I couldn't control my emotions and immediately ran to the parking lot but I wasn't even close to my car when it suddenly rained as my tears fell.
"Nadeleine!"
I held my chest to stroke it and release the fear I was feeling.
Why am I seeing that again?
What in the world and I saw him again?
Am I not allowed to be happy and free?
"It's raining, stand up!" I forcefully gave Kiel my car keys and used all my strength to stand up while crying. I felt Kiel's grip on my waist. He opened the door of my car and lifted me to get in, my strength was exhausted. Hindi ko na kaya, pakiramdam ko ay bumalik ako sa panahon na nalaman ko 'yung basurang ginawa niya. "Shit," Kiel murmured.
I let out all my feelings, I didn't think that Kiel was with me now. I just want to let it all out. I thought I was fine, I just thought. No matter how much I thought I was fine, I never thought that I would still fall into what I was most afraid of. When I remembered the look on his face earlier, everything he did came back. Full story, back to me.
I knelt in front of Syed to ask him not to leave and stay with me. Even though what he did to me was so painful, I was still ready to forgive and accept him fully that night. I chased him several times, I did everything for him, I loved him so much that it reached the point where I knelt down to him in our school so that he wouldn't leave. I didn't think about those around us as I knelt before him, begging him to choose me.
I don't even know why that is. Why does he have to look at me as trash that can be kicked anywhere?
Ayoko na.
It's just scary to love again. I don't feel like I'm back to zero. Maybe all my trauma came back when I saw him, that's all. I was just scared when I saw him earlier and remembered what happened. Hanggang doon lang 'yon. I want to win this time, I want to be on my side now. I want to show him, just in case, that he is the trashier of the two of us. Hindi naman siya kawalan. I was just not in the right frame of mind when we had a relationship, I was just too crazy about him and I gave it my all.
I wiped my cheek and leaned back. I looked at Kiel who looked worried about me but I was worried seeing that he was wetter than me. Naramdaman ko ring may jacket na nakapatong sa akin.
"Sorry," I said in a low tone of my voice.
"I'm okay. You don't look well, I'll take you to your condo," I just nodded and turned down the air conditioner because I was cold. Kiel might even get sick because of me. Meron pa naman sigurong damit si Kuya Ashton sa guest room, papahiramin ko na lang si Kiel. I answered Maeve's text, she was obviously very worried. Ang dami niyang text, sigurado akong nakita niya si Syed. I just reassured Maeve that I was fine and that she would just stay there.
Nagpark na si Kiel kaya tinanggal ko na ang seatbelt bago buksan ang pinto ng car. "What are you doing? Let's go." Masungit kong sabi kay Kiel. Paano ba naman, nakatingin lang siya sa akin!
"Saan?"
"Sa taas?! Duh! Bilis, malamig," nagtataka pa rin si Kiel pero sumunod lang siya sa akin. Nagulat pa nga ako na dala niya ang mga gamit ko. Nakakahiya na tuloy. Pinaupo ko siya sa sofa at pumasok ako sa isang room para tignan kung may naiwan pa bang damit si Kuya Ashton dito. I was relieved to see that he still had some clothes here. I took it and got a towel to give it to Kiel. "'Wag ka na magreklamo. Andoon lang 'yung CR, baka magkaroon ka ng sakit niyan, Kiel." He was about to speak but I glared at him, which is why he didn't continue.
When he entered the bathroom, I also entered my room to change my clothes. Bumalik na ako sa kusina at umupo roon, nagscroll lang ako kung saan puwedeng umorder ng food. Malakas pa rin ang ulan, wala namang bagyo ngayon. Baka ulan lang. Gusto ko sanang magluto kaso wala na akong energy. My gaze shifted to Kiel when he came out of the bathroom.
"Woah. Sakto sa 'yo?"
Kiel was wearing a black t-shirt and pajamas.
He nodded. "Am I going home dressed like this?"
"Go home later, the rain is still heavy. Did you leave your car at Pop Up?"
"No, we used Fritz's car. Where do I put this?" Inangat niya ang towel na hawak niya. May kinuha akong paper bag at inabot sa kaniya 'yon.
"Just hang the towel in the bathroom. Put your clothes in the paper bag," Kiel followed what I said. I stood up and went out to get off because the delivery guy is already there in the lobby. I also gave him a tip because it was raining heavily, luckily he was wearing a raincoat.
