What Comes After The Rain

WCATR 2: Everyone Leaves

CHAPTER 2 - EVERYONE LEAVES

I WALKED INTO the auditorium and took a deep breath, trying to shake off the exhaustion from the past few days. The room was packed with school officials, administrators, and members of the accrediting body.

I quickly pulled out my notebook and pen, heading straight for the press area. As soon as I settled into my seat, Nash was already there, leaning casually against the wall with his arms crossed. His sudden presence still caught me off guard.

"Bakit nandito ka?" I exclaimed, surprised to see him there.

It was the last day of covering the event. Actually, first and last day lang naman ako nag-cover dahil karamihan ng information ay hindi na kailangan isulat sa news.

He grinned and dropped into the seat beside me, looking around the auditorium.

I shifted, feeling a bit annoyed at Nash's casual attitude. "That's Ciqa's seat," I reminded him, but he just shrugged and leaned back, scanning the room like he owned the place.

I raised an eyebrow at his indifference and glanced around, wondering where Ciqa was. "Where's Ciqa? Bakit ikaw?" I asked, already getting the feeling something was off.

He had a DSLR strapped around his neck, his press ID hanging loosely. Hinarap niya sa akin ang suot na press ID. "Magko-cover, malamang," he said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes. "She's sick. Got a fever or something," Nash added, still looking far too relaxed for someone in a borrowed seat.

I sighed. Ciqa was our designated photographer for the accreditation program, and we couldn't afford to lose her on the last day. "Great, now who's going to take the photos?"

Nash rolled his eyes,  clearly unbothered. "Relax, I'll do it."

I frowned. "Fine. But if the photos turn out crappy, it's on you."

Nash looked at me, raising his brows as disbelief was embedded on his face. Matagal itong tumitig sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit naiinis ako sa paraan ng pagtitig niya kaya umiwas ako ng tingin.

"I'm still a photojournalist, kaya kung may reklamo ka, sa kanya ka magpaliwanag."

Hindi ko siya sinagot at itinuon na lamang ang mata sa harapan. Mas may mapapala pa ako kaysa ang kausapin siya.

When the program started, Nash left his seat to take pictures of the program while I attentively listened to the speakers and took down notes.

I adjusted my bag and gathered my notes as the program came to a close. Nash returned to our seats carrying a tray of snacks - two plates of pancit palabok and a bottle of water. He offered me one of the plates and the water.

"Meryenda ka muna, Ulan."

Binato ko muna siya ng masamang tingin saka kinuha iyon. I don't know why but the way he calls me 'Ulan' sent shivers down my spine. Hindi nakatutuwa!

Sa halip na maramdaman ang inis sa kabila ng masama kong pagtingin sa kaniya, binuhat pa niya ang kanyang armchair saka iyon pinuwesto sa harapan ko. Pinagdikit niya ang table ng armchair naming saka roon pumwesto at inilagay ang pinggan ng pansit palabok na kinuha niya para sa amin.

"Try mong tikman ang pansit palabok nila, the best!" he said amusedly, making way for his dimples to show.

"Parang ngayon ka lang naman nakatikim ng palabok."

Hindi niya pinansin ang sinabi ko. Pinigaan niya ng kalamansi ang pansit palabok ko at ganoon din ang sa kaniya.

"Go on. Try it."