Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 18: Precious

Nabigla ako nang makitang nakatayo si TJ sa pintuan. He's like a ghost, magugulat nalang akong andyan siya pagkatapos niyang mawala ng ilang araw.

"What? Why are you so surprised?" 

Nakatitig ako sa aking childhood friend na matagal ko nang hindi nakita. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay at sumandal sa hamba ng pintuan nang makita ang itsura kong nakatitig parin sa kanya.

Humarap ako sa kanya mula sa pagkaupo ko sa lapag. "Bigla-bigla ka kasing pumasok Ser, you didn't have to sneak in like that." 

"Who's sneaking up on who? I walked perfectly normal didn't I?" He raised his eyebrow and I wanted to slap him, ang attractive niya eh. "And mind you, this is my room."

"At least gumawa ka man lang ng tunog." I murmured but he heard it clearly.

"Gusto mo ba sumigaw ako ng, 'James, the handsome man has arrived!'" I scoffed with the edge of my lips pulling upwards. He's funny in his weird way.

I don't know if he remembers me as his childhood friend but he showed no emotions seeing me see the album pictures. So maybe he doesn't? "Sorry, hindi pa ako tapos maglinis."

My troath clenched after realizing that this James and his family is dear to my heart. Gusto ko siyang yakapin pero baka magulat siya sa kasambahay na niyayakap siya bigla.

Fuck it.

"Pwede ka bang mayakap?" 

I stared at him to see his reaction and he just raised his eyebrows, both confused and surprised. We were kids, baka nga hindi niya na ako naalala. 

Tumawa nalang ako para mawala ang pagkailang, "Charot lang, ang cute mo kasi dito Sir."

Pinakita ko sa kanya ang pictures ng album at sumagot siya, "Of course, I still am."

I scoffed from his words habang inaayos ko ang gulo at sinalansan ito sa cabinet pagkatapos kong punasan. "Masyado nang lumalaki ulo mo, hindi ba nabibigatan yang katawan mo?"

"Nah, my body can handle it." He flexed his biceps at mas inangat pa ang manggas ng damit para ipakita sa'kin, hindi ko na napigilang tumawa. Tiningnan niya ako sa lapag and I stared at him who scanned my face filled with dried tears. "Why are you crying, Scarlet?"

"Wala lang." Kibit balikat ko and sniffed the remaining fluid in my nose, "Hindi ka pa ba nakakita ng emosyonal na babae?"

He rolled his eyes like he was tired of my obvious lies. 

Sinarado niya na ang pintuan and I swear I heard my heart thump from realizing we were alone in the room. "Then I should let you know after you cry your heart out, a guest is waiting in the living room and Jamie wants you there."

"Bakit daw?" Tanong ko habang tumatayo. May gusto ba siyang ipaayos sa sala?

"You'll be joining her design team." He said it so calmly na kinailangan ko pa ng ilang segundo para ma-absorb yung sinabi niya bago ko siya sinagot.

"Anong..." I raised my head at him with my face contorting with confusion. Design? Magbabago ba ng interior? "...ibig sabihin ng 'joining her design team'?"

"It means what it means." Nang makitang nagtataka parin ako, he sighs as if I'm inconveniencing him with my question. 

He sat on the bed as he removed his boots, military boots na ngayon ko lang napansin na puno ng alikabok at dumi. 

Bakit military boots? Isip ko sa sarili. 

"Our birthday is coming close, and they're planning a celebration. Jamie needs a dress, and she wants your design."