Trouvaille

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Nicole's POV

What should I do?

It has been a few minutes since I recieved Nina's message but I'm still hesitant as to what I should reply. Should I go? But, if I go, what should I say? I have an idea on why she was asking me out. No, it's definitely about that thing, I'm sure of that.

Nagtipa ako ng mensahe ngunit kaagad ko rin iyong binura. Type. Erase. Type. Erase. Nang wala talaga akong maisip ay ibinaba ko ang aking phone at nagbihis na muna. I decided to walk around so I could think. Nakarating ako sa convenience store na nasa harapan ng park kung saan kami madalas maglaro noon. Umupo ako sa isang stool sa harapan ng store.

Back then, I was always excited to come home after months of vacation outside of the country. Honestly, ayaw ko laging magbakasyon noon. I wanted to stay here and play with my friends but I can't argue with mom so when we comes back, dito kaagad ang diretso ko. I would alwaya find my friends playing and I'd join them. Back then, nothing really matters as long as we're happy playing whatever we thinks of.

As we grew older, we grew apart. We're still close, but not like before. Now, we're not those innocent children anymore. We had limits, we had boundaries, we built a distance.

"Lili." Napako ako sa kinauupuan ko ng narinig ang boses na iyon. Gusto kong lumingon, ngunit hindi ko magawa.

Why now when I have to think?

"Lili, hey." Tumayo ito sa harapan ko at iniangat ang baba ko gamit ang kanyang hintuturo at hinuli ang mga mata ko.

"Jas, ikaw pala." Umupo ito sa katabing upuan ko.

"What were you thinking about that you didn't even heard me calling?"

"Ah, just some stuffs about school. Why are you here?"

"I got bored at home. You?"

"I.... wanted to buy snacks." Tumango ito at pagkatapos ay namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa.

It's silent, but not awkward. I could feel my heartbeat pounding fast and hard, feeling ko ay naririnig rin niya iyon. When I couldn't stand it anymore, I stood up. Nag-angat ito ng tingin sa akin.

"I'll buy them, then."

"Ako rin." Sabay kaming naglakad papasok ng store.

Wala sa plano ko ang bumili ng pagkain pero dahil iyon ang ginawa kong dahilan ay dinamihan ko na ang kinuha ko. Huli na ng maalala kong wala akong dalang pera. Habang nagbabayad ay napatingin ako kay Jastine at napakamot ng ulo. His eyebrow shot up, but it looks like he understood the situation.

"Kasama ito." Iniabot nito ang tubig na dala sa cashier bago binayaran lahat.

"Ah, thank you. Babayaran ko bukas, promise." Hiyang-hiya ako paglabas namin ng store. Hinarap ako nito at ngumiti.

"It's fine, Lili. I'm glad I was the one who went out." Pabulong lang ang huli nitong sinabi kaya hindi ko iyon naintindihan.

"Ha?" Umiling ito at ginulo ang buhok ko.

"Tara, hatid na kita." Pareho kaming tahimik habang naglalakad. The night air is chilly despite the season. The night sky's view is serene, it makes me want to lie down the grass and just stare at it.

Nang malapit na kami sa bahay ay narinig ko ang iilang buntung-hininga ni Jastine. I turned to him and asked.

"Is there a problem?" He sighed once again before answering.

"No. Nothing." I nodded at that.

"Thank you, ingat sa pag-uwi." Paalam ko ng nasa tapat na kami ng gate. Tumango lang ito at ngumiti. Tumalikod na ako at nagsimulang humakbang papasok ng tawing nito ang pangalan ko.

"Do you have time tomorrow?"

"I... why?" He remained silent for a few moments.

"I just wanna talk about... something." Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko. A part of me wants to say yes, but thinking about Nina held me back.

"Sorry. My day's full for tomorrow."

"Oh. Okay then, I understand. Goodbye." Iyon lamang at tumalikod na ito.

And here I thought I'll somehow clear my mind if a took a stroll, mukhang lalo pa akong naguluhan. The thoughts kept me awake. The sunrays are peeping through the holes in my cutains already but I haven't had a decent sleep yet. It was when after I washed my face that I got myself an answer. Kinuha ko ang phone ko at mabilis na nagtipa.

Me:
Let's meet. Later at 3, the cat cafè by the alley.

After sending the message, I put my phone away and covered my eyes with a pillow. The talk is important but I badly need a sleep.