Not What I Expected

Chapter 13

gagawin ko Matt kaya nakipagkita ako sa'yo kahapon." She paused then looked at me.

Tahimik lang ako habang nakikinig.

"Yesterday, I just wanted to tell you everything from the very beginning. But I didn't have enough courage or confidence to do that." She gave me a shy smile. I just raised my brows in response

She looks out the window, the sunlight touching her cheeks like a soft kiss. It's beautiful, but it doesn't make her smile. Her voice shakes a little as she says, "Kung sana nakinig ako sa'yo noong una palang tungkol kay Sun siguro I will not experience this kind of pain." She said smiling sadly at me.

Yeah, kung sana nga ay nakinig ka sa akin. Pero nangyari na eh. I wanted to say but instead I just let out an exasperated sigh.

"Noon maging kami ni Norlan I thought you're going to scold me. But I didn't heard any complaints coming from you. You support me will all your might. When I'm down and need a friend to cry on you always there for me. You always protected me like a real brother. Minsan naiisip ko nalang na baka totoo yung sinasabi ng mga kaklase kong may gusto ka talaga sa'kin." I aggressively looked at her with disbelief.

Kailan man ay hindi sumagi sa aking isipan na magkagusto ako sa kaniya dahil itinuturing ko na talaga siya na para ko na ring kapatid. Nakikita ko kasi sa kaniya si Star. Iyong mahinang Star na hindi kayang ipaglaban ang kaniyang sarili.

She smiled sweetly at me. "Don't look at me like that. Hindi ko rin naman inisip na magkakagusto ka sa akin since wala ka namang ibang nakikita kundi si Sharie."

I sighed in relief.

"But, you know what, Matt?" I looked at her again. I'm a little bit puzzled.

"I'm really happy and lucky to be your friend." She said smiling purely at me. At nang uto pa talaga.

I don't know what to say, but I feel so dazed by what she said. Though Rain is very transparent, she's not usually this vocal about what she really thinks.

"I also lucky to be one of your friend." I replied without even thinking. Because it's true! Wala kang masasabi sa kabaitan niyang taglay.

"I hope one day that I can find someone like you. Someone who can love me like you do in a romantic way. And when you love someone soon. I will definitely support you at all cost." Her eyes are full of hope when she says those words.

There's a small smile plastered on my lips because of what she said. I hope she also finds someone who can definitely love her the way she wants and needs. She deserves all the good and happiness in this world.

She isn't angry, just tired and hurt, like she's carrying something too big for her heart. She sits in the quiet, hoping the sunset will make it all hurt a little less.

"Tara na," yaya niya matapos ang mahabang katahimikan. Madilim na ngunit maliwanag pa rin ang kapaligiran dahil sa maningning na ilaw na nanggagaling mula sa bilog na buwan.

Nabitin ang pagtitig ko sa buwan at napalingon kay Rain. Tumango siya at ngumiti. Napaiwas ako ng tingin tsaka pinaandar na ang makina ng aking sasakyan.

Nasa highway na kami nang makatanggap siya ng Facetime galing sa kaniyang Dad.

"Pauwi na po akoz, Dad." Sagot niya at tumahimik habang nakikinig sa sinasabi ng kausap.

"Si Matt po ang kasama ko. You can speak to him."

Hinarap ni Rain ang phone niya sa akin at nakita ko ang noo ni Tito Drizzle. Close friend siya ni Mama.

"Hi, Tito Driz." Bati ko sa kausap na ngayo'y kisame na ng bahay nila ang nakikita ko sa monitor ng phone ni Rain.

"Drive safely, Matt."

I nod without even looking at the phone. "Yes, Tito." I said.

Nagpaalam na rin si Rain sa kaniyang nag-aalalang Ama bago pinatay ang tawag. Hindi na bago sa akin ang nag-aalalang mukha ni Tito. High school palang kami ni Rain ay ako na ang tanungan ni Tito Drizzle kapag nalilate ng uwi si Rain. Kapag naman kailangan ng kasama ni Rain para sa paggawa ng projects ay ako ang pinapakiusapan ni Tito na sumama sa kaniya dahil malaki ang tiwala nito sa akin at sadyang takot din talaga itong mapahamak si Rain. Nag-iisang anak kasi.

"Salamat sa paghatid. Ingat ka sa pag-uwi. Chat mo ako kapag nasa bahay n'yo na ikaw." Ani Rain nang maihatid ko siya sa kanilang bahay.

"Okay," sagot ko tsaka hinayaan siyang makababa ng aking sasakyan. Nang makapasok siya ng kanilang bahay ay agad kong binuhay ang makina ng aking kotse tsaka inapakan ang aselerador para sa mabilis na pag-uwi.

Ang bahay nina Rain ay malayo pa sa mismong bahay namin. Nakatira siya sa Sta. Theresa sa dating pier samantalang nasa Murtha naman ako.

Nang makarating sa bahay ay agad kong pinark ang aking kotse sa garahe tsaka mabilis na lumabas roon habang nagtitipa sa cellphone ng message kay Rain na nakauwi na ako. Tuloy tuloy ang mga hakbang na aking ginawa matapos kong ma-sent ang message hanggang sa makarating ako sa front door.

I was about to open the door when I saw a shadow from our gate. Nang linungin ko siya'y nakita ko si Norlan na prenteng nakatayo buhat doon.

He still wearing our uniform—neat, dark, and well-fitted on him. The fabric clings just right to his broad shoulders and strong arms. His stance is relaxed, one foot crossed over the other, one hand is resting in his pockets and the other one is holding something.

His hair is cut in a fresh burst fade. The dim light of the night casts soft shadows across his face. The glow touches his skin gently, making him look even more striking. Even in the quiet, there's something strong about him. He doesn't say a word, but his presence says enough.

Napakunot-noo ako. "Anong kailangan mo?" Nagtataka kong tanong.

Tumaas ang kaniyang kaliwang kamay at inihagis sa akin ang isang bagay.

"f**k!" Mura ko nang muntik ng tumama sa aking mukha ang ibinato niya.

Nang mapagtantong bag ko iyon ay napakunot-noo ako.

"Kaisha told me to give it to you." He said then he turned his back at me.

"You can give it without almost hitting my face, asshole!" I said angrily while looking at him walking away farther.

He stopped walking then he looked at me.

"You're welcome," he said sarcastically. "Next time I will definitely hit the face for sure." He added.

I put my tongue against the side of my mouth. This guy is definitely annoying. "There will be no next time!" I snapped at him.

"Yeah, you bet." He replied boredly, then he continued walking away.

Jerk! Someday, I will make you bow down at my feet!