DARK GANG

Chapter 137: Reminisce

[REMINISCE]

LUCI'S P. O. V

Denver was already asleep, allowing me to watch him freely without him noticing or thinking I was being weird. His peaceful, angelic face stirred a vivid memory in my mind.

Nakaupo ako at nakasandal sa puno habang nakaharap sa batis na naka-locate rito sa likod ng school namin.

"The hell?!" I shouted when something fell from the tree next to me. I thought it was a giant snake, but to my surprise, it was a person. It's Denver, my classmate.

Pabagsak siyang naupo, ilang dangkal ang layo mula sa akin. Hindi rin siya nakasuot ng uniporme gaya ko. 

Para sa akin, masyado siyang malapit and I've always hated when people invade my space. I'm just here because I have a mission. My mission  was simple: keep an eye on Luna and make sure she's safe, but from a distance. Though it was not an order given my Kuya Kaiser. I just want to do my mission smoothly.

Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin ko sa kaniya at sa distansya naming dalawa. Mukhang napansin niya ito at iiling-iling na umusog. 

"Not interested sa pagpasok sa class?" Tanong niya, nakatingin na sa kawalan.

Hindi ko siya sinagot at nilaro lang ang ballpen sa kamay ko. Napahinto ako sa ginagawa ko at tumayo ako nang maisip na baka gusto niyang mapag-isa.

"O-oh, saan ka pupunta?"

"I'm heading back to class. Maybe you want some space," I replied plainly, turning my back on  him.

"Okay lang! Hindi ka naman maingay kaya parang wala rin akong kasama."

I glanced at him, a little taken aback. He pointed up at the tree. "I'm heading up there to continue what I was doing. Stay as long as you like. Hindi ka naman nakakaistorbo."

Before I could respond, he vanished into the branches, climbing the tree effortlessly.

Ito ang una naming pagkikita sa school. Hindi sa room, kung hindi sa likod ng school. I couldn't help but to think unbelievable how my silence was the very reason why he'd let me stay with him. Well, in my whole damn childhood life, I was hated and avoided by people because I was silent and distant. Parang sina River at Warren. Kaya lang ang dahilan naman nila ay ang pag-aaral habang ako, mas gusto ko lang mag-isa.

Magmula no'n, lagi na akong napupunta kung nasaang puno siya naglalagi o natutulog habang ako, tahimik lang at kung minsan nakikipaglaro sa mga ibon. It was odd, almost like my feet had a mind of their own, leading me to him every time I want to be at peace and alone. And eventually, we both noticed it.

"Hindi ko lang sinasabi sa'yo pero bakit palagi kang tumatambay sa puno kung nasaan ako? Kahit nasa taas ako ng puno at nakatago sa takot na makita ni Deth, parang nakikita mo pa rin ako. May lahi ka bang aso at naaamoy mo kung nasaan ako?"

Nasa gilid ko siya at nilalaro si Fin, ang ibon na palagi kong nakikita kaya pinangalanan ko na. He talked more than I expected. I used to think he was quiet too. Dahil ito siya sa tuwing magkakasama kaming magkakaklase. Inaantok o 'di kaya tulog.

Tiningnan niya ako nang hindi ako sumagot. Nagkibit-balikat lang ako bilang sagot.

"You keep your distance with our classmates, but not with me. It's starting to get tiring seeing your face all the time," he said, shaking his head.