We Just Are (GU #1.5)

13 : confront

I waited for Slade. Pero nasorpresa ako nang makitang nakangiti siyang lumapit sa akin. He looked fine. I mean I didn't expect it. Lalo na pagkatapos ng nangyari kanina.

"Hey," Slade greeted and sat beside me.

Nagtataka ko pa rin siyang tiningnan. I held his face, examined his eyes.

A low laughter came out from him. "Hey, what are you doing?"

Binitiwan ko na ang mukha niya nang makitang wala namang nagbago. He still looked like Slade. "You're not an alien," sabi ko.

Napataas ang parehong kilay ni Slade. "What are you talking about?"

I heaved a sigh. "It's just...it surprises me to see you smiling after what happened earlier."

He sighed too. "I guess my previous theraphy sessions are working already. Hindi man sa pagtulog ko but at least when it comes to my temper," paliwanag niya.

"So you're really okay?" pagkumpirma ko. I mean I witnessed with my bare eyes the way he

"I'm still mad and want to beat the sh*t out of your crazy admirer," he paused and I snorted at his last word. "But that can't solve anything. So, I tried another tactic."

Doon ako nagtaas ng kilay? Tactic? Anong pinagsasabi ni Slade?

"He's right," patuloy pa ni Slade. "It's a different place here. And I can't fight right if I don't who I'm going against with. .So I need to learn everything about Onyx."

"How are you going to do that?"

Ngisi lang ang tinugon sa akin ni Slade at mas lalo akong naguluhan. May plano na ba siya? I wanted to know it. "I'll tell you," pangako sa akin ni Slade. "But first let me fill our stomachs first. Alam ko hindi ka kumain kanina. Lets go eat?"

Nagpunta kami sa isang diner malapit lang sa campus. Sabi kasi ni Slade ay kailangan ko nang kumain. I didn't ask him how he did know that I didn't eat. Siguro tulad ng sa mga babae, merong tinatawag na boyfriend instincts.

At habang nasa daan papuntang diner, paulit-ulit sa isipan ko ang mga sinabi ni Slade kanina sa library. But I really had no idea and I couldn't wait to hear it from Slade.

Soon, we were finished with our foods. Doon na ako nag-umpisang magtanong. "So...what are you going to tell me?"

Umupo ng tuwid si Slade bago sumagot sa akin. "I started to gather information about Onyx. Called the private investigator I hired before." Tumango ako. I guessed he was talking about the one he hired to look for Lyra. "And I found a few things about him. His late late grandfather was the founder of SLU, are you aware of that?"

Umiling ako. Wala akong alam kung anuman ang history ng SLU. I just knew it was one of the prestige schools here in Baguio. But if that was the case, I knew now why Onyx could act like that. At kung bakit rin nito nasabi 'yung mga bagay na 'yun kay Slade kanina. He had a right. Because he was just not merely a fraternity member. Mas may mabigat pa itong koneksyon.

"So we're going against a great wall, huh?" komento ko.

Slade sighed at that. And that seemed his silent confirmation. He reached for my hand. "But we won't give up," he said firmly. "We'll get through this, Celestine. I'll look for a way. I just need you to hold my hand."

Tumango ako at hinawakan din ng mahigpit ang kamay ni Slade. Yes, Onyx might be a great wall, but the love Slade and I has for each other was enough to break that damn wall.

Paalis na kami ng diner at dapat ay pauwi na nang maalala ko kung bakit hinintay ni Kleo si Slade. For the latter's notes. Na hindi na nakuha ni Kleo dahil bigla itong umalis dahil sa hindi malinaw na kadahilanan. Well, I got an idea but I was not sure if it was really the reason.