Street Lights

Episode 15: Chit-chat

Matteo's POV

“Jack!”

“What? Stop bothering me!”

“Look, I was shocked too! I even spent the whole night thinking what to do next! You have to help me out! This isn't going on as planned!” I screamed!

I really wasn't expecting that Alliyah knows Alex! Especially Juliana! They were the big part of Alliyah's accident with her parents when she was a kid!

Juliana was the first person to know except Misty, Jack and me! And knowing that they already know each other, I don't know! It feels trouble!

I know Juliana doesn't know yet that Alliyah was the girl. And sooner or later, I know she'll find out! Especially now that Juliana's very jealous about Alliyah!

This is not f*****g right!

“I don't even know what to do, Clare! This is gonna be a big trouble! When the time that the council will learn about this, I don't know what to do! Grand mother will f*****g scold us to hell, Clare!” nasapo niya ang noo, and then I thought about Misty.

I know she's thinking about this problem too. and then my thoughts flew to Alliyah. She is so innocent that she still chooses to bond with us even if we were the reason why she is living alone in hell like this!

“I don't want her to know the truth, Jack. I don't wanna lose her.” hindi makapaniwalang nilingon ako ni Jack!

“Oh come on, man! Who would like to lose such friend? She's a good person even though she'd been through terrible experience. But don't be so selfish, Clare.” nasabunutan ko ang sarili ko.

No! She'll never leave me again! She won't be away from me ever again! I know that it is my fault, but even though I made that mistake, I don't want her to leave me just because I made one mistake.

“That was just one mistake, Jack. I know she'll forgive me.” I am losing all my strength just thinking what will possibly happen!

“Yes, that was just one mistake. That one mistake changed her life! The mistake that turned her life to hell, Clare!” I couldn't stop myself! I stood up and punched Jack on his face!

“Shut up!”

“You are the reason why she's suffering now, Clare! So don't just f*****g tell me that that was just one mistake!” nagising ako sa katotohanang isinigaw ni Jack!

I killed her parents..

“I killed her parents..” mahinang bulong ko, but I know Jack heard it!

“Shut up, idiot! Someone might hear you!" nagpalingon-lingon pa siya sa paligid, knowing na everyone could be a spy!

Isang salita nila, sira ka na kaagad.

“What should I do, Jack? I don't wanna lose her..” I took a deep breath, I really can't figure out what to do.

“Clare, you're not just the one who's thinking, okay? So stop freaking out.”

“No! You don't understand me, Jack! I am having a hard time!” hindi ko na mapigilang sumigaw!

“So are we, Clare! So are we! She's been a friend to us, a good friend! And we don't wanna lose her too! Especially, Misty! Imagine Misty giving up her life in this world to be with Alliyah, to help her recover from what happened! Don't be so selfish, dude.” sinipatan ako ni Jack bago niya ako iwan.

Nailibot ko ang paningin sa napakatahimik na paligid. Sa sobrang ganda nito ay tama ang salitang paraiso para ipangalan rito, kaya Paradise ang tawag sa mundong ito.

Napailing ako sa sitwasyon na kinalalagyan ko! I know how I love her, so I won't let her get away from me. I don't want her to leave me.

“I won't give you up, Alliyah..” tuluyang ipinikit ko ang mga mata bago nag-angat ng tingin sa napaka-init na araw.

I know you will, too.

Lumipas ang ilang araw but it didn't changed the fact that I am the reason why her parents died and why she is alone now. I am guilty.

I am so f*****g guilty that I can't look at her eyes anymore because everything that happened that day when she lost her parents will project in one click! And what I don't want is for her to see what really happened back then.

In an instant wish, I want my power, gone. If it will be the barricade against me having Alliyah by my side, I want it gone. Forever

For the past teenage years, I've never been so inlove, since I encountered Alliyah, again. I never thought of us together, especially when I have my darkest secret to from her.

“Clare. Put that aside, your mom's coming.” I heard Jack uttered.

My mom is walking towards us, smiling. Not knowing how problematic his son was. But even though, she still makes up my day, her innocence light up my mood all the time we talk about Alliyah.

Honestly, she want Alliyah for me. She badly do. She always ask me about Alliyah almost everyday! She's also sad when I'll tell her that Alliyah can't visit because she's always busy in school, which is true.

Alliyah being a consistent student can't allowed anything to disturb her focus on studies, even my mom.

“Have you had your dinner?” my mom asked, still smilling. “And oh, Alliyah didn't visit me for almost a month now. How is she?” and there, she goes again about asking me for Alliyah!

“We haven't had dinner, mom. And she's still busy.” napapapikit akong palihim na sumulyap kay Jack habang napanguso ang mama ko.

“Well... she's been busy all times. Maybe she's doing really great in school? Oh never mind! I'll just prepare dinner for you.” tumayo siya at tuluyang iniwan kami ni Jack sa living room.

“Why won't you tell your mom, Clare?” kunot ang noong sinalubong ni Jack ang tingin ko!

“I'm not ready. And I think I don't want her to know, Jack.”

“And why is that?”

“It doesn't make sense at all!” I hissed!

