Morning Blushes

chapter fifteen

We're going home earlier than expected. This is all my fault. Some relatives of mine just asked me a simple question and I wasn't able to answer because Navi occupied my mind the whole night. My mother happens to be in conflict with that person. I knew it. I knew this was going to happen.  

Pagdating sa bahay, napatalon ako sa paglagabog ng pinto pagbukas ni Mommy. She stormed straight to her room.

I looked at Kuya Adriane. He just shrugged. "Apologize tomorrow. She'll be here until the afternoon as well."

Naiwan akong mag-isa sa living room. My shoulders figuratively fell. I have this entire thing messed up and I also have this entire thing to solve. Hindi ko na alam kung anong uunahin ko, kung ano bang dapat kong gawin. It's so messed up. I hate it. I am terribly awful. 

Bumalik ako sa kwarto ko at umupo sa gilid ng kama. It's already 10:42. I can't believe that I'm at the party of boredom with all those old people. Jace is the only decent thing that happened there.

I'm about to change my clothes when my phone vibrated. My heart leaped when I saw Navi's name. I immediately answered the call.

"Hey," I said. Making myself calm. "Navi?"

But the other side is silent. After a few seconds, "Can you say my name again?"

"Where are you?" I asked once more.

"I'm having an energy drink. I'm sorry, miss. I promise this is the last one."

"Are you at the convenience store? I'll go there."

"It's dangerous, Avyanna. It's late."

"I'll be safe."

I ended the call. This is my prior concern as of now. I snuck out of the house. Mabilis kong nilakad ang papuntang convenience store. Nanginginig na ako sa lamig pero pinuntahan ko na. This ice in the bottom of my chest is getting heavier and colder.

As soon as I arrived, he's at the usual spot, he's completely knocked out on the table. Nilapitan ko siya. He's gripping his phone like it's a thing that contains his life. I touched his hand carefully since it looks like his phone's about to crack.

"Navi."

He turned his head to me with his eyes slightly close. He tapped across the table to let me sit there. But I didn't. I stood beside him.

He flashed a sleepy grin. "Take a seat, miss. Be my guest."

"Nakainom ka ba?"

He shook his head. "I'm just sleepy. I just can't go home because Mom isn't there and all this shit will haunt me down."

"Navi..."

Dahan-dahan siyang umayos ng upo. I sat beside him instead. Napakunot ang noo ko. I slightly touched his cheek to tilt it sidewards. I saw a bruise. Napalayo agad siya like my hand is burning hot. At some point, this is making me worried as hell.

"Where did that bruise come from?"

He laughed weakly. "It's actually a birthday present."

"Who did this?"

"My father. Serves me right, though." He shrugged. "Because I'm the Phantom. Maybe I kill people."

"Hey..." I whispered. His lips just stretched in millimeters. It's a sad smile. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I just looked at him, waiting whenever he might be ready or not. I just want him to know that I'm listening right here in front of him. It is really breaking my heart.