"Lasing ka ba?" I asked him when I got back into the unit. I just caught up with him walking around again and observing my condo.
Tumingin sa akin si Kiel at sinundan ako sa kitchen. "No, are you?" I shook my head and laughed for a moment. Hindi naman ako nalalasing ng beer.
"Let's eat," inaya ko siya. Nung una, tumanggi pa siya na ayaw raw niyang kumain but I know naman na he hasn't eaten dinner yet. While we were eating, I thought of his best friend. What's the name again? Nikki, 'di ba? "Why did you follow me earlier? What about your friends there because you left them? Nagpaalam ka ba kay Nikki?" Tumingin ako sa kaniya.
Halata sa mukha niyang nagulat siya dahil binanggit ko 'yung name. He cleared his throat after sipping on his water. "I was going to invite you to eat so when you stood up, I followed you out. Then I didn't expect you to cry there," he shrugged. "Jaethron knew where I was going so he and Fritz knew. Paano mo nalaman pangalan ni Nikki?"
"Your two friends told me. May sinabi pa nga sila, e," pagsisinungaling ko kay Kiel. Gusto ko lang siya asarin. Payback time siguro?
"W-what is it?" nauutal pa nga.
"Gusto mo raw ako, Kiel. Totoo ba?" my face remained calm even though inside I wanted to laugh.
"I'll wash the dishes. Also for the sake of thanking you for keeping me here," sinungitan niya ako bago tumayo para hugasan 'yung pinagkainan niya. Ang aga naman nito maghugas ng pinggan! Aalis na ba 'to? Eh, ang sobrang lakas pa ng ulan!
"Sabay mo na rin 'to, please. Thank you," sumingit ako sa tabi niya at tumingin pataas para tapatan ang mata niya. He's so tall. Nilapag ko na ang pinggan sa lababo bago ngumiti sa kaniya. "Gusto mo ng juice, Kiel?" I asked him as I opened the fridge to see what else could be eaten or drunk.
"Hindi na," mahinhin niyang isinagot sa akin.
Okay. 'Di 'wag.
Bubuksan ko na sana ang TV to watch Netflix pero bigla akong nakarinig ng katok, which is why I jumped up from my seat and went straight to the kitchen to pull Kiel.
"What?" nagtatakang tanong niya. He was wiping his hand, fortunately he had finished washing the dishes!
I glared at him. Binuksan ko ang pinto ng kwarto ko at pinasok siya roon. "My brother is here. Just stay here and don't go out, stay quiet. Please, Kiel," I closed the bedroom door before taking a breath. I forgot that Adrian was on his way! When I opened the door, my eyes widened when I saw Adrian's luggage! "Titira ka na ba rito?!" I was just surprised...
Adrian chuckled before going inside. Adrian sat on the couch and sat there as if he was from another country, he really liked my couch. He sighed. "Hay, I missed here!" sinara ko na ang pinto bago pumunta sa kaniya. "Where can I sleep, Ate Nads?" Tinignan niya ako.
I pointed to a bedroom door. There are three rooms here in my condo, a master bedroom and two normal rooms.
"Kumain ka na ba, Adrian?" I asked him, acting normal. He nodded and stood up, took his suitcase again and walked to the room I pointed to. 'Buti naman at kumain na siya! Pero alam kong magugutom din siya niyan. I remembered Kiel's bag by the chair in the kitchen so I immediately took it and entered my room. Tumingin siya sa akin nang pumasok ako. I signed for him not to be noisy. Ni-lock ko ang pinto dahil baka biglaang pumasok si Adrian, nakita pa niya si Kiel! Nilapag ko sa sofa 'yung bag ni Kiel at umupo ako sa chair ko na umiikot-ikot.
"This is you?" tinuro ni Kiel 'yung isang frame.
I nodded. "My brother is here in two months-"
"Does that mean I'll be here for two months too?"
Binigyan ko siya ng masamang tingin. "Of course not. Come out later when Adrian is asleep," sumandal ako sa upuan at pinaikot-ikot ang sarili. How can I get Kiel out of here? He can sleep here because there's still an empty room. "Do you have class tomorrow?" I stopped looking at Kiel who was standing and he was looking at the instax photos hanging on the wall. That's just my photo, the others are with my family and friends.