“Moron! She could help you! And she's your mother!” he didn't held back either! We were almost shouting!

I sigh in frustration! I can't really understand things right now. Suddenly I am like a kindergarten kid who don't know how life works!

“Call Misty. Maybe she can give an advice. Isn't she planning about this?” I said, in a low voice.

Since childhood, Misty is good at these things and situations. And I know she's one of those people who could help me.

“We can't. She's with Ali right now.” now, I sighed in defeat!

This is going to be a rough time! Anyone isn't helping so far! And there is only one thing I could think about!

After mom serving our dinner, I did not bother talking anymore. When mom decided to go sleep, I went out with Jack—who is my forever rival. The rival who is beside me at my though times.

“Now tell me, what is going on with your head? Have some plans?” habang nasa byahe ay tanong sa akin ni Jack.

“Uhuh, and you don't have to know.” I didn't bother gazing at Jack as I try to give all my attention on the road, I am driving.

“Clare, you know we are part if this.” he concluded.

“Yes, I know. And I am getting you two out of this miserable sit—”

“No you're not.” Jack cut me off!

“Let's not just talk about this, Jack.” finally we arrived at his house.

But before jumping out of my car. Jack said these words that I will never forget. “Soon, we will have too. Because she will find out.”

She will find out.

How? How could she if I can hid that secret forever? Will someone spit it out for me? No, that is not possible. I have everyone in my side. I know I have.

“Matteo! Pwede ba akong bumisita sa inyo? Paulit ulit na kasi akong kinukulit ng mama mo. I'll just visit real quick.” one afternoon, Alliyah talked to me. I wasn't looking at her eyes as I always do back then.

“Sure. I'll be waiting outside your room after class.” binigyan ko siya ng tipid na ngiti, and then walked away.

I don't wanna spill things out, I don't wanna lose her so soon. I know there is another way, there will be.

After all my classes at the afternoon I got quick outside Alliyah's classroom. I waited at least five to ten minutes before their instructor got her ass out the classroom.

Almost all of her classmates already got out of the room, but she didn't. After looking for her on the hallway—which is now full of students— I still couldn't find her.

When I looked back ate her classroom, she was there. Talking to a guy that is fresh from my eyes. I narrowed my eyes at the guy as they were both having this tiny smiles on their lips.

After minutes of waiting—again— I sighed when Alliyah moved out of the room. She was still smiling, and she wasn't hiding it, she was showing it!

“Enjoyed your little chit-chat?” I said with a cold tone, as what I usually do.

“Hmm, he was just asking for help.” I didn't even bother to answer her, I just walked out of jealousy.

How could she? It's been months of showing how I feel for her, isn't it enough? How could she be so dumb in finding out how I feel for her?

“Matteo! Hintay naman! Walk slowly!” Reklamo niya nang mas bilisan ko pa ang paglalakad.

Pero bahagya akong napahinto nang lagpasan niya ako! She was running! Kumunot ang noo ko!

What is she doing?

Kalmado akong naglalakad papalapit sa kaniya, she's beside my car now. How fast. I stopped myself from laughing.

Before I could open the car door her hand suddenly stopped me! “Were you laughing? What's funny?” she narrowed her eyes at me! “Sabihin mo, Matteo.” inis na pilit niya at hinigpitan pa ang paghawak sa kamay ko!

“Let go, Alliyah.” she smirked walk to the other side of the car.

She was silent the whole time I was driving. Palihim ko siyang sinisilip paminsan minsan because I noticed that she was falling asleep. As I watch her eyes collapsing, a sweet smile grew on my lips.

I wish we can be like this forever.

Napailing ako nang muntik pang umuntog ang ulo niya sa glass window! Ipinarada ko sandali ang sasakyan at maingat na inilagay ang neck pillow sa leeg niya. Maingat ko ring isinuot sa kaniya ang seatbelt saka ko muling pinaandar ang sasakyan.

When we finally got home, I didn't woke her up. I carefully opened the door from her seat and tried to wake her up in a nice way I could.

“Sorry..” she blabbered and hoped out the car.

Maingat na inalalayan ko siya papasok ng bahay when suddenly my mom jumped on her! My eyes widened!

“Mom!” I quickly pulled Alliyah out of her reach and tried scolding my mom! “She just woke up! You don't have to do that!”

“Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to jump on you, darling!” my mom said with an apologetic smile. “Come here, sit. I'll get you water.”

She returned with one glass of water. “Thank you, tita.”

“Of course, no problem.” she took care of Alliyah so I silently walked to my room.

I haven't told my mom yet, not yet. I don't know how she'd act if the truth will be out. And one more thing, the paradise council have something going on, too.

Two days after this we—the peculiars who lived and stayed here— have to go back to Paradise to discuss with the council so we will be leaving Alliyah without any reason.

I don't have assurance that we can go back here easily because we have to face what we have too back at Paradise. Even Misty will come with us, so in conclusion, Alliyah will be left alone.

As the night flies, my mom and Alliyah had their time to ask each other whatever they want. I just stayed a little bit late while they stayed until morning, I guess.