Epicenter Tape #2: Point in Time

#PIT5

#PIT5

My palm was up to catch the raindrops while waiting for it to calm down, I can't do anything to ease my boredom and this is the first time I didn't want the silence — it's deafeningly awkward that I'm with Tanner and he's too quiet that seems like he's thinking about his frustration that breaks him again.

Well, the weather today can make you feel really sentimental but...

I shrugged it off, pumarte ang labi ko upang magsalita pero tinikom ko na lang ulit dahil mukhang wala siyang interes makipag-usap.

He's just boredly watching the passing people with umbrellas as if they're so lucky to have a shield from the rainy eventide.

Magdadala na nga ako ng payong simula bukas, mukhang may bagyo at ayaw ko na ma-trap sa ganitong sitwasyon.

Nawaglit ang paglalaro ko sa bugso ng ulan nang marinig ko ang busina ng sasakyan, a dark blue Range Rover halted across the sidewalk — the window rolled down to show the driver, he has a pair of chinky eyes and fair skin with black medium-length low taper hairstyle.

Tanner's shoulder tensed up slightly like was surprised to see him, sumenyas ang lalaki ng tipid na tango. Tinakbo ni Tanner ang distansya ng sasakyan at agad binuksan ang pinto sa likuran upang makasakay, sumara na rin ang bintana.

I sighed softly as my shoulders fell, friendly kasi siya kaya maraming nakakakilala at nakakatulong sa ganitong sitwasyon. I didn't even see him texting, it just really happened that he's known. I pursed my lips and lifted may palm again to catch the raindrops.

The door car door unlocked again that made me look at it, Tanner opened an umbrella as he went out. Medyo nabuhayan ako pero hindi ako nagpahalata at sinasalo pa rin sa palad ang bugso ng ulan habang nakatingin.

"Tara," aniya nang makalapit.

I was awed but I really needed it, I didn't smile but I stepped under the umbrella with him quickly at the thought that he might pull the offer back. It's not a big umbrella, his left shoulder was getting the heavy raindrops.

"Thanks!" I said while walking towards the car.

Hindi siya nagsalita at binuksan ang pinto, sumampa ako roon at naamoy agad ang malambot sa ilong na panglalaking pabango. I shuddered a bit because of the coldness inside, dahil medyo basa rin ako. Napunta ang tingin ko sa harapan at nakitang hindi lang pala isa iyong nandito, may tulog sa front seat.

"Anything?" the chinky man asked.

Tanner shook his head as he sat beside me and closed the door. "Free to go."

Umandar ang sasakyan, sinulyapan ko si Tanner na abalang nagpapagpag sa kanyang buhok.

"I have an extra shirt at the back, don't catch a cold," chinky man said icily.

Tanner stretched his arm to get a shirt there, umiwas ako ng tingin dahil baka magpapalit siya ng damit at ayaw ko namang makita ang katawan niya pero naramdaman ko ang pagtabon noon sa ulo ko. I turned to him with my parted lips.

"Don't catch a cold," he mouthed simply that made my heart pound a little then he looked at his friend. "Where you heading? What happened to Eris? Why does he look like a puppy here?"

Marahan kong pinunas sa aking buhok ang shirt saka tumingin sa labas ng bintana. I feel embarrassed for some reason.

"He's dead tired, didn't get enough sleep — being a long distance boyfriend." He shrugged, sounded sarcastic.

Kabanda niya rin ba ang mga ito?

Tumawa si Tanner. "Galing pa kayong Batangas?"

The chinky guy nodded, he's wearing a gray untidy button-up shirt that made him look a bit decent. He's also good looking based on the sharp jawline, smooth skin and defined details of his face.