Winter Heat

Chapter 28 - The Heat Stopping Dream (Version 2)

Chapter 28 - The Heat Stopping Dream (Version 2)

That day was a normal day.

At least, it was supposed to be.

The whole going out of Camp Mitesco the day before that was their scheme, yes, but Precious really had to go home to her parent's house that morning. Sabrina went with her father last night when he left after visiting the camp as well.

So, yes... I was left alone with the five idiots.

Tulad ng palagi kong ginagawa, tumakas ako sa paglilinis at naisipang tumambay sa tree house. I was so ready to get my peace and calm but when I got up there, someone's already sitting by the window, having his imaginary music video shoot. Gusto ko biglang pasabugin ang tree house dahil sa mukha ni Brian. Artista ba talaga 'to?!

"Alam ba ng management na nandito ka?" I asked him. He dramatically sighed and slowly shifted his gaze from outside the window to me.

Umiling lang siya, tapos ibinalik na ulit ang tingin sa labas. Alam ko na agad kung anong ipinag-iinarte niya kaya hindi na ako nag-comment pa. "Hindi kita isusumbong kung hindi mo rin ako isusumbong," sabi ko lang saka umupo sa sahig sa kabilang dulo ng tree house.

"I miss her already," narinig kong sabi ni Brian matapos kong sumandal sa pader at pumikit.

"Okay," hindi nagmumulat na sabi ko. I think he said something more but the tiredness consumed me already and I drifted off to sleep.

Naalimpungatan akong nakahiga na sa sahig ang buong katawan ko pero bahagyang nakaangat ang ulo ko. Nagmulat ako at nakangiting mukha ni Heat ang unang bumungad sa 'kin. Naka-indian seat siya sa sahig at naka-unan ako sa hita niya.

"He's always looking at the sunset from your eyes." Precious's words suddenly echoed inside my mind as it registered to me that Heat's face was being lit up by an orange hue. The sun must be setting outside.

He was always looking at me while I was looking at the sky. And that day... was the first time I looked at his face during sunset. I didn't know that Heat looks so enchanting.

Kaya lang nagsalita ang kingina.

"Gising na siya!" para bang nag-aannounce na sabi niya—at 'yon ay dahil mayro'n palang audience.

"'Yon!" napaupo ako kaagad nang marinig ko ang boses ni Billy. Nakaupo siya sa tabi ni Brian na nasa may bintana pa rin, kasama sina Chan at Frost.

Tanginang pagkakaibigan 'to, lahat tumatakas sa gawain.

"Good morning, Winter!" bati pa sa 'kin ni Chan pero sinamaan ko lang siya ng tingin.

"Halos good evening na nga!" natatawang sabi ni Billy. "Tara na, gising naman na si Winter."

'Yon lang at nagsitayuan na sila na para bang hinihintay lang talaga akong magising. Parang mga tanga, wala naman sa 'kin ang kutsara't tinidor. Bumababa na sila nang mapansin kong nasa harapan ko ang kamay ni Heat, hinihintay na kumapit ako ro'n para makatayo.

"Late lunch o early dinner?" nakangiting sabi niya nang magtama ang mga mata namin.

Of course, I took his hand.

"Ikaw, Winter, marami na bang umamin sa 'yo dati?" biglang tanong sa 'kin ni Brian noong makababa rin ako mula sa tree house, pagkatapos ni Heat. Nando'n pa rin silang apat nina Billy, Chan, at Frost na naghihintay sa 'min, pero hindi ko maisip kung bakit at paanong napunta sa gano'n ang topic nila. At wala man lang context na isinali nila ako.