The Way I Do

Chapter 59

Bumalikwas ng bangon si Julie Anne nang malimpungatan sa kalagitnaan ng gabi. Bakit parang may kumakalabog? She stopped and listened again but heard nothing.

Nagiimagine lang ba siya?

She sighed as she grabbed her phone and had to wince when the brightness hit her face like a soccer punch.

Binabaan niya agad ang brightness at tiningnan ang oras.

Alas dos pa lang pala nang madaling araw. Buong akala niya ay umaga na.

May plano na kasi sila nila Frank.

Ngayong araw din nila aayusin ang proposal sa restaurant mismo ni Maqui.

She was very excited for her friend and all of them were in it. She wanted to make this day perfect for both Maqui and Frank.

Napaderetso siya ng higa sa kama.

She looked up at the ceiling.

Okay, hindi na ulit siya makatulog talaga.

Throwing the covers off of her, she padded her feet on the carpeted floor before running a hand through her messy hair.

Then she stood up, her gaze still bleary from the dark.

Buti na lang may ilaw galing sa liwanag ng buwan na tumatagos sa bintana.

Lumabas siya ng kwarto at dumeretso sa kusina ng apartment. She clicked open the light switch before opening the fridge.

Her eyes roamed around, looking for anything edible when it landed on a Reese's peanut butter package.

Agad niya itong binunot at umupo na siya sa counter doon sa kusina. Tahimik lang naman ang paligid. It was very peaceful around.

Nakaisang package na siya at gusto pa niya ng isa kaya naman tumayo na din siya nang marinig niya ang tunog ng mga yapak mula sa living room.

She quickly turned at the sound and looked like a cute little raccoon stealing food from a dumpster.

Ang mahinang tawa ni Elmo ang sunod niya na narinig bago niya nakita ang bulto ng lalaki na lumalabas mula sa kadiliman ng anino.

"Midnight snack?" He asked, his voice deep as he maneuvered himself across the chairs and tables. Dahan dahan na gumalaw ito hanggang sa nakatayo na din ito sa tabi ng ref. Pinanuod ni Julie ang lalaki na yumuko para kunin ang ice pack sa loob.

She immediately realized what he was doing.

"Masakit pa din tuhod mo?" She asked softly as she looked at his face.

Natigilan si Elmo. Tila ba ayaw nito ipahalata.

He smiled softly as he sat on the stool by the counter.

Umupo din si Julie sa tabi ng lalaki.

Elmo placed the ice pack on his injured knee. "It was aching. Pero magiging okay na din ito in a few days."

Hindi kaagad sumagot si Julie. She kept looking at his knee.

Then she looked back at him. "I'm sorry."

Elmo's eyebrows furrowed. "For what?"

"Because..." Julie started. "Ako dahilan diba? Kung bakit ka nainjure in the past."

Nilapit pa ni Elmo ang sarili. His other knee was touching hers. He held her hand softly, his thumb caressing the back of it. "None of that was anyone's fault. Accidents happen."

"But..."

"Natarantana ako noon Moo. I-I wanted to talk to you. I was just too late. But it wasn't anyone's fault okay?"