02
Sunset
"Saan ka ba pupunta?" naguguluhang tanong ni Caitlyn habang abala ako sa paghahabol ng oras. Kaka-dismiss lang kasi ng klase sa Hydraulics at agad-agad ko ng inaayos ang aking mga gamit.
"I have to train," tipid kong sagot dahil hindi rin naman ako natutuwa sa pupuntahan.
Three days passed by since Papa told me about West Point Shooting Range's tournament invitation. Wala akong pagkakataong humindi sa kaniya at hindi ko na babalakin pa dahil 'oo' lamang ang tinatanggap niyang sagot.
"Train for what?" pilit na pang-uusisa ng aking kaibigan.
I nearly forgot that Caitlyn's a very curious girl and she wants to get involved on most events of my life. I don't complain though. Alam niyang siya lang ang kaibigan ko at alam niya kung gaano ako kailap sa tao, so she probably wants to make me feel that I'm not alone.
I appreciate her for that and it feels good to know that there are people who care for me.
"Naalala mo 'yung sinasabi kong tournament?" tanong ko at iginaya siya palabas ng classroom. Sumalubong agad sa amin ang mga naglalakad na estudyante dahil sabay-sabay kasi ang dismissal ng mga kumukuha ng course namin tuwing Huwebes sa building na ito.
Masiyadong maaga ang alas-kwatrong uwian kung tutuusin pero may klase kami ng 8:00 PM hanggang 9:30 PM. Sophomores at 4th year students ang may schedule na ganito.
"Ah! Yes, that," Caitlyn gasped, nodding her head instinctively, "Paano 'yan? May klase pa tayo mamaya, right?"
Ngumuso ako at naglakad papalapit sa bulletin board. Nasa buntot ko naman siya, marahang sumusunod sa mga yapak ko at naghihintay pa rin ng aking sagot.
"That's why I have to go now because the training usually takes more or less 3 hours." Kunot-noo kong sinuri kung lahat ba ng oras na na sa aking notes ay tugma sa schedule na nakapaskil sa bulletin.
"Take care, dear Natalie," she said sweetly and kissed my cheeks. I groaned at her usual practice. "Tatadtarin kita ng text at call kung alam kong 'di ka na aabot sa klase."
"Thank you but I don't miss any of my classes," I smirked at her.
"That's my girl!" she giggled and winked.
Ngumiti ako sa kaniya bago nagsimulang maglakad ulit. "How 'bout you? Saan ka pupunta for 4 hours?" tanong ko sabay sulyap sa aking relo. Great. I still have a lot of time.
"Pupunta ako sa hideout nila Dominic. Sinabihan ako ni Alfred kanina na may meeting daw sila para sa upcoming Christmas festival. I want them to sing a few songs of my liking. I'll request some great songs too!"
Right. The Apollo 1997 is really climbing to the top. Hindi ko napigilang mapangiti dahil doon. Simula nang napakilala ako sa kanila, unti-unti na rin akong napapalapit sa grupo. I started to look forward at the end of the days because of them. Their goofiness is something that takes me away for a moment from the dread of going home to face my father.
Ang saya lang na meron sila sa paligid. They make everything light. Except for one person who seems to be annoying me for some reasons lately.
Nagpaalam na rin ako kay Caitlyn at agad na tinawagan ang aming driver. Kanina ko pa ito tinext at baka na sa parking lot na rin ito. I was right when I got there because Kuya Leon's already waiting in the far end corner. But before I could reach our car, a familiar guy caught my eyes.
He's standing beside a motorcycle and I had the urge to lurk my eyes over because it's a freaking Ducati 821. Tumaas ang aking kilay doon at nilingon si Octavian. Akala ko ba may meeting sila sa hideout? Why is he here?
BINABASA MO ANG
Fragmented Rhapsody
Художественная прозаWhen Natalia Alexandrine Dela Merced was born, it was a bittersweet grain of ends and beginnings - her mother couldn't survive due to certain health complications. She was raised prim and proper by her father, who has constantly expressed his civil...
