Reclaiming the Stars (Agustin Series #1)

Kabanata 12

Kabanata 12

Portrait

"What the fuck?"

"What the fuck two?"

Hindi ko nalang sila pinansin at hinilot ang sentido ko. They are purely a handful of stress. Tumabi nalang ako ng higa kay Melissa na mukhang hindi pa nakaka-get over sa sinabi ko kanina.

The door opened again, showing a fuming Lorenzo. He scanned the whole room at nang makitang kasama ko na naman si Melissa ay parang gusto na kaming pagbiyakin.

"Kanina ka pa. Ako naman," sabi n'ya kay Melissa. He pulled my wrist causing me to stand up from bed.

"Ikaw ang kanina pa! Ano bang problema mo!" I wasn't even asking, I was shouting!

Huminahon s'ya bago nagsalita. "Can we talk?"

"Go! Talk!" sigaw ko pa rin sa kanya. He closed his eyes showing hints of frustration which I think should come from me.

"Outside?" he hesitantly asked.

"Bakit sa labas pa?! Bakit hindi nalang dito?!" maaga yata akong tatanda kay Lorenzo. Way to go for giving me headaches.

He looked around gesturing that both of his cousins are present. "Fine!"

Nauna na akong lumakad palabas at sumunod naman s'ya. "What was that?" I heard Sid asking.

"What you've witnessed is the beginning of World War. I'm excited!" huling napakinig ko kay Melissa bago makalayo sa kwarto.

Sa veranda ng library ako dumiretso para naman mabawasan ang inis ko. Humilig ako sa barandilya at tumayo lang s'ya sa harap ko. Minutes had passed and he remained standing, not saying a single word.

"Kung wala kang sasabihin, aalis na'ko," I taunted him.

He kept his stance firm, distancing himself from the emotions I'm throwing him. I could see how his lips would twitch from time to time and if I knew better he...

"Do you like me, Lorenzo?" he was taken aback with my unanticipated question but he doesn't seemed shocked with my sudden confrontation, like he was actually waiting for it. Ang kapal ng mukha ko pero okay lang.

"Paano 'pag sinabi kong oo?" he shot my question back.  Now, it's my turn to feel all gushy and dreamy.

My breathing hitched, I got fast audible heartbeats, the excessive heat from my cheeks. They're the names of things that I had to survive every time. I came back to my consciousness.

"Edi ligawan mo'ko," walang pag-aalinlangan kong sinabi.

He blinked once, then twice then consecutively. Like he wasn't expecting my sudden request. Para bang ginawa kami para gulatin ang isa't-isa.

I found myself walking with him in the sea. It's afternoon and the sun is almost setting. We both decided to sit on the sand and stare at the eternity lying in front of us.

"Nasaan ang parents mo?" I've always been itching to ask him that question.

"Work," he plainly said.

"How about Lolo Joaquin's wife?" I tried being careful with my choices of words.

"Travelling," daig ko pa ang may kausap pipi. Ang ikli naman sumagot. Nasaan na yung maingay na Lorenzo. Napansin n'ya ang pananahimik ko. "She doesn't like staying at home."

He brushed his tongue on his lips then started scratching his nose. "Lala loves going out there and despite her age, she still prefers making adventures."