Yo te Cielo

Capítulo 16

Before you go, turn the big light off  (Please don't go)

-"I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It", The 1975

***

I killed her.

Pat's words echoed inside her head.

For a few seconds, Miho was in a state of shock. Nanlamig ang buo niyang katawan. Hindi niya nagawang gumalaw o magsalita. Her mind was the only thing that functioned normally, sobra-sobra nga lang na parang sasabog na sa kung anu-anong imahinasyon ang pumasok dito.

She was able to fumble some words out of her mouth when she saw Pat walked closer to her.

"P-paano? Paanong..pinatay?"

Parang hindi na siya makahinga sa kaba habang hinihintay ang sagot nito. He seemed to be unpredictable and mysterious but she could never imagine him as an ex-convict. Kahit siguro umamin itong nakapatay ay hindi siya maniniwala.

"By doing nothing. Nanahimik lang ako," He said, pausing for a moment. "I kept her secret."

Miho immediately noticed his blank expression has turned into sadness. Deep inside, the fear subsided; napalitan na nga lang iyon ng pag-aalala. His coffee-hued eyes reflected so much of his emotions, lalo rin tuloy siyang nalungkot at na-guilty.

"Sorry.. ang usisera ko," She bowed her head in apology.

His warm fingertips tilted her chin up until her eyes met his.

"There's no need to apologize. I opened up, so it's not your fault but.. can we not talk about this anymore tonight?"

She nodded as she bit her lip. Pat's words roused more of her curiosity but she kept all the questions to herself. She respects his privacy, ayaw naman kasi niyang mangulit pa at tiyak maiinis ito sa kanya.

---

After taking a bath, Miho sat on the chair in the dining area, still thinking of him and his words. She couldn't avoid thinking of what had happened earlier. Kaya ba nagsimula itong mag-open up sa kanya ay dahil magkaibigan na sila? She hoped it was the reason.

Pat's words were vague but it was a relief to hear that he did not literally kill someone. Yun nga lang, malungkot pa rin. Based from what he said, he has something to do with the death of his mother. Hindi man niya alam kung ano ang buong storya, sigurado siya na dala-dala ito ni Pat hanggang ngayon. If not, then she wouldn't see the sadness reflected in his eyes when he spoke about her.

Paglabas ni Pat sa banyo, nakita niya itong dumiretso sa refrigerator at kinuha ang durian. Pinatikim nito iyon sa kanya. She didn't like the strong smell of the fruit but the taste for her was okay— creamy, mildly sweet and savory. It wouldn't be her favorite, pero ito yung tipong makakain niya kapag may nag-alok. Ayon kay Pat, paborito daw ito ng kapatid niya kaya raw lagi ang pasalubong sa kanya ni Charlie ay durian. Siya naman, mas gusto niya yung lasa ng candy kesa sa totoong prutas.

"I'm bringing some of this to Ate tomorrow. Are you free after work? Isasama sana kita. We'll have dinner with your mom tomorrow night, right? Tapos sa coffee shop ng kaibigan mo pagkatapos?"

Naalala pala nito ang mga plano niya para bukas. She nodded in affirmation before looking at his face. Again, she took the time in admiring his features, especially his eyes.

For her, Pat is really attractive in a simple, effortless way, lalo kapag nakangiti ito. Kahit nga ngayon na naka-pokerface ito ay hindi parin niya maikakaila na gusto parin niyang titigan ang mukha nito.