Strings in the Beginning (Abrupt Series #2)

EPISODE 19

Malakas akong tumawa at mabilis akong umatras palayo sa kanya nang balak niya akong kurutin sa pisngi. Nakita ko rin ang pagtawa ni Mama habang sinisimulan ang pag-aayos sa kusina para sa lulutuin niya para sa tanghalian namin ngayon

"Nate... anak. Labas ka muna diyan, nasa labas si Conrad. May gusto atang sabihin sa 'yo" rinig kong tawag sa akin ni Mama mula sa labas ng pinto ng kwarto ko.

Agad akong napataas ng kilay. Handa na akong matulog ngayong gabi, lahat-lahat, kumpleto na ang routine ko bago matulog tapos ngayon bigla na lang siyang lilitaw?

Bago ako lumabas ay iniwan ko ang cellphone ko sa kama at sinilip sina Lily at Lime sa ilalim. They were fine and they are curled up in their usual spot.

Pero habang papunta ako sa sala, may kung anong bumibigat sa dibdib ko. Kahit ng makalabas ako mula sa malamig kong kwarto ay parang nanlalamig pa rin ang buong katawan ko. Lalo na nang tuluyang makita ang lalaki sa sala na nakikipagtawanan kay Papa.

I noticed he was wearing a plain white shirt, fitted enough to highlight his build, at napalunok ako nang makita kong naka-blue-and-white striped pajamas siya.

Handa na siyang matulog... at bakit pa siya nandito?

"Hi," he greeted easily. "Hinintay kitang dumaan kanina sa Cucina. Akala ko sasabay kayo ni Tita-Nang sa akin. Nag-commute pa pala kayo."

I was already walking toward my father when he said that, but before I could respond, he left us alone, as if on cue. Hindi naman niya kailangan umalis.

"Ah..." I blinked, refocusing. "Hindi ko alam na nando'n ka pala sa Cucina. 'Saka tanghali na kami natapos ni Mama sa pag-iimpake ng dadalhin ko." I forced a small smile, trying to keep the air light. "Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

For a second, he looked like he hadn't expected the question. But Conrad had always been good at masking emotions, so it was barely noticeable. Still, I knew.

"I just wanted to check on you," he admitted. "Hindi naman kita matawagan. Wala tayong conversation sa Messenger, at wala rin akong number mo, so I couldn't message you."

Huminga ako nang malalim, trying to process what he said without overthinking it.

"You don't need to check on me," I said evenly. "Makikita mo naman ako bukas. Naka-ready na rin ang mga dadalhin ko." Then, a thought crossed my mind, and I raised an eyebrow. "Bukas pala, daan muna tayo sa apartment ko. Iniwan ko doon 'yung mga gamit ko."

"Sure!" He smiled and nodded, seemingly relieved that I wasn't completely shutting him out. "Hindi ka excited?"

"Hindi naman." I tilted my head slightly. "Bakit? Excited siguro akong matapos na siya para makauwi na tayo agad."

His arms crossed over his chest at my answer. I glanced at his hair fallen over his forehead, a rare sight since he usually kept it neat. But he maybe realized that I was staring because he casually brushed it back with his hand.

"Sobra mo namang pinapahalata na ayaw mo talaga akong makasama," he chuckled. "Hindi pa nga tayo nakakapunta doon, gusto mo nang tapusin agad."

A small smirk tugged at my lips as I gave a half shrug. "Well, you can't blame me." My voice was light but firm. "Let me remind you I'm doing this for work, Conrad. So kung may binabalak ka man, itigil mo na."

He exhaled, shaking his head with a quiet laugh, but I didn't let him answer.

"Matulog ka na," I said instead. "Maaga pa tayo bukas. Thanks for checking on me baka bukas ibigay ko na 'yung number ko. In case of emergency." I turned slightly, already signaling the conversation was ending. "Good night."