Every Tick of Serendipity ( Ruler of Fate Series #3 )

KABANATA 20

Kabanata 20

The twentieth tick

"Nyxene..." Umangat ang tingin ko kay Kuya Xavier nang tawagin niya 'ko.

I gulped, seeing him sip on his drink while watching me eat my meal. "W-Why?" Maging si Mommy at Kuya Zyler, ay nabaling ang ulo sakanya. His voice was serious, like he knew something and that I should admit it before he could even ask.

He placed the mug down, which made me sit straight on my seat. "Where were you last night?" His hands were clasped together as he rested his back on the chair.

My eyes blinked. "S-School..." I bit my lip when he raised his brow at me.

Sinilip ko si Kuya Zyler sa tabi niya, na pabalik-balik ang tingin sa'ming dalawa. He was busy eating and being chismoso na rin, kasi even though I was asking for his help, dahil baka magalit si Kuya, he didn't say anything at all.

He nodded his head. "You meant school ni Kairos? Wala kang pasok kahapon, diba?" Hinaplos niya ang labi niya, matapos tanungin 'yon sa'kin. He was thinking of something; I don't want to know.

I pursed my lips and bowed down, facing directly at my plate. Dahan-dahan akong tumango, kahit ang kaba ko ay mas lumalala bawat segundo.

"Hmm..." He heaved a deep sigh.

When I peeked at him, he leaned forward and went back to eating. Pinagmasdan ko muna siya, na tahimik, at wala na sa'kin ang atensyon. I gripped my spoon and fork, and started finishing my lunch too.

Ang akala kong okay na, ay hindi pa pala nang basagin ni Kuya ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming lahat. "Kairos was here last night... And you weren't here." His eyes raised up to me. "So, where were you exactly, Nyxene?"

My lips parted. "Uh..." I gulped and forced a chuckle. "I-I was with a friend—"

"Friend..." Kuya Zyler cut me off, with his brows furrowed together. "Friend na kasama mong kumain ng burger?" His head tilted.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin, bago balingan si Kuya Xavier nang nakangiti. "We ate lang sa buffet... Yung malapit lang din? On the way dito from school?"

He didn't answer me and just looked sideways to where Kuya Zyler is. "Who's this friend?"

I frowned when he squinted his eyes at me. Lumapit siya kay Kuya Xavier at nagsimulang magkwento. Hindi ko na magawang marinig kung anong sinasabi niya, dahil sinadya niyang hinaan 'yon para sakanilang dalawa lang.

Tinignan ko si Mommy sa tabi ko, na sinusubukang pakinggan ang pinaguusapan nila. I poked her thigh and pouted my lips when she looked at me.

She pointed to my plate and mouthed that I should finish my food. Tinuro niya ang pintuan namin matapos no'n, sinasabihan akong umalis na kaagad at iwan sila.

I obliged and shoved all the remaining foods in my mouth. I'd rather go out than face them right now, no! At least Kuya Xavier won't be here once I get home, and I can deal with Kuya Zyler later nalang.

Hindi pa sila tapos sa pag-uusap ng tumayo ako. I wore the strap of my bag and turned my back against them. Tatakbo na sana ako palabas, pero napansin nila 'yon.

"I purposely stayed so I could talk to you, Amber Nyxene." Sabi ni Kuya Xavier na nagpatigil sa'kin, "Sit." madiin niyang dagdag.

I pouted when I peeked at Mommy. Ngumiwi siya sa'kin at tinuro ang upuan. Suminghap ako ng hangin at ngumiti bago sila balingan ng tingin. I pulled the chair and sat on it carefully. Inayos ko ang suot kong fitted puffy sleeves, kahit hindi naman gusot 'yon.