Hatid

H: Chapter 29

— 29 —

Kumunot ang noo ko nang nilahad niya ang kanyang kamay. Tiningnan ko 'yon bago nag-angat ng tingin sa mukha niya.

"Let's get you home. You've been waiting for how many hours?" He asked.

"I'm here at 4-"

"It's now 8pm." He cuts me off. I really didn't notice that. "You waited for 4 hours for god's sake." He said while I'm just in my head down.

"Baka dadating pa siya." Ani ko at tumingin sa kaniya na ngayo'y kunot ang noo.

Max, where are you?

"Tina, it's already evening." He said, calming his voice. "If he's coming, dapat kanina pa." Napapikit ako ng mata. Hindi na siguro siya dadating.

"Let's go?" He asked and I only nodded. Tahimik kaming naglakad papunta sa kaniyang kotse. My mind was drained. There's still an exam tomorrow and I'm really tired.

"Did he did this to you everyday?" He asked while driving. I was staring at the dark sky.

"Just today." Mahina kong sambit na hindi siya tinitingnan.

"Wanna talk about it?" I shake my head, saying no. "Okay."

"Dito na 'ko." I said and unbuckled the seatbelt. "Thanks for the ride." I gave him a small smile then I opened his car's door and get off.

"Will you be okay?" Napalingon ako sa kaniya. "I'm just a one call away."

"I don't have your number but I will be." I answered then smiled once again before turning my back at him and walked towards the lobby.

I didn't lose hope. I thought Max was inside the condo but when I opened the door with a smile plastered on me, only the air from the window greeted me.

"Max?" Tawag ko pero walang sumagot.

"Na saan ka na Max?" I asked myself as I sat on our bed. "Tapos naman ang research nila, ba't ngayon wala pa siya?"

I tried to call him but his phone was out of reach. When my phone rings, I immediately answered it.

"Max?" Bungad ko pero parang nawala ang pag-asa sa 'kin.

"He's still not there?" Tanong ni Loki sa kabilang linya.

"Loki." Sambit ko sa pangalan niya. "W-Wala pa siya."

"Did you call him?"

"Out of reach." Ani ko at napakagat sa ibabang labi ko. "Baka may nangyari na sa kaniya?"

Kinakabahan na ako. Pabalik-balik akong naglalakad sa condo. Hindi ako makapag-isip. Saan ka ba pumunta Max?

"Hey, let's not think like that." Aniya at bumuntong hinnga siya. "Maybe, he's..."

Hinintay ko ang kaniyang sasabihin pero natahimik ito. "Maybe ano?"