When Blue Descends

CHAPTER 22

“W-what? No, I’m fine—”

I didn’t get to finish my sentence as I felt his warm lips pressing them to mine really hard making me not move out of shock with his hands starting to get moving. He starts by gently stroking my back sending thousands of shivers through my spine.

I tried pulling my lips away from his but he pulls me even closer to his body by hugging me tightly.

“Z-Zeke…” I managed to utter as I grip his shoulder tight.

He then pulls his lips away and didn’t look into my eyes. He just stared at his foot as he keeps his head low.

“K-Khatalina, I really like you…” he uttered almost inaudible which was then followed by the heavy pouring of rain.

I don’t condone his actions but the fact that it is his birthday is forcing me not to be mad at him even though it is not an excuse to do what he just did.

“Pumasok na tayo roon,” I said not responding to what he just said.

We already talked about this. I don’t want to explain myself over and over again. I hate it.

I then took a deep sigh as he still didn’t move to let himself get drenched with rain.

“Please?” I asked making him lift his gaze to mine.

“You don’t have to explain yourself… it’s my fault, I am sorry,” he said as if he had read my mind.

He then smiled bitterly as he turns his back at me and walks into his house leaving me behind while soaking wet with rainwater…

57 missed calls from Kimberly.

3 missed calls from Mama

I once again closed my eyes shut as I have read the notifications from my phone. I then listened to the silent sound of my room as it is still enveloped with pitch-black due to my closed doors and curtains.

I bit my lips as I keep pushing my mind to stand up but my body refuses to do so. At this hour, I should have eaten my breakfast already but Nanay Neli took three days off yesterday so I have no choice but to prepare for myself.

My phone ring once again for the nth time this morning. I then look at it and Kimberly’s name is on it so, I decided to accept her call.

“Ma’am? You didn’t respond to my email last night, are you okay?” she immediately asked as soon as I answered the call.

“Yeah, just a bit sick. Anyway, regarding the email, I approve of that. Can you please take care of it today? I don’t think I will be able to attend any meeting today,” I answered as I decided to stand up and make my bed as I am still holding my phone with one of my hands.

“Oh, nag-aalala na nga po ako at hindi kayo nakakapag-reply sa akin. Balak ko na nga po sanang pumunta riyan. Kumusta naman na pakiramdam mo?” Kimberly asked making me smile a little as I went out of my room.

“Just a bit tired and my head’s pounding. Don’t worry though, I can still move. In the meantime, go talk with Zeke regarding the activities he has been talking about last week,” I said walking down the stairs.

“You should take some rest, okay? Since it’s Saturday, I’ll take care of everything. I’ll free up your day tomorrow, too. Do you want me to mail an excuse letter to your school? Makakapasok ka ba?” she asked making me giggle as I turn on the lights in the kitchen.

“Please,” I answered and walk to the fridge.

“Alright… Oh, yeah, Zeke has been looking for you since he got here. He seems… disturbed?” she said almost not sure of what she’s talking about.

“Oh…” is the only word I manage to respond to.

“Has something happened yesterday?” she asked.

“Usual him,” I answered which was then supported by her tittering.

“When it’s only the two of us,” I continued smiling because of hearing Kimberly’s laughter on the other line.

“Right, sabi ko na nga ba ikaw lang inimbita niya eh. Kahapon kaya may mga dumating na bisita hinahanap siya rito kaso hindi naman namin alam isasagot dahil hindi siya nagsabi san ka niya dadalhin,” she tells laughing.

“He kissed me yesterday,” I said as I fry an egg on the frying pan and prepare some rice.

I heard her gasped making me shake my head as I remove the fried egg from the frying pan and fried one Hungarian sausage.

“What happened?” she asked.

“Naintindihan naman niya na iyong reaksiyon ko and nag-sorry siya,” I told her as I look for an apple juice in the fridge and pout it in a glass.

“Hay nako, sana makahanap na siya ng lalandi sa kaniya,” she said as she released a sigh.

“Anyway, nag-almusal ka na ba?” she asked.

“Currently preparing my breakfast,” I answered as I then fried my rice after removing the sausage from the pan. I then added some seasoning to my rice.

I know that I wouldn’t be able to taste all of this as I still feel bad but if I let myself be eaten by with what I am feeling right now, I wouldn’t be okay as soon as possible.

“You? Nasaan si Nanay Neli?” she asked.

“Day off. Don’t worry, okay lang ako,” I assure her.

“You sure? You want me to go there later?” she asked again worried.

“Yeah, don’t stress yourself, mahahawa lang ako sa ‘yo eh,” I said smiling as I turn off the electric stove.

I then cough as I feel the warming sensation in my eyes as I sit on the chair in front of my breakfast. I knew it, naupo lang ako bigla ko nang naramdaman iyong sakit ko.

“Alright, magpahinga ka na after niyan, okay?” she said.

