Chapter 22

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Chapter 22
Setting Into the Horizon

"How did you even find this place?" I looked at him and asked.

We both have already parted from the hug and we're still here sitting on his pickup truck. The only difference, our hands are together, our fingers fill in every gap of our hands.

West removed his hand from mine for a moment to fix my bangs.

Pinikit ko ang mga mata ko ng maramdaman ang marahang haplos niya sa buhok ko. Nang masigurado niyang hindi na natatabunan ang mga mata ko, ibinalik niya uli ang kanyang kamay sa akin.

He smiled, "Papa used to bring me here. It has been years since we last went here though. Busy kasi kaming pareho. It's our secret spot." West jokingly nudged my shoulder.

My eyes squinted, I moved half of my body back a little so I could get a better look of him. "If it's a secret, eh bakit mo pinakita sa akin?" I laugh.

"Because I know you'll love it." West gave me that soft smile again. "If it weren't for this place, baka hindi mo ako kausapin, 'Rin. A week. Baka pag tumagal pa sa isang linggo, mababaliw na ako. So, I guess, showing this secret place to you is worth all the trouble."

"Baliw," tinakpan ko ang mga mata niya iniwas 'yon sa akin. Baka kasi makita niyang namumula na naman ako.

We both chuckled after that.

"Sakop pa rin ba 'to ng Francisco?" tinanong ko.

Unang bumaba si West mula sa pagkakaupo at agad inilahad ang kamay para matulungan ako. I jumped a little kasi nga medyo mataas sa bewang ko ang tailgate ng sasakyan. West held me by my waist to prevent me from falling. Sinigurado niyang nakatayo na ako nang inalis niya sa bewang ko ang pagkakahawak.

"Oo, sakop pa rin 'to." sagot niya habang sinasarado ang lock ng tailgate. Kinuha niya rin ang backpack at isinabit sa kanyang balikat.

Isang tango ang iginawad ko. Hinintay ako ni West na lumapit sa kanya. Ilang segundo ko pa ulit tinanaw ang tuluyan ng lumubog na araw.

"Babalik ba ulit tayo dito?" tanong ko. Kahit na hindi ko siya nilingon ramdam ko ang mga titig niya sa akin.

"Oo naman," sabi ni West. "Let's go, 'Rin. Dumidilim na," paganyaya niya sa akin.

I let out a long sigh. I took one last glance at the scenery in front of me-wondering when I will be able to feel the calmness of it again. Stepping inside of West's car means I'll have to face my realities again.

And I've decided to live through it. I turned on my heels, West studied me while I slowly approached his place. I smiled at him, tucking my hair behind my ears as it covered my sight. His features softened as soon as I stood near him. West gave me a small nod, a smile twisting his lips.

BInuksan niya ang pinto ng kotse at umakyat na ako sa passenger seat. I fixed the seatbelt on my body and after a while we're already driving back to the road. Nakikinig lang kami ni West sa mga kanta at paminsan-minsan ay sumasabay kaming dalawa. Tuluyan ng lumubog ang araw nang dumating kami sa tapat ng gate.

I didn't see mom's car in the garage so it made my eyebrows furrow.

Hindi na muna ako bumaba sa sasakyan ni West. Hindi na kami nakikinig sa kanta at ngayon ay tahimik na lang din kaming dalawa.

"Kamusta practice ng banda?" I asked suddenly.

Masyado na akong kinain ng mga pangyayari ng mga nakaraang araw at nakalimutan ko na acquaintance party na pala namin sa susunod na linggo. Sinabi kong tutugtog sila West doon at may dumagdag pala na isa sa grupo nila, kaya apat na silang tutugtog.

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