Before Sunrise (Scenery Series #2)

Kabanata 14

Overthink

I was sitting on our patio while sipping on my lemon juice. Naka-video call kami ng kaibigan ko. I smiled when Tasha was trying to put her dress she was planning to use in her after grad. The zipper was splitting, which made me laughed.

"I told you, it's getting ripped," I laughed and put my glasses down.

Nakita ko ang masamang tingin niya sa akin. I scope my legs and smiled at her. She's fixing it. Napasulyap ako kay Akio nang matanaw siya papasok sa gate namin.

It's been a week. Hindi ako pinapasok ni mommy. Kaya laging bumibisita si Akio to give me some copies of our lesson. Our school requested to lay down for a week. Ayaw ni mommy, but my Dad made it to convince her. This would be my last day, and then tomorrow, puwede na ako pumasok.

I was guarded. Nasa malayo ang iniwan ni mommy na guwardiya. Tito Sky said I was being spied by some men. Nahanap rin ang nagspread ng video. At confirm nga na binayaran lang ang lalaki. He was paid by the Relbinos, a great contender of Melgarejos. Sinampahan na ng kaso ng side namin. And...

Altaro, being a Melgarejo, known by my brother, I was told not to talk to him. But of course, I can't do it. I can't let the day skip without me, hearing his voice.

"I missed you..." I whispered.

I heard him sighed. Ilang araw ko nang napapansin ang pagkakatahimik niya.

"I missed you too..." he responded. "So bad."

We talked about his studies. As much as I want to talk about how much I missed him and about my situation, palagi niyang nagagawan ng paraan na huwag ko ito masyadong isipin.

Hindi ko alam kung anong plano ni mommy. As much as possible, hindi na masyado kami nagkikita ni Altaro. Malapit na ang graduation ko, ayokong magalit si mommy at maisipan ang pagpapabalik sa akin sa Maynila.

Mabilis ang lakad ko. Akio wasn't around. He was playing basketball inside the gym. I looked around. Nasa malayo ang guwardiya ko. Tinapunan ko ng tingin ang bukana ng gym. Madalas na hindi pumapasok ang mga guwardiya, so I planned to meet Altaro there. He's an old student, a former student council, kaya kahit hindi na siya nag-aaral dito, paniguradong makakapasok din.

Nasa loob na ako at kabado habang bitbit sa kabilang kamay ang isang tote bag na may lamang regalo. It's Altaro's birthday. And I wants to meet him before this day ends. Nakita ko sa malayo si Akio, seryosong sumulyap sa akin.

I smiled at him and mouthed 'thank you'. I asked him for a help. Sa pagkikita namin ni Altaro ngayon, he was hesitant, pero napapayag ko rin.

He was serious while walking out of the second gate. Doon sila dumaan ni Altaro. Nasa likod niya si Altaro na natural na madilim ang mga mata, seryoso itong nakatingin din sa akin. He looked effortless handsome wearing a white shirt and a faded jeans. Naka-cross bag ito na may tatak ng isang anime character. Ngumigiti siya minsan sa mga nadadaanan niyang tumatawag sa kan'ya, pero agad din binabalik ang tingin sa akin.

Sinulyapan ko si Akio na basang basa sa pawis mula sa paglalaro. Nagpa-sub siya. Pero ngayon, tapos na ang hinihingi kong tulong, pumasok siya at naglaro.

I smiled and looked at Altaro. Nasa babang bench kami sa gilid, malapit sa bench ng mga player. Kaya paniguradong walang makakakita sa amin maliban sa mga aakyat sa stage.

I hugged him immediately. I heard him chuckled.

"You missed me that much, huh?" He teased in his sexy voice.

I pinched his stomach. I heard him chuckled more. Hinawakan niya ang kamay kong nasa tiyan niya. Pinaikot niya ako at kinulong sa kan'yang mga bisig. I closed my eyes and smiled. I felt safe. I missed this.