Black Clover

Chapter VII

Alexandra took a sip from the cup, then peeks at the guy sitting in front of him before placing it back to the table. A rather strong scent wafted in the air as the bitter drink left an after-taste. She always loves coffee, it's just that her favorite is in Black Clover's. Napabuntong-hininga siya na itinaas ang binti at umupo ng di-kwatro. Tinignan niya ng diretso ang kaharap na nakapansin na sa kanya.

"It's nice to see you again, Sol," Alexandra said with a smile. The other guy replied.

"Me too."

Sabado. Namamasyal si Alexandra sa grocery para bumili ng kung anong bagay na gusto niya. Isang grocery cart ang tulak-tulak niya na ang tanging laman lang ay bloke-blokeng tsokolate at iilang karton ng gatas. Binabaktas niya ang Wet Section nang may mabangga siya. Humarap ito at nakita si Sol na may bitbit na basket na ang laman lang ay mga gulay at prutas. That meeting led them to a coffee shop inside the supermarket.

"So, how's the shop? Pasensiya na dahil hindi na ako nakakapunta dahil sa trabaho," Alexandra said. "Rob and I is been doing this crazy book editing job that takes ten hours a day to work."

"It's okay. Wala naman masyadong pinagbago sa shop. Minsan may bumibili, minsan wala, though everything seems fine," hinimas-himas ni Sol ang tabi ng tasa niya. Napangiti siya na tinitigan ang laman nito. Alexandra saw it and somehow immitated him.

"It's been a long time since the last time I see you smile," isinandal ni Alexandra ang siko niya sa hita at ipinamahinga ang pisngi sa palad. "Honestly, I still don't like how the things went but it looks like everything is getting okay."

"I'm sorry, Alex. Alam kong malaking responsibilidad ang ibinigay ko sa inyo ni Rob," humigop si Sol sa kape at ibinaba ito sa lamesa. He faced the girl with a sad smile.

"No problem. You can trust us with this but Sol are you sure that you're really okay? Yes, you're smiling. But happiness isn't defined by that."

Hindi agad sumagot si Sol na iniwas ang tingin kay Alexandra. Tinignan niya ang paligid niya at nakakita ng bagong dating na papasok. Isa itong mag-asawa na may hawak na bata sa pagitan nila. Sol smiled with the sight.

"You know," he said without facing Alexandra. "My father disowned me as a son when I am still twelve years old. He found me wearing my sister's wardrobe."

Nagulat si Alexandra sa narinig. Nobody ever heard of Sol's side of the story. Ang tanging alam lang nila ay pumunta siya sa lugar para mag-aral. She now wonder if ever Julius knows about this one. Sol kept on watching the family, his heart getting torn.

"I said to myself, hey it's okay. No matter what my father says, this is me and I'm not going to hide it," napayuko si Sol na tinignan ang mga kamay. Isang parte sa daliri niya ang may bilugang kulay na para bang mayroon isang bagay na dapat nakalagay rito. "On my graduation day, nobody came. I walked on my march without a parent beside me. And I graduated as a valedictorian."

He chuckled. "And I look like an idiot crying in stage while calling out my father's name."

"It's not funny," pabarang sabi ni Alexandra. "Why are you laughing? Walang nakakatawa sa sinabi mo, Sol. Hindi mo dapat pagtawanan ang sarili mo."

"I ain't. But people do," humarap si Sol sa kanya. "And I don't want Julius to become a laughing stock. Sa simula pa lang normal na ang pamumuhay niya. I don't want to ruin that image of him."

"What are you saying, Sol? Wala ka namang sinisira sa amin, wala kang sinisira sa kanya. In fact, you made him complete. Julius is happy to have you."

"I know, Alex. That's why I'm setting him free."

"No, you're not setting anybody free. You just left him," napakunot na si Alexandra. "Sol, what made you think in that way? Alam mo naman siguro sa simula pa lang na hindi ka iiwan ni Julius kahit anong mangyari."