Capturing Ocean

Kabanata 16: Warmed by the Ocean

LAZUMI

Nagpaligoy ako para hanapin siya. My eyes only caught Ate Star jumping, and Dom who just stared at my cheering team. While Prince who also clapped alongside the others.

His friends were here.

Siya lang talaga ang wala.

"Kaiden, 'di ba?"

Napatalon si Kaiden sa gulat nang bigla nalang akong sumulpot sa gilid niya. Napangiti ako sa katabi niyang si Anna na naging kaibigan ko na rin. Ngumiti naman siya pabalik sa akin at naghintay ng sasabihin ko.

"Si Ace?"

Namilog ang bibig ni Kaiden at nagpaligoy. "Ay, gagi. Hindi ko alam e, bigla nalang siyang umalis."

Sinubukan ko rin hanapin ng isang pasada ang buong venue bago muling tumingin sa dalawa.

"Bigla nga ring umalis mga kasama ko, kaya ako nalang ang natira dito," habol ni Kaiden.

"May sinabi ba siya kung saan?" tanong ko.

"Sabi niya lang, 'to the place where I miss someone.'"

Natawa pa si Kaiden sa panggagaya niya sa boses ni Ace. Hindi ko rin tuloy napigilan ang pagtawa. Samantalang si Anna naman ay pinalo ang braso ng lalaki.

Matagal kong pinagmasdan si Anna at Kaiden. They looked so sweet while laughing and teasing each other.

"Wait, alam mo ba Lazumi?"

Nakuha ni Kaiden ang atensyon ko at napatingin sa kaniya. "What?"

"Hindi ka sana naniwala na galing kay Dom 'yung tulips," sabi niya. "Nagresearch pa kaya si Ace kung paano manuyo tapos nakita niya 'yung gifts," tuloy-tuloy niyang sabi na parang hindi pinag-iisipan.

Pinalo tuloy siya ni Anna. "Stop being nosy about their relationship, Kai!"

Ang daldal e. Natawa ako sa naisip, but at the same time, nanghina ang tuhod ko.

"Ang tagal kumilos e," sabi ni Kaiden at pabirong niyayakap si Anna.

Bumuntonghininga ako at nakangiting nagpaalam.

I think I know where he is.

ACE

"What brings you here?" My brother asked like he never wanted me here. With his natural furrowed brows and serious face, I stood straight in front of him.

"Why did you tell Laz that you're Ced214?"

I couldn't hide the hiding rage in my voice. I tried so hard to be calm while talking to him. It's embarrassing to see other people looking at us while fighting, so I didn't raise my voice.

People are walking around us, back and forth. Dito kasi kami nagkita ng kapatid ko sa labas ng Sarmiento Highschool.

"It's because I am," Dom said like a matter of fact tone, wearing his backpack and a senior high school uniform different from me.

I breathed loudly. I think I almost broke my nostrils because of that breath.

"No, you're not," I calmly answered while fixing my glasses. I sounded so sure of my answer. So, who is it Ace? I asked myself and I couldn't admit the real guy behind the cover song.