Nimbus Clouds (Stethoscope Series #1)

Static Clouds

Ang tagal niyang bumalik kaya umupo na ako sa side ng kama.

When he goes back I can't read his face anymore. Namumula ang mga mata niya at umupo siya sa tabi ko. He cupped my face and planted a soft kiss. It lasted for a minute. Dinantay niya ang noo niya sa akin habang hawak pa rin ang aking mukha. Nararamdaman ko ang hininga niya. He is breathing heavily that his chest is heaving.

He kissed my forehead and hugged me. I have a bad feeling 'bout this.

"What is it?" I asked him.

He broke the hug and sigh.

"Do you want to go back from your normal life?" His voice is broke. He is staring at my eyes.

Tell him you don't.

No.

"Yes." I avoided his stares.

Tumungo siya sa sagot ko. I know he is dissapointed, but that is the best thing to do right now.

How does it become the best, Ivo?

Tumayo siya. "Pack your things." He walked towards and door. "Ihahatid na kita." At umalis na nga siya.

I couldn't contain it anymore and tears started to flood my face while I packed my things. I just wish 'di muna siya pumasok ulit dahil natatakot ako na baka makita niya akong umiiyak. Sabihin niya lang namang mag-stay ako at mananatili ako. I badly want to stay, if only.

I wear my black jeans and boots. Suot ko pa rin yung sando niya. I compose myself and wipe my tears. Kinuha ko na ang bag ko at lumabas na nang kwarto. He is sitting in the sofa nakatungo siya while his hands are intertwined. The door produce a creak sound that catch his attention and look at me.

Naka shirt lang siya with matching jacket at cargo pants. Tumayo siya at pumunta sa kwarto pagbalik niya ay may dala na siyang jacket. Yung jacket na suot ko nung naglakad kami. The Balenciaga black bomber jacket.

"Wear this. It is cold outside." He said and hold my hand the whole time we are leaving his condo. I can't read his face, he is so cold, again.
My steps are so heavy as well as the atmosphere. No one is trying to speak.

I want to stay. But staying means my life wouldn't be normal again.

Hawak niya pa rin ang kamay ko habang hawak ang manibela. The whole ride he is breathing heavily. Palapit kami nang palapit sa dorm pahigpit din nang pahigpit yung hawak ko sa kamay niya. It is already twelve o'clock in the evening. Hindi na traffic pero halatang binabagalan niya ang pagpapatakbo ng sasakyan.

Tumigil na siya sa tapat ng dorm pero 'di niya binitawan ang mga kamay ko. Afraid of letting fo each other. We stayed like that for a minute or two until he get my bag.

I was standing in front of his car at inabot niya sa akin ang bag ko.

"So that's it?" He asked and lean his back in his car.

"'Wag kang papalipas ng gutom. Have a complete sleep when you can. Have a rest. 'Wag mong pababayaan yung sarili mo." I tried my best to compose myself and not cry in front of him.

"Don't just throw tantrums like a kid. Practice cooking. Don't put salt on someone else's coffee, it taste awful." We manage to chuckle. "Avoid Alesso, avoid troubles." He sighed. "Lastly, don't wear other guys shirt." I nodded and fake a smile. "You haven't told me your name." He smiled bitterly.

I didn't answer him because it is better that way. I will easily dissappear in his life.

"I want to watch you leave." I told him. "And for the record, you're my first kiss." He stop for a while and give me a fake smile. "Ant..." Tumingin siya sa akin.

Tell him to stay.

Tell him you need him.

"Can you smile for me." I saw how he clenched his fist.

It's fucking selfish. Asking him to smile in times like this.

I saw a tear leave his eye. He gestured his hands para lumapit ako. We hug each other and raised my chin. A smile draw his face. It is a painful smile.

He open the door and enter his car. He drive away and I watch him leave. I don't want to say goodbye, but...

Umabante ang kotse niya at bumalik sa harap ko. Lumabas siya at tumakbo papalapit sa kaniya hindi ko na pinigilan ang sarili ko at niyakap siya ng mahigpit. We hugged each other for one last time.

He broke the hug with red eyes.

"You can't support your claim through the CCTV because it is clear that I don't hold our hand in the footage. Which means I don't force you. So that's a bluff. I was never a friend to Alesso and he is inactive for a year in the Fraternity. You will never find a link connecting me to him. I never saw a fresh bruise in your arm so I know that it is not true that you shed blood in the unit. The record you got, is not a clear evidence because it was just a threat. I wasn't in the bar when he tried to rape you. My father can afford the best criminal lawyer in the Philippines." Hinihingal niyang sabi. Pero what broke my heart is how tears flood his face while stating it.

"Why are you saying this?" I asked him.

Tell me you want me to stay.

"Tell me when you already know the answer." He let go of me.

"Are you saying that you're not a stupid lawyer?" I tried to joke it off, but it's shit... it just hurt so bad. It wasn't suppose to be this painful. I was suppose to be happy because finally I'm back.

"No, what I'm saying is that when I first saw you I already, I..." He brush his hands in the strands of his hair. "You're free to come back in my condo when you already find the answer." Then, he leave me there.

What are the chances that we will meet again? What are the odds he still likes me when that time happens?