Lost in La Trevelino

Kabanata 14

Kabanata 14: Healed

Those words give life to me– floating through my consciousness like delicate butterflies. It became a fuel that ignited the flame in me that made the heat rose up to my face. The cold wind puffed but it doesn't hide the fact that her words embrace me and gave me warmth— it melted me inside.

"Why are you smiling?" She asked out of nowhere.

Napabalik ako sa wisyo. Napatikhim ako. "Ako? Nakangiti?" Tinuro ko ang sarili ko. "Asa ka!" Asik ko.

She chuckled before looking at the sky. "Still, after what happened, I got to see you smile. It might be shallow for you, but your smile gave me hope." She said. "I do remember those times that after I cried, I moved on and worked. I didn't  have time to even smile genuinely. I hid everything behind my mask. If ever I smile before, it was just all for a show. They didn't notice it. They were kids, after all. But when I saw you smile... I saw hope." We thereafter locked our eyes into each other. I saw how her eyes glimmers. "Hope... that you can still find positivity after an unexpected situation happened. And, it sucks that it was hard for me to even flash a genuine smile."

I rolled my eyes. "Who would have not smile if someone gave you words that made you flatter?" I enunciated.

"T-that made you... flatter?" I glanced to her and she's now grinning, even hiding her face to me. Nagulat na lang ng bigla itong tumayo at humarap sa akin. "Fudge, Neah. I couldn't even hide this... this— I don't know!" She frustratedly messed her hair. Tumayo ako at nilapit ko ang mukha ko sa kaniya. I arched my brows while having a sly smirk on my face. She's biting her lips while trying to ignore my eyes. "Damn it, kinikilig ako." She whispered.

I bursted laughing. "I find you adorable."

Tinakpan nito ang mukha gamit ang kaniyang mga kamay bago tumalikod sa akin. "Stop laughing!" Asik nito sa akin kaya mas lalo akong tumawa.

"Nahihiya ka ba, Reece?" Pinasadahan ko ang litaw niyang braso gamit ang aking hintuturo na siya namang ikinataas ng kaniyang balahibo kaya mas lalo akong nagpigil ng tawa. "Reece... face me, come on." I said.

"Can you stop what you're doing, Neah?" Sambit nito habang tinatakpan pa rin nito ang kaniyang mukha. "Stop or I'll do something to you." Pagbabanta nito kaya napangisi ako.

"What will you do, Miss Shiloh?" I teased her. Nagulat na lang ako nang bigla niyang nahawak ang kamay ko na nasa kaniyang balikat na. Napalunok ako nang bigla nitong nilapit ang kaniyang mukha sa akin. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang mainit niyang hininga at ang kaniyang matalim na titig sa akin. "A-anong g-gagawin mo?" I stuttered out of nervousness.

"Don't you dare do it again or I'll make you— " she paused and looked in my lips. I zipped my mouth that made her chuckle. "Nevermind. Let's sleep na? Or do you want us to stay here a little longer?" Malumanay na sambit nito bago niya pinagsalikop ang kamay namin.

"Let's have this night muna?" Wika ko na ikinatango niya. Muli kaming umupo na parang walang nangyari kanina. Ngayon ay pinaglalaruan na niya ang kamay ko. "Reece, do you think I can help you with money?" I started.

Napabuntong-hininga ito. "Neah, we have talked about this, right?" Naging seryoso ang tono ng boses nito. "As long as I can provide, I will not let you."

"Reece, mas mapapabilis ang pag-iipon mo kung tutulong ako sa 'yo." I sounded like a desperate. "I already had experienced. Katulong, service crew, o ano man. Let's just try, maybe it'll work. In that case, I can help you and also your sister. This is also for her." I almost sounded pleading.

"I know where are you coming but..." tumingin ito sa akin. Hindi ko masyadong mabasa kung anong pinapahiwatig ng tingin nito. May pag-aalala ngunit meron ding takot. "This is not a place you thought it could be— it is not something you used to know. It's cruel and bloody than you ever know. It's surrounded by people having mask on." Seryosong sambit nito na halos kilabutan ako.