Chapter 29
Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at bahagyang humarap sa gilid. Lumingon ako sa paligid, pwede akong umikot papunta sa kabila para makaakyat sa second floor. O kung hindi...
Pumikit ako ng mariin at halos mapamura. What am I doing? Fine, I expected a little that he'd be here since Camden is here but I disregarded it because it just seems impossible! This is so unexpected! But... so what right? So what if he's here? After what... four years? It's been more or less four years since I last saw him.
"Camden, I need to go first. I still have some works to do."
Lumalim ang paghinga ko nang marinig ang boses niya. It's the same as before but... it matured a bit. Bahagya kong tinagilid ang ulo para makita si Camden at nagtama ang paningin namin dahil sumulyap siya sa akin. Napakurap ito at muling bumaling sa nasa gilid niya... napatingin na rin ako ro'n.
He was looking at his watch but when he raised his head and his eyes caught my eyes, he blinked and his forehead knotted. I didn't know how to act so I stayed expressionless even though inside me... it hits different. He changed a lot.
Hindi niya tinanggal ang titig sa akin, gano'n din ako. The same snobbish expression he head years ago, he's giving it to me. His forehead is creased and his eyes were inquiring.
"Uh..." tumikhim si Camden. "Axev... this is Sien... and uh, Sien this is Axev."
Nabaling ang tingin ko kay Camden dahil sa sinabi niya. He looks like he's so lost and doesn't know what to do. Pinirmi ko ang labi at humarap sa kanila ng husto. May sasabihin pa sana ito nang biglang sumuka si Tina pero walang lumabas.
"Shit," Camden muttered when Tina was almost out of balance. "Uhm... sorry, I need to take her outside so she can get some air."
Walang sumagot sa amin ni Axev pero mukhang 'di rin naman mahihintay ni Camden 'yon dahil agad siyang umalis akay-akay si Tina. I was worried for my friend but I trust Camden so I let them go. And now...
Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Axev na nanatili sa harapan ko. I thought he needs to go? Huminga ako ng malalim at kahit gulat pa rin na nakita siya rito makalipas ang ilang taon... I didn't want to be rude so I greeted him.
"Hi," tipid akong ngumiti. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."
What? I wasn't expecting to see you here? That's so lame, Sien! I almost rolled my eyes at the thought.
Pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin. He's wearing a black long sleeves tucked in his dark formal slacks. It made him look taller or talagang tumangkad siya? And I can't deny that he looks more mature now. His hairstyle changed. He's now sporting a long Ivy League haircut. And I think he's freshly shaved?
"I wasn't expecting to see you here too." He clicked his tongue.
Napakurap ako. Goodness! Kung hindi pa siya magsasalita, hindi matatanggal ang tingin ko sa kaniya at ang pagpuna ko sa kaniyang pagbabago! It must be the liquor, huh! It's been years, it's natural for me to get curious and shock but that's just it.
Hindi ko alam ang susunod na sasabihin kaya hindi ako muling nagsalita. I was breathing deeply while facing him. Four years... ang tagal na rin pala. He must be working now, I'm sure of that.
"Congratulations." He tilted his head.
Umawang ang labi ko. What? I was about to ask why when he talked again.
"I heard you passed your board exam."
Oh... I swallowed hard and cleared my throat. He heard? Kanino? But then, that shouldn't be my concern now even though I'm curious who told him. Pinasadahan ko ng kamay ang mahabang buhok at tumango sa kaniya.
