Chasing Captivated Dreams (Part Time Series #1) | (On - going)

Kabanata 20

Kabanata 20

A fresh wave of suffocating silence enveloped us once again.

Tahimik kaming apat na kumakain habang pinapakinggan ang banayad na ugong ng mga alon. At dahil malapit na ring mag-6 PM, kitang-kita mula sa aming pwesto ang paglubog ng araw—nagpapalit ang kulay ng dalampasigan sa gintong liwanag.

Magaling talagang pumili ng lugar si Azure. Kanina kasi ay may mga nakakilala sa kanya at muntik na siyang pagkaguluhan, kaya mas pinili niyang sa rooftop ng resto kami pumwesto. It turned out to be perfect—aside from the breeze being cooler up here, the view of the ocean was stunning.

I wore a simple oversized white button-down shirt over a black camisole, paired with white shorts and beach sandals. Since we were having a late lunch—or early dinner—I made sure to fix my hair into a messy bun, which actually suited me well.

Habang pinagmamasdan ko ang sunset, hindi ko mapigilang silipin ang mga kasama ko. Pero alam kong sa huli, kay Liander din babagsak ang tingin ko. Nasa tapat ko siya, at katabi niya si Venus, na kanina pa siya kinukulit at kinakalabit.

"Come on, Li," she pouted, trying to sound like a baby. "Swimming lang saglit! Gusto ko eh!"

Sa itsura pa lang ni Venus, halatang pinaghandaan niya talaga ang araw na ito. She wore a black one-piece swimsuit with cutouts that made her look undeniably hot, and her long hair flowing with the sea breeze.

As for Liander, he wore a light-colored plaid shirt over a white T-shirt, light beige shorts, and slippers. His hair was a bit messy from the wind—but somehow, it made him look even better.

I quickly looked away after only a few seconds of glancing at them. It hurt. Watching them made me feel like they truly suited each other. Liander is incredibly charismatic and attractive—he's the definition of every woman's ideal guy: tall, handsome, principled. And Venus? Well, minus her attitude, which is honestly terrible, she's still really pretty. Her fair skin is smooth, and undeniably gorgeous in her outfit today.

They looked like a couple. And I hated that—because it hurt. It felt like I was stuck in a loop full of unanswered thoughts and piled-up questions, ones that may never be answered because of the boundaries I'm building myself. I keep raising walls, hoping—just hoping—that Liander would still try to reach over them.

"Gusto mo ng tubig, Icehelle?" tanong ni Azure, na katabi ko ngayon.

As usual naman kay Azure, maayos ang kanyang porma. Kanina pa may mga babaeng nakatingin at parang naghihintay sa kanya. Suot niya ang isang light blue na unbuttoned shirt na bahagyang nagpapakita ng kanyang dibdib at military necklace, light beige shorts, at tsinelas. His hair was parted to the side, with a few strands falling over his forehead. It looked really good on him. Malinis at maayos siyang tingnan.

I shook my head and gave him a faint smile. "I'm fine, thank you."

Napansin kong tumingin sa direksyon namin si Liander habang nag-uusap kami ni Azure, at tila mas lalong bumigat ang hangin sa paligid. Para bang unti-unti na akong nahihirapang huminga.

Hindi pa rin maalis sa isipan ko ang Instagram story ni Liander. Gusto ko talaga siyang tanungin kung ano ba ang ibig sabihin no'n. Gusto kong malaman. Gusto kong makaharap ang katotohanan—kahit gaano pa ito kasakit. Basta't malinawan lang ako.

Azure cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "So, Liander... You're taking up BS Architecture at CSU?"

Napatingin agad si Liander na tahimik lang na kumakain. Tumango ito. "Yes, third year."

"Ohh..." tumango si Azure. "Sakto lang pala, pareho tayong third year."

"Med school?" balik-tanong ni Liander.