Holding on to His Promises

Chapter 23: Through the Night

I was sitting on the wooden chair and taking some fresh air in our backyard when I saw Dylan from afar. He was in his mom's garden, walking while looking at the flowers. I smiled at that view.

"Don't stare at him."

Napahinto ako nang may magsalita sa tabi ko. It was Mom. Naamoy ko kaagad ang humahalimuyak na pabango niya. Bihis na bihis na siya at handa na sa pag-alis.

I felt nervous but I didn't want to be obvious so I said, "I just think he's cute." I meant it.

"Yes, he is, but I don't like him for you." She cocked her brow at me.

"Yeah, I know," I said and sadly turned my eyes back at Dylan.

"Let's go," aniya at tumayo na.

Inalis ko na ang tingin ko kay Dylan at sumunod kay Mama. Nakalulungkot man na ngayon na ang araw ng pagbalik nila sa America, magiging advantage naman iyon sa amin ni Dylan dahil malaya na muli kaming magkita at magkasama.

Nang maihatid namin sina Mama at Papa sa airport, pinadiretso ko muli sa bahay ang sasakyan para umuwi na.

I texted Dylan:

Where are you now?

I waited for his response but he did not reply, until I was back at home again. I decided to visit him in their house. The help opened the gate for me.

"Nandiyan po ba si Dylan?" I asked Manang Linda.

"Wala, anak. Kakaalis lang kanina. May kailangan ka ba? Sasabihin ko na lang sa kanya mamayang pagbalik niya."

"Uh, wala naman po. Bibisitahin ko lang po sana siya."

"Gano'n ba? Gusto mo bang tumuloy?"

Umiling ako. "Pagbalik na lang po siguro ni Dylan. Salamat po." Nagpaalam ako rito at umuwi muli sa bahay.

Nasaan kaya siya?

Nakakainip sa bahay at gustong gusto ko na talagang makasama si Dylan. Pero hanggang sa dumating ang gabi, wala akong natanggap na mensahe mula sa kanya.

I needed to stay in the house tonight before I'd come back to my dormitory tomorrow.

Gosh! I was starting to be scared again because I was thinking of Auntie Rona. Mabilis na pinatay ko ang television at didiretso na sana sa kwarto ko nang marinig ko ang tunog ng huni ng ibon, which was our doorbell.

"It must be Dylan," I muttered. I went outside and I was right. It was Dylan in a white polo-shirt. I opened the gate for him.

"Hi," he formally greeted me.

"I texted you," I said.

"Oh, sorry. My phone shut down," he apologized. "I'm here to ask you kung gusto mong sumabay sa akin. I'm coming back to my pad."

"Now na?"

"Yes."

"Give me a few minutes!" I quickly went back to the house.

***

"Are you hungry?" Dylan asked me while he was driving. I was so glad that he asked me that.

"Yes."

"I have a lot of food in my pad. Mind to visit?"

My eyes widened in excitement. "Malayo ba sa dorm ko 'yon?"

"Not really. But I'm nearer the university."