Fourth of October (Juntarsiego Series #1)

Chapter 25

Umuwi ako ng probinsya nang magkaroon ng ilang araw na break. I always have this feeling of excitement everytime I am going home. I miss my parents so much.

Bago kami tumulak sa byahe ni Jaeden kanina ay dumiretso kami sa kanilang bahay. We had a dinner with his family and knowing that we'll have a long ride back to the province, Jaeden insisted that we should be home there before midnight.

Kanina pa niya gustong makauwi na kami. There's this impatience in his voice as if I am in a rush to see the place where I grew up.

"Okay ka lang, Jaed? Bakit parang galit ka?" tanong ko sa kanya habang nagmamaneho ito.

His jaw's clenching and though I am not giving him my full attention, I noticed that he's been eyeing his side mirror on both sides.

"Yeah. It's just that I want to go home. I am sure you're tired already." Doon lang lumambot ang kanyang mukha.

I sighed. Iyong isa niyang kamay ay nasa hita ko. Mahigpit ang hawak niya roon na tila nilalakumos na.

My hand landed on top of it. His soft and warm hand gave me comfort at that moment. Mahigpit ang hawak ko roon, pinapaabot sa kanya na ayos lang naman ako.

Besides, I am not that really tired from school.

"No need to worry about me. Pupunta ka bang bahay mamaya?" Nilihis ko ang pag-uusapan. Tumuwid ang kanyang upo habang diretso pa rin ang tingin sa daanan.

"I can't be sure. Tomorrow, I'll be there. May aasikasuhin lang naman ako saglit," he answered instead. Suddenly, I felt the loud thump of my heart, almost wanting to get out of its place.

Curiosity's in me again.

"Saan? Sa trabaho mo ba?" Tumango ito ng walang pag-alinlangan. Without realizing why he needs to work at this time, I simply nodded and didn't ask for anything.

Mabilis ang kanyang pagmamaneho. Ibang-iba sa dating bilis na kanyang ginagamit tuwing umuuwi kaming dalawa. He's always silent, the usual him everytime we're having the late night drives.

Pero iba lang ngayon. Sanay ako sa katahimikan niya pero hindi iyong ganito. He's also holding my hand tightly now as if I will have a chance to let it go at any moment.

"Please bow your head. Do not ever let go of my hand, okay? No matter what may happen, just hold my hand, Diana," walang pag-alinlangan niyang sabi na ikinakunot ng noo ko.

Hinayaan niyang tumakbo ang kanyang sasakyan na wala ang dalawang kamay sa steering wheel. I panicked for a brief second, realizing that I should let go of his hand so that he can drive carefully but he's gripping it tightly.

He's fumbling something at the backseat. Napalunok ako ng malalim nang dahil sa nagiging kilos niya.

"Jaed? A-anong ginagawa mo?" Inilabas niya iyong kanyang baril. Gusto kong sumigaw, magtanong ng kung ano sa kanya sa ganitong pagkakataon pero hindi niya ako pinansin.

Mahigpit na mahigpit ang hawak niya sa akin. He's not letting go of me. I have this mixed feeling as of now, opposite from him.

"Yumuko ka."

My brows furrowed. Sa likod ng kanyang sasakyan, may nakasunod at humahabol sa bilis ng kanyang pagpapatakbo.

Someone's chasing us!

"What—"

"Do as I say! Please, Diana! I don't want us to die here!" panicking and still shock with how loud he said those words to me, I followed what he said, thinking that it is the right thing to do.