Pursuing from the Shore (Sun Rays Series #2)

CHAPTER 17

Trigger Warning: mention of suicidal thoughts & self-harm.

Chapter 17

"Happy birthday, Red! Where's Renz?" Edorina greeted me as soon as she entered the gate. Nakipag-beso pa siya sa akin at mahigpit akong niyakap.

"Thank you, Edo. I'm glad you came," I said, hugging her, as we hop along like excited kids. "Nando'n si Renz, he's with his friends. Come in."

"Sorry late!" I heard Asther's voice from the outside. He was running while waving his hand.

"Bilis!" tawag ko bago siya tumawid sa kalsada at lumapit sa amin.

I guided both of them as we proceeded to go to the backyard where we are currently celebrating Renz's and my 19th birthday. Yup, we are now one year ahead before turning our twenties pero Grade 11 pa lang kami.

When Renz and I were kids in Russia, we had an uncommon start to grade school at the age of six since we were forced to repeat kindergarten twice. It took us two years to complete that phase because both of us were having trouble learning things. Kaya ngayon, dapat ay Grade 12 na kaming dalawa, na-late lang talaga.

Hindi pa kami nakakalapit ay naririnig ko na ang videoke na sobrang ingay. I insisted to Mama na huwag na kaming mag-videoke pero hindi lang naman ako ang laging masusunod. Renz was the one who abruptly suggested that we should celebrate since he's going to invite his friends too.

Magkahiwalay ang table ng circle ko sa circle ni Renz. My bandmates are already there, eating, while singing along. Si Conan ang kasalukuyang kumakanta sa videoke.

"Edorina, halika!" Ate Mioree called when we approached their table.

"Hi! It's been a while!" bati niya pabalik.

Asther was then greeted by the boys. They were really getting along. I glanced at Renz's circle, mas madami pa sila kumpara sa 'min na iisa lang ang table.

"Red, here's my gift for you. Sure akong magugustuhan mo 'yan." Edo clung her arm around mine as I reached for the small black paper bag she gave me. Ang taray, Prada.

My lips parted before hugging her. "Thank you, Edo. Ano 'to?"

"Mamaya mo na buksan! Let's sing!"

It was already past 8 PM pero masigla pa rin ang paligid. Kumakain lang kami sabay kwentuhan ng kung ano-ano. Palinga-linga ako sa table nina Renz dahil ang ingay nila roon. I was also observing my twin. Seeing how he get along with them genuinely with his laughter, I couldn't help but feel an extreme worry as I remembered how he fight his inner struggle.

"Redler! Happy birthday!"

Halos tumalon ang puso ko nang marinig si Davin. This dummy! Kararating niya lang! He's super late! Well, I should be cool about it since he was the one who greeted me first kaninang madaling araw.

"Wow! Nand'yan na pala si Mr. Suitor!" Vans laughed.

I stood up immediately to approach Davin who's fresher than the air. Grabe, ha. Nag-effort pa talaga siyang magbihis.

He appears so clean right now that I could smell his sweet scent from a few meters away. He was dressed in his usual oversized dark blue polo, partnered with his faded loose straight-cut jeans. His wavy hair is parted on the side, exposing his forehead, so he seems truly neat.

Mas fresh siya ngayon kaysa kaninang madaling araw.

Nang makalapit ako ay umamba akong makikipag-beso pero umamba naman siyang iki-kiss ang labi ko.

"Anong ginagawa mo?! Beso lang!" I sneered with flush face.

He exploded a laugh while grinning ear to ear. "Ay, beso lang ba? Akala ko kasi iki-kiss mo 'ko, e."