God Must Die

chapter 2

Kyle wanted to leave but she didn't know why something seemed to be holding her back. She just wanted to go back to her house, call it a day and have the rest she thought she deserved, but really, the universe must be playing games with her.

Hindi siya mapakali sa kinauupuan. She could not even remember the last time she felt that nervous. She could not even point out the reason why. Ayaw gumana nang maayos ang utak niya at tama nga siya, mapapainom siya sa gabing iyon. Dalawang baso na ng tequila ang nainom niya, lima pa'y hindi na niya mapipigilan ang sarili.

Masama ang kanyang tingin kay Jo na nakikipagharutan na naman sa dalawang babae bago muling nagpakawala ng isang buntonghininga.

Gusto niyang murahin si Jo. He was the one who put her in that situation, well, she was blaming him for it. Kung hindi sana nito pinakialaman ang gamit niya'y wala sana siya sa sitwasyon niyang iyon, hindi sana siya naghihintay kay Commander Galileo Ole Dalmian.

The moment she heard Jo mention QGP, the thought about the commander immediately crossed her mind, although she also thought it was unlikely it could be him. The last time someone talked about the captain, it was said that he was travelling. But then, it was really him.

What are the odds that they would meet there, in the same place, at the same time?

Ayaw niyang isiping talagang pinagtagpo sila. Somehow in that situation, she hoped that God was playing dice.

"I was not expecting you here, Engineer." Muntik na siyang mahulog sa kinauupuan sa gulat nang marinig ang malamig na boses na iyon. Nilingon niya ang lalaki at nang magtama ang mga mata nila'y kaagad siyang nag-iwas ng tingin.

Minura na niya ang sarili sa isipan dahil sa ginawa.

She cleared her throat before saying, "I did not expect I would see you here too, Commander."

Ramdam na ramdam niya ang mabigat na presensya nito nang umupo ito sa kanyang tabi. "Bourbon." She heard him order.

There was a long silence between the both of them as he drank his liquor.

She could still remember the last time she saw the commander. She could still remember the fatigue that seemed to be wearing him off. When she saw him again just a few minutes ago, he did not look any better. He still wore his heavy aura, the fatigue was still there, and he looked like he hadn't shaved for a while.

He still had that authority, though, after all, he had served the military and that was one of the few things the army possessed, according to her observations.

Not to mention he was really someone she looked up to, although he was also one of the reasons of the possible root of her misfortunes.

"I had a map laid out on my dartboard and whenever I feel the thirst, I throw the dart on the map and wherever it lands, I fly," he said. "It's my birthday."

Kyle did not know what to do with that information. She immediately thought about the date before awkwardly saying, "July 7, uhh...happy birthday."

She swore that was the most awkward thing she said for the past few years. Doon lang niya naintindihan ang kahihiyan at ang kagustuhang maibaon na lamang sa lupa.

Nakita niyang napangiti ito sa sinabi niya tsaka tumango.

Iniiwas niya ang tingin bago nilagok ang kanyang ikatlong baso ng tequila.

"Your brother talked about you being an astronaut. I didn't know you've been in space, Engineer," he said, shotting glance at her.

Napapikit siya bago minura si Jo sa kanyang isipan. Mapapahiya pa ata siya dahil sa kagagawan ng kapatid niya. She was currently talking to the one of the most remarkable astronauts the world had ever had. It was a shame to even bring up the idea of her being an astronaut.