The Lost Helianthus (COMPLETED)

Chapter Twenty Five

I was just grinning while listening to Alek's voice when I said what I have to say. Ni hindi man lang niya itinago na masaya siya sa ibinalita ko at naririnig ko pa ang tawa niya sa kabilang linya. Siraulo. Akala ko ay doon na magtatapos ang tawag ngunit sinabi niya ang buong schedule niya sa akin para malaman ko kung kailan kami puwedeng magkita. He even asked for my e-mail address so he could send the soft copy of his schedule in case how he explained it was vague. Siraulo talaga.

Ayaw pa niya sanang ibaba ang tawag kaya inunahan ko na siya nang walang pasabi. Napansin ko na kasi na tinaasan pa ni Theo ang volume ng audio ng cellphone niya. He probably cannot hear a single thing because of my loud chattering.

"Sorry," I shyly apologized.

He just smiled at me.

Tahimik na kami pagkatapos noon at ang tanging ingay lang ay nagmumula sa phone niya. Unti-unti na namang sumasakit ang ulo ko. I badly want to grab my phone again and divert my attention to it but as a respect, I didn't do it. Kanina pa nasa iba naka-pokus ang atensiyon ko.

The good thing that happen was that, sampung minuto na lang at malapit na kami sa apartment na tinutuluyan ko.

"Thank you for the lift... and also for the advice." I paired my thank you with my widest smile. This was one of the moments that I am extremely happy.

He lifted his hand and gave me a thumbs up. "No problem."

He was preparing to move but I called his name causing him to glance at me again.

"Bakit?"

Napakagat ako sa labi ko. I'm pondering whether to say it or not. Nahiya ako bigla dahil parang ang babaw naman ng magiging rason ko kung tatanungin niya ang dahilan.

"Puwede bang atin muna iyong tungkol sa amin ni Alek?"

His forehead creased. "Why won't you tell it to our friends?"

Umiwas sandali ang tingin ko sa kanya bago ko ibalik sa seryoso niyang mata. "It's not like ikinahihiya ko si Alek kaya tinatago ko siya. I just want our relationship to be private for the meantime. Kasi aaminin ko, it's too sudden. Kakikita lang namin tapos ganito agad. Ayaw kong maging tampulan ng tukso," I explained.

He stared long at me, making me way too uncomfortable. Nakahinga lang ako nang maluwag nang tumango siya.

"I understand."

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "Thank you." Sa kanilang dalawa lang ni Tori talaga ako at ease na kausap.

Hinatid ko muna siya ng tingin bago ako pumasok sa loob ng apartment. Tatlo na kaming nandito nina Tori at Reva. Si Tori ay nakatira sa ibang lugar originally pero nang malaman niyang luluwas na kaming sabay ni Reva at nakahanap ng apartment,  sumabay na rin siya sa amin sa paglipat. This apartment was rent to own so after ilang years, this will be one of our properties.

Kung tutuusin, this was one of the wisest decision I have ever made. Sa opinyon ko ay tipid talaga pag may kasama. Lahat  share na kayo kahit sa pagkain. The amount of your expenses will lessen. But make sure you are comfortable with the people inside a house or apartment. Always remember that saving is important but peace of mind and security in one place shall always be the top priority. I'm lucky that my company are my friends. Hindi na ako maiilang at mahihirapan pang makihalubilo.

Nang mai-lock nang mabuti ang pinto ay ibinaba ko lang ang bag ko at nagtungo agad sa kuwarto ni Reva. Mamaya ko na lang siguro ilalagay ang mga gamit ko sa mismo kong kuwarto. I shook my head when I remembered that I still haven't fixed my room yet. Siguro pag susunod ko na iyon iintindihin.

I knocked first before entering. Alam ko naman kasi na hindi ako pagbubuksan ni Reva kahit gusto niya akong papasukin. Tamad siya, alam ko pero wala akong pakialam dahil ganito rin naman ang gagawin ko kung sakali.