His Imperfect Halo (COMPLETED)

Chapter 10

TATLONG linggo na ang nakakalipas, at sa mga nagdaang linggo, walang araw na hindi kami magkasama ni Kenzo. It was either, he was helping me, or I was helping him. Palagi akong pumupunta sa library kahit tapos na ang punishment. I was not considering it anymore as a punishment, ewan ko ba't kusa na lang na naglalakad ang mga paa ko papuntang library. Kaya sa huli, siya na rin ang nakakasama kong umuwi.

Hinahatid ko siya pauwi sa kanila kaya araw-araw ko ring nasusulyapan sina Nanay at DJ. Every Saturday, right after bringing my dad his food, I would head straight to their place. Minsan ay nililibre ko sila, nagfo-food trip kami, at minsan naman, tinuturuan ko ng math si DJ or tutulungan ko sa mga assignments niya kasama si Kenzo. That's why I always ended up staying late at their house.

Isang beses pa akong sumama sa pwesto nila sa palengke. Tumanggi si Kenzo noong una, baka raw madumihan pa ako. Pero nagpumilit ako kaya hindi na siya nakatanggi pa. I even tried shaking the stick with cut plastics tied up on it that they used to shoo away the flies.

Wala, ang saya lang. 'Yung mga tawanan, biruan, at hampasan... sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam. No wonder Kenzo was always smiling and full of positivity, his family was a source of immense joy. Spending time with them was gradually affecting me too, and I found myself embracing that happiness.

"God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it." Napatingin ako kay Kenzo sa gilid ko nang sinabi niya iyon. "Corinthians 10:12-14," dagdag pa niya.

We were in the covered court. Uwian na kaya wala nang mga tao. They were coaching me on how to walk properly for the upcoming pageant. I readily agreed since it was also for my benefit, and I didn't want to make a fuss.

"Hey, focus! Straighten your back!" Ashley shouted at me, snapping me back to attention. Napabalik ang tingin ko sa harapan at diretso ngunit maingat na naglalakad habang may walis na naka-ipit sa gitna ng likod at mga kamay ko.

Napairap na lamang ako nang masulyapan ko sina Avery at Ashley sa bleacher na parehas nakaupo at lamon nang lamon ng kung ano-anong sitsirya.

The whole broom thing was their idea. Ninakaw pa ni Ashley ang walis tambo sa room para sa pagpa-practice kong maglakad. Umayaw ako pero wala, nanakaw na niya.

"No need to panic, because God will be right there for you; He'll keep you safe and sound. Proverbs 3:26," muling ani Kenzo na nakasunod lang sa bawat paghakbang ko habang ang mga kamay nito'y nasa likod niya.

Sabi niya kanina, para raw mas lumakas ang loob ko ay sasabihan niya raw ako ng verses. Para raw malaman kong ginagabayan Niya ako kahit dito pa lang sa pagpa-practice ko.

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29."

"I'm not weak," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Alam ko."

"Did you memorize all that just for this?"

Itinaas-baba niya ang kanyang dalawang kilay, "Para sa'yo," aniya at humagikhik tsaka napababa ng tingin.

I paused in my steps and just gazed at him while he did that. Later, I smirked and nodded, "I'm impressed," I said, continuing with my stride.

He stayed by my side, attentively observing my every move as I tried to exude fierceness while looking ahead and to both sides.

"You're so beautiful..." His words caught me off guard, causing my heart to beat faster. Gulat ang mukha ko nang tumingin ako rito.

"W-What?"

Kita ko ang pagtigil niya, napabukas ang bibig niyang nakatitig sa akin sa nag-aalangang ekspresyon, hanggang sa napababa ito ng tingin bago muli akong tignan tsaka binasa ang bibig. Hanggang sa bigla na lamang itong tumikhim.