The Lost Helianthus (COMPLETED)

Chapter Seventeen

"Nakauwi ka na ba?"

"Yeah," I answered shortly. Hindi pa handa ang hapunan kaya may time pa ako para makausap siya.

Semestral break is over. Parang sobrang bilis ng panahon. The two week vacation was too quick that I think it only happened within a blink of an eye.

Parang hindi naman namin nabawi ang bakasyon dahil pagkabalik namin sa school ay tinambakan na agad kami ng gawain.

I became fully aware of my exhaustion today when I reached our house. Hindi ko naman iyon ramdam kanina habang nasa eskwelahan pero ngayon na nakahiga na ako sa kama, bigla kong naramdaman ang sakit ng katawan ko.

"Nakarating ka ng safe sa inyo?"

Umirap ako sa hangin. "Tingin mo ba makakausap kita kung may isang bahagi ako ng katawan na nawawala ngayon?" I said sarcastically, earning a heartfelt chuckle from him.

"What do you expect? I'm worried for your welfare." I smiled when I heard that. Kahit na nakakainis siya minsan, hindi pa rin siya pumapalya na pangitiin ako sa paraang alam niya.

"Sol," pagtawag niya sa pangalan ko. Napaahon ako mula sa pagkakahiga sa kama dahil sobrang seryoso ng pagkasambit niya no'n.

"Ano iyon?"

"If it's not too much, can you keep yourself from cancelling my calls or messages?"

Natigilan ako at nag-isio nang malalim. Para saan ba iyon? Because I know my mind cannot answer it solely and it required Alek's reason, I asked him why.

"Mababaliw ako sa kaiisip kung anong ginagawa mo. I don't know if you're alone and what if you fainted on the road?"

I nodded, even if he cannot see it. Fair point. Valid reason naman ang sinasabi niya. He was concern like my family and friends.

"Okay."

"Besides..." May pahabol siya.

"What is it?"

"I wanted us to communicate with each other. If possible, 24/7. I wanted you to tell me everything. How your day went even if magkasama tayo sa school, your dreams, problems, and sentiment.  Gusto kitang makausap palagi. I miss you already. Don't you miss me, too?"

Inabot ko ang unan ko para yakapin at ibaon doon ang mukha ko. I don't know why I'm doing it, but I don't want anyone even myself, to witness how red my face is right now.

"Are you still there?"

"Yes." My voice was raspy when I said that. "I miss you too..." Paliit nang paliit ang boses ko habang sinasabi ko iyon. Ewan ko. Nahihiya talaga ako.

Even if I cannot see him, I can imagine him grinning like a fool. Umirap ako tuloy sa may ceiling. Before he could utter another word na alam kong sisira sa gabi ko, nagsalita na ulit ako.

"I need to go. 6 o'clock na. Kakain muna ako."

"So babalikan mo ako pagkatapos mong kumain?" May himig ng pagbibiro sa boses niya, but somehow, I manage to find hope in his voice also.

Natigilan ako sa tanong niya. Naiiling at nangingiti na lang ako dahil nadulas ako. Now he knows that I am really eager to talk to him again.

"Yes. You don't want that?"

He chuckled. "Syempre, gusto. Tawagan kita mamaya, maybe 7?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "No! Ako ang tatawag sa iyo! Bye! Enjoy your dinner! I repeat, don't call me! I'm calling you!" I shouted before ending the call.

Hinihingal kong ibinaba ang phone ko at pinakiramdaman ang sarili. Mabilis pa rin ang tibok ng puso ko hanggang ngayon.

One thing I want to avoid is my mother finding out my relationship with Alek. Muntik na nga iyong mangyari during the sem break.