When Blue Descends

CHAPTER 9

The Caffeine House

"Will you please stop smiling?" I said irritably and sip on my iced americano and looked at other students of Cypress University who also came here after class.

"What? What's wrong with my beautiful smile?" He asked still smiling at me.

His charming. Not gonna lie but I am still freaking annoyed at this guy for k********g me.

"Okay, back to work"

An unfamiliar deep voice howled as soon as he walks into the room giving my whole spine a cold breeze letting out goosebumps in my skin despite wearing a long-sleeve uniform. What an unlucky day...

I saw his legs walk in my direction as I snatched my breath trying not to make a sound to not to get caught. If he saw me here, he can report me to the guidance office for not being in my class during this period. I don’t want to deal with that though and I don't want that for my image.

It is my fault though for running away from Renzial. I should have talked to him and potentially end this charade of observing each other’s feelings towards one another. I know that he has feelings for me but still, I need assurance. I clearly am aware that Pauline feels it too and I don't want our friendship to be atrocious just like what happened before with my ex-best friend, Ociania.

I then heard another footstep coming in front of the CCTV room.

"Oh, Sir? May nakasalubong po akong guard and inutusan po ako na kailangan daw po kayo sa office," a deep yet familiar voice said making my heart flutter.

"Huh? Bakit daw?" The CCTV operator asked as I saw his shoes faced the door to another pair of shoes standing right by the door.

"Hindi po sinabi eh," he answered.

"Ahh, okay. Salamat," the CCTV operator said and walks out of the room closing the door.

I hurriedly stand and tiptoed to the door but as soon as I touched the doorknob, it was locked making my alarms go off. I then lean closer to the door trying to listen at the other side of the door.

"You there?"

Nagulat naman ako at bahagyang napaatras pa palayo sa pinto nang marinig ko iyong boses mula sa kabilang side ng pinto.

I am not sure if it was Jaxen but I prefer to not answer him until he knocks on the door.

"Ako 'to. Lumabas kana riyan," sabi pa niya.

Lumapit naman ako sa pinto.

"Jax? Ikaw ba iyan?" Tanong ko.

"Yeah," sagot niya saka kinalikot iyong doorknob.

"Buksan mo," sabi niya pa saka huminto sa paggalaw ng doorknob.

Agad ko namang hiniwakan ang doorknob saka pinihit ito ngunit para naman akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig nang mapansin kong naka-lock ito pero noong mawala ang pagkaka-lock nang pihitin ko ay hindi parin bumubukas.

"s**t," I uttered. Mukhang na-stuck iyong pinto mula sa malakas na pagkakasara kanina noong CCTV operator.

Mukha namang nakaramdam si Jaxen nang hindi bumubukas ang pinto at banggain niya na iyong pinto.

"Don't tell me it's jammed?!" Sigaw niya mula sa labas.

Napalibot naman ang tingin ko sa buong kwarto at wala ni katiting na liwanag. Agad ko namang kinapa ang phone ko sa bulsa ko para sana gumamit ng flashlight.

"Ang galing," bulong ko sa sarili nang hindi ko makapa sa bulsa ng palda ko at ma-realize na nawawala na rin ang phone ko. Agad naman akong lumapit sa lamesa at sinubukang kapain iyong lapag ngunit puro alikabok lang naman iyong nahawakan ko kaya naman agad ko nang ipinagpag iyong kamay ko saka muling lumapit sa pinto.

Pinilit kong kumalma saka sinubukang hilahin iyong doorknob ngunit ayaw talagang bumukas kaya naman tinigilan ko na iyong paghatak dahil baka masira ko pa iyong pinto.

"Khatalina, andyan ka pa?!" Tanong na sigaw ni Jaxen.

"Oo," kalmado kong sagot saka pinilit huwag ilabas iyong takot na nararamdan ko sa boses ko.

"Gusto mo bang sirain ko pinto?" Kalmado ng tanong niya na ikinakunot ng noo ko.

"Siraulo ka ba? Edi lalo tayong napahamak?" sagot ko sa kaniya saka pinihit muli iyong doorknob.

Napatawa naman si Jaxen na lalong ikinakunot ng noo ko.

"Bakit?" Tanong ko.

"Anong tayo? Ikaw lang naman nakakulong diyan at malayo akong iwan ka," sagit niya saka napatawa lalo na ikinakamot ko ng ulo.

"Hindi ka naman takot sa dilim, hindi ba?" tanong niya dahilan para makagat ko ang dila ko at pigilan ang sariling rumisponde sa kaniya.

