Koi No Yokan

Chapter 14

Cariette

"Ibinahay mo na talaga si Rainey?"

Napatigil ako sa pagkain nang may tumigil sa harap ng table ko. May bitbit din iyon na pagkain at akala mo close kami na ibinaba yung tray nito sa mismong table ko. Pumuwesto pa sa harap ko at umupo sa kaharap na silya.

Pasimpleng nilinga ko pa yung buong canteen. Madami namang bakanteng table at upuan. Alas dos na kasi ng hapon pero ngayon pa lang ako maglalunch dahil may mga tinapos pa ako. Kaya hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit kailangan nitong dumito pa sa tabi ko.

"Nice seeing you too, Elle." I took another bite to my sandwich as I still sat comfortably, trying my best to completely ignore this unwanted companion.

"How's living with Rainey?" Binuksan nito yung bote nito ng blueberry drink. "How is she doing?"

"Better."

I saw how Elle's eyes softened upon hearing that from me. So she really cares for Rainey? Pero nagawa nya lang din iwan at pabayaan. Imposibleng hindi tumakbo si Rainey dito noong naglayas ito sa kanila. Because as far as Rainey is concerned, Elle is her run-to person. It's always Elle.

Yung tinatakbuhan nito pag sobrang sakit na ng ginagawa ni Ember. Yung taong pinagsusumbungan nito ng mga problema. Yung taong ipinagluluto at ipinagbabaon nito. Yung nilalambing pag nagtatampo. Yung hinihingan nito ng yakap pag kailangan nito ng lakas ng loob. It's always Elle.

Rainey might be head over heels in love with Ember, but no one can question how much she cares for Elle too.

At higit kaninuman, kay Elle ako mas nakakaramdam ng takot. Ember is so open that she doesn't love Rainey. But Elle is so open too that she would do everything for Rainey. And Rainey knows that. That's why subconsciously, she's always seeking for Elle when things get rough.

She has a habit of always running. And yes, I can always find her. Always, Beside Elle.

"That's good to hear." Pagkasabi niyon ay nagsimula na din itong kumain.

Aral. Pino. Pati pagnguya tahimik lang. No wonder why Rainey is also fond of this woman.

"Hindi ba sya nahihirapan matulog? Tag-ulan na lately."

Napaangat ulit yung tingin ko dito. So, she knows that Rainey's afraid of thunderstorm?

She's the best friend, Cariette. Of course, she knows.

Nung nakaraan kasi ay nagulat ako na kumakatok si Rainey sa pinto ng kwarto ko kahit alanganing oras na. Nang mapagbuksan ko ay takot na takot na yumakap ito sakin at sinabing tatabi daw ito sakin dahil hindi ito makatulog.

Ang ending tuloy, ako yung hindi nakatulog habang ang sarap ng tulog nito. Nadidistract kasi ako sa lapit ng katawan nito sakin.

"Don't get me wrong." Ngumiti si Elle. And I hate how she smiles. Sincere. "She wasn't calling me. So I assume she's been doing okay while living with you."

One thing is I am sure of, I'd rather have a fist-fight with Tris than to deal with this woman infront of me.

"She's okay, Elle. No need to worry about her. I am with her."

"Here." Itinulak nito sa harap ko yung isang envelope.

"What's that?"

Nagkibit-balikat lang ito kaya naiiling na ibinaba ko yung kinakain ko para silipin iyon. Inside that envelope is another envelope full of money and a notebook.

"What is this for?" Nagsisimula na akong makaramdam ng inis dito.

"Payment. The notebook has the list of what Rainey wants and what she doesn't." Kaswal na sagot lang nito.