Wherever This Goes

Introduction

"I'm glad you're here, Kit." Liningon ko si Klaus and saw how terrible he looks right now. I have never seen him like this. Even though he's in his usual Armani Suit—minus the perfect hair and the killer smile.

Nakakapanibago.

Ibang-iba sya sa Klaus na palaging naka-ngiti. Yung Klaus na akala mo laging humahabol para Presidente sa sobrang gaan kausap.

He looked so different, it kinda broke my heart. Sobrang lalim na ng mga mata nya at sobrang itim na ng eyebags nya. Ang laki na din ng pinayat nya. He lost his usual spark and somehow I know that it'll take time before we can get him back.

We're losing him while he's in the middle of finding himself.

"Let's go, Klausy." Tinapik ko sya sa balikat to dismiss him from his deadly thoughts. Tulala nanaman kasi ito pero nag peke din ng ngiti katapos. Siguro normal nalang talaga sa mga tao ang pag peke ng ngiti, halata man ito o hindi.

Pinili ko nalang hindi pansinin yung ngiting yon. Even though it'll probably be on my nightmares later.

Sabay kaming bumaba sa kotse nya. Even his car looked terrible. Ilang weeks na kayo itong hindi naipa-car wash?

Tinignan ko muna ang mansion sa harapan namin bago sundan si Klaus. The mansion seems so familiar yet vaguely foreign to me. Parang nakita ko na, o napuntahan.

"Good evening, Klaus. The Captain has been waiting for you." Barth welcomed Klaus the moment he saw him. Katulad ni Klaus ay parang may bitbit ito sa balikat nya. Mukhang ilang araw ding walang tulog but he still offered that kindly fatherly smile to Klaus.

He's an old man who served the Zamoras for decades and I know he's hurting too.

"Kit! I didn't expect you'll be here." I smiled at Barth and gave him a hug. Everyone needs it at times like this. "I'm glad you're here, Kit. Theh need you." He patted me in the back and I took that as a cue to follow Klaus at the dining.

Malayo pa lang ay may rinig na akong nag-tatawanan at nag-kwekwentuhan. It made me change my thought about this whole dinner thing. Akala ko kasi sobrang pormal nito and unnecessary. I don't think it's appropriate to head straight to business days after what happened.

"Klaus." The captain's eyes landed at Klaus first so he automatically stood up to welcome him.

Paglapit nya ay doon palang nya ako napansin.

"Kit.. You're here." Nanlalaki ang mata nya na parang di makapaniwalang nasa harap nya ako ngayon. I rolled my eyes at him.

"But I'm glad you're both here, Klaus & Kit. I could use all the support I can get right now." He hugged Klaus and then kissed my cheeks.

He looks as terrible as Klaus but only neater.

I've seen Klaus bad days before—the one caused by his hangover and the one when he got his heart broken—I could tell that this is the worst scenario for all of us but I did not expect this from Kick.

Everyone calls him Captain because he's a polished human being. He's a walking perfect machine! Hindi ako sanay na ibinabalandra nya ang kahinaan nya, or maybe this is really the time of the year where no fake facade can hide your broken heart.

Pinagitnaan ako ng dalawa. Kick on the right side and Klaus on the left. I came here to support both of them but I guess I needed theirs too.

"Klaus!" Pagpasok namin sa dining hall ay ang pagbati ng isang lalaki kay Klaus. He looked like he's in his mid 50s. This man radiates aura that could intimidate people, even Kick. I can see wisdom in his eyes—it feels ancient, like he has seen it all.