Heaven Academy

26 - December Camp (Part 3)

26 - December Camp (Part 3)

"You have to leave."

"I don't want to," I replied to Dominic's command without even thinking about it. "'Yon lang ba? Babalik na 'ko sa loob."

"Erisk!"

"What?! Ikaw ang nagdala sa'kin dito!" Believe me when I say that I didn't really want to argue with him. I'm not supposed to be in the camp, anyway, it won't matter to me if I leave after eating just a plate of pasta. What mattered to me was that look in his eyes―that damn look I could never read. Para siyang nagmamadali. Para siyang may tinatakasan. Para siyang may kinakatakutan, at napakaimposible n'on. Siya si Dominic Defensor. Imposible 'yon.

"And I'm the one getting you out of he―"

"Why?" Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit noon lang ako nagtanong. Para bang ilang araw kong pinag-ipunan ng lakas ang nag-iisang salitang nanghihingi ng napakaraming sagot.

Without breaking eye contact with me, Dominic sighed. "Erisk, if you stay, it will be too late."

"You're always saying that. Mula nang dumating ako sa Heaven Academy, palagi mo nang ipinaparating na para akong nagsu-suicide. Suicide kasi ako ang pumili, Dom." I let out a sarcastic chuckle. "I'm not going home so let's end the argument here. Kanina lang okay tayo."

Dominic stared at me. He did that for too long as if waiting for me to change my mind. I didn't. Matigas ang ulo ko.

He took another deep breath as he crossed the distance between us. I wasn't able to move when he slowly lifted his arms and wrapped them around me. His hug felt like something. Like he's saying goodbye, but he doesn't want to.

Yumakap ako pabalik sa kaniya. "You wanted a date, and you're bringing a date on that ball."

Mas humigpit ang yakap niya sa'kin.

"But can't you really tell the staff to get us a nice place to stay? I don't like tents."

"I made them promise to treat me as how they would treat any of you."

"And they won't break that promise? Not even Heaven Academy? Hindi ba sila natatakot na baka magalit si President Defensor kasi papatulugin ka nila sa buhangin?" Dire-diretso kong sabi habang nakasandal pa rin ang ulo sa balikat niya.

"No."

Sumimangot ako. "Must be good being the first angel, huh?"

Wala sa sariling napakalas ako sa yakap nang maramdamang natigilan siya. Para siyang nakarinig ng hindi magandang balita. "Dom?"

He only stared at me.

*****

"I don't like him." Ngumisi ako nang halatang nagulat si Iris. Hindi niya namalayang nakaupo na ako sa likuran niya dahil masiyado siyang abala sa pagtitig kay Luther. "We've known each other for a long time now, you should have realized that I never liked Luther Magalona."

"E-Erisk, what are you―"

"You like him too, don't you?"

Iris looked taken aback. "Y-Your brother..."

"Eh 'di, multuhin niya kayo kung tutol siya." Nagkibit-balikat ako.

Napapailing na umatras si Iris sa pagkakaupo sa buhangin para magkatabi kami.

"It's making me feel guilty," bigla niyang sabi. Nang lumingon ako sa kaniya ay nakayuko na siya at nilalaro ang mga buhangin gamit ang daliri niya. "Aster died at such a young age. He could have done more. I'm sure he wanted to do more. Dapat nandito siya, nakikipagkulitan sa mga kaklase natin. Sigurado akong kung buhay pa siya, ma-eenjoy niya 'tong camp."