Scarcity of Chances

Chapter 22

The strange nightmare I had was swiftly vanquished by the text message I received. All I had in mind was to tell Kylo about this good news, just in case he did not receive the same context.

He was as hopeful as I was right after I told him. Kahit na hindi pa rin ganoon kaayos ang mood niya dahil sa hindi ko malamang kadahilanan, tingin ko ay natuwa rin siya sa nabalitaan.

Unfortunately, we cannot meet with Mister Remzy on this day. My family here will be going to eat out for lunch while Kylo's parents in this bubble are celebrating their anniversary.

Kahit gaano namin gustong umalis na upang makausap agad ang sekretarya bago pa man magbago ang isip nito ay hindi maaari. Kaya naman nagdesisyon kami ni Kylo na bukas na bukas ay lumuwas ng Maynila.

For the first time, I will skip my classes. Ang umaga ay papasukan pa naman namin. Napagkasunduan naming dalawa na oras ng tanghalian umalis. It was settled. We also informed Mister Remzy that we'll be meeting around 2 PM.

Nang gabing iyon, hindi ako halos nakatulog. Bukod sa iniisip ko ang napanaginipan, kuryoso na rin ako sa kung anong importanteng sasabihin ng sekretarya ni Miss Bellinda. Nagbago na ba ang isip nito at hahayaan na kaming makausap ang babae?

The faintest light of hope within me prayed for that. I wish, we could find a way to alter whatever magical phenomena that put us here. Right now, a solution is still nothing but a myth because even science fails to properly elucidate these happenings. It's just beyond its capacity.

I don't want to die in this bubble. I cannot die inside this familiar but not the same bubble universe. Pinipilit ko na lang talagang magpatuloy kahit parang gusto nang sumabog ng lahat ng laman ng utak ko.

"Are we going to have our lunch first or we'll leave immediately after our morning classes?" I asked Kylo.

As usual, nagkita kaming muli rito sa playground. If we are in a gang, this place will serve to be our hideout. Kung sabagay, hindi pa kami napupunta sa sitwasyong ito ay paborito ko na ang lugar na 'to, lalo na ang swing.

"Let's just drive-thru again so we'll save time. Sa sasakyan na tayo kumain," he answered which I find the better option.

I nodded and stared at him. "Are you okay now?"

Kylo paused for a second in perplexity as his eyebrows met at the lower center of his forehead.

"What do you mean?"

"Wala lang..." kibit-balikat ko. "Ay, kahapon kasi saka no'ng isang araw, medyo weird ka. You seemed to be not in the mood and extra silent."

Buhat nang magkakilala kaming dalawa at naging magkaibigan, batid ko na ang ilan sa mga ugali niya. He has the type of mouth that I think I might shove with food fully or close temporarily with staples just to hinder him from talking. Sa sobrang daldal niya, nasanay na ako na ganoon to the point na parang hindi na normal sa akin kapag tahimik siya.

His silence is an indication that there's something wrong. Again, just based on my observations.

Pero wala naman kasi akong maalala na nagawa ko na maaaring ikasama ng loob niya. I remember sharing a few things about the Hans here but that's it. He couldn't possibly have a problem regarding that.

"Silly, Van. I'm as right as rain. Don't worry about me."

Finally, for the first time that morning, Kylo plastered a genuine smile. I sighed and slowly raised my right hand to reach for the top of his head.

"There... there," I whispered as I patted him twice.

Kylo fixed his gaze on mine. I pressed my lips together and raised a brow because he looks like he wants to say something.