, lumiliko ng daan at minsan, iniiwas ang tingin.

I was persistent, but I think I should let him focus on some things he's been busy for. He's busy for his academics. And I think that's what girls do for their love ones. I giggled.

Natigilan nga lang nang biglang bumaba si Willow at agad na pumasok sa nakasiwang na pinto. Agad ko itong sinundan sa loob. Ganoon parin sa loob nito. It's dusty and uncleaned, but the interiors still pleasing. It only needs some cleaning at ayos na.

I stopped when I heard a loud noise and as I heard my dog's yelp, I started to panic. Sinundan ko ang iyak nito. I was calling her, but stopped mid-way when I saw her. I gaped when I saw Altaro petting her. I run in tears when I saw some blood and some shattered glass around.

"Hard-headed dog, I told you to stop being nosy," I cried.

Tumayo si Altaro at seryosong nakatingin sa alaga ko. I was shaking in fear. I'm afraid of bloods. I can't stand watching my dog fighting in pain.

"Let's get out of her and treat her wound," si Altaro sa kalmadong boses.

I nodded aggressively, still panicking. Lumabas kami sa loob at sinundan ko na lang si Altaro.

"The wound is not that deep. He will be alright," Altaro said, easing my dejection.

I nodded and sniffed before looked at him. I saw him looked away and swallowed hard.

"How can we treat here? Is there any vet here?" I tried to sound calm, but my soft sob escaped.

Altaro shook his head. "I have some medicines inside my property." Mabilis ang lakad niya.

"Okay, so are we planning to call a car? Or Motorcycle?" I asked.

"It's not that far, Chekaia," he answered.