Running After The Dusk

38

Halt

Just as the day passed, all of us became extra busy. Ali and Stef would probably just stay at school until night to finish their reviews. Andrei and I would do the same thing but our room was too far from theirs dahil nasa Debate line kami kaya hindi kami masyadong nagkikita. Kleo is also busy in assisting her documents for her transfer to other school. Nakapasa na kasi siya Manila kaya kailangang asikasuhin lahat ng papeles. Cyrus and Miguel too, mas nagging focused sila sa fiesta league and so is Vino.

I don't know, we never really talked ever since that day. Siguro maguusap kami pero kamustahan nalang. I didn't hold grudges that day even though I was extremely hurt, I wanted to ask him why he said that he wanted to meet me but in the end, he didn't show up a single shadow.

"Stand up, I'll take you home." I stared at Andriei's hands before looking away. Hinahayaan kong dumampi sakin ang malamig na hangin habang patuloy na bumabagsak ang luha ko. "Tumayo ka na diyan, hindi na dadating yun."

I looked up again and saw Andrei's cold expression. I was surprised when he suddenly appeared out of the blue but I didn't bother asking questions because I knew from the moment I speak out, my voice would crack, I don't want him to see me crying like this.

Dahan dahan akong tumayo at tinanggap ang kamay niya. I sniffed and wiped the remaining tears flooding my eyes. He looked at me, still wearing his cold expression, bakas pa din sa mukha niya ang pag aalala kahit takpan niya ng pagseseryoso. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko na yumakap at umiyak sa dibdib niya.

"H-hey." Nabitawan niya ang payong na hawak hawak niya kanina. Both of us are already soaking wet but I didn't mind and just cried on his chest until I feel better. I heard him let out a harsh sigh before caressing my back. "Let's go inside, magkakasakit ka."

"I should've listened to you, I should've come home." Patuloy pa din ako sa pag iyak habang hinahaplos niya ang likuran ko. I felt his arms tightened on my shoulder when the rain starts falling fast. "I just wanted to see him because I've been so stressed, I wanted to tell everything that happened because I had no one to talk to, but why does it feel like he's slowly falling apart?"

Hinayaan niya akong magsalita hanggang sa matapos ang pagbuhos ng ulan. We were so wet, pati ang panloob ko basang basa na sa sobrang lakas ng hampas ng ulan, dagdag na din ang malakas na hangin kaya mukhang sisipunin ako. Andrei changed his shirt on the backseat and lent me his extra shirt lying on his bag.

"I'm sorry, we won't end up like this if I didn't cry there." I shyly looked away and licked my lips, we are currently on the way home.

I heard him let out another sigh before lowering down the AC. I felt uncomfortable sitting here, wet. Mahirap kasi patuyuin ang shotgun seat ng sasakyan niya dahil hindi naman yun gawa sa leather.

"Did he tell you why he couldn't come? What on earth did come in your mind to let yourself walk in the rain?" I can hear the irritation in his voice but he was trying to cover it by lowering his voice.

"I don't know, I'm sorry." I didn't speak at all and let him scold me. I couldn't just stop him from doing so cause I know he has a point. I don't know what came into my mind to let my body soak in the rain. From the very moment that the clock stops to 5pm, hindi na siya dadating pero pinili ko pa ding maghintay kahit wala ng pagkakataon.

When I got home, I was surprised when I got a hug from Auntie, basing basa ako pero hinayaan niya lang na mabasa rin siya. She must've felt shocked on what she did so she distanced herself and looked away. I gave her a questioned look but she turned her back and sat on the couch.