Chasing Fate [On-Going]

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Ala-una ng tanghali kami bumiyahe ni Nessa. Nanay Fe was kind enough to let us pack some food home. Tama nga si Nessa, mas malala ang traffic kapag hindi ka umalis ng maaga. The rife home took us six hours. Sobrang init pa ng panahon at natengga kami sa traffic.

It was already dark when we got home. Wala na nga kaming oras para ayusin pa ang mga gamit namin at basta na lang namin dineretso ang mga bag sa laundry room.

Sumunod ako kay Nessa na nire-reheat ang pinabaon ni Nanay sa amin na adobo at kanin. Nay Fe said she knew we'd be home late kaya nagdagdag pa siya ng rice. When I got to the kitchen, saktong natapos si Nessa mag-reheat.

"Kain na," she said.

Kumuha na rin siya ng pagkain niya. I didn't have the appetite to eat that much. Kaunting-kaunti lang ang kinain ko dahil sa pagod. I told Nessa to just leave the dishes in the dishwasher before we headed to our own rooms.

I took a half-bath then got into my pajamas. As I delve into my bed, I immediately felt the comforting softness of my bed. Although it may seem like I would fall asleep anytime soon, my body betrayed me.

Ilang oras na akong nakatulala pero hindi ako makatulog. My body feels so sleepy, yet my mind is fully awake. I dragged my exhausted body out of my room and found myself in front of Nessa's.

I took a deep breath before knocking three times. When it seemed like she was already asleep, I was ready to leave. But just as I turned my back, the door opened. I slowly turned around.

Kinukusot pa niya ang mga mata niya bago nagmulat. "Bakit?"

Her voice was a bit hoarse so I felt guilty dahil ginising ko pa siya. I hesitated, but since I am already here, sinagot ko na lang siya. "Can I come in?"

Halata sa mukha niya na nagtaka pa siya sa tinanong ko, but she still moved aside.

"Ano naman ang gagawin mo rito?" she asked. "At bakit hindi ka nakatulog.

"Uhm. . . namamahay?"

She laughed out loud. I don't find anything funny with what I said. Noong unang gabi ko sa probinsiya nila, namamahay rin ako kaya hindi ako makatulog.

"What's so funny, Ness?" tanong ko.

"Anong namamahay? Hoy, nangyayari lang 'yon kapag wala ka sa sarili mong bahay. Lokong 'to!"

Ah, so that's what it means.

"Can I sleep here?" natanong ko na lang.

"Jack, mas maganda ang kama mo."

I sighed. "Gusto kitang katabi matulog."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "At bakit?"

Because I feel comfortable. Sobrang bilis kong nakatulog noong katabi kita.

I saw how she was hesitant. I still tried to convince her. "I just want to sleep peacefully."

"Ipangako mong tulog lang."

Doon ko na-realize kung bakit ayaw niya akong katabi. Of course! Kahit sino naman ay magtataka kung nagkatabi kaming matulog.

I held my hand in the air. "I promise, Nessa."

"May tiwala ako sa 'yo. Huwag mong sirain 'yon, Jack."

I quickly nodded. "I won't, Nessa. I promise."

With that, we both went to my room. There was a huge space between the two of us. Nessa was lying flat on her back and I guess she was really sleepy. Mabilis siyang nakatulog habang ako ay nakatagilid at nakatingin sa kaniya. I closed my eyes and within a few minutes, I can already feel my eyelids getting heavier. Hindi ko na nilabanan ang antok ko dahil sumasakit na rin ang ulo ko.