Rule #2: Ruling The Flames

RTF27

RTF27

"Hey, ayos ka lang?"

Bigla akong natauhan at napatingin sa paligid. I almost forgot that I'm here in the bath tub with Blaze. Nakasandal lang ako sa kanya habang hawak niya ang mga kamay ko.

"Kanina ka pa tulala. Is this about the—"

Mabilis akong umiling.

"No... it's not. It's not." I told him. I sighed heavily. "Ano lang kase..."

He massaged my hand as I leaned my head on the tub. I can't stop thinking about what happened this past few days. Sobrang daming nangyari at hindi ko maiwasang isipin ang lahat ng 'yon.

Blaze kissed the back of my head as I tried to control my tears. Thinking about it, makes me cry.

"I just feel.. sad." sabi ko. Inaalala 'yung nangyari. "I wonder how he is now.. sabi ni Tita, kausapin ko daw siya.. pero ayaw niya naman akong kausapin. He thinks we're all just going to say the same thing."

"I talked to him," he said. "Pero ayaw talaga niya. He wouldn't even listen to me. He's no longer himself. He's way different from the guy that we knew."

I broke free from Blaze's hold. Tumayo ako at kinuha ang pink bath robe ko. Ganon din ang ginawa niya at lumabas na rin patungo sa walk-in closet. I wore my black lacy panties and bra before sitting on his bed. Nung makabalik naman siya'y nakasuot na ito ng t-shirt at shorts.

"Hey... are you still thinking about that?" he asked as he sat beside me.

I bit my lip and nodded yes.

"I'm worried for him, Blaze. He needs us now more than ever. Nakikita mo naman diba? Ni ayaw niya ng kumausap ng ibang tao. Classes is starting, but he won't even attend it. Paano nalang siya? How is he—"

"Shh..." Blaze said. "I'll talk to him again. I'm worried about him too. I think what he needs right now is someone who'll listen to him. He'll be fine, I'll make sure of that."

Tears fell from my eyes continuously. Blaze held my face and kissed the top of my head. My heart hurts a lot right now. Thinking about our friend's situation is hindering me from continuing my life as usual.

Tumunog ang phone niya. I peeked and saw that it's from Halley. His forehead creased, rejecting the call and threw his phone to the middle of the bed. Why would he and Halley talk?

"We'll see each other later, okay?" he told me. "Don't worry too much. Magiging okay rin siya..."

Tumango ako at yumakap sa kanya. I rested my head on his shoulders. Hindi ko na rin inisip kung bakit tumatawag si Halley sa kanya.

Napunta ang tingin ko sa leeg niya. There's no sign of his necklace there. Kahit kailan naman ay hindi niya hinuhubad iyon.

"Pwede ba natin siya puntahan mamaya?"

He nodded.

"I'll tell him. Baka pumasok daw siya ngayon."

Ngumiti ako. I looked up to kiss him.

I walked the campus mindlessly. Pakiramdam ko, kasali rin ako sa nangyari kina Trent. Ewan ko, ang sakit lang sa puso nung mga nangyari nitong nakaraang araw at buwan. I couldn't focus that much too.

A familiar guy looked at me from a far. He was waiting by the bench as I slowly walked towards the building. Nung nakita naman niya ako'y tumayo siya sa kinauupuan niya.

"Audrey," Brax called.

I gave him a look and continued walking. Mula nung sinabi niya sa akin ang mga salitang 'yon, sinubukan ko ng iwasan siya. He keeps telling me to be careful of Blaze.