Her To-Do-Lists Before She Dies (Short Story)

Chapter 8

Everyone in the room shifted from being so loud to being in awe as they watch her make her way down the staircase.

I felt my left eyebrow raise a bit as I watch them watch her. I've noticed that she's changed her clothes to a simple black t-shirt dress.

Tahimik pa rin ang lahat kahit naka baba na si Hannah while giving them an awkward smile. I faked a cough to get their attention. 

Pumunta ako sa kaliwa ni Hannah. I slipped my hand behind her back to hold onto her right arm. Nakita ko kung pano sundan ng mga mata ng mga ka teammates ko yung pag alalay ko kay Hannah.

Most of them had a sheepish smile on their faces. From my peripheral vision napansin kong napatingin si Hannah sa kamay kong nakahawak sakanya. I pulled her closer and this time sakin na siya nakatingin.

Don't worry, I don't know why I'm doing this either.

Gusto kong sabihin sakanya yan but walang lumalabas sa bibig ko kaya umiwas na lang ako ng tingin at tumingin ng diretso sa mga ka teammates ko.

"Everyone, this is Hannah." Pakilala ko sakanila.

Nang makabawi na sila, dun ulti bumalik 'yung ingay na kaninang nawala.

"Shiet Captain!"

"Wooh! Nagbibinata ka na Captain!"

Napakunot ako ng noo sa mga sinasabi nila dahil hindi ko maintindihan kung anong gusto nilang sabihin.

Napabitaw ako kay Hannah nung isa isa silang lumapit sakanya para kausapin. Nasa gitna siya habang napapalibutan nitong mga ungas na 'to. Napailing na lang ako.

Isa isa silang nagpakilala sakanya at tuwang tuwa naman si Hannah. She smiles so innocently at them.

"Are you sure with what you are doing?" Napatingin ako sa kaliwa ko at napansin na nandun pala si Justine. "You seem different." Seryosong sabi niya habang diretsong nakatingin kay Hannah.

I didn't get what he was trying to imply but I didn't bother figuring it out.

"Aren't you going to introduce yourself to her?" Tanong ko.

"No need." Seryosong sabi niya at umalis. I watched him make his way out of the living room.

"Saan ka punta?" Pasigaw na tanong ni Chase kay Justine.

"Kitchen." Sagot naman ni Justine na hindi man lang lumingon. I don't understand why he's being serious right now. 

I took a seat in one of the couches. Nabalik ako sa realidad nung napansin kong nag upuan na yung mga kasama ko.

Napansin kong hindi na nila kasama si Hannah.

"Where's Hannah?" Tanong ko sakanila.

"She went to the kitchen Capt. Kukuha daw ng maiinom natin." Sagot naman ni Giann.

Tatayo na sana ako ng harangin nila ako. Kaya napaupo ulit ako.

"What?" I asked them in a boring tone.

"Hehehe. Ikaw captain ah? Nagsusungit ka nanaman ngayong wala si Hannah." Tukso sakin ni Julian. Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay.

Naupo sa tabi ko si Aiden at inakbayan pa ako.

"Alam mo captain, crush mo si Hannah." Sabi ni Aiden sabay tusok sa tagiliran ko.

"Anong crush?" Tanong ko sakanya.

Natawa naman silang lahat sa tanong ko as if it was a joke. Kaya tinaasan ko sila ng kilay.

"Joke ba yan capt? Twenty-one ka na pero hindi mo alam ang crush?" Tanong naman ni Yael.