Strings in the Beginning (Abrupt Series #2)

EPISODE 06

Wala na akong suot na chef jacket kundi plain na puting t-shirt na lamang. May inabot sa akin na pamunas si Kuya at mabilis ko namang pinunasan ang buong upuan na basang basa. Dinaanan ko rin ng pamunas ang manibela at halos 'di ko na rin makita ang numero sa bilog dahil sa tubig.

My hair was damp from the rain, and as I watched it pour endlessly right in front of me, I ran my fingers through it, hoping it would dry even just a little.

Nakatayo akong tila isang nanlalamig na poste sa tabi ng guardhouse habang minamasdan ang motor ko. Iniisip ko kung magco-commute na lang ba ako at iiwan ko na lang ito rito. Nangyari na rin naman ito dati kaya alam ko na ang gagawin.

Malapit lang ang backdoor sa guardhouse kaya sinimulan ko nang maglakad palapit doon. Ibabalik ko na rin ang payong sa may-ari. Habang iniiwas ang sarili sa malakas na buhos ng ulan ay nagulat ako nang mapansin ko si Conrad na lumabas sa pinto na papasukan ko.

While watching slowly from his right, he swiftly opened the large dark blue umbrella to walk closer to me.

"Basang-basa ka na," he said, his voice calm but firm, as he handed me a plain white bath towel.

I was gripping my umbrella tightly, but my eyes stayed on him, trying to process if this was happening.

"Punasan mo ang ulo mo, Nate. Sobrang basa na, oh," he added, his tone edging into command.

"Alam ko," I snapped, irritation lacing my words. "Kaya nga papunta na ako sa loob para mag-punas. How did you even know I was out here?"

I had no intention of taking the towel from his hand, but I flinched when he casually draped it over my shoulder.

"Itabi mo muna 'yang pagsusungit mo," he said with a smirk. "Magpunas ka muna."

Lumaki ang mata ko. "What did you just say?" I stared at him, "Anong sabi mo?"

"Magpunas ka muna. Halika na, pasok na tayo sa loob,' aniya.

A few seconds passed as I watched him turn away from me, ready to follow. The back door swung open, and he was just a few steps away now. He's freaking me out! Ano bang pakialam nya kung nasa labas ako at kung basang basa ako?!

"Sumabay ka na sa sasakyan ko, uuwi na rin naman ako."

Lumingion ako sa direksyon niya at muntik na akong umatas mula sa pintuan.

"I can commute. 'Saka para saan 'to? Pwedeng huwag mo na akong guluhin? Alam mo, mukha kang timang sa ginagawa mo."

Pinigilan ko ang boses kong hindi ito taasan at siguro sa hindi ko na napigilan magsalita ay nailabas ko na ang inis simula nung makita ko siya kanina.

"Akala ko ba uuwi ka na? Why are you still here?" I asked him with a daring look.

He put the large size umbrella beside the door na tumutulo pa at hawak ko pa rin ang payong na gamit ko. I am looking straight to him upang hintayin ang magiging sagot niya and my jaw was clenching when he did the same thing.

"Paalis na ako but I saw you pushing your thing papuntang guardhouse. A 'thank you' would be fine," he smiled a little, teasing facial reactions were now triggering my nerves.

Napatingin ako sa polo ng parteng balikat niya at may bakas na galing sa ulan akong nasisilayan rito. I inhaled to calm my chest as I pulled an air inside it. Wala naman kaming kasama rito sa loob ng storage room at hihinaan ko na lang siguro ang boses ko.

"Sinasayang mo oras ko, Conrad."

"Magkakasakit ka kung hindi ka magpunas agad. Ihahatid na kita, Nate."