Tumigil naman na siya sa pagtawa saka narinig ko na may kung ano siyang ginagalaw sa may doorknob. Hindi naman nagtagal ay parang musika sa aking pandinig iyong tunog ng pinto nang bumukas ito kasabay nang pagpasok ng nakasisilaw na liwanag mula sa labas.

Agad naman akong lumabas ng central control room saka nagtatatalon sa tuwa at napayakap pa kay Jax. Mabilis ko naman na hinatak si Jaxen pababa ng hagdan papunta sa floor ng room namin.

"B-bakit?" Tanong ni Jaxen nang makarating kami sa tapat ng room namin na nakasara parin ang pinto at patuloy na nagkaklase.

"My phone is not here..." I whispered.

"What?! Napakamalas mo naman!" bulong na sigaw ni Jaxen sa akin na nilagay iyong coat niya sa locker niya na nasa tapat lang ng room.

"Oo nga eh," pagsang-ayon ko saka tumingin sa kaniya.

Paano ba naman, hindi naman iyon iyong personal phone ko pero andoon iyong business contacts ko kaya mahalaga parin iyon. Mahirap na baka mamaya may ibang makakuha. Argh.

Napakunot naman ang noo ko nang makitang nagtataka siyang nakatingin sa akin.

"Ano?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.

"Bakit ang kalmado mo? Nawawala na nga phone mo?" tanong niya sa akin nang hindi makapaniwala dahilan para mapatawa ako at iwan siyang nakatayo roon para hanapin ang phone ko sa may hagdan.

Narinig ko naman iyong pagtakbo niya pahabol sa akin saka tumulong maghanap ng phone. Nakita niya iyong phone sa may gilid ng hagdan. Nahulog siguro noong tumakbo ako.

"Ikaw," sagot ko saka nag-focus sa donut ko.

"Where would we go next?" tanong niya saka kumagat sa sandwich niya na sinuklian ko naman nagtatakang tingin.

"Uuwi ka sa bahay mo at magtatrabaho pa ako," sagot ko sa kaniya.

"C'mon, take a break!" Saad niya saka sumandal sa upuan niya.

Hindi ko naman siya pinansin saka nag-relax sa upuan ko.

"You seem very hard working pero parang sinasagad mo naman ata sarili mo if you always have to go to work after school idagdag pa iyong mga assignments, activities, and projects sa school. Seriously, how can you manage it?" He asked.

"I don't know. I feel paranoid naman whenever I have a lot of time," I honestly answered and ate the last bite of my donut.

"That's because sinanay mo iyong katawan mo ng ganyan. Wala ka bang nanay? I bet pinagagalitan ka ng magulang mo, ano?" Taas ang kilay na tanong niya habang nakahalukipkip.

"They're not with me," I said and grab my iced americano as I stand and walk towards the exit.

He then called my name as he follows me in front of the café.

"You can't go home without me!" Sigaw niya dahil hinila niya lang ako kaninang uwian sa parking lot pasakay sa sasakyan niya bago pa ako makalapit sa sasakyan ko.

"Maglalakad nalang ako!" Sigaw ko sa kaniya at nagsimula na maglakad palayo sa café.

"Maglalakad ka mula rito hanggang Ethereal?!" gulat na tanong niya parin saka hinawakan ang wrist ko nang makahabol siya sa akin.

Hindi ko na siya sinagot dahil hindi ko rin naman alam if makakarating pako sa Ethereal nang maglalakad lang dahil iniwan ko ang bag at phone ko sa locker dahil iyong phone ko is nabasag at mahirap na mapindot.

"Khatalina! You can't even call for rescue! Wala kang phone!"

Nagulat naman ako sa boses ni Jaxen na ngayon ay nakasakay na sa sasakyan niya at sinasabay iyong takbo ng sasakyan niya sa lakad ko.

Hindi ko naman siya pinansin at mas binilisan ang paglalakad but it is no use dahil naka sasakyan siya.

"Khatalina, mainit na," saad niya.

I freaking know, Jaxen.

I did not answer him and still continue to walk as I unbutton the sleeve of my uniform and roll it up to my elbow. Wala naman sigurong makakakilala sa akin dito--

"KHATALINA?!?!"

Napahinto naman ako nang marinig ko iyong pangalan ko na tinawag nang iilang boses na hindi ko kilala dahilan para mapalingon ako kay Jaxen na nakangisi saka binuksan ang pinto ng sasakyan niya kaya naman agad ako napaikot sa sasakyan niya at napasakay sa shotgun seat.

