Time and Fallen leaves

Things we lost in the fire

A few months had passed.

It's the month of the promenade and everyone is already talking about what should they wear. The idea of having a prom night is something that everyone feels excited about, it's not everyday where they get to experience a moment they only watch in movies or read in books.

But not for Erin.

"Earth to Erin? Pass me the banners, please" iritang saad ni Parker as he caught Erin staring in a void for the second time.

"Sorry" tumingala muna ito upang salubungin ang tingin ni Parker bago dali-daling inabot ang banner sakanya. She heard Parker muttered something ngunit hindi niya na ito narinig dahil muling lumanding ang kanyang tingin kay Leeon na busy sa pag-ayos ng mga mesa.

Bukas na gaganapin ang prom night ngunit tila hindi pa rin sila nag-uusap ni Leeon. It's been like this for a month now, some other days Leeon would act all cold towards Erin and then he's back to being the sweet gentleman like nothing happened. Naguguluhan ni si Erin sa sitwasyon nila ngayon, it's like a battle of chess but she's probably losing because she can't read Leeon's mind at all.

Paano ba ang sitwasyon nila bukas? He's her prom partner and yet they haven't spoken at all —especially today. Who's fetching who? What should they do before the event starts?

"He's busy, let him be" grabe na lang ang inggit ni Erin kay Milo dahil sa galing nitong magbasa ng tao, it's like he can read everyone's mind.

"Eh busy rin naman tayo pero may time pa rin kay Erin" another eye roll from Keen, nakailang irap na ata ito these past few weeks whenever Leeon's name came into topic. Both Keen and Milo knew what's going on. Erin's not very hard to read, she's like an open book even without saying anything. Basang-basa na nila ang kaibigan, and they hate to see her struggling while the other party pretends not to care.

If it wasn't for Erin who told them not to meddle, Leeon would probably be bombarded with confrontations right now.

Tama, siguro busy lamang siya. He's the president after all.

Iyon na lamang ang paulit-ulit niyang sinasabi sa isip. The pressure must be too much to handle for Leeon, kaya nawala na si Erin sa kanyang isip. She understands, especially after meeting Leeon's mother.

"Erin" Parker's voiced were stern, tila nagtitimpi lamang ito dahil nahuli niya nanamang nakatulala si Erin. Another sorry was all she could say at muling nag-abot ng banner sa kamay ni Parker.

"Lapitan mo na kasi" Saki whispered in her ear. He too, knew what's going on since he'd been hanging out with Keen a lot. Mukhang mas malapit na nga ang dalawa compared to the others. Ngunit hindi parin nawawala ang never ending bickering ng dalawa —Saki teasing Keen while the latter sulk as usual.

"At bakit siya ang lalapit? It should have been him, siya itong umiiwas" and all Erin could do is wait.

"Yung mata mo nanaman, Keen. Kapag yan hindi bumalik" Milo reminded Keen but he was only answered with an eye roll. Erin wanted to remind him that she can handle herself, this sort of thing may be new to her but she can adapt well. Perhaps Leeon's really that busy, ayaw niya naman na istorbohin ito.

"For the last time Erin, banner please" Parker's eyebrows were now collided, the crease on his forehead were too visible that Erin apologised once again. Umiling siya ng ilang beses —shaking Leeon her thoughts. If Leeon could forget her due to work, dapat ay siya rin.

"Sorry, ako nalang diyan" Erin insisted na magpalit ng pwesto ang dalawa, mukhang nangangalay na rin si Parker kakasabit ng banner. He didn't utter a single word at bumaba sa foldable ladder, it created a creaking sound dahil sa sobrang luma na nito.