Clouded Hearts

29: Truth

Astraea

"Where have you been?" Kanina pa kami paikot-ikot ni Estella rito. Ang laki-laki ng lugar pagod na ang paa ko. Humiwalay na nga si Estella dahil tinawag siya eh.

"Does it hurt?" She's looking at my foot. I took a deep breath then sat at the bench in their garden.

"Yeah, kanina pa kita hinahanap." To my surprise she kneels down, then removes my heels. She massaged it. At first, I was embarrassed but when I felt her hand start caressing the part where it hurts the most, I gave in.

"Heels are not for you." She whispered. I agree by

"If it's not for him, I would not wear that hell." I said

"We can do anything for love." She simply said. I rested my head on the back rest of the bench then looked at the sky. No stars, no moon, just a dull and dark sky above us.

Uulan ata...

"No stars, sad." I felt her put shoes on mine. How do I know? Kabisado ko na ata ang lahat ng uri ng sapatos.

"Where'd you get that?" I asked without looking at her. Despite being empty, I still feel its comfort and peace.

"Somewhere." She sat beside me after putting the shoe on.

"Who's Estella?" She asked after being in silence for minutes.

"Gael's cousin. Nothing important." I let her rest her head on my shoulder.

"So Gael and you are official? In a relationship?" I hummed

"Congrats." She said plainly.

"Aren't you happy for me? Are you siding with Eryx and Ice?" She chuckled

"I'm on no one's side. And don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you. I am truly happy for you." Since she's resting her head on my shoulders. I couldn't see her face, so I just combed her hair.

"You will find someone who can treasure you more than a gold. You'll meet someone who will value you and appreciate you." I whispered

"I hope so." She said. I continued combing her hair.

We stayed quiet, all we could hear was the loudness of nature. Salcedo's residence is huge, his candidacy had really paid off. He worked hard for his family, kitang kita naman ang resulta.

"Achelois?" I called. My shoulder was starting to hurt na kasi. I can't move either. Ayoko ng gumagalaw kapag may nakasandal sa balikat ko. It's disrespectful.

"Hey?" I called again.

Is she asleep? That fast?

"Winter." She did not respond.

"She's asleep." Napalihis ang tingin ko sa sulok ng hardin. Hindi naman madilim sa part na iyon kaya kita ko siya.

"Kuya..." Ngumiti siya

"Siya yung kasama mong maganda noong sports fest diba? What's her name again?" Humakbang siya papalapit pero tumigil din ilang metro sa inuupuan namin.

"Achelois?" Napapitik siya ng daliri.

"Right! Achelois. Ang ganda niya no sakto naghahanap ako ng asawa. Pwede ba siya?" Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya.

"Kuya alam mo ba kung ilang taon na siya at ilang taon ka na?" He smirk

"I am well aware of my age, darling. But hers? Care to tell me?" Is he a pedo?

"And if it's far, age doesn't matter. I guess, she's not a minor anymore." I really hate it, when men are looking down at women.

Bakit hari ba sila na kailangan naming sambahin at tingalain? No, mas masahol pa sila sa daga. People like him don't even deserve the word respect.