Hold You Accountable (Published) | ✓

Kabanata 31

Kabanata 31

I could feel the throbbing pain in my head. Gio was talking to someone when I opened my eyes...a familiar silhouette of a person caught my attention.

My vision was a bit blurry, kinuskos ko ito upang maging malinaw. I only saw someone wearing a plain white shirt and black jeans.

"Is she asleep?"

"Nagtutulog-tulugan lang. Hoy Sanchez, gising na. May dalaw ka." Halakhak ni Gio. Lalo lamang naningkit ang mga mata ko.

I tried to stood up but I can't walk in a straight line. My legs are getting weaker each step I took, napasandal tuloy ako roon sa kausap ni Gio.

His scent was fresh mint. The way it hit my nostrils feels oddly familiar.

"Si Clary?" I asked, weakly.

Umiling si Gio. "You didn't call your cousin, Zaf."

"Gago, sino tinawagan ko?" my eyes are still half-open.

Napatingin ako sa sinasandalan ko. I almost vomit when I saw who it was.

"Shit, kamukha ng ex ko!" I laughed loudly. Even Gio was laughing. See? Kamukha nga ni Sarathiel!

The guy slackened his jaw. Agad na kumunot ang kanyang noo. His arms were across his chest. He really reminds me of Sath.

Do I miss him that much that I can even see him on other people?

"Really now?" the guy muttered sarcastically. It's funny because they sound the same too.

"Ang cutie lang," I beamed at him like how I used to Sath.

He was caught off guard. Naningkit ang mga mata niya. Ang sungit naman nito! He reminds me of my first meeting with Sath.

I saw Gio smirking before he spoke. "Can you carry her? Do you still need help?"

"Hindi na, kaya ko na siguro siya. Thank you, Gio."

The guy carried me in a piggyback ride style. Natawa lang ako dahil kahit amoy ni Sath ay kuha niya. I think I'm being delusional right now, is this an effect from soju?

I could tell that the guy was being careful with his steps. Sinusundan kami ni Gio dahil nakikita ko pa rin siya sa gilid ko. He was biting his lower lip, halatang nagpipigil ng tawa.

When the guy who looked like Sath gently lay me down on the shotgun seat of a car, I saw Gio taking pictures which immediately made me frown.

"Ano 'yan?"

"Mga larawan bago ang sakuna," halakhak ni Gio.

"Send mo saakin bukas." Hagikgik ko. Umiling-iling si Gio.

"Baka mapatay mo ako nang wala sa oras."

The throbbing pain on my head kept on reminding me that drinking beyond my limit is a bad decision. Who made soju taste so sweet any way? Ang traydor ng tama.

"Ingat kayo mga dudes. Sarathiel, I trust you. Paki-uwi nang buo." Gio said and closed the door of the car on my side.

I saw the guy nodded at Gio then he went to the driver's seat beside me. He started the engine after the door of the car was closed. Narinig ko pa nga ang pagsara niya rito.

The AC made me feel cold but the atmosphere was definitely colder. Did Sath had a car? I remember him saying he'll take a driver's license test...

Ilang minuto kong pinanood ang bawat pagdaan namin sa mga poste ng ilaw. It was offering me a sense of light in this night. Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko sa driver. He was serious as he maneuvered the car.