Chasing Hope [HIATUS]

CHAPTER 23

"Baby, I will go out this coming Saturday morning, ha," I told Kiel without looking at him. Ngayon ko lang naalala na aalis ako sa Sabado, tinignan ko kasi schedule ko.

"Saan ka pupunta?"

"Orphanage, babe. I'm with my friends,"

"Who are friends?"

I looked at him this time seriously. "Closest friends," I answered. I laughed for a moment when I answered that, I immediately looked back at what I was reading and highlighting. He will also immediately know who I am referring to when I say that. Tatlo lang naman 'yung closest friends ko? Thomateneans, my children.

"Okay. Enjoy your time with your friends,"

"Thank you." I replied. I went back to reading on my iPad and just kept doing what I was doing earlier, highlighting words. "And by the way, I will also go home after we go to the orphanage. Adrian misses me already," I spoke again.

"He always does," I heard Ralpkiel's laugh.

Tumingin ulit ako sa kaniya at tinaasan niya ng isang kilay. "Pa'no mo nasabi?" Our eyes met.

"Because Adrian and I are close and he always chats with me?" he mentioned it in an arrogant tone of his voice, teasing me. I gave him an irritating reaction that made him laugh. He let go of what he was holding and was reaching for my hand but I moved it away so he laughed even more. Ano'ng nakakatawa? Bakit 'to tumatawa? May nakakatuwa bang nangyari na hindi ko alam?

I hissed, I gave him a confused look again as if I was judging him. Nakangiti lang siya sa akin. I don't care if he talks to Adrian all the time! Edi mag-usap sila! Eh, bakit kapag magkasama kami ni Kiel, hindi ko nakikita na magkausap sila? Like now? What are they talking about? Bakit kapag nakikita ko messages ni Kiel, wala naman si Adrian do'n?

My reaction remained the same and Kiel's smile faded because I didn't move. Inirapan ko siya at kinuha 'yung tumbler sa tabi ko at uminom ng tubig. "Love," he tried to reach me. "Okay, fine. We talk all the time because he always asks how are you and he also tells me something about Ry-" he stopped when he realized what he was about to say.

Ry?

Ryza Santiago?

Is that the woman that Adrian was talking to and that he met at UPTC a few years ago? "Continue," I said, warning. Kaagad siyang umiling at ngumiti nang kabado. "I said continue, Ralpkiel. I know that girl that Adrian is telling you about,"

"Uh, he said he wanted to study at a state university,"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Why? Kaya naman niyang pumasok sa UST or Ateneo, p'wede ring La Salle. Why state university?" I asked, wondering.

"Because he wants to join Ryza there? Ask your brother, babe," Kiel kissed my forehead before he went back to studying. He also seemed uncomfortable that we were talking about Adrian and Ryza so tumahimik na lang din ako. Yeah, I should ask Adrian about that.. but for me, why does he want to join Ryza?

Akala ko noon ay hindi na sila nag-uusap dahil sobrang normal umakto ni Adrian. Hindi rin naman siya nagku-kwento sa akin tungkol kay Ryza! But yeah, Adrian has been liking Ryza for several years without me noticing. I just confirmed that based on what Kiel told me. Hah! I almost forgot about that girl. But wow! I never expected to remember that girl after so many years? Siguro scholar pa rin siya until now.

If yes, then she's good.

After Kiel and I study and it's one in the morning, I ask him to sleep na because I'll be leaving before seven in the morning because I'll be preparing for our lab and quiz and recitations. Tumango na lang siya at nauna na akong pumasok sa kwarto ko. I opened the lamp that Kiel gave me and lay down on the bed.