Grape Juice (By the Border, #1) ✓

12

"Hey, let's go."

Nagising ako sa malumanay niyang boses at agad na napansing nakasandal ako sa kaniya. I hurriedly lifted my head from Novah's shoulder as he gently shook me awake.

"North...north border," I mumbled. "Gusto ko ro'n...pupunta pa ako ro'n..."

"Oo, pupunta tayo mamaya," pangako niya habang tinutulungan akong tumayo. "We just have to make a quick stop. Come on."

Ngayon ko napansing nasa Station 23 pala kami. It was an area that could pass as desolate. Puwede nang tawaging mahika ang mga tindahan ditong bukas palagi kahit bihira silang dinadayo. I could see three convenience stores not too far from where we stood. The lights flickered, and a few wires had stopped working, but apparently, they were still up in business. Nagsimula akong maglakad patungo roon dahil may mga upuan akong nakita.

"Bibili muna ako ng...pagkain para sayo," ani Novah na kaagad na tumigil sa pagsalita dahil hindi niya na masabayan ang bilis ko. He was trying to keep up with my fast pace. He'd started breathing faster, and beads of sweat trickled on his temples, so I slowed down.

"Bakit?" tanong ko.

"I can't let you shake like that again. I don't want a repeat of yesterday." "Natakot ako, Wes. Sobra. I know a starving person when I see one."

Hindi na ako nagpumilit pa at sumunod sa kaniya papasok sa convenience store. The cashier who appeared to not have any desire to man the counter welcomed us with his dead eyes. Dumiretso ako sa pinakahuling aisle ng mga pagkain pero wala akong mapili. From a distance, I saw Novah picking out bags of chips and individually packed grilled cheese sandwiches, then eventually walking with me.

We faced the tall refrigerators before us as a myriad of drinks allured us with their vibrant labels. Agad na dumapo ang aking tingin sa isang shelf at napahinga nang malalim.

"Kumuha ka no'n, Novah," I said, pointing out the bottle of grape juice on my right. "Nauuhaw ako."

Novah opened the fridge right away. "May gusto ka pa?"

Umiling ako. "Wala na."

Walang imik kaming umalis at tumambay muli sa labas. Novah and I had to wait for the train to return, and it took an hour, but neither of us complained, and Novah paid for the fare this time.

"You mentioned the north border earlier," Novah began as we were seated, our bags acting as a barrier between us. "Doon mo gustong pumunta? Sasamahan kita."

"'Wag na. Bumalik ka sa school, baka hinahanap ka na ng kapatid mo."

"Nagpaalam ako," katwiran niya. "I don't go to school much anyway. I'd rather be here with you."

"Kaya ko naman ang sarili ko."

"It doesn't hurt to be careful, Wes," nakangiti niyang sabi, at hindi na ako nakaisip ng maisasagot. "So, the north border. Is that where we're going?"

We. I was too out of it to realize that Novah really was here, cutting classes to keep me company. We. Of course we were going there. Together.

Oh, gods.

"Yeah," maikli kong sagot.

"Okay. Gusto mo pa bang magpahinga?"

I shook my head, though the question sounded enticing to agree on. "Ayos na ako. The railway ends at station 25. Malapit nalang 'yon, saglit lang ang byahe."

I had come to appreciate Novah's restraint in extending conversations, if I was being honest. Maybe he could understand if someone was in the mood to talk, or he could notice that I wanted solace. Kung ano man ang rason, ramdam kong may alam siya tungkol sa nararamdaman ko ngayon.