City Lights & Country Hearts (SS #1)

Chapter 10: Reason

I can't see him, but I can feel that he's close to me. Naramdaman ko ang paghawi ng mga naka-hanger kong damit. Another loud thunder came kaya napamura ako.

"Sir, nandito na ako," he said- almost whispering. I tried to suppress the shaking of my hands. But it only stopped when I felt his warm hand clasping on mine.

I raised my head and stared at his figure. He was holding a small candle with his free hand. Inilatag niya ito sa sahig at tumabi sa 'kin.

If I was in my right state of mind, I would've shooed him away. Magagalit na siguro ako ngayon, but I needed some company. I needed him at that moment.

"Sandal ka sa 'kin," sabi niya as he gently moved my head to rest on his shoulder. He's still holding my hand, massaging it with his thumb to calm my nerves down.

Why is he good at this? Oh, baka naman dahil ngayon ko lang naranasan ito?

We stayed in the same position. Nakatulala lang ako sa kandilang nasa harapan namin. Tahimik lang din siya sa tabi ko. Sa tuwing kukulog ng malakas, he covered my ears using his hand para hindi ko ito marinig.

Fuck it! When will the rain end? I should start watching news.

Halos 30 minutes kaming nasa ganoong pwesto. I sighed deeply and closed my eyes. Alam kong aasarin na naman niya ako about this.

I'll let him be, para bayad utang na rin sa pagco-console niya sa 'kin ngayon.

It took almost an hour before the power went back. We did not say anything, tinulungan niya akong tumayo bago kinuha ang kandilang nasa sahig.

"Matulog ka na, sir," sabi niya at iginayak ako papunta sa kama. I quietly followed him and tucked myself to bed.

Tinalikuran ko siya. Hindi pa rin bumababa ang kaba sa aking dibdib. Feel ko anytime kukulog na naman ng malakas. It would be best if I cover my ears with a pillow.

'Yon nga ang ginawa ko. Napansin ko ring pinatay niya ang mga ilaw ko sa room. "Aalis na ako sir," rinig kong sabi niya.

Pinapakinggan ko ang footsteps niya at pagbukas ng pinto. Before he could get out, I said something that only a few people can hear it from me.

"Thank you, Tyson."

I almost whispered it dahil na-o-awkwardan ako. I am also not hoping na marinig niya. Hindi niya ako pinagtawanan. He helped me calm down and was the only person who came to save me from hyperventilating.

Kaya, I think he deserves it.

I heard his voice pero hindi ko na maintindihan 'yon dahil nilamon na ako ng antok.

When I woke up the next day, I found a tray of food on my bedside table. May sticky note na nakadikit sa baso.

Help yourself up. May monthly inspection sila sa azucarera. Puntahan mo ako, after. - Tyson a.k.a your best friend

Napapikit ako at huminga ng malalim. Looks like he'll be more annoying from now on. At anong best friend? Hindi ko naman siya tinanggap bilang kaibigan? Ilusyonado rin ang isang 'to.

Kinuha ko 'yong tray at inilapag ito sa kama. I did help myself out, gutom ako't nauuhaw. Last night's events drained me up, mentally. After finishing, nag-ayos na ako bago bumaba dala-dala ang tray.

"Toto, okay ka na ba?" Tanong ni manang after niyang patayin ang vacuum when she saw me. Naglilinis siya sa sala at nang makita ako'y tumigil siya.

I smiled at her. "Okay lang po, manang. Can I request na palagyan ng emergency light ang kwarto ko? Pati na rin dito sa ibang parte pa ng bahay," sabi ko sa kaniya. Ayokong maulit muli ang nangyari kagabi.