The Delinquent and The Silent

Chapter 28

Century: where the heck's that place?!

Nicoli: haha where are you?

Century: near the gas station. can't find the direction you're asking me to!

Bwisit na tiningnan ko uli map na sinend nya. Hindi ko talaga mahanap place nila. Bat kasi hindi na lang nila ako sinundo eh. 

I regret na sa kanila ako magdi-dinner. Iniwan ko pa si Luke na nagmamaktol.

"Don't leave me! You can't leave me. Let's starve together!" pagdadrama pa niya

Gawd Luke. 

I spun around ready to leave. I'll have dinner with Luke.

"Century!"

I glanced at the BMW then at... Nicoli. "Sinusundo na kita. Baka mawala ka ulit"

He hopped out of his car. "Let's go?"

'I'm sorry, I need to head home'

Nic frowned. "Why? You're here already, let's have dinner then I'll take you home"

I shook my head. 'Emergency'

I left before he has a chance to say something. 

Luke's POV

Tinakpan ko ang ulam na niluto ko. I grabbed a glass instead and poured beer. I turned the TV on and jumped towards the couch.

I called mom. Busy tone. Heck.

I tried dad's cellphone. Busy tone also.

Are they eating each other's face? Ew.

I looked for Century's number. I can't believe she left me! Para lang sa Nic na 'yon? At wala man lang pasabi kung ano meron.

My stomach rumbled and I groaned.  "Where are you, housemates?!"

I stared at my wolf ink. "Alam mo, wolfie, I'm happy na nasa braso kita. At kaparehas pa kay Century." I grinned. "We have something in common."

Thinking of Cent, I remembered how I met her, how I saved her, how I looked out for her... and I guess I'm falling---

"Luke?"

I looked at... mom. "Yeah?" Sa wakas, may kasama na ako.

"Are you drinking beer?"

I sat straight. "No. It's tea"

She made a face. "I can smell, you know" 

I gave her a crooked smile. "Where's dad and Gal?"

She started climbing up the stairs. "Your dad's with some clients, Galaxy's with him. I just came here to get some clothes. We'll be out til tomorrow so take care of Cent, yeah?"

Client. That meant business deal and normally tumatagal sila ng tatlong araw, maximum, to close a deal. Yeah people, hindi din sila umuuwi hanggang hindi nakukuha 'yong deal. I don't get it though.

"Century?" I heard mom calling from upstairs.

"She's out, probably buying stuff!" I answered.

After ten minutes, mom came down with two duffel bags. "Bantayan mo ang bahay, dear. Feed Ford hey."

"How 'bout dinner mom? Don't you wanna eat?"

She shook her head. "I need to get to your dad, asap." She reached the front door and stepped out. "I'll call you later!" I heard her say before her car left.

I feel lonely...

Century's POV

I silently went inside the house, carrying boxes of pizza and cake. Nagtake-out na lang ako kasi baka hindi nagluto si Luke ng pagkain.

I found him staring outside the window, holding a glass of God knows what. His back's facing me. Lights are dimmed too and I get a sad vibe from him. What's going on? Mukhang hindi pa niya napansing naka-uwi na ako at mukhang malalim ang iniisip niya.

Nilapag ko muna ang dala ko bago ko kinuha phone ko from my back pocket. I sat down and started typing my text for Luke.

  'U sleeping na? Bumalik na sina tita Jenna?'  

Send.

His phone buzzed. From here, I can see him reading my text but then binalik lang niya sa bulsa niya ang phone niya.

Whoaah. Snob.

  'Kumain ka na?'  

He pulled out his phone and read my message. He groaned and whispered "I hate eating alone"

That got me.

He didn't bother replying to my texts.

I tightly smiled. Atleast may alam na ako sa'yo, Luke.

'Smile'

He read my text. "Sira ulo ka ba? Sinasabi mo?" He shook his head. Hindi pa din siya nagrereply.

I sighed. 'Turn around'

"Isa pang text na walang kwenta, Cent, lagot ka sakin" he read my text. His brows met before he slowly turned around.

I waved at him. I scribbled 'hi!' sa tablet then showed him.

He's just staring at me... nanuno ba siya?

'I brought food' I pointed at the table.

"Kala ko may gagawin ka kina Nic?" he asked slowly.

'May ibang araw pa naman and besides, wala kang kasamang magdinner'

Habang naliligaw ako kanina papunta kina Nic for dinner, narealize ko na atleast kasama ni Nic ang mom niya kumain samantalang si Luke... wala and iniwan ko pa siya. I guess I'll have my answers from Nic some other day.

Luke smiled. He walked closer to me. "Thank you" he pecked my nose and licked my upper lip.

I'm not his food! Wtf!!

***********************************

I woke up 4 AM and found Luke sleeping beside me. What the heck happened?

I remember nag movie marathon kami kagabi after dinner and I guess nakatulog kami sa sala. Naka-on pa din 'yong TV at 'yun ang gumising sakin.

I pushed Luke at nalaglag siya sa sahig pero mukhang hindi siya magigising. Tindi din ng isang to eh.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko na nalaglag kasama niya and read a message from Big Shaq. 11 PM kahapon niya sinend pero dahil busy kami ni Luke kanonood ng movie, hindi ko na nabasa.

Race next week. Up for it?

I scratched my head. Magkano naman kaya win dun? I shrugged. Mamaya ko na siya rereplyan. I pulled my blanket at natulog uli ako. Nakukuha ko na tulog ko nang maramdaman kong bumalik si Luke sa posisyon nya sa tabi ko kanina. 

Problema neto? May ibang couch pa naman ah. 

I looked at him. Komportable siyang naka-akap sa'kin. Tulog ba talaga 'to? Tinulak ko uli siya. Nalaglag siya, this time, kasama ng phone niya. Nakita ko pang umilaw phone niya and may message si Gabby.

Next week na daw race mo, Luuuuke. Kakasabi lang ng organizer. Support ka namin!