"Yeah," Kiel nodded and sat on the sofa, where his bag was. Kinuha niya 'yung phone niya. I heard him whisper something.
"I'll let you use my car, don't worry." I said in a low tone as I looked at the upper wall. "Text me if you want something," I told him before getting up to go out again because I heard my name being called by Adrian. He just nodded like a child so I opened the door, I saw Adrian in the kitchen. I was about to walk there but my phone vibrated so I looked at it first.
ralpkiel: nadeleine
I frowned.
nadeleine: ?
He replied so fast.
ralpkiel: oh, you said i'll text you when i need something haha
Sineen ko na lang 'yon. Hindi ko siya gets.
"Ate Nads, have you eaten? Is this mine?" pinakita niya 'yung food sa table kaya tumango ako, sa kaniya naman talaga 'yon. "By the way, can I watch Netflix on your TV? I have a drama to finish kasi, Ate," Adrian said.
I nodded. "Yeah, you can naman. Just knock on my room later when you need something, I'm just studying. But when I didn't answer, I fell asleep. I have school tomorrow, Adrian. You sure you'll be okay here?" I leaned on the countertop while crossing my two arms. I yawned to pretend to be sleepy so I could go into the room to talk to Kiel, baka kasi naiinip na siya roon. Tiningnan ko ang phone ko dahil tumunog na naman.
ralpkiel: what time will you be back here? laro tayo hahaha
nadeleine: shh
ralpkiel: okay :)
Kakaalis ko lang sa kwarto, hinahanap niya kaagad ako? Pino-problema ko na kung paano siya uuwi! Since he doesn't have his car with him, I will lend him my car. Ang iniisip ko kasi is paano siya lalabas?
"Yeah, I am. Don't worry about me being alone here. I'm used to it because I'm always alone at home," I looked at Adrian sadly, I was sad for him.
"How's Dad?"
"He's okay, he's going back to work tomorrow. Mom's okay too. Ate Nathalie... I don't know. When she comes home from school, she immediately enters her room. Ate Nathalie and I no longer see each other, the last time we saw each other was Saturday. How about you, Ate? How are you?" it's also sad to think that Nathalie and Adrian are not that close to each other. The two of them are the only siblings in the house, and they won't be close to each other. Nathalie doesn't plan to move to the condo either because she doesn't want to.
"I'm good, Adrian," thank you for asking.
"Woah, you have chocolate here. Can I eat this?"
I smiled. "Of course, it's your favorite. There are also snacks there in a basket, just take what you want from there. Tomorrow, let's go to the grocery store and then buy what you want. But if I'm busy tomorrow, the next day na lang, ha?"
Adrian understood easily so he just nodded before walking back to the living room to turn on the TV and start watching. I don't know what he's going to watch but I hope he goes to bed early so that Kiel can go home soon when there's no rain, it's still raining heavily kasi. Pinatay ko ang ilaw sa kusina dahil nakabukas naman 'yung light sa sala. Nagpaalam na ako kay Adrian na papasok na 'ko sa kwarto, I also said that if someone knocks, he should just call me.
"Wow, nice to see that you're studying there. Pero bakit ka nakaupo riyan sa sahig, Ralpkiel?"
It looks like I'm scolding him.
Napatingin siya sa akin na may halong pagtataka dahil nagsalita ako nang bigla-bigla. He raised an eyebrow at me. "I'm studying, don't be noisy."
Inirapan ko na lang siya bago umupo roon sa chair ko. I opened my iPad and the laptop, I also took out my notebook to take notes. Nasa iPad kasi ang mga copies ko, but I don't like opening my iPad or laptop when I'm in class. I want to read in my notebook. While writing, I caught sight of Kiel who was seriously reading on his laptop. Nakaupo siya sa sahig at nakapatong ang laptop niya sa sofa.
"Don't you have a uniform? Why are you dressed like that when you come from school?" I asked out of nowhere. Napatingin ulit siya sa akin.
He looked at his clothes before returning his gaze to me. "Nagpalit ako ng damit bago umalis?" tinaasan niya ulit ako ng kilay. Sungit nito! "Why are you looking, by the way?" he put a smirk on his face.
I didn't answer Kiel's question and just went back to what I was doing. We spent several hours studying until my hand and eyes were tired, I'm also watching something on my laptop about our topic earlier, I also wore earphones so that I wouldn't disturb Kiel if the volume of the video was loud. Hindi ko rin naman p'wedeng hinaan 'yon at hindi magsuot ng earphone baka hindi ko rin maintindihan 'yung lesson.
