Ci and Rei (ON-GOING)

XVIII

Chosen Match

REINA

First the bad dream . . .

Next was that unforeseen near death experience.

What's more worst that could happen?

I guess that question just calls for another tough luck for the day.

"I think it would be better for you to excuse the class and rest in your dorm to calm down more, Rei," ani Mr. Hunter. Sinang-ayunan naman kaagad siya ni Ms. Bella.

"P-pero okay naman na po ako Sir," I immediately contradicted. "I was just in utter shock pero..." nilingon ko ang mga kaklase kong bumalik na sa kanya-kanyang tasks. "I've already calmed down now."

Ngumiti pa ako para mas makumbinsi sila pero with them just staring at me?

Mukhang wala na akong magagawa kung hindi ay bumalik sa dorm namin. I was so upset while we were walking back to our dorm room, si Laurie lang ang kasama ko para maghatid sa'kin roon dahil parang bula na namang nawala si Eli.

"Nakakainis talaga. What was he thinking!? Hindi ko alam! Wala naman siguro akong sobrang bigat na kasalanan para ma-deserve na halos kunan niya na ako ng buhay roon kanina?" I exclaimed. "What if I haven't been able to avoid it on time at ma-realize ko nalang na umaagos na ang..."

I closed my eyes as my breath became shorter. Para akong may hinabol habang naka-krus na ang braso sa dibdib ko.

"Oo nga! Tsk! Baka kung ano nang magawa ko sa lalaking yun pag nagkataon!" Laurie hissed. "Ang kapal ng mukha niya. Hindi man lang siya nag sorry kanina, bigla nalang din siyang umalis. How could he, 'no?"

I smiled while looking at her being all angry and gritted teeth. That's why I love this girl so much. She cares for me more than herself most of the time.

"Ano, okay ka lang ba talaga dito, Rei?"

I nodded to her. "Balik ka na dun. Hindi pa tapos yung training."

She turned to me and we stared for a moment before her face softened. "Okay ka lang?"

"Oo nga..." I lied.

It bothered me, really. I didn't know how to react even though a river of thoughts have already flowed in my mind.

What have I done to him?

Aware ba syang muntik na kong mamatay roon kanina? Hindi lang injury ang makukuha ko. Dahil alam kong didiretso sana iyon sa noo ko kung hindi lang ako nakaiwas kaagad.

Was I too much towards him these days that all he ever wanted was seeing me gone?

Mabuti sana kung naglabas na aksidente lang iyon at humingi siya ng tawad sakin pero hindi. It never happened. He even looked at me with flat eyes as if he was disappointed after seeing me still standing on my own feet and conscious.

I stirred the coffee while slowly being lost in thought again. I recalled what have happened earlier. His eyes. Why was it always feels empty?

Not about me. But his eyes was dull and hollow. Like a deadpan.

Pero . . . those charcoal-gray eyes, even how many times I would want to deny, it really felt different.

How would I describe it?

Hmm, alam ko na.

Familiarity.

I think I've already saw him before. Hindi lang ako sigurado kung kailan pero I'm certain that I had. Maybe when I was a kid? from pictures or personally. Baka nga naging ka-playmate ko pa iyon dati at childhood friend.