The Death of Gabriel

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Hinde ako makahinga, my heart is beating undeniably fast. I couldn't bring myself to talk or speak to him, so I stared at his orbs, lost in his dark pools.

"Tell me what you want."

"Am I too close?"

"Should I distance myself?"

"Tell what you want me to do?" his deep raspy voice made me think that he's been trying to hold back all of his emotions.

"Tell me, Francisca..." sambit niya in low tone, almost like a whisper only meant for me to be heard.

"I... d-don't know." I mumbled as I gripped the book on my hands lightly, nakita ko ang mariin niyang pagpikit, at ang pagpapakawala niya nang isang malalim na paghinga.

I am lost for words. Hinde ko alam kung ano ang dapat sabihin. How do you explain something to someone, kung ikaw mismo ay hinde ito maintindihan.

He opened the door, but it felt like I am glued to my seat. Bumaba siya nang sasakyan at binagbuksan ako nang pintuan, his forehead are no longer creased taliwas sa mukha niya kanina. Dahan dahan akong bumaba, with the box of cake on my other hand.

"M-mauuna na ako..." I mumbled. He stood in front of me, nakita ko ang pag-igting nang kanyang panga.

"I'm sorry" malamig na sambit niya. Umiling ako.

"No, Gabriel. I should be the one saying sorry." I tried give him a forceful smile. He held my shoulder slowly and softly as he leaned down to meet my eyes.

Those sinful eyes, pakiramdam ko'y isang malaking kasalanan ang pagtingin sa kanyang mga mata.

"I'm sorry." he murmured huskily, before pulling back, as he give me space to move. I was caught of guard. Tila ba'y napako ang mga paa ko sa aking kinatatayuan, but I shook my head to gain back my senses.

"Be safe." rinig kong sambit niya bago ako makalayo, pakiramdam ko'y hihimatayin na ako dahil sa bilis nang tibok nang aking puso.

Buong araw na nasa isip ko ang mga pangyayari kanina. I tapped my cheeks a couple of times, baka kasi imagination ko lang. Gabriel's actions are confusing and so are his words. Kakalimutan ko nalang, kunyari wala nalang nangyari.

"Frans..."

"Franscisca. Tara na, kanina ka pa tulala diyan ah." sambit ni Kirsten na tumawag sa aking atensiyon.

"Sorry, may iniisip lang kasi ako." sagot ko, at tumayo na ako para kuhanin ang mga gamit ko.

Lumabas na kami sa school, at nagpunta na sa parking lot. Misy already there inside her car, mukhang kanina pa siya naroon. Umupo na ako at ikinabit ang aking seatbelt.

"Iniimbita tayo ni Kevin, may party daw mamaya sa kanila, pupunta ba tayo?" pambubungad ni Misy. Nakita ko ang pag-ngiti ni Kirsten; of course Clark will be there.

"Pass muna ako. I don't really feel well." sambit ko.

"Omg, nilalagnat ka ba? Nahihilo? Frans, bakit hinde mo sinabi sa akin kanina, para nasamahan kita sa clinic." Kirsten immediately freaked out.

"Hinde, pagod lang ako. Kayo nalang muna nila Misy ang pumunta." sagot ko. Plus I really don't know how would I face Gabriel. Sigurado akong nandoon din siya mamaya.