Three O'clock | Hexagon Series # 1

Three

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky and water were bathed in a warm orange glow. We stood by the river, the fading light turning our faces a similar hue. It was a stunning view of the setting sun painting the water with its final rays.

We sat on a pair of rocks, side by side, watching the sun's slow descent. With the sunset came a chill in the air that made my skin prickle. The river, vibrant and colorful by day, now surrendered to the encroaching darkness, illuminated only by the pale moonlight. To our surprise, tiny fireflies emerged, their gentle light twinkling around us.

I was mesmerized by the scene, the delicate firefly glow making the river's nighttime beauty even more enchanting. In awe, I raised a hand to catch the fireflies that flitted close by while remaining seated on the rock.

Lost in the moment, I was abruptly brought back to reality when Third spoke beside me.

"Tsk! You're acting like a child." aniya, dahilan para maibaling ko ang paningin sa kanya.

Madilim na ang paligid, but the moonlight and the fireflies' glow made his face visible, revealing his undeniable charm, kahit sa dilim.

"Kailangan talagang mag comment?"

"Whatever." sagot niya nang may kaunting pag tawa.

At hindi ko ma deny, mas lalo siyang guma-gwapo kapag tumatawa.

Hinaplos ko ang magkabilang braso ko para painitin ito bago ako muling nagsalita. "Marunong ka palang tumawa?"

"Of course. Anong akala mo sakin?"

"Laging naka kunot yung noo mo, eh."

"This is only the second time you've seen me. How do you know I always frown?"

Hindi ako agad naka sagot sa tanong niya. Ito nga lang pala ang pangalawang beses na nagkita kami. Pero feeling ko parang ang tagal na naming kilala ang isa't isa.

"You're quite judgmental." he said abruptly, kaya napanguso ako.

"Hoy!" Dinuro ko siya, at binuksan ang bibig ko para gumanti, pero walang lumabas sa bibig ko kundi 'yon lang.

Muli siyang natawa, napailing, at bigla ay tumayo.

"Let's go."

Nagtataka akong tumingala sa kanya, "Saan na naman?"

"Home, of course. Do you want to stay here? Because I'm leaving." Umakma pa itong hahakbang.

Mabilis akong tumayo, at pinagpag ang pwet ng pantalon na suot ko. "Uuwi na ako!"

Tinignan niya ako ng hindi natutuwa, "Tsk."

Nauna siyang maglakad sa'kin, hindi man lang ako hinintay. Pero bago pa siya maka layo ay mabilis akong humabol, at sumabay sa kanya.

As we reached the road, umiba ako ng daan na siyang nagpatigil sa kan'ya, at napatingin sa'kin ng nagtataka.

"Where are you going?"

His voice was calm—calmer than the night.

Nginitian ko siya, "Pabalik sa sasakyan ko."

His brows knitted in confusion, para bang pinoproseso ang sinabi ko, at ilang segundo lang ay tumango ito. Nang makita iyon ay agad akong naglakad pabalik sa kotse, at mabilis na pumasok dahil na rin sa lamig ng hangin.

Nang akmang bubuksan ko na sana ang makina ng kotse, isang sasakyan ang biglang lumitaw at huminto sa harapan ng kotse ko.

A jolt of fear ran through me, wondering if something bad was about to happen. Pero kaagad ring nawala ang takot na iyon nang makita kung sino ang lumabas mula sa kotse.