A/N: Pichur ni Alice nang inaasar nya si Vincent.. hahaha!--->
“You can cry now.” Sinabi ko yon dahil pansin kong kanina pa nya gustong umiyak pero hindi nya magawa. When she faced me, the linings of her eyes are reddish, as well as the side of her lower lip. ‘Must be from the slap that she got earlier.. Plus, she’s panting like she run a mile or so.
I nodded to her, encouraging to do anything she wants.. Then she started to tear up so bad her face distorts like she’s writhing in pain. She’d been holding everything for days and I guess she can’t take it anymore.
I tugged her close to my chest, smelling her fruity shampoo. She sobs so hard she’s having trouble in terms of breathing.
Now I know why Drew can’t leave her alone. It’s because she needs someone.
Someone who could look out for her.. because she can’t stand alone.
“Shh..” putting my hand over her hair. “I know you’re not okay but it’ll be over.. I promise.” yeah, I’m just blurting out any word that comes into my mind so that she’ll stop crying. Her sobs are quite viral that I feel her pain.. and this hugging thing is all that I’ve got now. I don’t want to see her cry. It reminds me of the night that I saved her in that dark alley..
We stood there for few minutes, both of us not saying anything.. I let her pour out everything right here. After a while, she pushed me softly, “Hindi ako makahinga, ang higpit.” She sniffs then wipes the tears on her cheeks.
I immediately let go of her. Mahigpit? Hindi ko alam.
Biglang bumukas ang pinto. “Nandito pala kayo, akala ko inuwi mo na ‘tong si Alice.” bungad sa’min ni Ate Mars. “Pinapatawag si Alice ni Mr. Marthens.”
Tumango naman si Alice at inayos ang sarili. I handed her my handkerchief and she accepted it whole heartedly saka sya lumabas at dumiretso sa office. Susunod sana ako pero pinigilan ako ni Ate Mars. Nap[atingin naman ako sa kanya.
“I know, kaso you’re not allowed in there. Dito nga sa locker room hindi ka dapat nakapasok.”
I understood what she said that’s why I took the way towards the dining area.
Naupo na ako sa pinakamalapit na table, tumayo para umorder ulit ng latte saka bumalik.. wala pa rin. Naiinip ako, kailan ba sya lalabas at nang makauwi na kami?
Halos 30 minutes ako naghintay at uminom ng kape, sa wakas lumabas din sya. Dala na nya agad yung bagpack nya at dahan dahang lumakad. Agad ko naman syang sinalubong at tinignan sabay tanong ng, “Okay ka lang?”
I saw a faint smile as a respond.
Kinuha ko yung bag nya sa likod nya. Mauuna na sana akong lumabas but then she gripped my index finger and..
Medyo kinakabahan pa ‘ko nang sumakay kami sa motor dahil baka anytime malaglag si Alice sa likod ko. Para kasing wala sya sa sarili habang nakasakay sa motor hanggang sa naglalakad, basta hawak nya lang yung index finger ko habang paakyat sa rooftop, kaya wala na rin akong nagawa kundi sundan sya.