Attain The Sky (Engineer Series #2)

▪ thirty-one

Reeva loves art, that is how I describe her. She likes painting and everything that is connected to arts. Kalat ang kan'yang mga gamit at ang mga ibang pininta niya ay hindi pa natatapos. Titig na titig ako sa mga paintings niya na nasa kan'yang kuwarto. Every painting that she painted has a deep meanings. It was nostalgic and beautiful.

Reeva, ano ba talaga ang problema mo?

"Magulo talaga palagi 'yang kuwarto ni Reeva," her Mom spoke. "Ayaw niya ring ipalinis kasi nagugulo rin naman daw."

"Malinis naman kuwarto niya, Tita. Ang ganda nga," I answered while looking around.

I chuckled when I remembered our past memories. The little Reeva is friendly but when she grew up, unti-unting nabawasan 'yon hanggang sa ina-isolate niya na sarili niya nang sobra. There, araw-araw siyang nagpipinta. Suportado naman siya ng magulang niya roon kaya wala siyang problema kung pamilya ang pag-uusapan.

"Tita, hindi ba talaga napadaan si Reeva rito?" I asked as my eyes landed on the one frame that is on the top of her bedside table. I smiled when I figured out that it is our picture together.

"Hindi talaga, Sydney," sagot niya sa mababang tono. "Nasanay na kami sa paggan'yan ng batang 'yan. Hindi na kami nagugulat dahil nagpapakita rin naman siya makalipas ang ilang araw." She added while wearing her gloves.

I glanced at her Mom for the last moment and left after saying my bye. I thought Reeva went home that's why I went here. Their house is numb and colorless, maybe because they don't have maids and butlers. It's only her Mom, roaming around their house.

I drove my car on the way to Talia's house because she threw a party for our futsal league. Gusto niya raw mag-party muna bago kami sumabak sa laban. I don't mind it, though I want to have fun for a moment. Marami na akong dinadala sa isip ko kaya mas mabuti naman sigurong mag-relax ako.

Loud music greeted me as I entered the venue. Talia invited a lot of people for this event. She treasures futsal a lot. May mga iilang hindi ako pamilyar. They are enjoying the party, I could see it. May mga sober na, mayro'n ding nakikipag-usap pa lang. Nakita agad ako ni Talia na nag-organize sa party na 'to. She was busy but when she saw me, she immediately came to my side and greeted me happily.

"Ikaw pinakahinihintay namin, e!" She said, smiling.

"Dumaan lang ako sa bahay nina Reeva..." I muttered. "Wala pa rin siya. Paano 'yan?"

"Sub..." Mahinang saad niya. "Pepektusan ko talaga 'yang si Reeva! Saka nawawala kung saan bukas na 'yong laban!"

"Bumalik ka na roon. Kina Jianne muna ako," paalam ko sa kan'ya. She nodded and tapped my back. Umalis siya agad dahil maraming bagong dumadating na kailangan niyang kausapin. Pumunta rin naman agad ako kina Jianne na kanina pa nagkakasiyahan. May mga lalaki sa table nila kaya sa tabi ni Pia ako umupo.

"Captain..." Gulat niyang tawag sa akin. "Nand'yan ka na pala."

"Kararating lang," sagot ko sa mababang boses. "Ingatan niyo sarili niyo."

"Pang-chill lang 'to!" She laughed, raising her glass. "Lalandi na muna ako, cap!"

I only smiled then nodded my head. They offered me some drinks but I refused them. Wala akong balak magpakalasing ngayon. Maaga ang laban. Pa'no kapag nagka-hang-over ako? Pinagsabihan ko na rin ang mga teammates ko na h'wag mas'yadong uminom. Gladly that they have listened to my advice. They were just flirting hot guys. Nicole danced with someone on the middle because they got bored here.