SEVEN AND ARROW (Montana Series 2 | BXB)

23: Saudade

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I kept tapping my pen on my table as I was staring at my book. Ilang minuto na ang lumipas ngunit hindi pa rin ako nakakausad sa binabasa ko. I could read every words from the book clearly, but I didn't understand anything at all.

Tumayo ako sa aking upuan at kinuha ang tasa ng kape, ngunit wala na pala itong laman. I decided to get my phone and tossed myself on the bed, trying to relax my head. As I was scanning my phone, I recalled how Arrow and I almost had an accident.

I could vividly remember the look on his face that moment. The alarm in his eyes, the concern in his meeting eyebrows, and his shaking voice. He was in fear not for his own safety, but for mine. Marahil ay naalala niya ang tatay niya dahil sa nangyari.

"Seven," someone said, followed by a knock on my door.

Mabilis akong bumangon sa aking kama at pinagbuksan siya ng pintuan. "Arrow," I said. "Why? Do you need anything?"

He motioned his head slowly. "Nothing, I'm just checking you."

His statement gave me chill bumps, making me avoid his gaze. "Don't worry, I'm all good. Pasensya na rin sa nangyari."

"You don't need to apologize," he said. "By the way, don't mention anything about what happened to my mom. Baka magalala pa siya."

"Sure, don't worry," I replied.

"Anyway, pwede ba tayong magusap?" tanong niya.

"Yes," I said, planning to come out in my room, but Arrow stopped me.

"Let's talk inside," he said.

Napalingon ako sa loob ng aking kwarto. "Dito sa loob ng kwarto ko?" tanong ko.

"Yes," he answered, which made me pierced my lips. "Don't worry, wala akong gagawing masama. I just want to clear something with you."

I nodded gradually and said, "Okay. Come in."

Nang makapasok siya ay dahan-dahan niyang inilibot ang kanyang mga mata. Natuon ang kanyang tingin sa aking lamesa kaya nilapitan niya ito. He was staring at something, and before I knew what it was, he grabbed it.

"Nasayo pala 'to," sambit niya habang hawak ang isang maliit na picture frame. "This is the funniest picture that we had taken ten years ago. I've been looking for this for ages."

"You gave that to me when you spent your last summer in our hometown," I stated.

"Nawala sa isip ko," sagot niya habang nakangiti sa larawan namin kung saan pareho kaming naligo sa putikan.

Arrow's expression was in a pure joy, like he was reliving all our happiest memories together just by looking at those captured moments of our childhood. It's really important to take pictures because it could transport us to the sights and feelings of a memory.

"Ano pala ang pag-uusapan natin?" tanong ko kay Arrow.

Ibinaba niya ang larawan at lumingon sa'kin. "Tungkol kay Maureen."

Alam kong mabilis na nagbago ang timpla ng aking mukha nang banggitin niya ang pangalan ng babaeng 'yon. I didn't have the right to feel jealous or anything, but Arrow was using me for Maureen, and I didn't like being dragged in a situation that would make me look like I was the desperate one.

"Can you tell me exactly what you saw that night?" he asked.

I tore my eyes away. Pilit kong inalala ang mga nangyari. "Magkayakap kayo habang dahan-dahan niyong inilalapit ang mukha niyo sa isa't-isa."