Broken Vessel (AMOG Series #1)

Kabanata 23

Kabanata 23

Answer

Hindi niya ako sinagot. I tap his shoulder for some answers. Nakangiti na ako ngayon, sobrang lapad. His embrace became tighter.

“I am worried...” bulong niya. “I thought I lost you.” Hindi pinansin ang aking tanong.

Well, nagbibiro lang naman ako.

My forehead creased a bit, and I chuckled at him.

“Why would I be lost, Amare? Kumain lang naman kami. Tsaka, kasama ko si Obed.” 

Napansin kong pamamawis niya. I looked at his t-shirt, and he is wearing a different one now. Basketball uniform! OMG! Kasali siya sa laro ngayon? This event is filled with dancing and games. Hindi kasi sumali si Gab sa laro, tsaka hindi ko alam na naglalaro pala siya ng basketball?

“Amare…” tawag ko ulit dahil parang wala siyang balak na bitawan ako.

Bumitaw siya sa pagka-yakap sa akin. His eyes are now serious; I couldn't see the softness of them anymore. Parang ibang Amare na ang nakikita ko ngayon. Hinawakan niya ako sa kamay ko at pinagsiklop ito. But then I stopped him when we were about to walk away.

“Wait, kasali ka sa laro?” nalilito kong tanong.

Hindi niya ako sinagot. Seryoso siyang tumitig sa akin na parang bang binabasa ako ngayon. Yumuko siya at pumikit. Binaling niya ulit sa akin ang tingin, at malambot na iyon. At tumango muli.

“Oo.”

“Hindi ko alam! Hindi mo sinabi!” I squealed in shock.

“I was about to surprise you, but I didn't know that you were going to leave. You said you'd be back, but... "Napatigil siya habang tinitigan ang aking mga mata.

I feel so guilty for not even being there! Shit! Kung alam ko sana, paglalaan ko talaga nang oras. He looked away from my gaze and just sighed gently.

“It's okay now, Adri. Come on, let's go home,” aniya.

Kinuha niya muli ang kamay ko kaya pinigilan ko siya.

“What? Why? The game is over? Sina Ysa?”

Tumango siya. “Kanina pa tapos. Nakauwi na rin sila dahil mag hahanda pa para bukas. Sasayaw siya bukas, ‘di ba?”

“Yeah…” I am still out of my senses.

What the fuck did I do? Guiltiness wrapped my system.

“Amare...” I called again when I noticed he stared at me.

The tenderness of his eyes couldn't find a spot of sadness.

“It's okay, Adri. May intramurals pa naman, sasali rin ako. I hope you will not miss that,” he smiled gently.

My eyes lit up, remembering how good he is as a person. His tenderness, his softness, and his gentleness always give a chance of getting peace from just his presence alone. I never knew about that!

“So, come on, let's go home,” he whispered as the wind blew towards us.

Kahit ganito ang pakiramdam ko na parang guilty dahil hindi nakapanood sa laro niya. Another funny thing blew my mind. 

“First game mo ba iyon?” I asked, grinning. 

He nodded his head repeatedly in a soft way and pouted his lips a bit.

“I just wanted to try new things, and sport is something like a first step for me to try out things in life.”

Napatango ako. “And?” ngumisi ako.