In Between (SC, #4)

Kabanata 31

Kabanata 31

Hindi Sinasadya

A la una en punto ng madaling araw.

Saktong tingin 'ko sa oras sa aking telepono. One in the morning where the crickets' sound is booming around the area. The wind is whispering violently. Napayakap ako sa aking sarili at napasinghap nang mahina.

"Sino na lang ba kulang?" Bakas ang iritasyon sa boses ni Jayden nang libutin ng mata niya ang paligid. Her hands fell on her waist as her eyes roamed like a hawk. Sinundan 'ko ang tingin niya kahit nagbadya ang hikab sa akin. The neck pillow stayed at the back of my neck.

Sa pagsunod 'ko ay binilang 'ko rin kami. As per my last read on the newly created group chat yesterday, eighteen kaming pupuntang Zambales. We don't really have much of sleep dahil na rin kanina lang natapos ang celebration for the three graduates. Ewan 'ko na lang kung natulog pa ang iba.

Mukha ngang lasing pa ang ilang.

Bakas sa mukha nila ang antok at pinilit pa rin na tumuon kay Jayden. Unang bumaling kina kuya Hunter at Maia. Mai has a companion, si Lexie. Ang dalawa'y nag-usap nang masinsinan habang si Lexie ay abala sa kanyang telepono. Parehas ang porma ay simple, tee-shirt at maong jeans. Hunter is holding his sister's bags. While I gazed at Lexie, she has face of an angel. Really! She's really that pretty and cute all at once.

"Si Mai lang ang may plus one, si Lexie," Jayden announced...a bit loud. Lumiban ang tingin niya sa dalawa at natagpuan ang pwesto nina kuya Landon at Julia. I focused my gape to them. Kumurap-kurap ang aking mata nang sila ay pagmasdan. "Si kuya Landon, si ate Keira ang dala. Tapos si Jul si Cody naman. So..." napanguso siya. I think she's head counting right now. "That means, seven na ang bilang 'ko." She scribbled something on her notebook while biting her bottom lip.

As I observed their place, Landon at Julia, parehas na abala sa mga kasama. Landon has its blinding dimpled smile plastered on his face while talking to Kiera. Kiera is look-alike of Ryza Cenon. Matapang ang mukha ngunit maganda. I am not sure of the two...their status. Same with Cody and Julia, malapit ang mukha sa isa't isa at naghahagikgikan. Buhat-buhat ang bag ng bawat isa.

"Sunod sina...Kit at Ish na walang mga kasama. Pero, wait?" Her brows met. Nang tignan niya ang pwesto 'ko, my brother is missing. Kanina lamang ay katabi 'ko siya, nakabaseball cap dahil hindi na nakaligo dahil lumalaklak ng alak. Akala mong naging preso ng ilang buwan at ngayon lang nakainom ng alak. Their session started at 4 pm and ended at 11 pm. Hindi 'ko kinaya ang celebration nila. "Saan na, Ish, si kuya Kit?"

"Ah, wait. Kanina katabi 'ko lang..." Napakagat ako ng labi. Jayden is drilling a hole in my forehead as she stared.

"Ugh! Si kuya-" Jayden is interrupted when the wanted voice emerged.

"Present, Jayden! Tulog na 'ko dito sa van! Sorry!"

Lahat kami napatingin sa bukas na pinto ng van kung saan namamalagi si kuya Kit. His head already leaned on the window. Nakasuot ng shade habang naka-cross arm. His lips pursed and suddenly went back on snoring. Napakamot ako ng ulo at pinagbigyan na lamang ang nangyari.

Jayden heaved a sigh and continued, "so next sina Genesis." Her lips pursed even more. Ang mata tumingin lang saglit kay Genesis at kay Coleen. My eyes reached their place, unfortunately. Ang dalawa'y naglalaro nang kung ano gamit ang kanilang kamay na may hagigikan.

"Hello, Earth to Genesis at Coleen?" si Jayden, sabay lipat ng tingin sa akin. My brow cocked. A ghost smirk is showed.

"Sorry!" Coleen apologized and faced us. Dalawa na silang humarap sa pinsan 'ko. I saw how Coleen clinked her thin arm to Genesis. My eyes suddenly glowered but I looked away. Bumuntong hininga ako.