Lightless Sunshine

Prologue

Prologue

I closed my eyes as the luminous light from the sun descended upon my face, shining brightly and at the same time, warm. The air was fresh and cold which calmed the heavy feeling I had. The air was soothing, making me shiver.

Huminga ako nang malalim at ngumiti nang mapakla. Another day to suffer. When would this end?

I looked at my side and noticed he was looking at me intently. I arched a brow. “What?”

We were sitting on a wooden bench at the school’s garden, kumakain. He shook his head and smirked. “Para kang baliw na ngumingiti r’yan,” he commented.

Ngumisi ako bago ko siya inakbayan. “Baliw naman talaga ako… baliw sa ‘yo.”

Sabay kaming humagalpak ng tawa.

“Damn, Sunny…” naiiling na aniya, saka tumungga sa Royal na binili niya kanina.

My lips protruded as I looked at my softdrink. Coke naman ang binili ko. “Ubos na sa’kin.”

“Here, you can have mine.” Ibinigay niya sa akin ang sa kaniya na nangangalahati na kaya mabilis akong umiling at ngumiwi.

“Ew. May laway na ‘yan, ‘no? No thanks.” I hissed, looking at it disgustingly.

Natawa siya sa sinabi ko at siya naman ngayon ang umakbay sa akin. “Wala namang virus ang laway ko, ‘no? At saka mabango naman ang hininga ko,” sabi niya at ipinaamoy pa talaga sa akin ang hininga niya.

Nanlaki ang mata ko at mabilis siyang itinulak. Tumayo ako at inambahan siya ng suntok pero mabilis siyang nakaiwas habang tumatawa pa.

Indeed, his breath was good. But hell, I would say it in front of his face. I will never ever give him the opportunity to tease me more. Paniguradong kapag aamin ako, aasarin na naman niya ako. Ang kapal pa naman ng isang ‘to.

I rolled my eyes and threw him the empty plastic of coke. “Preece nga, ang dugyot mo, eh!” I hissed and stomped my feet.

I glared at him. He smiled widely and brushed his hair upwards as he licked his bottom lip.

“Sorry,” he made a peace sign.

Ngumuso ako at pinagpagan ang uniform na suot. “Tara na nga, late na tayo.”

So far, the heavy feeling I felt earlier eased a little. All thanks to him. Tinapos na niya ang natitirang fudgee bar bago tinungga ang natitirang Royal. He threw it on the trash bin before pulling his bag from the chair.

Kinuha rin niya ang shoulder bag ko roon at ibinigay sa akin. I rolled my eyes and said, “Bitbitin mo na lang.”

I heard him groan in protest pero wala naman nang sinabi at binitbit na lamang ang bag ko. Ngumisi ako habang sabay kaming naglakad sa hallway patungo sa room namin.

Preece and I were classmates. Nag-cutting lang kami kanina kasi sinabi kong nagugutom ako. And he’s actually hungry, too, kaya sumabay na rin siya sa akin. But I’m doubtful of that. For sure, alibi lang niya iyon para samahan ako.

Napangiti ako.

Pagkapasok pa lang namin ng classroom, agad na nagtagpo ang mata namin ni Dori. Her eyes slightly widened and her lips parted open.  Inilingan ko siya at sinenyasang huwag mag-ingay. She nodded quickly. May professor sa harap at nag-di-discuss.

Tumingin ako sa likuran ko at tiningnan si Preece. He was calmly standing behind me with his hands inside his pocket. Compose na compose na animo hindi kami tumakas kani-kanina lang.