Missed Pages ✔︎

Chapter 38

MYSTERIOUS

“Nasa labas na ako ng bahay niyo.” I was on the phone with Frankie. She wasnʼt replying to my text messages so I decided to fetch her in their house instead. I am certain that sheʼs in her room lying in bed.

“Weh?” she was flabbergasted. She hasnʼt ended the call yet. It was pretty obvious that I heard noises from the background without hearing her voice.

A moment later, nakita ko siya sa bintana ng kaniyang kuwarto. “What are you doing here? May pasok ka ngayon ah?” tanong niya, nakatanaw lamang sa bintana habang nakikipag-usap sa akin.

“Can we not talk like this?” I tilted my head slightly. It would be better to talk face to face, not from the window pane.

Bakas sa kaniyang mukha ang pagkataranta. “Iʼll wait for you here.” sabi ko. Binabaan niya ako ng tawag at hindi ko na siya nakita sa bintana.

Ilang minuto ang lumipas at nandito pa rin ako sa labas ng bahay nila Frankie. Medyo natagalan ang kaniyang pagdating pero hinintay ko pa rin. Ang wirdo dahil kahit mukhang hindi niya ako sisiputin dito sa labas ay umaasa pa rin ako. Ganito ba talaga kapag gusto mo ʼyung isang tao? Nagiging wirdo ang mga kilos?

I was checking my phone to see if she has left me any response but before I knew that I was clicking the screen, I heard her voice coming from the inside. “Good morning...?” she was hesitant with her greeting, I could tell. Of course, sheʼd definitely hesitate to greet a person who just went abruptly to their humble home.

“Good morning.” bati ko sa kaniya. It was indeed a good morning for me but I donʼt think itʼs the same with her. “What are you doing here?” Tila may pagkairita sa kaniyang tono. I could read the situation and itʼs making her feel awkward to see me here early in the morning. She looked like she just came up from bed.

“Hindi ka papasok ngayon?” tanong ko.

“Marcus...” her gaze softens. “The truth is hindi ko pa alam kung kaya ko na.” she was apologetically smiling to me.

“Kasama mo akong papasok.” I insisted. “Kaya ako nandito dahil sinusundo kita.” I revealed.

“I really don—” she paused midway, didnʼt had the urge to complete her sentence because of how it would sound pretty awkward.

Hindi man niya sabihin ay alam ko na ang gusto niyang ipaarating. “I will protect you if they try to hurt you.”

She sighed, feeling lost against the likes of me.

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“Iʼll just park the car. If you want to head first, Iʼm fine with that.” saad ko. She hopped out of the car after hearing what I said.

“Okay...” she was massaging the back of her hand as she walked her way.

I watched as she disappeared from my sight then I pinned my attention to my car. Madali at mabilis ko lang nai-park ang aking sasakyan.

Agad akong sumunod kay Frankie, hindi pa siya nakakalayo mula sa parking lot.

Nang makita ko siya sa hindi kalayuan mula sa aking kinatatayuan, pinagmasdan ko lamang siya. I was testing her courage to see if she really was ready to face the world again. Kung hindi niya pa kaya, nandito naman ako para pagaanin ang loob niya.

Diretso ang kaniyang lakad pero ang atensyon niya ay napupunta sa mga estudyanteng nasa paligid niya. Naririnig ko rin ang mga pag-uusap ng mga estudyante. I know it hurts for her to hear such words that she doesnʼt deserve but I was praying for her to be strong.