Mukhang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa ang mukha ni Venice habang papasok sa bus. Isip niya'y wala pa rin si Zachary doon. Kulang din ang tulog nito dahil magdamag siyang nagbabad sa cellphone para magsearch ng kung ano-ano.
"Hi."
Nanlaki ang mata ni Venice at dahan-dahang lumingon. Si Zachary!
"Hi.. I- uhm— hello— how are you feeling? Are you okay now? Nilalagnat ka pa ba?"
"H-hold on, I can't read your mouth. Please speak slowly." Zachary's voice is deep and slow and low.
It's like a drug you wouldn't even know you're addicted to. And CAN VOICES BE DRUGS????? WHAT THE HELL VENICE?
"Are you now okay?" Venice tried speaking slowly.
"Yes. I'm good now. Thank you for the peanut butter and water." Ngumiti si Zachary.
Namula ang pisngi ni Venice at tumango.
"My name is V-e-n-i-c-e" Ginamit ni Venice ang sign language para ispell ang pangalan nito.
"Venice." Zachary spoke.
Agad tinakpan ni Venice ang bunganga ni Zachary at tumango ng maraming beses.
Nakakamatay ang boses mo, jusko!
"S-Sorry." agad binawi ni Venice ang kamay nito at halos maging statwa sa tabi ni Zachary. Kahit anong klaseng galaw ay nahihiya siyang gawin.
"Jerome told you?"
Tumango si Venice bilang sagot.
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you saying sorry?" tanong ni Zachary.
"I feel like I've known something I shouldn't know."
"It's okay, you'll end up knowing soon anyway."
