Scorching Sun

Kabanata 31

“Nicholai...” i called him but he didn't came back. Tumayo ako at lumabas. “Nicholai!” sigaw ko sa pangalan niya. Umakyat ako sa hagdan and there i saw him. His back facing me. “Goodbye, Nicole.”

He walk away from me. I tried running to catch him but he vanished.

“Nicholai!” habol hininga ako ng nagising sa panaginip ko. Agad kong pinahid ako mukha ko. I'm crying again. It's been weeks but I'm still dreaming about that.

Hindi naman ‘yun totoo pero parang sinasabi ng panaginip na ‘yun na hindi na babalik si Nicholai. Napayuko ako at napaiyak. Bago matulog ay umiyak ako at pagkagising ito na naman ako, umiiyak.

I want to see him again. I have to see him. I've tried many things but then, I can't find him. I asked Jacob but he said, he doesn't know where his uncle is.

I ask tito Nico and even his mom but they don't know where he is. He just sends them messages of how he is doing. I went to the bathroom and wash my face. I look like an old lady. I haven't sleep nicely since that day.

I look for him after seeing everything inside the box. I want to be with him. Pero, huli na ako. He left. Pati ang phone niya. He left it all.

I tied my hair not caring if it's tangled or whatever. Kinuha ko ang box from my table and put it on my bed. I open it at agad na naging emosyonal nang bumungad ang pictures namin together.

Humiga ako katabi ang litrato niya at di ko namalayan na nakatulog ulit ako. I woke up when i heard a knock. I look at the clock and i saw it was already 2 in the afternoon.

“Ate, kanina ka pa namin ginigising.”

“Gising na ako.” sabi ko at umupo. I look at Nicholai’s picture before putting it on the box again. I open the door.

“Ate, okay ka lang ba?” i nod.

“Oo naman.” sabi ko. She sigh. “You know that i'm always here for you, Ate right?” i nod. “Of course.”

“Sabi ni Mama, sa labas daw tayo kakain ngayon. Fiesta kasi ngayon sa Balintawak ate.” tumango ako.

I went to the bathroom and took a shower before talking to my closet and look for something i could wear. I took what suits my mood. I wore a black hoodie and black pants pairing it with my black boots. I just messy bun my hair and i also brought my phone with me. I just put few cash behind the cover of my phone before heading downstairs.

I saw my sister wearing black hoodie matching it with black shoes and black shorts.

“Ano bang meron at puro kayo nakaitim?” tanong ni mama. I just shrug. We head to the car. Ako ang nag drive ng sasakyan.

Naiuwi ko na ang sasakyan na ni rent ko. I bought this car last week. It's brand new. “Saan tayo kakain?” tanong ko ‘kay mama.

“Gusto ko ng inasal, sa fmb nalang tayo.” tumango ako. Ng makarating sa plaza ay agad akong naghanap ng parking space. Mabuti nalang at may nakita ako. Agad kong ni-park ang sasakyan ko at bumaba na kaming tatlo. We walk to the inasalan. Sa totoo lang wala akong ganang kumain.

“Oh, kayo pala. Kamusta Nicole?” ngumiti ako ‘kay Tita Fel. “Okay lang Tita, kayo po?” nagkamustahan kami saglit bago kami nagpaihaw. I choose chicken legs, pork, isaw, and hotdog. Umorder din kami ng sabaw ‘saka kanin.

Umupo kami sa napili naming table. I ordered 3 rice and 1 litter of coke. As we wait for the order, i realize i left my phone on my car.

“Ma, i’ll just get my phone. Naiwan ko sa sasakyan.” she nod. I look at Iska and she’s busy with her phone. Naglakad ako patungong sasakyan ng makasalubong ko si Neil. Nicholai’s brother.

“Cole,” i smile at him. “Hi. K-kamusta?” tanong ko.

“I’m great, how are you?” i sigh. “I’m not okay, I want to see your brother.” i said without any hesitation.

“Why? Are you still mad at him?” he asked. “You knew?” tanong ko. Sinabi ba ni Nicholai sa kanya?

“I know. Matagal na. Nic, i know wala akong right pero i really think you should know. Sobrang nasaktan ang kapatid ko, Nic. He suffered a lot. He told me to never tell you but... I just want him to be happy.” he said. Kinabahan ako.

“O-okay lang ba siya?” tanong ko. “As of now, no. He’s physically okay, but he's sad. I know because he's my brother. Nic, i want you to know the truth but please, after i tell you. Make my brother happy.” a tear drop from my eye.

“Tell me.” he sigh. He pulls me to a cafe.

“My brother was sent to a mental facility after you left, Nic. He was hallucinating. Naging ganun siya dahil ‘kay Tyrone. She played his mind. She hypnotized him not just once, twice, thrice, but many times until he started hallucinating. Nalaman lang namin kung ano ‘yung nangyayari sa kanya when we brought him to a doctor. He kept on saying your name. Then, one time, when he was sane, he told me everything. He kept it all to himself. He also admitted that he almost killed Tyrone because she ruined everything. He told me how much he loves you and h-he also t-told me i-if something h-happens to h-him, i won't t-tell you a-anything b-because h-he doesn't want y-you to get sad. He loves you so much, Nic.” i couldn't stop myself from crying.

“B-but why the fuck did that bitch do that? For what?” i asked furiously.

“She did nasty things to him, Nic. She sexually harassed him. That bitch ruined my brother. If-if it's not for their fucking money edi sana nakuha na namin ang hustiya na kailangan namin.”

“Hayop siya. Gago siya. Walang hiya siya.” umiyak ako, nawalan ng pake sa mga taong nasa paligid namin.

“I- i want to see him. P-please, t-take me to him, Neil. I’m begging you.” i almost kneel.

I want to see my Nicholai, my poor Nicholai. I should've listened to him. Sising sisi ako sa ginawa ko.

“He went back to manila, Nic. Gusto kong maging masaya ang kapatid ko, please make him happy.” i nod. I hug Neil.

“Don’t worry, Neil. Starting tonight i’ll do everything to make your brother the happiest. I love him and i will do everything to keep him. I will trust him and i will stay on his side as long as i'm alive.”

Just wait for me Nicholai...

“Thank you, Nic.” i smile and run to my mom and my sister.

“Ma, i'll leave for manila tonight. I have to get the love of my life back. I need him mom, and i hope you will support me.” i said. Gulat siya at ganoon din din si Franciska.

Tumango si Mama ng wala sa sarili. Masaya ko siyang hinalikan sa pisngi at ganun din ang kapatid ko. I immediately called Andrea, my personal assistant i told heru na i book ako ng flight ngayon araw na ‘to kasi ayoko ng mag antay ng umaga.

“I’m on my way to you, my love.” i said as i stare at the sky.