Sumandal ako sa chair ko at nagpaikot-ikot ulit hanggang sa mahilo ako. I looked at the time and was surprised to see that it was almost midnight! I looked at the door, I could still hear the volume of the TV, Adrian was obviously still awake and watching because I could also hear him laughing. I sighed, huminto naman na 'ata 'yung ulan dahil wala na akong naririnig. Paano kaya uuwi si Kiel? Hindi ko siya p'wedeng palabasin dahil nga kay Adrian. The problem is how to get Kiel out. Ugh!
"Are you done? P'wede ka na bang guluhin?" I looked down at Kiel who spoke. "You play Mahjong, don't you?"
May nilabas siyang box ng Mahjong. "Saan mo naman nakita 'yan?" what did he open in the corner of my room and he saw that? Umalis ako sa pagkakaupo sa chair ko at umupo sa sahig para makipaglaro kay Kiel. "Game. What's yours?" inayos ko ang tiles at binaliktad lahat 'yon.
"You are really go for this, huh," Kiel chuckled. Of course! This is my favorite game! When Kiel and I started playing, I won the first round because I opened all the tiles first. Kapag natatawa kami, our laughter was silent because Adrian was outside. "One more," Kiel shuffled the tiles and he fixed it. He was only disappointed when he lost again in the fourth round, inaya niya pa ulit ako ng last round pero wala, eh. I won again! Isa lang 'yung panalo niya sa akin.
It also took us a while to play Mahjong before he brought something out again. My lips parted because of what I saw, saan na naman niya nakita 'to?!
I didn't ask anymore and he just put it on the floor and looked at me. Naglaro kami ng Jack en Poy na up to three, kung sino 'yung manalo, 'yun ang mauunang mag-roll ng dice. I was the one who spoke and the first out of the result, I was very happy because I was the first to score! Not surprisingly, that was immediately followed by a second score. When I only needed one score to win, he had one point and another. 2-2 na tuloy kami! My shoulders slumped when I saw that he was paper and mine was scissors.
Ano ba 'yan!
"Sorry not sorry," he teased as he rolled the dice.
I pursed my lips to stop laughing when I saw that only one dot came out of the dice. Ang yabang niya pa, ha! He got what he deserved. We just started climbing, but when I was near the finish line, I was suddenly stopped by a snake! Bumaba tuloy ako sa 78! I didn't have time to chase so Kiel won. Okay lang naman sa akin, panalo naman ako kanina sa Mahjong, deserve niyang manalo ngayon.
"Oh my gosh, one o'clock na?" nagulat ako nang makita ang oras. I gestured to him for a moment and left the room, pretending to wake up. "Adrian, why are you still awake? Can't you sleep yet?" Lumapit ako sa kaniya at tinignan kung ano ang pinapanood niya. Haikyuu yata 'to, eh.
Adrian looked at me. "Later, Ate. I'm going to sleep late now, I was really addicted to what I was watching." He looked at me for a moment before returning his gaze to the TV.
My gosh!
Bumalik na ako sa kwarto na bagsak ang balikat, paano na 'to? Wala na akong choice. "Ralpkiel, you probably wouldn't mind sleeping here, would you? Can you sleep here? If no, ilalabas na talaga kita para makauwi ka na," I looked at Kiel who was looking at me, I was just leaning against the door.
"It's fine for me to sleep here, are you comfortable?" Tumango ako. Wala naman akong choice, eh. Pinatabi ko siya kung saan siya nakaupo, may tinanggal ako sa sofa at inayos 'yon para maging sofa bed.
"Will you be comfortable here?" tinanong ko si Kiel bago kumuha ng blanket. The sofa is soft, this is where I sometimes sleep. He nodded naman. "I'll just wake you up later so you can get ready. Kuya Ashton still has some clothes, I'll just lend them to you again. Don't worry, Kuya doesn't use that,"
"Is that okay with you?"
"Of course, Ralpkiel. I just want to apologize to you for being here, if you didn't follow me earlier, you wouldn't be here." Totoo naman ang sinabi ko.
"It's okay. Matulog ka na, Nadeleine." He turned off the light so I turned on the lamp to somehow get some light. I locked myself in my blanket because of the coldness of the aircon.
