Every Bad Thing

Chapter Twelve

"Silas." I uttered, surprised. I was so focused on Orion that I nearly forgot about him!

His hair was all wet and brushed up like it'd been finger combed. Droplets of water were trailing from his face down to his body. My eyes gazed down to his body. That's when I only noticed that his upper body was bare. He's not wearing his top anymore.

"Here." Silas draped a wet black material over my shoulders. It must be his long sleeves button up shirt. He sighed as he stared at me with soft and gentle eyes. "Wear it, Laurene."

I bit my lip. Sa tingin pa lang niya ay natunaw na ako. Pati ang dapat na gagawin ko ay kasama sa natunaw. I've forgotten everything that happened before this. This is the effect that Silas on me. He could enslave me with his stares and make me follow his every whim with his words.

During Christmas break, Silas went to New York with his Dad. That's because most of the Gallego's are in New York. Kami naman ay nagkaroon ng family outing, this includes our grandparents plus Tita Avis and Tita Les' family. Those days, we chat and video call, but not as often because we're both busy with family activities.

Nang bumalik naman si Silas sa Pilipinas para sa New Year ay pumunta naman kami ng Netherlands. It's been a tradition to go there every New Year plus, it's also my mother's birthday. May sentimental value ang lugar na iyon para sa parents ko. Before New Year's Eve came, we went to their place, the ice skating rink.

It's like first day of school all over when the holiday vacation ended. While other students dreaded to go back to school, I was overly excited. School days means I will be seeing him again! I've done nothing but miss Silas for the past two weeks. I was so used to being with him almost all the time that being away from him brought me nothing but misery.

Maaga akong pumasok. I know he'll be at school early, too. My siblings were still getting ready for school when I left our house. Nang makarating ako sa school ay halos walang tao sa paligid. It was so quiet that I could hear the noise that my thoughts were making.

Kagat-kagat ang labi nang makaakyat na ako sa floor namin. Hindi na ako nag-abalang dumaan pa sa room namin at dumiretso na agad sa room nila Silas. My heart was beating hard and crazy when I opened the door. It stopped from beating my eyes found him. His eyes were already on me.

Unti-unting lumaki ang ngiti ko habang nakatingin sa kanya. Hindi ko magawang humakbang patungo sa kanya kagaya ng ginawa ko dati. I couldn't move. I missed him!

Tumayo si Silas mula sa kinauupuan, mukhang hinihintay ang susunod kong gagawin. Huminga ako nang malalim at pinilit na maglakad. My knees were shaking. Pakiramdam ko ay madadapa ako kapag tumakbo ako patungo sa kanya.

Silas didn't wait like he did before. His strides were big and fast as he approached me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me close to him. His arms wrapped around my body, hugging me tight that I know I couldn't escape if I try.

My heart resumed beating hard and fast. Having him near me made me realized how bad I craved for him. I missed him so much. I knew I was going to explode soon if I didn't tell him how much I do.

"Silas... I-" I was cut off from what I was about to say when Silas pulled me to him tighter. Like there's still a space between us that needs to be filled.

"I missed you, Laurene." malambing na sabi ni Silas. Mas lalong humigpit ang pagkakapulupot ng mga braso niya sa akin. He buried his face on my shoulder. "I missed you. So bad."

At tuluyan na akong nalusaw at nanghina. Kung hindi niya ako yakap ay baka kanina pa ako bumagsak sa lupa. Dahan-dahan kong inangat ang mga braso ko at kumapit sa likod ng uniform ni Silas. My heart slowly calmed down. His warmth soothed the havoc inside me.