Reach Series #1: Within My Reach

CHAPTER 8

Naaawa ako kay Celeste. Sabi ng kapatid niya ay lagi siyang binubully sa school nila. She doesn't deserve to be treated like that, she's sweet, caring, and sometimes annoying but she has a beautiful soul. I promise to myself and also to her na hinding hindi ko siya hahayaang masaktan.

We were walking down the street where the 7 eleven was. I'm not even gonna lie, it's so tiring and I'm sleepy.

"Celeste?"

Nilingon nya ako. "Hm?"

"Nagkaroon ka na ba ng masasabi mong totoong kaibigan?"

"Yes, of course. She's a bit older than me, I met her when I was  9 years old and she was 12 that time. She's mostly sad but she always cheer me up. You kinda remind me of her, you have same features as her."

Tumango tango ako. "Where is she now?"

Tumungo ito at pinaglaruan ang kamay. "Sadly, she just disappeared. No signs of her entire existence. I don't even know if she's alive, that was our first and last meet. After that, I became a loner. It went on until now. There are reasons why they don't want to be friends with me that I think isn't valid. They either think that I'll stab them at the back or believe the rumors that I fuck every men that I get close with. Of course, some of them still tries to get close but only to prove to the world that I am what they think I am, a slut and a fake bitch pretending to be kind and friendly. But right now, between you and me, I'm glad to have you."

Saan na kaya yung sinasabi niyang kaibigan niya? Ginagamit lang siya ng mga "kaibigan" niya. I'm glad na at least may isang naging totoo sakaniya. Tanga pala sila at ginago nila si Celeste. And don't get me started at the rumors, grabe sila mag isip napaka toxic.

"Oh ayan na pala si Kuya." Tinuro niya ang lalaking nakatayo sa may pintuan at naka black hoodie na nakatali ang kalahati ng buhok.

I was stunned for a moment. Normal outfit lang naman yan pero ba't ang lakas ng epekto sa 'kin?

"'Oy huwag ka masyadong ma-in love."

Tumigil ako at humarap sakaniya.

"H-huh?"

"Huhtdog. 'Lika na nga." Tumawa ito at sinabayan ko na sya.

Lumapit na kami dito at si Celeste ay agad niyakap si Callisto. Pagtapos niyang humiwalay sa yakap ay humarap saakin si Callisto.

"Hi."  Bati niya.

"Hello. Gabi na ah, nag-aya ka pa lumabas." Patago akong ngumiti.

"I was bored, and knowing Celeste, alam kong 'di pa sya tulog."

Tumango ako at tuluyan nang pumasok.

Kinapa ko ang bulsa ko. "Uhm, Callisto. Nalimutan ko pala magdala ng pera."

"It's okay, ako naman ang nag-aya sainyo dito. No need to worry about that."

Umupo muna kami sa may upuan sa tabi ng shelves. Si Celeste ang tinabihan ko.

Siniko ako ni Celeste at tinaas taas ang dalawang kilay nito.

"No need to worry about that." She whispered in her low voice, imitating Callisto.

Kinurot ko ulit ang tagiliran nito ng pasimple.

"Tigil tigilan mo ko Celeste, baka gusto mong ibalik kita sa sinapupunan ni Tita Neoma." I whispered back.

"Eto naman, joke lang eh." Humagikhik siya.