3RD PERSON’S POV
Ethan has been opposing the idea about the thought of the other group sharing with them. Parang nagdududa na rin si Harris sa galawan ni Ethan, but in the end, Ethan relented. Xiro was so persistent about the idea of having new friends, eh.
Xiro stood up and went to the table next to them kung saan nakaupo ang apat na mga lalaki. Xiro stood in front of them, smiling.
“Hello!” He greeted. Jace and his friends were flabbergasted the moment they raised their heads when a voice suddenly showed up in front of them. There they saw a fox-looking guy, smiling widely at them with his crescent formed eyes.
“I’m pretty sure that I’ve seen you at school– I’m Xiro, by the way.” Nakangiting pakilala niya at inabot ang kanyang kamay upang makipag handshake. Inabot naman ni Jace ang nakalahad na kamay ni Xiro at nakipag-kamay.
“A-ah, y-yeah! I-I’m J-jace, n-nice to meet you!” Nauutal na pakilala ni Jace na siyang agad na yumuko matapos makipag-kamay.
“A-at ito naman mga k-kaibigan ko,” sabay turo sa mga kaibigan niya na nerbyos na nakatingin sa kanila.
“Si Lian, Glendell, at Leo.” Pagpakilala niya sa mga kaibigan niya. Nakipag-kamay naman sila isa-isa kay Xiro.
“Ah! I almost forgot!” Biglang sabi ni Xiro nang matandaan niya ang pakay niya sa kanila.
“I would like to invite you to our table, just right beside yours!” Xiro excitedly said sabay turo sa tabing table. Mano-notice mo talaga na excited siya because he’s bouncing slightly as if anticipating them to accept his invitation.
Jace and his friends were about to answer Xiro when they suddenly heard a phone ringing from someone.
Mikhael took out his phone nang mapansin niyang sa kanya nanggaling ang tunog. As soon as he saw the caller’s ID, he looked at his friends and saw a hint of curiosity on their faces.
“Mom.” One word, but their curiosity immediately changed into worry. Mikhael just gave them a reassuring faint smile before he excused himself to answer the call.
Nang mawala sa paningin nila ang binata ay agad namang nag-excuse si Xiro kay Jace at sa mga kaibigan nito at bumalik sa kanyang upuan.
“I’m having a bad feeling about this,” mahinang sabi ni Harris na siyang tinanguan ni Xiro habang si Ethan naman ay nakayuko lang, kabado.
“Tita would never call him unless it’s important, or worse...” Ethan stated silently. You can barely hear his voice, maliban nalang kung malapit ka sa kanya.
“What i—” Xiro didn’t get to finish his words when they saw Mikhael scurried his way back to them.
“What’s wro—”
“¿Adónde vas?”[Trans: where are you going?] Harris asked nang mapansin niyang nagligpit at kinukuha na ni Mikhael ang mga pinamili. Mikhael didn’t answer.
“Ano kailangan niya, Khael?” Ethan asked.
“Khael! ¿Qué estás haciendo?” [Trans: what are you doing?] Ethan firmly asked nang mapansin niyang walang planong sagutin ni Mikhael ang mga tanong nila.
“Tengo que irme.” [Trans: I need to go.] Simpleng sabi ni Mikhael.
“Estoy cansado.” [Trans: I'm tired.] Mikhael faintly said and immediately stride his way out.
Nagmadali namang nagligpit sa mga pinamili nila sina Harris, Ethan, and Xiro at nagmadaling sumunod kay Mikhael. On the other hand, they left Jace and his friends, confused.
“O-ok? Now what was that?” Nagtatakang saad ni Glendell.
“I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not? Kasi ’di natuloy ’yong pagjoin natin sa table nila, but parang urgent ’yon.” Naguguluhang sabi naman ni Leo.
Nakatutok parin si Jace sa dinaanan ng magkakaibigan. Sa ’di malamang dahilan pero ’di maintindihan ni Jace ang kabang nararamdaman niya ngayon. Ibinalik niya ang kanyang paningin sa kaniyang inorder kanina sa pagkain.
His thoughts were wondering. Kanina lang ay nakita niya pa kung pano tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Nishi at parang nag-eenjoy sa nangyayari, pero sa isang tawag lang ay sa isang iglap naging emotionless ang mukha niya.
‘What the heck? Why am I even bothered by that?’
Jace shakes his head to erase his thoughts. Tinuon niya nalang ang kanyang pansin sa kaniyang Iced Americano at chocolate cake.
“That was a close call.”
•
“MIKHAEL! WHAT IS THIS? THIS IS NOT THE RESULT THAT I WANT FROM YOU!” Sigaw ng ina ni Mikhael the moment he got inside their house. She was waiting for him in the living room with a brown envelope in her hand.
“ESTÚPIDO!” Sabay bagsak ng envelope na bitbit ng kanyang ina.
“¡HAZLO MEJOR! ’WAG MO ’KONG IPAHIYA! ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!” [Trans: Do better] His mother said furiously.
“I did, mom.” Mikhael emotionlessly said.
“YOU DID? PERO BAKIT BUMABA ’YONG GRADES MO?! 99 TO 98? THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN 100! ANONG SILBI NG 100 KUNG ’DI MO NAMAN MAKUHA?!” His mother shouted frustratedly.
He’s too used to this.
“You even almost failed your final miniature! Akala mo ’di ko malalaman?! ’Yan ang dahilan ng pagbaba ng grado mo! ’Yang katangahan mo! ¡Inútil!” [Trans: Useless] Dagdag na sumbat ng kanyang ina. Napasabunot ang kanyang ina sa kanyang buhok.
“Don’t you ever dare show this kind of result in front of your daddylo! Papá would be here for tomorrow’s event, don’t disappoint me, us, more than you already did!” Pagbabanta ng kanyang ina habang siya’y dinuduro nito.
“Lo siento, mamá.” [Trans: I’m sorry, mama.] Paghingi niya ng tawad, pero nanatiling walang imosyon ang mukha ni Mikhael.
“I don’t want to hear your useless ‘sorry’ ! I want result! Go study in your room!” His infuriated mother said, pointing upstairs, telling him to go inside his room.
“Yes, mom.” Agad umalis at umakyat sa kanyang kwarto si Mikhael, ni ’di na siya nag-abalang tingnan ang galit na mukha ng kanyang ina bago siya umalis.
Pagpasok ni Mikhael sa kwarto niya ay nakita niya ang kanyang mga pinamili kanina sa ibabaw ng kanyang higaan. Ipinadala niya nalang kanina sa kanilang kasambahay ang kanyang mga pinamili dahil baka makadagdag pa ito sa galit ng kanyang ina.
Mikhael took a quick bath to relax his mind, somehow. Right after he’s done, nagtungo agad siya sa kanyang study table at inilabas ang kanyang mga notes at libro for him to study in advance.
Honestly, wala na siyang upcoming exams since he took his exam in advance dahil alam niya na pupunta ang daddylo niya sa darating na anniversary ng kanilang university. He just needs to be prepared when it comes to his daddylo.
‘I need further preparations when it comes to daddylo than when I’m preparing for an exam’
It’s still 3:00 in the afternoon, but he doesn’t have any time to waste.
Satan is coming.
YOU ARE READING
HOLD MY HAND
RomancePlease, I'm not who you think I am. And I am not who you thought I should be. Let me just rest. I'm so fucking tired! Can someone out there reach out their hand and hold mine? Hold my hand, tightly. And please, don't ever let it go.
