Grape Juice (By the Border, #1) ✓

22

To Kenzie Valeria,

I have no idea how much you're hurting right now, and telling you to cheer up is plain stupid. I guess my presence is the only comfort I can offer. Or my shoulder. Nakasandal ka kasi sa akin ngayon. Sana lang ay hindi ka gising habang sinusulat ko ang liham na ito. Wala sa plano na ipapabasa ko sayo ang nilalaman nito.

I have a feeling you'll move back to Limerence soon. Iyon ang gustong mangyari ni Novah, pero wala akong ideya kung iyon din ang gusto mo, o kung magkakatotoo ang sinabi niyang mas madadalian ka sa pagtanggap sa kamatayan niya kung hindi niyo na siya kasama sa pagbalik niyo. Hindi talaga natin alam ang ihahandog sa atin ng kapalaran.

But I do wonder if we will keep in touch. I hope we do.

It's silly, I know. I'm the one who keeps pushing you away, but now I'm writing this crap. But maybe, just maybe, I can muster enough courage to get your number and call you during late hours to talk about anything and everything.

Maybe I need it. Maybe you need it more. I don't know.

***

"Ano 'yan?"

I crumpled the paper and shoved it inside my bag, masking my panic with a neutral face. "Wala. Ang boring lang ng byahe."

"Nagsusulat ka na ulit?" Saglit na tumigil si Kenzie para humikab. With her eyes still half-closed, she looked out the window just as the train slowed down. "Shit, I fell asleep. I'm sorry."

"It's fine." Wala pa siyang maayos na pahinga. The bags under her eyes begged for more breaks.

"Anong station na 'to, Wesley?"

"The first."

I'd been in Arden my whole life. Wala akong memorya kung saan umalis ako sa lungsod kung saan ako pinanganak at pinalaki. Not that it was a big deal, but as the train started moving again, passing by the south border's brick wall, I held my breath until we reached the other side.

There was another station, the real last stop located less than a kilometer away. Kakaiba ang hitsura nito sa nakasanayan kong senaryo sa Arden. The cemented floors were polished, free from spilled drinks and discarded food wrappers. Warm lights decorated the ceiling, and there were restaurants and coffee shops nearby.

"We have to take a cab," saad ni Kenzie pagbaba namin ng tren.

"The hospital is...how many stations away?"

Umiling si Kenzie. "No trains here."

"Oh."

Right. I wasn't in Arden anymore. I'd have to get used to foreign things here. Baka saglit pa akong manatili rito. Hindi ko alam.

I allowed myself to take in the new surroundings as we left the train station. Riding the cab for the first time, we passed by a myriad of cars and trucks coated in expensive vinyls. Buildings of brick and quartz stole my attention, their windows displaying white mannequins holding shiny bags or donning fluffy coats made of hairs, all flaunting their luxury and style. Pero marahil ay sariling terminolohiya ko lang ang mga iyon, dahil wala namang mga binebentang gamit na ganito sa Arden.

Napansin ko ang katahimikan ni Kenzie. Ang huling beses niyang pag-imik ay noong sinabi niya sa driver kung saang ospital kami nito ibababa. Nang makarating kami ay nagtanong lang siya ng direksyon sa dumaang nurse. Even then, her words were limited. I kept a close eye on her until we stopped before a closed door. Beside it was a thin, rectangular box holding an all too familiar full name, Novah M. Valeria.

Kenzie held the doorknob and was about to twist it open when her hands went frozen. Then I heard what she did: fighting. Words thrown out of anger and small whimpers. Sumilip ako sa maliit na bintana ng pinto at nahuli si Nadine na sinusuntok ang dibdib ni Klein.