Where the Thunder Bows Its Head [BL] (Passion Series #1)

KAPITULO 11

Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[Necktie]

Senyora Charito Tarraniaga never interacted with anyone the whole plane ride. She just sat in a corner and after finishing her champagne glass, she laid back, wore a sleeping eye mask, and went to sleep. Unlike Senyora Isabel who, several times, went to our table to check.

Pinalagi ko ang tingin sa bintana ng eroplano, kahit na wala naman akong ibang makita roon kung hindi ay ang mga ulap na kanina ko na rin namang pinagmamasdan. Nakakasawa nang titigan ang mga ulap pero wala akong magagawa. I'd would rather lose myself in reverie than to look at the boy in front of me.

I feel Kidlat's glances from time to time but I tried hard not to look back at him.

"Are... you okay?"

I finally gazed at him when he spoke. Nakaupo siya sa harap ko, pinagigitnaan kami ng center table na may lamang pagkain na hindi pa nababawasan. Nakakatukso ang mga sushi at donuts na nakalatag pero hindi ko sinubukang kumuha kahit isa.

"Yeah."

Nagtagal ang seryoso niyang tingin.

I pouted and took my gaze away from him. Napalunok ako. Ang awkward naman kasi ng lahat. Bakit ba kasi siya tumabi sa akin? Bakit hindi nalang siya sumama sa Mama at Abuela niya sa kabilang table? O kaya'y kalikutin niya ang gadget at manood nalang ng pelikula. Or whatever! Hindi itong nakamasid siya sa bawat galaw ko!

"I heard your speech."

Napatingin ulit ako sa kanya. Hindi ko sinasadyang pagtaasan siya ng kilay.

"I liked it."

I pursed my lips and nodded.

"Really?" Saad ko pagkatapos nang ilang sandali. "Thank you. I researched and worked on it for weeks to make sure it was factual and reliable."

Tumango siya.

Binaba ko ang tingin sa center table. Kunyari ay tumitingin sa mamahaling sushi pero ang totoo ay umiiwas lang mula sa mga titig niya.

I... didn't really paid any mind about him listening to my speech. Lalo na no'n kasi naka Visayan mythology costume pa ako kasama ng mga kaibigan at kaklase. Hindi ko alam na pinakinggan at tinandaan niya ang talumpating iyon. Nanghihinayang nga din ako dahil hindi ko manlang napakinggan ang sa kanya.

"You mentioned in your speech several causes of global warming," He sighed. "including carbon emissions..."

He trailed off after that.

I do remember what he's talking about. Na-mention ko nga ang tungkol doon. At totoo naman kasi 'yon. One of the major contributors to pollution is the world's transportation system, which ultimately, leads to global warming. Airplanes and jets like what we are riding right now release excessive carbon footprints that are harmful to the environment. And technically, you can help lessen it if you just ride public transportation. Kung ang comfortability ang pinag-aalala nila, pwede naman silang mag-business class na lang. 'Yon ay kung mataas ang pasensiya nila para sa stress ng pagbibili ng ticket, sa immigration, etcetera.

Owning a private jet is just adding fuel to the fire. Ang laking capitalista na nga ng pamilya nila, magiging dakila polluter pa rin ba sila?

Tumingin ulit ako kay Kidlat na naninimbang ang titig sa akin.

I'm honestly in awe of how he remembers some points in my speech. I'm surprised he remembers even one thing from it, considering there were too many students who recited their speeches as well, hindi lang ako. But it's just... I don't know what he's going on with this. Hindi ko alam kung bakit niya sinasabi sa'kin 'to ngayon.