Platonic Hearts (Compass Series #1)

Chapter Thirty-three

“Manang…”

Umiling-iling lang siya. “Tahan na…” sambit niya. “Pero may isa lang pala akong tanong. Totoo ba? Kayo ng kaibigan mong si Rhysand? Matagal na bang may namamagitan sa inyo?”

I chuckled and held both of her rough, hardworking hands on my cheeks. “No. We just… happened.”

Umiling ako. “I wish I could tell you everything, Manang. Pero mukhang masyadong maliit lang ang oras natin para rito…”

Mahina siyang natawa. “Masaya ka ba sa kanya?”

I nodded. “Sobra. Kahit noong mga panahon pa na magkaibigan pa lang kami.”

“Pansin ko nga,” tawa niya at tuluyan ng kumalas sa akin. Hinimas niya ang mga pisngi ko ng may ngiti sa labi bago pumunta na kay Dian. She picked her up slowly and let her rest on her shoulder. "Kung siya ang nagpapasaya sayo, sana magkita kayo agad... at sana kayo pa rin hanggang sa huli, hija. Matutuwa talaga ako kapag nangyari iyon!" She giggled a bit.

“Siya nga pala, niluto ko ‘yung paborito mo. Nasa lamesa na.”

I smiled faintly. Baka huling beses ko na rin itong matikman ang luto niya. "Salamat, Manang..."

Sinamahan ko sila pababa. Naabutan na rin namin ang sasakyan sa labas na kakarating lang. I helped her load their luggages and settle Dian on her baby-sit. Hindi ko na napigilang umiyak ulit habang niyayakap ang natutulog kong kapatid. Ayoko siyang magising. I cried so hard silently beside her. My heart ached so much knowing that I don't know when will be the next time I get to see her again.

Alam kong magtatampo siya pagkagising... But I didn't meant to. I didn't meant to not say goodbye to her. I just don't want to wake her up now. I'm sure she'll cry if she does. Kaya mas mabuti na ito...

I kissed her forehead before letting go of her tiny hand. Niyakap ko rin si Manang Liz ulit. This time, she started crying too. I bit my lower lip to hold myself back from doing the same. Paulit-ulit kong pinaalala sa sarili ko ang mga sinabi niya kanina. Kailangan kong manatiling matatag... Malalampasan ko rin ito...

"Ikaw ang pinakamalakas na bata na nakilala ko..." Bulong niya. "Pasensya na at pansamantala muna kaming aalis, hija. Mag-iingat ka parati rito, h-ha?" Her voice broke.

Mahina akong tumango.

They left in a blur. Mabilis na nawala ang kanilang sasakyan nang umandar na ito papalayo sa akin. They faded in an instant leaving me alone here, yet I no longer feel the loneliness. But I cried hard and silently prayed to God for some miracle... That Manang Liz's words will come to life. Na matatapos na rin ito... At makasama ko na ulit si Rhysand.

Napaupo ako sa damuhan at hinayaan lang ang sariling buhusin ang mga luha ko roon. After a few minutes when my tears stopped, I entered our house again. I stopped near the stairs and watched the emptiness. The entire house seemed abandoned now... And so am I.

I was about to step right up the stairs when I heard footsteps coming near me. Napakurap ako at mabilis na nag-angat ng tingin. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa taong huminto sa harapan ng pinto.

"A-Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

Leren slowly entered inside. “I hope you still remember me,” she sarcastically said with pitty then placed her schoolbag on the couch.

“Anong… ginagawa mo dito, Leren?” pag-uulit ko.

“Nakita namin ‘yung video…” sambit niya ng hindi makatingin sakin.

Kumunot ang noo ko. “Anong video?”

“The one on social media right now. Tingin namin isa sa mga neighbors niyo ang kumuha nun… It’s been trending over three weeks now,” Nahihiyang sagot ni Leren at umupo sa harapan ko. “Nakarating din ito sa school. I was sent here by the Dean actually... He said he wanted to talk to you and your parents about it. But they’re not here so…” she shrugged. “I’m just here for you now.”