Strings in the Beginning (Abrupt Series #2)

EPISODE 15

He is wearing a dark blue pastel oversized polo paired with a plain wide leg pants. Bumaba ang mata ko sa kamaong minamasahe niya at nakita ko ang pamumula nito. Hindi mo aakalain na sa sobrang linis niya tingnan ay may pinagsusuntok siya sa loob ng Eruption.

Biglang umangat ang mukha niya ng magsalita si Dash at ang kasamang lalaki ni Zahra. Conrad was smirking when he glanced at me dahilan upang bahagya akong magulat.

"Dinala muna 'yung lalaki sa Albay Doctors dahil namaga 'yung mukha at siguro lasing na kaya hindi na nakalaban." The police looked at Conrad and shook her head, "Babalikan din kita bukas at ipapaasikaso ko rin sa kaibigan mo ang kaso mo, Mister Gutierrez, kay Tanza."

Conrad nodded briefly to the older police officer before offering a firm handshake. His voice was low but respectful as he thanked him. Then, he turned and walked out with his friends. I exhaled sharply, trying to steady my breathing. It was Dylan, of course. Kahit dito sa pulisya, may kapit siya.

The case will proceed tomorrow. The officers told us that the guy from earlier could file charges, but Zahra could do the same. The chief seemed to lean in our favour, though. Siguro kasi nakikita niyang kaibigan namin si Conrad, and it was clear he was defending us.

"Salamat, mga boss! Balik na muna kayo sa Erup. Hintayin niyo na lang ako do'n, may kakausapin lang ako."

Mula sa likod ng matatangkad niyang tropa, narinig ko ang boses ni Conrad. And I knew. I just knew he was referring to me.

I tightened my jaw, stopping the shake in my throat.

"Mauna na kayo maglakad, Dash," I forced a small smile.

Tumango lang si Dash at si Zahra bago bumaba ng hagdan. Bago tuluyang mawala ang dalawa ay nagpasalamat pa si Zahra kay Conrad, pero mabilis ding naglakad palayo.

At nang huminto na si Conrad sa paanan ng hagdan, marahan akong humakbang pababa. Alam kong wala na akong takas dito.

"Ihahatid na kita. Nasaktan ka ba kanina?"

That was the first thing he said to me after everything. His voice was low and almost gentle, pero ramdam ko ang tension naming dalawa sa ilalim no'n.

Parang kumulo 'yung dugo ko.

"You never listen to me. Sabi kong tumigil ka na, pero hindi ka nakinig sa akin," I snapped, my voice trembling, pero pilit kong pinipigilan.

He smirked. The audacity.

"Salamat na lang sana," sagot niya na parang nanunukso pa.

Napakuyom ako ng kamao ko. "Hanggang dito ba naman magiging pakialamero ka?"

We were still standing in front of the police station. People were walking past us, but I didn't care. Kung gusto nilang manood, bahala sila. Lalo na kung may mangyayari pang mas malala dito.

His expression shifted, defensive.

"Bakit nagagalit ka? Edi hahayaan ko na lang pala na masuntok ka kanina? Sana sinabi mo, kasi tangina, hahayaan kitang mabugbog do'n!" His voice rose and it laced with frustration.

Napasinghap ako sa inis.

"Edi sana hinayaan mo na lang ako, Conrad! Hindi naman 'yon 'yung unang beses mabubugbog ako, eh!" My voice cracked, but I pushed through it. "And Dash was there! Kaya niya akong ipagtanggol do'n! Nagagalit ako sa 'yo kasi nangingialam ka!"

I didn't even realize that I was almost yelling now. A few people slowed down, eavesdropping.

He laughed. A bitter and sarcastic laugh that made my blood boil more.