Man in the Rain

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

The Past: Rain Talk

Gio's  lips landed on my left cheek, instead. His lips pursed and brows furrowed dahil sa ginawa kong pag-iwas. I knew that he did not like what I did so before he could give me a piece of his mind ay inunahan ko na siya sa pagsasalita.

"You should go home now, Gio," I said using a deadpan voice. I nearly smiled nang maisip ko na baka nahawa na ako kay Luke. "Baka umulan ulit at mahirapan ka sa daan."

Tinignan niya ako sandali bago siya marahas na bumuntong-hininga. "Fine. I'll text you once I get home," he said in a slightly annoyed tone.

I did say anything anymore. Tumango na lang ako. Gio walked toward the direction of the door habang ako naman ay nagtuloy sa kwarto ko. Just as when I switched the light on, my phone began ringing.  Kinaha ko ito mula sa aking bag at tinignan. I couldn't help but smile when I saw Luke name's on the screen. We exchanged number earlier after we settled everything between us.

I pressed the green button without any hesitation. "Hi," I softly said.

"Hi," he answered.

"Why did you call? Are you still driving o nakauwi ka na?" I frowned because of my last question. I was sure that he wasn't home yet. If I remembered it correctly, may kalayuan ang bahay nila sa amin.

"I'm still in front of your house."

My heart jumped upon hearing what he said. Mabilis akong napatakbo sa may bintana. I pushed the curtains aside and looked through the window. He's telling the truth, I saw his Range Rover parked in the same spot kung saan niya ito ipinarada kanina. It didn't move an inch.

"Bakit hindi ka pa umaalis?" I asked but he did not answer. "Luke, basa ka rin. Umuwi ka na at magpalit bago ka pa magkasakit. Gusto mo bang magkasakit? Again, he did not answer.

Instead, he said, " May nakita akong kotse na humarurot galing sa inyo. I saw the driver. A guy."

I bit my lower lip. He did not ask anything pero alam kong gusto niyang malaman kung sino iyon. "T'was Gio." Pag-amin ko.

I heard a low chuckle. "Your boyfriend."

"Yes..."

A despondent silence stretched between the two of us. I could hear his heavy breathing from the other line.

When I couldn't take it anymore I tried to speak. "Luke—"

"You should rest," he cut me off.

"But—"

"I'll go now."

"Will I get to see you tomorrow?" I asked, hopeful.

"We'll see. Goodnight, Blaire."

"Goodnight, Luke.

He ended the call. Ibinaba ko ang cellphone pero hindi ako umalis sa tabi ng bintana. I watched him as he manuever his car and sped through the night.

----

I woke up with a smile on my face. At iyon ay dahil ang unang pumasok sa isip ko ay si Luke. I grabbed my cellphone from the bedside table.

May limang text messages akong na-recieve. I opened my inbox but I got disappointed instantly nang wala ni isa sa limang text messages ang galing kay Luke. They were all from Gio. Binuksan ko iyon isa-isa

I'm already home.

Blaire?

Why aren't you answering my text?