Love In The Shadows

Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1

The kitten's cries caught my attention, and I realized it had woken up. Maingat kong hinaplos ang kanyang balahibo, iniisip na baka magtampo at tumakbo palayo. However, much to my surprise, the kitten responded with surprising tenderness, leaning into my touch and showing a newfound clinginess that I didn't expect.

"Uy, may dala ka palang pusa?" tanong ng boses na pamilyar. Lumingon ako at napansin ko si Elias, isa sa mga basketball varsity players na naging kaibigan ko habang nagvo-volunteer ako sa first aid. I think one of the reasons we easily clicked is because he's just so goofy and friendly. He's easy to be friends with.

So eto palang lalaking 'to yung sumigaw sa pangalan ko.

Tumayo na ako para iharap si Elias ng lumapit, bitbit yung kuting. He is drenched in sweat, sporting a maroon t-shirt and black basketball shorts. His impressive height is a clear indicator of why he's part of the varsity team.

"Ikaw pala sumigaw ng pangalan ko, nagising tuloy yung kuting!" Reklamo ko.

"Luh, sorry na!" he chuckled, raising both hands in a playful gesture of apology. "Ang cute naman niyan!"

I smiled. "I know, I just saw it there. I'm not sure if someone owns it," I replied, glancing at the kitten still nestled in my arms.

"Iuuwi mo?"

"Di ko sure. Baka hanapin ng may ari, wag na muna para sigurado," I replied. "Bakit ka pala nandito?"

"Ah, naglalaro lang kami ng basketball doon. May oras pa naman bago mag-umpisa ang klase," sagot niya sabay turo sa may open basketball court sa malapit.

Nang lumingon ako sa malapit na open court na iyon, I noticed everyone in there and they are filled with joy and excitement. There's also a group of girls along the sidelines watching them attentively, their eyes tracking every dribble and pass. And everyone in there appeared to be having a great time, ang kanilang tawa at sigaw ay nag-eecho ng kasiyahan sa buong lugar. Ang daming may spare time din pala ngayon ah?

Hindi ko rin mapigilang mapansin si Rafael na naglalakad at tila babalik na sa court. I am still curious why he was here earlier.

"Nasira daw kotse mo?" Elias asked.

"How'd you know!" Kumunot ang noo ko, nagtataka sa kanyang tanong. I don't remember telling it to anybody besides Kylie and kuya Romel.

"Sabi ni Kylie," aniya. Hays this girl. Of course it's her! She's just too comfortable with everyone she won't hesitate to share anything to them.

"Yeah, baka sumabog pa kung hindi ko ipapatingin. Delikado na."

"Pinatingin mo nalang sana kay Rafael! Maraming alam yan sa kotse, halos araw araw nasa garahe. Tsaka libre pa," aniya.

Bago pa man ako makapagsalita, biglang sinigaw niya ang pangalan ni Rafael at tinawag ito. What?! Hindi pa nga ako nakakapag-react sa kanyang sinabi, agad niya na itong tinawag!

"Uy, Elias, ano ka ba? Nakakahiya naman!" Sabay pigil ko sa kanya, napapahiya sa ginawa niyang eksena.

"Hoy, Rafael Suarez! Dito ka!" he called out louder, seeing that Dylan seemed not to have heard him.

Ang ingay talaga ng lalaking ito! Pati yung pusa, naingayan din.

"It's okay, Elias! It doesn't matter if you tell Rafael. The car's already being fixed," paliwanag ko.

Before Rafael could join us, Dylan was ahead of him, coming over to us first. "Ingay mo talaga, pare," he chuckled, throwing an arm around him.

Elias playfully nudged him, saying, "Ayos yan pre, ibig sabihin lang niyan walang luga tenga mo," they laughed.