Chapter 23
Relos
Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga pagkatapos kong mabasa ang reply ni Axl. I texted him last night upang ipaalam na aalis kami ngayon. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay kailangan kong ipaalam sa kanya ang mga gagawin ko. Pagkatapos niyang nilinaw ang relasyon namin, pakiramdam ko ay karapatan niyang malaman ang gagawin ko. At ngayong ko pang umaga nabasa ang kanyang reply. He just asked me to take care of myself and that he wished he could come with us. I felt so much disappointment washing over me. Is that it? I thought he'll make it up but where is he?
"Come on. Get up Zouie," Winter said. Nakaharap siya sa salamin at inaayos ang sarili. "Fix yourself already. Aren't you excited? Cause I freaking am!"
I rolled my eyes. Hindi naman siya masyadong excited. I pulled myself up then went to the bathroom. It's still five in the morning but according to her, we need to be early para hindi tirik ang araw sa paglalakad namin. Parang ayoko na ngang tumuloy sa iisiping maglalakad kami paakyat ng bundok kung hindi lang dahil kay Winter. Hindi naman ako tinatamad kung may hiking kami dati pero pakiramdam ko ngayon ay wala ako sa kondisyong maglakad ng ilang oras.
We were in the middle of preparing ourselves when we heard the doorbell rang. I volunteer myself to check it. I peeped through the peephole and I saw Shane. He was with someone I wasn't sure I was acquainted with. But then when the girl moved and faced the door, I gritted my teeth. My mind was debating whether to open the door or not.
Anu namang ginagawa nito dito?
I decided to just open it when I saw Winter's approaching me.
"Hi. Good morning," Shane greeted enthusiastically, his lips stretch into sa wide smile. Kanina ay excited akong makita siya pero naglaho lahat nang makita ang kasama niya. Walang gana ko siyang tiningnan, retaining my smile.
"What do you want?" I asked brattily and glared to the girl beside him who just stayed quiet. The last time I saw her was so bitchy but now she looked like she got bitchy ten times. What's with this bitch?
"Shane!" excited na wika ni Winter saka nilakihan ang pagkakabukas ng pinto. Pagkatapos ay binalingan ang kasama nito. "Hi," unti-unting naglaho ang ngiti niya nang binati ang kasama nito.
Umirap ako at iniwan sila. Hindi ko na tinapunan ng tingin si Shane. Don't tell me sasama yung babae niya? Kinuyom ko aking kamao. May pa-I'm pursuing you Zouie ka pa kahapun tapos ngayon dinadala mo babae dito? Ang kapal.
"Sino yon?" tanong ni Demi nang makalapit ako sa kanya. Hinahanda niya ang isang malaking backpack.
"It's Shane," I simply answered. "Ikaw magdadala niyan?" I asked her referring to the backpack and also to avoid her further questions.
"No, Austere's coming. Saka hindi naman ito kabigatan," Inangat niya ang bag upang ipakitang hindi ito mabigat.
Tumango lang ako saka hinanda ko na rin iyong akin. I brought clothes enough for two nights since monday pa kami uuwi.
"Guys.. Zyion's not coming," napalingon kami kay Snow na galing kitchen. "He needs to do something daw. School project."
"Ganun ba? Sayang naman," malungkot na saad ni Demi.
Saglit akong napatitig kay Snow. Is she.. crying? But before I even had the chance to ask her, Winter approached us urgently.
"Guys? Come on they're already waiting outside." excited nitong wika.
Kinuha ko ang bag ko at isinukbit ito sa balikat. I haven't got the chance to talk Ion alone. He might be dealing something heavy these days. I'll just ask him once we get back. Sinubukan kong hulihin ang tingin ni Snow pero napapansin kong umiiwas siya. Hindi ko nalang iyon pinansin. Lumabas kaming lahat bitbit ang aming mga bag. I had one backpack and a shoulder bag. Ganun din sila. Hindi naman kabigatan itong sa akin since mga girl stuffs lang naman.
