Remembering His Rhythm (The Runaway Girls Series #2)

Outro

Damian Creston Santillano

Trigger Warning: mentions of drugs and violence

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance,” the priest said it out loud that it almost echoed to my ears.

I was still in a state of drunkenness when we entered the church. Simbang gabi na at ang mga gago kong kaibigan ang nagyaya sa akin na dumiretso na lang sa simbahan para magpahulas. I was never sober, but the verse that the priest had just told us almost rang in my ears. It awakened me as if I had never tasted a drop of alcohol.

Kinusot ko ang mata ko habang naririnig ko ang mahinang tawanan ng mga kaibigan ko.

“Are you okay?” Callie gently asked me.

“I want to go home,” I answered truthfully.

She tried to hold my hand, but I backed away. Things are getting messy, and she’s taking it seriously, even though I told her I was just playing around.

Her eyes squinted. “Are you getting bored with me?”

If I say yes, titigil ka ba?

Pinili ko na lang munang manahimik dahil nasa loob pa kami ng simbahan. Alam niya namang naglalaro lang ako at una pa lang sinabihan ko na siya na hindi ako marunong magseryoso.

May tama namang oras para patigilin siya. Hindi iyon ngayon at hindi rin dito sa simbahan.

“Inaantok lang talaga ako, Callie. Ihahatid na lang kita pagkatapos nito,” kalmado kong sagot.

“But they want to try weeds after this. Hindi ka ba sasama?” tanong pa niya ulit.

“Labas ako d’yan. I clearly told Kenneth that I’m not up for it. Kung gusto mo edi ikaw na lang ang sumama.”

Nagmaktol si Callie sa buong misa. Kahit pa ilang beses niya akong kumbinsihin hindi ako aabot sa punto na iyon. Sure, I’m up for smoking and engaging in some crazy pranks, but I won’t lower myself to that extent.

Agad akong tumayo nang matapos ang misa. Naramdaman ko pa ang titig sa amin ng ibang mga tao. Halata bang wala kami sa sarili? Ang mga gagong kasama ko kasi panay tawa at hagikhikan sa likod. I overheard them mimicking the priest.

“Dude, mauna na ako. Gusto yata kayo samahan ni Callie kaya kayo na lang ang bahala sa kaniya,” I told Kenneth.

“Talaga ba, Damian?” tumaas ang boses ni Callie. “Kaya mo talaga akong iwan?”

I placed both of my hands inside my pocket. Nanunuot na rin sa katawan ko ang lamig ng hangin dahil ilang araw na lang pasko na. I jokingly smirked at her.

“Oo naman. Kaya ko,” diretso kong sagot.

I didn’t even look back at her as I began walking away. I still have to drive to our shop, and I believe I’m somewhat sober now. Maybe I can make it home safely, as I’ve been jolted awake by my own thoughts.

“Sabi ko naman sa inyo, eh. Kaya kong ipasa yung first semester kahit hindi ako pumapasok sa school,” swabe kong sinabi kay Tatay na kagagaling lang sa school para kuhain yung card ko.

Pabiro niya naman akong sinuntok habang hawak pa rin sa kabilang kamay yung card.

“Ang galing mo nga. Wala kang line of 8,” natatawa niyang sinabi.

My eyes widened. “Talaga ba? Patingin nga!”

“Puro line of 7 kasi,” dagdag pa ni Tatay kaya napaatras ako.