Chasing Hope [HIATUS]

CHAPTER 10

When I got home, I immediately went to the bedroom and opened the drawer. I took a box from the bottom, the contents were Kiel's jacket and handkerchief that he had given me before. Akala ko pa naman mabait siya, then it turned out that he was not nice. If I had known that his behavior was like that in the first place, I would not have talked to that boy. Alam na alam niya kung paano ako inisin.

But even so, I still can't forget what he did in the hospital. Especially when I rushed Adrian to USTH. Wait, what did he do again? He touched one of my shoulders, didn't he? He wanted to comfort me but he didn't know how so he just gave me this jacket. Ano ulit 'yung sinabi niya noon? Oh, God, I forgot. I put the box back under and closed my drawer. Naghalf-bath ako habang wala pa si Maeve, matagal pa naman 'yung babaeng 'yon dahil traffic sa Morayta palagi. But what did she do there?

I sat on the sofa and crossed my legs, and I also placed a square pillow on my legs to rest my hand while holding the phone. Pagkabukas ko ng phone ko ay hindi ko na naman inaasahan na makikita ang username niya. I clicked on the notification and it went to Instagram.

ralpkiel liked your story. 5min

Lol.

Tinignan ko kung anong story 'yon and that story is already in my highlights, it's just my selfie under the eiffel tower. It's been a few years since I went to Paris. So, why did he like it? It's impossible that he pressed it by accident because it's at the end of my highlights order. Is he stalking me? If yes, why? Does he like me or be interested? Ugh, fuck off, Nadeleine. Stop being assuming. There are probably many other people looking at my highlights, not just Kiel. Because of my boredom, I thought of messaging him on Instagram to tease him.

nadeleine: eiffel tower’s pretty, ‘no?

Kinagat ko ang labi ko upang pigilan tumawa kahit ang lawak na ng ngiti ko. This is my revenge. Mang-aasar lang ako ng bata.

ralpkiel: It was just an accident, I didn’t press it. don’t assume, I don’t like you.

nadeleine: i just asked ???? wdym

Hindi ko na napigilan tumawa dahil sobrang defensive niya! Guilty, huh? Oh, Kiel.

ralpkiel: ahuh? yeah, it’s pretty.

nadeleine: thanks

ralpkiel: the eiffel tower’s pretty

nadeleine: the tower was not seen much in the photo but thanks.

ralpkiel: lol stop talking to me, I already answered your question.

I just laughed at his last message again before I heard a knock from the door so I got up to open it. I saw Maeve standing and carrying food, she was alone and her boyfriend was not with her. Euan must have left after taking Maeve here. Tuloy-tuloy lang siyang pumasok sa loob at dumiretso sa kusina, nilagpasan lang ako. "Nads! Dali, 'lika rito!" sinara ko na ang pinto at pumunta kung nasaan siya. "Tulungan mo ako magtake ng pictures, may bago akong ini-endorse," tumango lang ako at kinuha 'yung phone niya.

Normal naman na sa 'min 'yung ganito. Not greeting each other or what. What is the point of greeting each other? "Ayusin mo naman 'yang angle mo, Maeve," I scolded her because the photos did not come out well. Paano, gumagalaw kasi minsan 'yung kamay niya kaya nawawala sa focus 'yung camera tapos liliparin pa ng electric fan 'yung buhok niya tapos mapupunta sa face. Sa akin ko na nga tinutok 'yung fan pero wala pa rin.

"Bilisan mo, gusto ko na kumain ng donut. Last week pa 'ko nagke-crave r'yan, huhuhu," she faked a cry while looking at the donut that was on the side.

"Oh my.. are you pregnant?!" I suddenly put my left hand over my mouth to cover it up in shock.