The Beating of a Metal Heart [On Hold]

Chapter Fourteen: Debut d'un jour

Mathilde's Point of View

So that was why, after all.

I'd been so blind. Lothaire Matthew Victor. my Mat-mat.

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Probably the only person who knew me before, when I was whole: the bubbly little girl, the aspiring musician, the adorable grandchild...

The friendly playmate.

I wonder.....

But what about now? How does he see me now?

 I spoke my thoughts. "What do you see from there, now?"

Soko kara wa nani ga mieru?

We were at the school's rooftop, staring at the scenery below.

"Nothing special. Just buildings. Smoke. The setting sun." he replied.

GOOD. I didn't mean that literally. But I guess it's rather better that he didn't understand.

My fault anyway. Lagi naman akong magulong kausap.

dilly dally, shilly shally.

Maybe the fact that we are both weird was the reason we bonded like this. Instantly, with no trace of reluctance.  Kahit pa nung bata kami...

It's as if we were trying to continue our friendship. Well, I'd certainly want that to happen. I want... a friend like him.

"Tara, tugtog tayo." I invited.

"Yeah." I answered softly, kasi wala na rin akong choice. And parang 'yon na rin naman ang gusto kong gawin.

We went to the little chapel again.

Medyo nagkatakutan pa nga kami eh. Lothaire was still the same: a joker. Bawat hakbang ba naman dun sa flooring nung simbahan, sinubukan pa akong takutin. Ha! As if.

"Uy! May multo diyan!"

"Magtigil ka nga!" I retorted with a laugh.

"Oh, duwag ka pa rin? Ano ba yan, Lia! Haha!"

"Oh, loko ka pa rin? Ano ba yan, Mat-mat!"

Tas nagtatawanan pa kami. Maya nang konti nagbabatukan na rin. Nadadala pareho eh...

Then, we were startled by a sound coming from in front of us. "Ahem!"

Oh. May kasama pala kami. Tiningnan niya lang kami, with eyes glancing up, down, and sideways. Tapos seryosong seryoso din yung mukha niya. He raised one eyebrow questioningly at  Lothaire and me...

Tapos yun na. Sabay na kaming humagalpak nang tawa ni Lothaire.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"HEHEHE! Asar eh!"

"Oh, tapos? Tapos na kayong dalawa?" Kyle said slowly, anger evident in his tone.

"Hahahaha. Oo pare, tapos na kami?" sagot naman ni Lothaire.

"What. the.hell?" he mouthed. "Eh ayan pala't magkaibigan kayo eh. Ano yung kanina? TROLOLOL?"

Nako, wag naaaa. "It's kind of a long story... So why are you here?" I said. Palit topic.

"Eh? Guess I must explain. I just can't resist playing the piano. And it's not like the chapel is yours, anyway." he blubbered. "Di nga ba?"

"Oh, well then. Tugtog tayo, Kyle!" Lothaire said, dispelling all the tension in the small space.