Forgotten Child

Thirty-sixth Chapter

"Areee, magkakilala kayo ni Kieran?" Pabalik-balik ang turo sa'min ni Abo. "Kailan pa yun? Chos! Parang kailan lang nung tumakbo ka pa noon Mao ng makita mo siya after ng tournament ah!"

Tumingin ako kay Abo. "I'll -- oops!" 

"Aliyah!" Sigaw bigla ni Kieran at tumakbo papunta sa'min.

"I got her. Don't worry." Paalam ko sa kanya. Bigla kasing natumba si Abo at buti nasalo ko.

"Is she okay? Do I need to call a doctor?" Halatang worried siya.

Umiling ako. "Ganto lang talaga siya pag super antok at pinilit mag-stay awake."

Kieran sighed. "I see. I'll carry her para mapasok sa kotse."

"Okay." Nasa likod lang ako ni Kieran, bitbit ang mga gamit ni Abo. Nilagay ko ang mga ito sa tabi niya at sinarado ang pinto ng kotse.

And now its awkward. Paanong hindi, eh kanina lang kinakanta ko na mahal ko siya pero hindi magiging kami, tapos makikita ko siya after?

"So, um.." He cleared his throat.

"Hm?"

"H-How are you?" He swallowed.

This is not good. Why do I see his discomfort as cute?

I shook my head. "I'm good. Thanks for asking, but I don't think this is the right time nor place to catch up."

"Oh. Oh! You're right, right." Bigla siyang di mapakali. "Um, so, ihahatid ko sila and um.. I'll give you a ride too. I-If you need one, you know." He cleared his throat again.

"Thanks Kier, but I also have a ride." I patted his arm. "Drive safely. Keep them safe."

He nodded seriously. "Of course."

Tumango ako. "I'll... I'll see you around." Not.

Tumalikod na ako para puntahan ang aking motorsiklo ng bigla niya akong tawagin.

"Maiah!"

I turned around and he was half running to get to me. "Something wrong?"

Umiling siya. "No, um, if you don't mind.. I know this would be a huge favor, but, ihahatid ko kasi si Siance una sa kanyang condo, as that's what she told me to do so. May ilang palapag din ang taas ng condo niya, and I don't want Aliyah to be waiting in the car by herself --"

"I got it." Putol ko sa kanya. "Susundan na lang kita, then I'll stay with her as you carry Siance to her condo."

He looked relief. "Thank you."

I nodded. "I'll meet you here, yeah? Kukunin ko lang 'yung ride ko."

"Okay. I'll be in the car then. I'll start moving once I see you."

"Okay." At naghiwalay na kami. I buttoned up my jacket as I walked to my motorcycle. I wore the windbreaker jacket that I have in the compartment and put the helmet on as well.

Nang makarating ako sa likod ng kotse niya, nilabas niya ang ulo niya gulat akong tinignan.

"M-Maiah?" I gave him a salute. His eyes roamed up and down before shaking his head in disbelief. "Wow." He wiped half of his face down. "I'm gonna start driving now."

I nodded at him and he pulled up his window and I followed him.

-x-

Kieran princess-carried Siance as I put her purse on her stomach.

"I'll be right back." He said with at ease na parang hindi siya nagbubuhat.