Kasunod nito ay ang nakita kong pagtakbo ng ilang tao sa direksyon namin at mabuti nalang ay napaandar na ni Jaxen iyong sasakyan niya.

I then looked at him and noticed that he was smiling and biting his lip.

"Nginingiti-ngiti mo riyan?" Tanong ko saka tinignan ang daanan kung may mga humahabol pa samin at mukha namang sumuko na iyong mga tumawag sa akin.

Muli ko naman nang inayos iyong uniform ko saka pinunasan ang pawis ko ng palad dahil wala rin akong panyo ngayon.

"Seriously, what's with my day today?" I whispered and push my skirt lower as I felt the cold breeze of the aircon in his car. Napatawa naman siya nang marinig iyong bulong ko.

Once again, he throws his coat to my lap saying that I can use his uniform coat to cover my thighs for a bit. I then thank him as I look straight at the other cars passing by.

"Sabi ko sa iyo eh sakin ka na... sumabay eh. Saan kita dadalhin?" Tanong niya habang nakatingin parin sa daan at nakangiti.

Napairap naman ako saka nagsuot na ng seatbelt.

"Sa mall. Mag-date tayo," I answered and looks at him with my widest smile causing him to bite his lip later then eyeing the road.

"Really?" He asks and laughs.

I then snicker and shook my head as an answer. Syempre sa mall dahil need ko ng new phone. Ililibre ko narin siguro siya bilang pasasalamat sa pagtulong niya sa akin buong araw. Definitely not a date.

It didn't take us long to drive to the mall. I hurriedly throw his coat into his face as soon as we parked and jump out of the car. Sumunod din naman siya sa akin nang nakangiti parin.

"Nakakasawa na iyang ngiti mo," saad ko nang hindi siya tinitignan. Napatawa lang naman siya saka sumunod lang sakin.

"Saan tayo?" tanong niya.

"Bili akong phone," sagot ko saka naglakad na papunta sa escalator.

Wala naman akong narinig na tugon sa kaniya kaya naman napalingon ako sa kaniya na siyang ikinagulat ko.

"Oh?" nasabi ko nalang nang makita si Jaxen na nasa baba parin at hindi sumakay ng escalator samantalang ako ay nasa escalator na at pataas.

Ngumiti naman siya sa akin saka ako kinawayan kaya naman napakunot ang noo ko saka tinalikuran siya dahil nasa taas na ako at kailangan ko na bumaba sa escalator.

"Whatever," I whispered to myself as I continue to walk and saw a*****e selling second-hand books.

I decided to go buy a face mask first so that no one can recognize me then went to the book store. I went straight to the mystery section and look for books that I can read and never finish.

I then walk slowly as I let my eyes roam and judge the books by their covers and titles running my fingers over them.

It is weird that I like books but for every book that I bought, I don't always end up finishing them. It is not because I am lazy or I get bored when I read it, it is just I don't have much time to even finish a book. The piles of books I always buy end up on the shelf of my library at my house completely being covered by dust waiting for me to finish them. It is weird but... sad. Anyway, this is my choice though. I really wanted to prove myself that is why I am always working my ass off completely engaging me to a routine that I have now. For the most part, I am still happy that my dreams have come true and now I am known for my skills in photography. I have met amazing employees, models, and photographers that encouraged me to be the best I can and so does the bad ones...

My eyes then darted at an odd book amongst the books on the shelf. Compared to the other books that have more of a dark cover and intense characters, this book has a softer colored cover and a familiar title.

Unintentionally Yours

It is the novel that we have been preparing for the play. To be honest, I don't really like the protagonist. She is just... so weak. Too clingy and adamant over just a guy who clearly doesn't like her. Just like I said before, I am not like her... at least that is how I believe I am when it comes to love. The thought of pushing myself to a guy who doesn't like me just throws me off. I feel like if I love myself and like someone who doesn't want to reciprocate my love, I will stop immediately because I know that in the end, I will just lose. And I just freaking hate losing.

I was about to go to the exit when another book caught my eyes. It was about a young girl who was enclosed in a big birdcage stored in a dark room. I am kind of curious how the story will go, kind of nonsense book but... I am curious. I immediately grab the book and walk in the cashier.

The cashier greeted me friendly and scanned the book I want to buy. I then took my wallet and hand her my credit cash making her smile fade at me.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am, we only accept cash in here," she said making me scratch my head. I let out a sigh and told her that I am not going to buy it anymore as I don't have enough cash in my wallet. Nakakatamad mag-withdraw ano.

Dumiretso na ako sa phone store and bumili ng phone at isang sim just so I can text Kimberly that I will not be able to go there today.

