Cay's Zodiac (Completed)

Chapter 11

But her priority was to make her father proud. Having a boyfriend was not part of her plans. Her heart pounded hard.

Tahimik lang si Rayos sa biyahe nila pauwi sa bahay nila Leo at hanggang sa makarating sila.

Lumapit sa kanya si Pisces. "I made you uncomfortable, I'm sorry. I won't say anything about my brother courting you again. I promise!"

Mahina siyang natawa sa kapatid ni Leo. She's silent because her thoughts was filled with her plans.

"Ate, I'm fine. I really am." Rayos assured her.

Pisces pouted her lips and glanced at Leo. Nauna na itong pumasok sa kanila sa bahay.

"Ahm, may katulong kami sa bahay. Just ask her anything you want and… please, feed my brother? Pilitin mo kung kinakailangan."

Rayos hugged his sister, Pisces, and gently patted her back.

"You can go now, Ate. Ako na ang bahala kay Leo," aniya.

Pisces hugged her back. She uttered how thankful she was before she pulled back and slid herself inside her car again. Hinintay muna ni Rayos na makalayo ang sasakyan bago siya pumasok sa loob ng kabahayan.

She's already familiar to the house. Papunta sa kwarto ni Leo. Bago siya umakyat hinanap niya muna ang katulong sa bahay na sinasabi ni Ate Pisces. And when she found her, kaagad siya na nagtanong kung may pagkain ba para kay Leo.

"Ihahatid ko na lang po sa kwarto ni Leo," anito at ngumiti sa kanya.

Nagtungo siya sa kwarto ni Leo at nakita ito na nakaupo sa harap ng computer nito. Rayos sighed. She crossed her arms against her chest and leaned against the door frame.

She cleared her throat to caught his attention. Tumaas ang kilay niya nang lumingon si Leo sa kanya. Napatigil ito sa pagbukas ng monitor ng computer nito. His face turned to his computer, pagkatapos ay bumalik ang tingin sa kanya.

"What are you planning to do?" kalmado na tanong niya. "Work?"

"Yes," paos ang boses nito.

Nailing siya sa sagot nito. Indeed, Leo was stubborn.

"Your sister is right. Hindi ka talaga magpapahinga," aniya. Marahas siyang nagpakawala ng hininga at bumaba ang tingin sa mga paa niya. "Hindi na ako makikipag kompetensya sayo. I won't avoid you, so, please… pahinga ka muna?" Rayos pleaded and glance at him.

"S-sige." He stammered cutely.

"Hindi ka raw masyadong kumakain. Kain muna tayo bago ka matulog."

"Sabay tayo?" Nanlalaki ang mga mata na tanong nito sa kanya.

She smiled at him. "Yes, Leo. Sabay tayo."

He bit his bottom lip. As if he was suppressing the smile to draw on his lips. It's been a while since they dined together. She missed it. Rayos missed how attentive he was towards her when they're eating together.

Katulad ng sinabi ng kasama ng mga ito sa bahay, hinatid sa kwarto ni Leo ang pagkain nila. Pinanood ni Rayos si Leo na maganang kumain hanggang sa matapos sila.

"Drink your medicine, Leo." Para siyang nanay na inutusan ang anak.

He happily obliged. They talked randomly as she kept on apologising. No amount of words and apologies can lessen the guilt she was feeling but Leo kept on assuring her that it was fine. It wasn't her fault. Rayos only smiled at him. Siguraduhin talaga niya na babawi siya rito.

***

WHEN LEO woke up, wala na si Rayos sa kwarto niya. Medyo magaan na ang pakiramdam niya kumpara kahapon. Maybe because he already had enough of sleep and it's all thanks to the medicine he's taking.

He slowly moved his body and sat up. Leo stretched his arms and yawned. He was aiming for his phone, pero iba ang nakapa nang kamay niya sa side table. Bumaba ang tingin ni Leo doon at nakita ang nakadikit na sticky note sa tabi ng cellphone niya.

"What the…" he trailed. Kunot ang noo na kinuha niya 'yon at binasa. "Meet me in the garden. I'll be in School at seven. Rayos." He read it out loud.

Unti-unti na tumaas ang gilid ng labi niya nang mapansin ang maliit na drawing sa gilid ng pangalan nito. It was a small teddy bear. Tumingin siya sa orasan at muntik na mapamura nang makita ang oras. Their class will start at ten in the morning, and she said she'll be in their school at seven!

He immediately stood up and picked his towel. Took a shower as quickly as possible. He dried his hair using the towel and brushed it up.

"Oh man, we need a haircut " Naiiling na singhal niya sa sarili. His brows furrowed as he brushed his hair neatly in front of the mirror.

Leo also sprayed his usual cologne and dressed up into their school uniform, pinatungan niya lang 'yon ng hoodie incase na ginawin siya.

"Leo! Breakfast first. Hinabilin ni Rayos."

Mabagal na naglakad papunta sa dining area si Leo at masama ang tingin sa kapatid niya.

"Why?" nagtataka na tanong nito. "May ginawa ba ako?"

"Don't call her 'Rayos' she doesn't like it." Suway niya sa kapatid. Kahit ang too ay ayaw talaga ni Vraiose na tawagin ito sa second name.

"Ha? Pero ang sabi niya sa akin kagabi I can call her Rayos or Cay, pinapili nga ako. I choose Rayos because only her family calls her 'Cay'."

Mas lalong sumama ang mukha ni Leo sa kapatid. How come she let his sister called her using her nicknames, habang siya… Leo sighed heavily and finished his breakfast.

As usual, his sister dropped him off at their School. His mind was wandering somewhere but his feet were walking towards their classroom. Ilalagay niya muna ang bag sa table niya bago pumunta sa garden.

Well, that was his plan but it seems like he doesn't need to go to the garden. Natulos siya sa kinatatayuan niya. Leo's heart tightened with the sight of a guy handing flowers to Vraiose.

"Date me, please?"

Leo scoffed when he heard his voice. May sakit siya pero hindi ibig sabihin noon ay hindi siya nakikinig kahapon. This was the same guy who told their teacher na kaya lang mataas ang score niya ay dahil kay Vraiose. And now he's asking Vraiose to date him? Pathetic.

"Oh, you're here," said Rayos when she saw him standing near their classroom. His heart almost jumped in joy when she pointed at him and said, "Siya lang ang gusto ni Kuya."

Leo pursed his lips.

"Just who the fuck are you?" Inis na tanong sa kanya ng lalaki.

His eyes seek for Vraiose and smiled widely before he answered, "Hi, I'm Cay's Zodiac."

☕