In Between (SC, #4)

Kabanata 49

Kabanata 49

See You Soon

It's official.

Fate and I have issues to each other. I can't, in fact, change it no matter how hard I try. I understand about it that the universe wants me to experience such thing - let the world be on my shoulders for a brief moment or for how long it takes. It is bound to happen to make me realize some things in this life.

Even how much it hurts.

It is up to me, to my own destiny, to encourage myself to move better, to take action to unknown uncertainties.

My eyes snapped open. Kaagad akong napatayo nang maalala ang mga nangyari kagabi. I thought I am dreaming, even I am conscious. Ilang minutong nakapikit lamang ako at nagbabakasakaling ang lahat na nangyari kagabi ay hindi totoo. Maybe the truth immobilized me somehow. I - we haven't had any news after kuya Hunt. Ang text mula kay kuya Rett lamang ang nagpatigil sa akin sa pagluwas sa Maynila para puntahan sila. I was even ready hours ago. I momentarily forgot that I only slept at four in the morning. Though, I am not sure the status of them.

Are they even okay?

Alive?

Damn it! What am I thinking?

And now, I woke up only with two hours of sleep. Napatayo kaagad ako sa aking kama. I snatched my phone on my bed. Oh, so, I didn't move that much while sleeping dahil hindi nahulog ang aking telepono. Anyways, I put my slippers and didn't check myself on the mirror. Nagmamadali akong lumabas ng bahay na hindi napansin kung nasa kusina ba sina Mama at Papa na nag-aagahan.

I only have one purpose to know if they are home...now.

And okay.

I strode faster as I could. Gripping my cell tightly, I almost ran, I supposed. Nagmamadali ako sa gilid ng daan hanggang sa nakapunta na 'ko sa harap ng mansyon. Ilang tricycles ang nagmamadali sa kanilang pasada habang nakatitig lamang ako sa gate...sa mansyon. The sun bathing my skin as the cold morning wind bit it slowly. May ilang tilaok mula sa manok na nagpapagising ng tao sa baranggay. And I stood, in front of the mansion, not even moving a single muscle. My heart banged against my ribcage. Ilang beses akong napapalunok habang kinukumbinsi ang sarili 'ko na...nakauwi na ang dalawa. That my cousins are all in their homes and their parents already relaxed because they are all fine. Pero alam ba talaga ng mga tita at tito 'ko na may nangyaring aksidente?

I shook my head internally. I don't know.

Jace and Genesis.

Are they even here?

Even moving a muscle knocking the oxygen out of my lungs, I moved my arm. I pressed the doorbell. Ilang beses iyon ngunit walang sumasagot. Wala na 'kong magagawa kung hindi ipasok ang sarili 'ko sa bakuran ng mga Herrera. I let myself inside the mansion and walked towards the house. Fret itching my being as I made my way. Hindi 'ko na mabilang ang tibok ng aking puso.

His Subarru Forrester still not parked. Ang ibig sabihin ba nito'y wala pa sila hanggang ngayon?

Pipindutin 'ko na sana ang door bell nang bigla bumukas ang double-door.

A lump lodged in my throat and something vacuumed the air out of my body. My eyes bugged into incredulity, seeing the person in front of me. Bruise purple-ish under his sharp cheekbone and forehead frowning. A sling on his right arm. Napangiwi ako nang makita ng tuluyan ang kanyang katayuan.

Genesis still striking as ever with his usual demeanor, a black sweatshirt and faded-blue jeans. His hair is disheveled on top since the both sides are short. But his expression made me step back a bit, he's a blank slate. Like he can't recognized the person he is seeing. Mas lalong lumaki ang kunot ng kanyang noo upang usisain ako.