Dying Embers

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine: Raindrops and Likes

ᯓ★ play this while reading: falling like the stars — james arthur 𝄞 ⋆ˎˊ-

Weeks had passed, and the sky looked heavy — gray clouds sagging low as if the world was holding its breath before breaking into rain. The air was cool, damp, parang may dalang bigat. Napahinto ako saglit sa main gate ng school, staring at the sky, bago ko narealize — wala pala akong payong. I remembered pulling it out this morning, setting it by the door so I wouldn't forget. Yet somehow, naiwan ko rin. Napabuntong-hininga ako, tightening the strap of my bag sa balikat, and quickened my steps until I slipped into the hallway.

Nang makapasok ako sa first period namin ay wala pa si Ms. Agoncillo. Mabuti naman. Since, wala pa masyadong mga estudyante ay tumungo muna ako sa table ni Jilliana at naupo sa kaniyang tabi.

"Oh? Bakit ka nandito?" Tanong niya.

"No one to talk to at my table, so I figured I'd bother you instead." Nilapat ko ang braso ko sa desk, resting my head on top.

She sighed, then mimicked my position, cheek against her arm, parehong nakatitig lang sa harap.

"I wish they'd suspend classes today," she muttered, voice rough and low. "It's so dull to study in this weather. I just want to sleep."

"Same," I said, almost in a whisper.

She didn't reply. When I glanced at her, nakapikit na pala siya, her breathing slow and even. Natatawa akong umiling — grabe, ang bilis niya makatulog. I turned back toward the front, staring blankly at the board. Ilang minuto lang, my phone buzzed softly sa bulsa ng jeans ko. Kinuha ko ito nang hindi nagbabago ng pwesto, then pressed it to my ear.

It was Chance.

"What?" I answered, voice flat, almost lazy.

On the other line, his familiar chuckle. "Good morning, Nieve. You're at school?"

"Hmm," was all I gave.

"You're sleepy, aren't you?" he teased, laughter spilling from his voice.

I rolled my eyes, ready to throw a sarcastic comeback, pero just then, pumasok si Ms. Agoncillo. Her stilettos clicked sharply against the cement floor, echoing like a metronome. She carried her bag on one arm, presence calm but commanding.

"Ms. Agoncillo's here. I have to hang up now," I whispered into the phone.

"Alright, I'll head in too. Takbuhin ko na lang. Miss na kita eh, gusto na kitang makita. Kita na lang tayo." His laugh was warm, careless, and before I could reply, the line clicked dead.

I caught myself smiling faintly at the screen — just a fleeting curve of lips na mabilis ding nawala nang magsalita si Ms. Agoncillo.

"Good morning, class. Kindly take your seats. I have an important announcement. Where is everyone else?"

"They're probably on their way, ma'am," a classmate answered.

"Chance Castiel will be here in five, ma'am. He's stuck in the car park because it's raining," Henry chimed in.

"Alright. We have an hour, so let's wait for them," Ms. Agoncillo said, settling behind her desk.

"I hate coming to school with weather like this," Nimbus grumbled. Dahil malapit lang siya kina Jilliana, narinig ko clearly.

"Then why are you here, idiot?" Henry shot back.

I ignored them, turning instead to Jilliana. Tulog pa rin siya, her lips parted slightly, breathing steady. Mahinang niyugyog ko siya. She groaned, eyes fluttering open, and frowned.