Raindrops of Astalièr (Tonjuarez Series IV)

ROA 35

Chapter 35

Today we're supposed to go to Astalier for Craig's birthday celebration. But I have it postpone it. We needed to fly by lunch pero dahil may kailangan pa akong puntahan ay hiniling kong mag extend kahit hanggang mamayang hapon.

Pumayag naman siya. Ang sabi ko pwede naman na susunod na lang ako at mauna na siya, pero mag aantay na lang daw siya sa akin.

I roamed my eyes in the crowd and found him sitting on the farthest table right beside the glass wall. I walked towards his direction and saw him watching the city view from the thirtieth floor we're in.

Nilapag ko ang bag sa mesa at hindi na ako nagulat na alam niyang nakalapit na ako. He slowly turned his head on me and stood up. Wearing a black cotton shirt and cargo pants. He looks more matured now from the last time I saw him, after the shooting incident he's been agitated to find the shooter. He become more rugged and rough, but in a pleasant way.

I hugged him and sighed.

"What is it right now?" tanong ko at tumungo na sa upuan ko.

"I miss you too," he lowkey said in a mocking tone.

Umupo na kaming dalawa at problemado ko siyang tinignan. I know something's wrong. He never asked me for a lunch, or even eat outside. He's been busy with his life nagkikita nalang kami tuwing birthday ko o birthday niya.

"Ilang buwan lang ang nakalipas noong magkita tayo, imposibleng na-miss mo ako kaya ka umuwi at tumawag—"

"That was almost ten months ago."

Tumaas ang kilay ko at nilapag ang kamay sa armrest. "Halos dalawang beses sa isang taon rin tayo makita, anong pinagkaiba nun?"

He stretched his neck and tilted his head on the side. "I always watch you," pag amin niya.

I gritted my teeth. "I said stop that Kuya! I am not a kid!"

"You're my responsibility."

I sighed. "Yeah, not your burden. Your job is to check on me from time to time, greet me on my birthday, and celebrate with me when I achieve something. Not to make your alalays follow me around!"

He just let me finished and shook his head. He exhaled deeply kaya natigilan ako. Hindi naman siya ganito palagi.

I leaned closer to the table. "What is bothering you really? You said we need to talk."

"Let's eat first."

"No, tell me right now. We can eat later—"

"Are you sure you still have the appetite to eat after I say everything?"

My brows furrowed. "Is it that serious?"

He turned his lips into a thin line and raised his hand to call the waiter. In the end we still ordered and eat our lunch. Habang kumakain kami ay nararamdaman ko ang pag baliktad ng sikmura ko, mukhang tama siya at baka tuluyan na akong hindi makakain mamaya. Kung ngayon palang kinakabahan ako, hindi ko na halos masubo ang pagkain.

Nang matapos kami ay hindi ko na siya tinigilan. Pakiramdam ko sasabog ang dibdib ko sa antisipasyon at kaba, pero gusto ko nang malaman. Hindi naman siya uuwi sa gitna ng imbestigasyon na ginagawa niya, kung hindi importante ang sasabihin niya.

"Tell me," I calmly muttered.

He clenched his jaw and leaned towards the table. He put both his hands formed into a fist and inhaled sharply.

"Aurora Mati." he stated.

Two words and my world stopped. H-How did he know? I instantly froze on my chair. I couldn't even utter a word.