Unsolved Mystery (Nilacabb Series #1)

28

CHLOE

It's been 3 months since Lueese and Jeric passed away. Kahit papaano, nagawa ko pa ring mag-attend ng school dahil patapos na ang school year. Mabuti na lang at naihabol ko 'yung mga na-miss ko noong halos dalawang buwan akong wala.

The sun was shining, but the weight in my chest made everything feel gray.

Habang naglalakad ako sa pathway kasama si Renzo, nakita ko sina Kyra at Chescka sa di kalayuan. Tumigil ako saglit, parang hindi ko alam kung paano haharapin ang mga tao matapos ang lahat. Pero bago ko pa maisipang umatras, bigla na lang akong niyakap ni Kyra.

"We love you, girl," she whispered, her voice filled with warmth and reassurance.

Napangiti ako kahit papaano, at mahina akong nagpasalamat. I could feel the genuine concern in her embrace, a reminder that I wasn’t alone in this. Naglakad si Chescka papalapit at tumingin sa akin na parang may gustong sabihin.

"Thank you, and Renzo, thank you," she said, her voice trembling. "You guys saved my life. Kung nagtagal pa ako noong araw na 'yon, baka... baka hindi na rin ako nakauwi nang buhay."

Napatitig ako sa kanya. "Good to hear na okay ka, Chescka," I said softly, trying to hide the lump forming in my throat.

She nodded, biting her lip. "I owe you everything. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko mababayaran 'yung utang na 'yon."

"Basta always remember na I'm just here—we're just here." Kyra chimed in, her voice steady but her eyes filled with emotion. "Maybe nagka-misunderstanding tayo before, pero ang importante ngayon, we're friends na."

She pulled me into another hug, this time tighter, as if she wanted to shield me from the world. I hugged her back, letting her warmth seep into me.

Nagpaalam na ako sa kanila at pumunta sa Architecture building. The familiar structure loomed ahead, offering a strange sense of comfort despite everything that had happened.

"I'm proud of you," I heard Renzo speaks. Dala niya ang bag ko habang naglalakad kami.

I smiled and sighed. "I'm proud of you, Lorenzo. You gave me hope," I whispered.

Umiling siya sa akin at ngumiti. "God gave me hope—I just spread it. Tsaka, you deserve to be happy."

"Tingin ko nga,"

"You're making progress na, baby," Renzo commented, his voice tinged with pride.

"Thank you for helping me," I replied, smiling faintly at him. "Thank you for everything you've done for me, Renzo,"

"Always," he said, giving me a reassuring pat on the back as sabay kaming pumasok ng room.

Inside, Jamiel immediately noticed me. "Kamusta na?" he asked, his brows furrowed with concern.

"I'm okay," I answered automatically, kahit alam kong hindi naman talaga. "Kamusta ka?"

"Okay lang. Basta, we're just here, Chloe," he added gently, his eyes sincere. I gave him a small nod, not trusting myself to say anything more.

Pagkatapos ng klase, dumiretso kami ng mga kaibigan ko sa office ng SL Officers. The cool air from the aircon greeted us, instantly lifting the heaviness of the day.

"Kamusta kayo?" Caleb asked, looking around the room. Umupo siya sa swiveling chair ko habang naka-kandong sa kaniya si Mikayla. Hindi malaswa tingnan kasi parang estatwa si Mikayla.

"I would be lyin' if I say I'm okay," Hazel admitted, forcing a painful smile. "Thankfully, I recovered. I thought I would die that day."

"I'm making a little progress," Mikayla shared, a proud smile lighting up her face. "Little-by-little, magiging okay din."