Duskfall

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Nang lumalim na ang gabi ay nauna na kaming nagpaalam ni Lucius. His friends seems a bit disappointed and asking us to say longer pero hindi nagpatinag si Lucius. Well, I bet they just want to keep teasing him and Lucius knows it too. I enjoy their comapany and promised to meet again some other day.

"You sure you can drive?" Tanong ko kay Lucius habang binubuhay niya ang makina. Nakarami din kasi siya ng inom kanina. Hanggang ngayon nga ay amoy ko pa ang alak sa kanya, lalo pa't bukas ang aircon.

Bumaling sa akin si Lucius. Even though his seat belt is fastened ay yumuko siya palapit sa akin at hinalikan ako sa pisngi. "Don't worry. I won't drive kung hindi ko kaya." Sabi niya bago umayos ng upo at nagsimulang magdrive.

"Still, you drank."

"Honey, our penthouse is close."

"Kahit na. Accidents happen even with a short time. How about letting me drive?"

Lucius chuckled. "That sounds more dangerous."

Napanguso ako. "But I saw my car in my parent's house. Lien told me that I used to drive all by myself. If is start driving, maybe I can remember it. Isa pa, I know the process. I just haven't tried it yet since then."

I saw his smile kahit na nakatuon ang paningin niya sa daan. "You're not afraid of me driving, do you? You just want to try doing it."

"Uh, a little bit?"

Natawa siya sa sagot ko. "Next time, I'll let you drive."

"Is that a promise?"

Walang tingin na kinuha niya ang kamay ko at marahang pinisil. "Promise."

~~~

My uneventful life continued. Isang linggo na ang lumipas matapos ang birthday ni Anne. During those days ay pansin ko na nanlamig sa akin si Olive at Reah. Well, among my friends, si Bliss at Emmie lang naman talaga ang madalas kong katext. Si Cason, Pandora at Helen ay madalang magtext pero meaningful. Jared, Anne, Olive and Reah's texts were more on group messages na may ilang personal message, pero simula noong may nangyari sa birthday ni Anne ay dumalang ang text ni Olive at Reah, they don't send personal messages and invite me on their hangouts anymore.

Well, Reah might felt awkward with me because of her outburst and Olive is her best friend so I understand where they are coming from kaya ayos lang sa akin.

"You sure you want to come with me?" Paniniguradong tanong sa akin ni Cason. Nagrequest ako sa kanya na isama ako sa kanyang workplace.

Among my friends ay si Reah, Olive, at siya ang same course degree sa natapos ko. I used to work with Reah and Olive daw in the same company but since I'm not in a really good terms with them right now ay si Cason ang pinakiusapan ko.

Why I want to go on his workplace? I want to observe how they work and what their job is. I've been contemplating for days about how I want my life to go on and this will help me make decisions.

"Yes. Thank you for agreeing and getting permission for me."

"No problem. Hindi rin naman ako nahirapan noong sinabi ko ang situation mo. You know, our company was really trying to pirate you back then. Ayaw mo lang talaga mahiwalay kila Olive at Reah so you declined the offers. I think the management is still hoping na kapag maayos ka na ay sa amin ka naman mag-apply." Tumatawang sabi niya.

I looked at him. "Really?"

Kaagad siyang tumango. "Has no one told you before? Summa cum laude ka noon sa batch natin. Ang ganda pa ng credentials mo. Pansin mo? You are younger than us, that's because you are among the young graduates since you skipped some grades in elementary."