I hadn't even closed my eyes when I heard my phone alarm. Umaga na kaagad?! I opened my eyes and took the phone to turn off the alarm. I got up from bed and went into the bathroom to wash my face. I left the room and went to a room to get Kuya Ashton's clothes. Pagkalabas ko, halos lumabas na ang kaluluwa ko sa katawan ko nang makitang nakatayo si Kiel.
"Good morning," he greeted me.
I just acted normal. "Morning," binigay ko sa kaniya 'yung damit ni Kuya Ashton. "Sa kwarto ka maligo. Breakfast tayo sa Starbs," tumango si Kiel sa sinabi ko. Gigisingin ko pa lang naman siya, baka nag-alarm din siya? I don't know. I went into the room to get some clothes.
"Nadeleine, I don't need this. I remembered that I had a uniform with me," tumingin ako kay Kiel na pumasok sa kwarto.
Tumango ako. "Okay, just put it there," After I showered, I also fixed my things immediately before my face. Si Kiel ay nasa bathroom pa rin, napansin ko rin 'yung sofa. It has returned to its original place and the folded blanket is placed there along with the pillows. I left the room with my stuff. I also took a sticky note and wrote something on it, I also took money and put it on the table.
call me when you wake up
Tumingin ako kay Kiel nang lumabas siya ng kwarto. He is already wearing his uniform, and his ID. Paatras ang buhok niya pero patagilid. I can smell his perfume too. Shit. Is it normal for him to be handsome at this time? It's too early!
"Baka matunaw ako niyan." He flicked in front of me. I averted my eyes from him because I was guilty. "Tara na ba?" I nodded without looking at him. I took the car key and gave it to him, he was also holding the paper bag containing his clothes. I turned off the lights before going out. Kiel and I were walking down the hallway together, I couldn't really imagine the difference in our height. Bakit ba ang tangkad niya?
"Why do you have a uniform?" I asked him. We are having breakfast at Starbucks, 'yung ibang Ateneans, tumitingin sa kaniya. Freshies yata sila.
"Oh, we were supposed to sleep at Pat's condo last night kaya we brought uniforms, so we can go to class right away,"
"Have a sleepover with Nikki?" I asked again.
Kiel shook his head. "No, her.. boyfriend picked her up last night,"
"She has a boyfriend pala. Do you and your friends have partners?"
"No. Magta-tatlong buwan pa lang na single si Jaethron. Si Fritz naman, ayaw umamin. Pat? I think you already know that because he is your friend," that's what Kiel said before he took a sip of his coffee.
Kahit naman kaibigan ko si Pat, hindi ko pa rin alam 'yon. We're not that close, you know? Hindi kami updated sa buhay ng isa't isa. "Eh, how about you?"
"No girlfriend since birth, gusto mong mauna?"
I don't know if that's a joke but I'll just go with him. "Oo, gusto mo ba?" I put a smirk on my face, reason why he swallowed and went back to eating. Wala nang nagsalita ulit sa 'ming dalawa pagkatapos ng biruan namin. Bakit? Gusto niya ba talaga? "Take care of my baby," that's what I said to Kiel when I got out of my car. I will miss my car.
"Okay, I'll take care of myself," he said.
"You're so epal, Ralpkiel." Umagang-umaga, kumukulo ang dugo ko sa kaniya!
"You're so epal, Ralpkiel." He mocked me. Tinawanan niya ako. "Sunduin kita maya,"
"Why?" bakit niya 'ko susunduin mamaya? Boyfriend ko ba siya?
"I will probably return your car?"
Oh, right.
"No, return it on Friday. 'Wag ka nang magdesisyon, do what I said," sinara ko na ang pinto at tinalikuran siya, I didn't wait for the car to leave. I'm going to UST on Friday because I'll eat proben there again! I will get my car.
We just had another class in the lab and then I have the next class. Today's class was also dismissed early so I went straight to the condo and stayed there, inaaya rin ako ng mga kaibigan ko pumunta sa Walrus. I said no, I'm busy. After I took a nap, I also called Adrian to go grocery shopping. That's just what happened in my life every day, wake up, bathe, eat, study, repeat.
