Shades of Kagan

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Avian Burn's Point of View

"Bakit mo nagawa 'yon, Avi?" Tanong ni Emma habang nakatayo sa harapan ko. May halong lungkot ang kanyang mata, habang ang kanyang labi ay nanginginig sa kaba.

"Anong masama ang ginawa ko sa'yo? Wala naman, diba?" Humakbang siya palapit sa akin samanatalang napaurong naman ako dahil sa kanyang ginawa. Ayaw kong makita niya ang manginginig kong mga kamay kaya inalagay ko ito sa aking likuran.

"Emma..." Napaawang ang labi ko nang tawagin ko ang kanyang pangalan. Nakita ko ang pagsilay ng malungkot na ngiti sa kanyang labi. Isang saglit pa ay nasa harapan ko na si Emma. Humawak siya sa aking braso at tinulak ang aking katawan sa mataas na palapag.

I can feel my body falling from a high place at such a fast speed. Will this be my end? I extended my arms upward, reaching for the light. Pero imbis na ilaw ang maabot ko at binalot ako nang kadiliman.

What a horrible dream. That's when I decided to open my eyes. Hindi ko akalain na nakatulog na pala ako sa lobby. I am lying down on the sofa, and I notice that there is a blanket that was placed on my chest. Kagan must be the one who put it. Hindi na rin umuulan sa labas at mukhang pwede na akong umalis. The lights are dim, so I have to check my phone inside my bag without looking. When I checked the time, it was already ten in the evening. Shit.

Mabilis akong umalis sa pagkahiga at tiniklop ang kumot na ginamit ko.

"You're awake," Kagan voice is deep. Tumingin ako kung saan nanggaling ang kanyang boses. The voice came from the right corner. Nakita kong pababa si Kagan ng hagdan habang ang isang kamay niya ay nakalagay sa loob ng kanyang bulsa.

"I'm sorry. I didn't expect that I would fall asleep."

"It's okay. I understand that what we did earlier is tiring." Nakahinga ako nang maluwag dahil sa sinabi niya. I noticed how calm Kagan is right now. He have a even-temper that made him attractive. Lalo lang nadadagdagan ang paghanga ko sa binata. Of course, I admire his skills. He's such a great painter, he also seems like he have a good personality. Unlike the one I met last time. The other guy I met last week was wild and more outgoing. Konti na lang ay makukumbinsi na ako na magkaibang tao nga ang nakasama ko ngayon at kagabi.

"Wala na rin ulan. I have to go, Kagan. Thank you for today." I hurriedly collected myself and clutched my bag tightly.

"Let's go," he said. Siya na rin ang unang lumabas sa aming dalawa. Napakunot naman ang noo ko bago siya sinundan sa labas. Coldness envelops my body when I reached outside. The smell of rain still lingers in the air.

"Wait for me here, I'll just get my car." Napataas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. Ngunit hindi na niya ako binigyan ng pagkakataon na magsalita nang umalis na siya agad sa aking harapan.

Napayakap ako sa aking sarili dahil sa lamig. I just found myself waiting for Kagan. I waited three minutes until an expensive black car stopped before me.

"Hop in," he said. The window on the passenger seat is open.

"I think it's really unnecessary, Kagan. Walking distance lang ang school dormitory mula dito sa studio mo." Sabi ko habang sinisilip ko siya sa loob.

"I know, but it's getting late, Avian." I sighed when he insisted. Wala na akong magawa kundi pumasok sa loob ng kanyang kotse. When he ensured I was comfortable inside, he closed the window, locked the car door, and started driving. I noticed this was the same car we used when we went to the burger place. If Kagan is playing games on me, I won't hesitate to give him my resignation letter, and I will promise myself that I will never see him.