Across Minds (ACROSS Series 1)

Chapter 13

"Tarlac? 2 hours pa papuntang Manila." I worryingly said.

"'Di ko naman alam na gan'to kalakas 'yung ulan." he scratched his head. "Dapat bukas na lang tayo umalis."

He tried to start again, and failed again. There are only few vehicles that are passing the road but none pulled over. Naiinis na kinuha ni Ace ang cellphone niya at sinubukang tumawag. Napahilamos na lang siya ng mukha.

"Love, wala akong signal." he looked at me.

"Huh? Ah wait." I opened my bag and took my phone out. "The fudge? No signal." I sighed and showed him my phone.

We stayed quiet and thought of ways that we can do para makaalis na kami dito. The rain calmed down a bit. I looked at Ace and I saw him trying to look outside. Nagulat naman ako nang subukan niyang buksan ang pinto niya.

"Babe, why are you going out?" I grabbed his hand.

"Hahanap lang ako ng makakatulong sa'tin. Siguro may pwede namang silungan dito." 

"Do you have an umbrella?" I forgot to pack mine. Hindi ko naman in-expect na maabutan kami ng ulan. 

"Wala." he shrugged. "Okay lang 'yon 'di naman ako magtatagal sa labas."

"Baka naman lagnatin ka, babe." nag-aalala kong sabi dahil mabilis siyang tablan ng sakit.

"Tss. Lagnat lang 'yan. 'Di uubra sa akin 'yan." he laughed. "Stay here, don't go outside. Saglit lang ako."

I looked at him before sighing. "Bilisan mo, ah." I widened my eyes.

"Yes madame." he kissed my forehead before going out.

I tried to look at him through the window. Naglakad siya papunta sa harapan ng kotse para siguro mailawan ng headlight at makita siya. I kneeled on my seat and tried to reach on his back pack. Naghanap ako ng towel sa loob ng bag niya para mapunasan niya ang sarili niya 'pag pumasok siya dito sa loob. Hindi na rin gaanong kalakas ang ulan.

I was still trying to find a cellphone signal when I heard Ace screaming. When I looked at him, I almost laughed because he looked funny. He was jumping around and waving both of his hands. Before I can even laugh, I heard a car approaching us. Nakita ko namang huminto ito sa harapan ng sasakyan namin. It was actually a delivery truck and Ace was already talking to the driver.

"Love!" he came running towards the car so I immediately opened his door. 

"What happened?" I leaned towards him so that I can wipe his face.

"Ako na, love." he took the towel and used it for his hair. "Nakausap ko 'yung driver. Pwede daw tayong mag-stay muna sa kanila ngayong gabi." 

"How about the car?" I asked him.

"May tinawagan na siyang mekaniko. We'll transfer on his truck." nakita kong naglalakad papalit sa amin 'yung driver. 

"Hijo, ito ang payong. Lumipat na kayo sa kabila at parating na ang kumpare ko." he handed Ace the umbrella. 

"Sige po, Mang Hener. Susunod na po kami." he smiled at the old man who went back to his truck.

"Paano 'yung mga gamit natin?" I turned back to look at our things.

"May lock naman 'yung maleta mo 'di ba?" I nodded. "Lets just put the things that we need inside your sling bag."