Sumabay na lang ako kay Rafi papunta sa UST, mabilis lang siya magdrive dahil excited na raw siyang makita si Andrei. I also separated from her when I went down to the black scoop, I'll drink milktea first. Nag-order na ako at umupo. Maraming tao, halos puno na pero may mga bakante pa ring upuan. I untangled my hair and brushed the top of my head with my hand. Dang, I look hot. I replied to the messages I received but I opened Kiel's message late.
He just sent another update with a photo, that was a while ago, a few hours ago. Simula nung nasa kaniya ang car ko, nag-a-update na siya sa akin kung nasaan man siya. He said the reason was so that I would know where he was in case he couldn't return my car. Ang sagot ko lang sa kaniya ay edi go! I can buy a car again even if he doesn't return it. But I don't want to lose the car, it was a gift from my parents.
Speaking of parents. I only had a little time to talk to Mommy because the case she was dealing with was so tight, she came home almost too late at night. She was reading a lot about the case, I couldn't ask what it was about because I couldn't understand anything. Because I know she's busy, I don't even buy time to talk to her. Magpapaalam lang naman kaagad si Mommy, nakakahiya na rin. And about Daddy... I don't know. We only talk once a month. Noong na-ospital naman siya, nagstay lang ako pero hindi kami nakapag-usap.
Daddy and I have no problem. I'm really the only problem. I don't want to blame him either, even though he really is. Am I angry with him? Of course... not. It happened a long time ago, a decade ago, but I still can't forget it. Kuya Ashton also knows that, he is kind so he forgives immediately. As for me, I forgave.. a little. I just can't forget it because it had a huge impact on me. We almost broke our family because of that. Almost broke because of what he did.
Because of that, I felt fear for love. And I don't know how I was able to love Syed even though the fear was still inside me. Maybe I'm looking for love that I couldn't find from my parents and I didn't get the love I wanted from Syed. Mana talaga ako kay Mommy, 'no? The same thing happened to us. Why is the world so cruel to us? Somehow, we managed. Even so, we should not give up too soon. There's still plenty of time. We have to stand up for ourselves so we will do it for us.
Dumating na ang order ko kaya kumain ako habang nagpo-phone, hindi ko at ayaw ko 'tong ginagawa pero wala naman akong kausap. Mouse moment things. Nagcrave ako sa carbonara kaya 'yun 'yung inorder ko. I just watch people come and go when I'm not doing anything on my phone. Tahimik lang ako na kumakain nang halos mabuga ko na ang nginunguya kong carbonara nang makita kung sino 'yung pumasok.
Kiel! With Nikki, Jaethron, Fritz, and they have two girls with them!
Oh my gosh! Triple date ba 'yan?! What if wala talagang boyfriend si Nikki and excuse lang 'yon ni Kiel?
Good thing they didn't see me so I took out my phone to text our group chat.
thomateaneans
Nad:
pOTAH SAAN KAYO RAFI ANDREI !!
Andrei:
naglalagay ng kiss sa cheeks
Maeve:
bakit ganyan mura mo nadeleine may H tanginah
saan kayo
Nad:
HUHU ANDRE LATER NA KISS NIYO PICK ME UP HERE AT BLACK SCOO
Andrei:
Yoko nga. Text mo si Kiro nasa ust din yon
Nad:
nevermind i’m okay na thank you!
I just turned off my phone but it immediately turned on again when I received a message from Kiel on Instagram.
ralpkiel: hi, we're here at blackscoop.
There is a photo of that, it's a photo of his hand resting on the table. Napatingin ako sa kanila at nakatalikod siya, next to him is Nikki, he is the one in the middle and the one on his right is Jaethron. Nakita kong binatukan ni Jaethron si Kiel at napakamot sa ulo. They were all still wearing their uniforms, obviously fresh from class.
Naubos ko na ang carbonara dahil binilisan kong kumain para makaalis na rito. I took my bag and milktea, I was about to get to the door when I heard my name.
"Nadeleine! Hi!"
I looked that way and saw the vlogger who is Maeve's friend. We have become friends because of Maeve and she always greets me wherever I see her. Fuck, hindi ba magseselos mga katips friends ko here? I also noticed that Kiel's friends were looking at me so I wanted to leave even more. Lumapit lang sa akin si Mia para bumeso pero nagpaalam na rin ako at sinabing may emergency.
When I got out and got down, I heard my name again. I looked back. It was Kiel with a big smile on his lips while looking at me.
"Hintayin mo 'ko riyan."
* * *