Nevermore

Chapter 18: Fragments

"Para sakin 'to?" Dad nodded

"Carry it for awhile. Hindi ako kumportable na wala kang pang depensa sa sarili mo."

My hands shook as I opened the lid of the black brief case, and there on the bottom sits a semi-automatic pistol. I gingerly lifted the gun to appraise it and while doing so, a strange feeling of giddiness and excitement swept over me.

"Thanks, dad. You're the best!" I smiled at him and kissed his cheek

"Don't get too excited, there's a catch." And here I thought its my lucky day

"Hindi pwedeng malaman ng mommy mo, tska pang emergency lang yan."

I vehemently nodded "Agreed." Its not like I'm going to tell my mom, anyway.

"Baka malate kana." I placed the gun back in the brief case and shoved it under my bed.

I kissed dad's cheek and dashed out of the house towards my car...only to find Domeric leaning againts the hood

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"Goodmorning din sayo." Dom replied cheekily before getting on the passenger side.

"Ano ngang ginagawa mo dito?" I asked again when I got in the car and revved the engine.

"Hindi pa din binabalik ni Dad yung sasakyan ko." Nakangiti sya ng sabihin yon and that's rare. Domeric had never been this happy about missing his car.

I rolled my eyes "Kawawa ka naman."

"Its too early for sarcasm Achila."

"Whatever."

The rest of the drive was silent nagsalita lang ulit si Dom ng makarating kami sa school para ipa-alala sakin na dahil wala parin syang sasakyan kaylangan ko syang ihatid pauwi.

"Hindi mo ako driver."

"Come on, kung ikaw ang nasamsaman ng sasakyan, gagawin ko rin 'to para sayo."

"Hindi pa din."

"Ililibre kita sa starbucks."

"May pera ako."

"Hahalikan kita."

"Never."

"Ouch, you're breaking my heart, love."

"Eww..."

"Sige na, please."

"Ayaw,"

"Hindi kita titigilan."

"Bwisit."

"Ha! Is that a yes?"

"Sige na, oo na."

"Sabi ko na mahal mo ko eh."

"Labas na!"

"Ok! Ok! Chill tiger!"

"Dom!"

"Sabi ko nga, sige kitakits."

Kinukuha ko ang bag ko ng lumitaw ulit si Domeric sa gilid ng sasakyan

I sighed "Ano na naman?"

"Sabihin mo pag nilapitan ka ulit ni Cross." Gone was the smile, Domeric looked serious.

"Sure." Tumango-tango ako at lumabas na sa sasakyan

"Bye, Dom."

I arrived just before Mr. Sanchez started the roll call, he had a witty remark about my tardiness like the usual but I really don't have the will power to strike back so I simply smiled at the bespectacled professor.

"Looking good, Achila!" Someone called as I'm making my way towards my seat. I turned and saw that it was Wilson Moore...Jackson's bestfriend

"Can't say the same to you, Willy." I quipped, gaining a few laughs from the crowd and a death glare from Wilson and Mr. Sanchez

"Isn't it too early to be looking for trouble?" Colton asked ng makaupo na ako sa silya. Kinagat ko ang dila ko para pigilan ang sarili ko na magsalita.

"Akala ko ba mag kaibigan na tayo?" I bit my tongue tighter. Para namang nakuha nya na na ayaw kong maki-pag usap ng hindi ko sya pansinin ng pangalawang beses dahil hindi na ito muling nag tanong.

I gambled a glance at nakitang nag susulat na sya

"Its rude to stare, you know?" Muntikan na akong malaglag sa bangkuan ng bigla syang lumingon

Every sarcastic retort died on my lips when his gray eyes met mine...his eyes reminded me of dark clouds before a storm and I knew right then and there that those eyes held nothing but impending doom.

But why can't I look away?
God, why won't I look away?

"Kamusta na yung kamay mo?"

"Ha?" I blinked

"Yung kamay mo?" Confused, I glanced down at my hands and remembered the injury

"Pano mo nalaman..." I gasped

He smiled ruefully "Nalimutan mo na?"

"The bandages?" He nodded in confirmation but after that he didn't spare me another glance.