"I guess it is my rest day... " I uttered between my sigh and walks in the department store just to look for something to buy.

I started to feel cold in my legs as well as my hands dahilan para mapahalukipkip ako habang naglalakad. I then took a u-turn as I saw the women's section and tried to look for jackets.

Nagulat naman ako nang may maramdaman akong pares ng mga makikisig na brasong pumulupot sa baiwang ko.

"What do you want, babe?" he asked as I felt his warm breath in my neck making my whole spine shiver.

I hurriedly turn to her and push him away from me.

"Ano ba?! " naiinis na sigaw ko sa kaniya. Mabuti na lamang at kakaunti lang ang tao rito ngayon.

"What? Didn't you miss me? I thought we were on a date?" he asked with his eyebrow furrowed.

Sinuklian ko rin naman siya ng nagtatakang tingin.

"Saan ka nakakita na nagde-date na magkahiwalay?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

"Magkahiwalay?" balik na tanong niya sa akin.

Napairap naman ako. "Iniwan mo ako, hindi ba?" tanong ko.

"Hindi kita iniwan..." sagot niya saka napayuko pa at napahawak sa batok dahilan para lalong ikinakunot ng noo ko.

Hindi dahil sa sinabi niya pero kundi sa pabago-bagong actions niya. I can't keep up.

"I just bought this for you... my... date..." he said almost whispering with his cheeks turning red as well as his ears.

He then brought out a small box from his pocket and hand it over to me. Perplexed, I still managed to say thank you despite stuttering and ignore my fluttering heart.

I opened the small black velvet box showing a small gold leaf hairpin with small diamonds in it making me bite my lower lip.

"J-Jax, you don't have to--"

"Try it," pambabaliwala niya sa sinabi ko saka kinuha iyong hairpin sa box saka lumapit siya sa akin lowering his face and reaching out for my chin slowly lifting it up. I then met his gaze who's seriously staring at my face as he moves my hair behind my hair and put the hairpin on it.

"You have pitch-black straight hair, having this kind of clip can make you even beautiful..." he said then smiled at me making me uncomfortable, and avoided his gaze.

"You really don't have to but thank you... I appreciate it," I said honestly and cover my face with both of my hands as I suddenly feel shy.

Madalas naman akong nakakatanggap ng mga papuri sa ibang lalaki pero kasi iba kay Jaxen. Normally kasi is may kasamang biro iyong sinasabi ng iba pero siya seryoso talaga siya.

"Why are you covering your beautiful face?" he asked smiling widely as he winks at me making me dumbfounded. He then removes his uniform coat and offers it to me for the nth time. Hindi na ako nagreklamo pa at muling nagpasalamat sa kaniya saka isinuot ang uniform niya dahil nilalamig narin ako at nakapalda lang ako.

"Let me treat you to lunch then," I said and smiled at him as I wake up out of my embarrassment.

He then smiled back and rest his right arm over my shoulder. I laughed and jerk his arm away from my shoulders.

Hours went by fast as we decided to go home after strolling around the mall. He drove me to the Ethereal and let Kimberly drove me home. I need to check the Ethereal naman so it is fine.

I went straight to my room and take a bath. Check my emails and did some assignments in school and paper works for Ethereal. I then received an email from Mr. Gregory saying his sorry as there was an emergency he has to attend to. He also asks if he can have a second chance and I hurriedly reply that I don't work with unprofessional partners.

"Emergency, huh? It took him days to say sorry knowing that he has an appointment," I uttered and change my clothes into pajamas and went to bed letting myself doze off and ease the irritating feeling I felt...

Good morning, Khatalina.

My eyebrows then furrowed as I read an unknown number messaged me seconds ago as I am chewing my breakfast. I then ignored it and continue to eat but then stopped midway when I was about to drink the milk Nanay Neli just poured into my glass when my phone rang and vibrated.

Still, it was the same number who texted me good morning so I decided to pick up the call and turn the speaker on.

“Good morning”

I automatically rolled my eyes as I heard his voice.

“Aga mo mang istorbo, Jax!” singhal ko sa kaniya.

“Hindi mo ba ako aayain mag-almusal?” tanong niya.

“Sige, mag-almusal kana. Bye,” sagot ko.

“I mean diyan sa bahay mo?” pahabol pa niya.

“Why would I do that? Wala ka nga rito sa bahay,” walang ganang sagot ko sa kaniya saka sumubo ng pagkain pero nabulunan naman ako agad nang marinig iyong sagot niya.

“I’m right here in front of your house”