HIBISCUS TEA
I didn't see Niccolo that day. Or the next. Or the next.
I feel a growing ache inside my chest. The more I see no signs of him. It came as a routine that we are always together. That it was just as normal and essential as breathing.
Kaya ngaun ay nandito na ako. Sa tapat ng kanilang headquarters. Naglakas ng loob na puntahan siya.
I've already practiced a series of scenarios in my head for when I see him. Nakapag isip na rin ako ng mga ilang sasabihin pag nakaharap ko na siya. But I just couldn't bring myself to knock on their headquarter's door.
Huminga ako ng malalim at itinaas ang isang kamay para sana kumatok ng biglang bumukas ang pintuan.
It was Wally, Edward and Aries. Aries lingering in their back following their footsteps. Napahinto sila ng makita ako.
"Sab." Tipid na bati sa akin ni Wally. Edward just stood there looking sideways at me. Si Aries naman ay ngumiti ng tipid at kumaway.
I tried to smile. "Hi." Bati ko.
Lumapit si Wally sa akin at tumango. "Napadaan ka."
"Uhmmm.....tatanungin ko lang sana kung nandiyan si Niccolo. Tatlong araw ko na kasi siyang hindi nakikita." Paliwanag ko.
Tumango tango si Wally. "Well he received a one game suspension because of what happened." He explained.
"O-One game suspension?" Napatigil akong yun sa sinabi niya. Napatingin ako sa kanilang tatlo. Wally looked serious. Edward's expression is unreadable. While Aries looked grave. Like someone he knew just died.
"Yes." Edward's tone came harsh and hard. Nagulat ako sa galit niya. Sa galit niyang mga mata na nakatutok sa akin. He opened his mouth as if wanting to say more. But Wally stopped him.
"Don't." Umiling si Wally at magkaharap na sila ngaun ni Edward. Edward's long big hands are curled into fists. "You want to die? Niccolo won't be too happy about it." Wally warned in a rushed voice.
Huminga ng malalim si Edward bago bumaling sa akin. "What did he see in you anyway." Tumalikod si Edward at naglakad palayo.
"Bakit anong nangyari? Bakit parang galit siya sa akin? Did I do something wrong?" I asked troubled. And what is it about Niccolo.
Umiling si Wally at pilit na ngumiti. "Wala yun wag mo ng pansinin yung si Edward. Wala si Niccolo dito sa headquarters. Hindi rin siya nag rereport kay coach or sa team. Let's just give him time, okay? After all this is his first suspension. He'll come looking for you anyway. Di yun makakatagal ng di ka nakikita." Wally smiled and winked at me.
Nagpaalam na siyang mauuna sila dahil may practice pa sila. They need to work harder now. Make that extra effort. Now that the lone wolf will not make it to their game against the White Tigers. Kailangan nilang mas maging malakas at matibay sa labang yun. If they lose this game they won't make it to finals.
Tahimik akong naglalakad at nag iisip ng malalim habang palabas ng school ng may pumarang isang magarang sasakyan sa harapan ko. Itim na Mercedes. The dark tinted passenger window at the back rolled down.
Sinalubong ako ng magandang mukha ni Natasha Arguelles. It was Niccolo's younger sister. Pinagbuksan siya ng pintuan ng driver.