I then assure her that I will take a rest and ended the call so that I can focus on my food. I then darted my eyes on the 25-inches flat screen television in my living room that I can see right here at the dining table.

I decided to move all of my food to the living room as I then open the television and play my favorite mystery-gore anime. Good thing Nanay Neli wasn’t here or else, she’ll faint from the gory scene that just played on the television.

I was about to take a bite of my sausage when I heard my doorbell rang twice making me furrow my brows and put down my plate on the living room table. I then stand and look at the monitor to see who’s in front of my gate.

“What the actual f*ck?” I whispered as I saw Jaxen wearing a black leather jacket on top of his uniform still on his motorbike.

He then clicks the doorbell again making me look at my coat hanging on the coat rack and put on a black coat as I know it is still cold outside and I don’t wear any bra underneath my pajama and went out instead of clicking the button to automatically open the gate and take my time walking miles just to reach my gate. I even enjoyed the cold breeze of air in through my hair as well as it is still dark.

“I wonder if he’s still there once I come there,” I whispered to myself making me a little out of breath.

Oh gosh, I think I am not letting myself rest. Bakit ba kasi pupuntahan ko pa siya kung puwede ko namang pindutin nalang iyong button nang mabuksan iyong gate?

“Oh, bakit hindi mo nalang binuksan nang automatic?” Jaxen asked as he darted his gaze at me the moment I opened the gate.

“I feel like walking,” I answered and let him drive in.

“Sakay ka na. Mukha kang matanda, masama pakiramdam mo ba?” he asked looking at me with his furrowed brows.

I then walk closer to his bike and ride on it as he then drives gently.

“Bakit ka naka-uniform?” I asked as I am curious why is he wearing one.

I mean, I am supposed to go to school today for the awarding of participation from the play we did yesterday but we’re not mandated to wear uniform because there’s no class on Saturdays.

"Wala, akala ko Friday ngayon," he answered which was then followed by his laughter.

"So, that explains why you’re early," I commented smiling.

The ceremony today will be starting after lunchtime. He stayed quiet until he stops driving in front of my house.

“Why don’t you have any security here?” he asked as he roams his eyes around the outside of my house.

“Even if you are with Nanay Neli, I think you should have at least had a guy who can protect you two here,” he said as he helps me to get out of his bike.

“Which guy do you suggest? Ikaw?” I asked as I rest both of my arms against my chest as I feel a little cold.

“Pfft, no. Kapal mo naman,” he said snickering as we went inside.

I hurriedly sit on the couch and reach for my food and continue the anime I was watching.

Jaxen then sits on the other couch looking at the television with his lips parted apart.

“I have securities, hindi lang sila naka-display sa labas. You don’t have to worry,” I uttered as I take a spoonful of my food and shove it in my mouth.

He then looked at me with his eyebrows knitted to one another as he moves his hand to his hair and brush it upwards.

“Where are they?” he asked.

“Secret,” I told him as I pan back my attention to the television which scene now is a guy murdering one of the stupid characters in the movie.

“How can you eat so good while watching that kind of scene?” he asked.

“Why?” I asked as I took another bite.

“It’s freaking graphic!” he said while pointing at the television.

“So? I am used to watching movies like that,” I said as I focus on my breakfast.

“You okay?” he asked after being quiet for seconds.

Napatingin naman ako sa kaniya saka naman ako ay napangunot ng noo.

“Yeah”

“Oh. Yeah?” he asked as he stands and put his hand on my forehead.

Worry then registered on his face as he then sits beside me.

“Nilalagnat ka ah!” saad niya saka mukhang nagpa-panic.

“Yeah, a bit,” I answered as I finish my food.

“Nag-almusal ka na ba?” tanong ko sa kaniya ngunit hindi naman siya umimik at seryoso lang na tumingin sa akin saka inagaw pa iyong mga plato na hawak ko.

“You stay there,” he demanded as he stands and take all the plates and brings them back into the kitchen.

Napakamot naman ako ng pisngi ko saka ibinaling na lamang ang atensyon ko sa telebisyon saka itinanggal iyong coat na suot ko dahil nagsimula na akong makaramdam ng init.

“Do you have any thermometer?” he asked while he’s still there in the kitchen as I heard the dishes clicking together with the water.

“I guess he’s washing the dishes,” I whispered as I then hug the pillow and lay on the couch.

I wonder how I can thank him for the things he had done to me. Also, why are we not competing anymore? I kind of miss it though…

“You should sleep on your bed and not there”

Nagulat naman ako sa boses niya at napatingin sa kaniya na nakasandal sa sandalan ng couch habang nakasilip sa akin na nakahiga.

“Bakit ka pumunta rito nang ganitong oras?” I asked as I remember that it is still early in the morning.

He then looked surprised by my sudden question as he then avoided my gaze and scratch his nape.

“Answer me,” I uttered as I feel that my eyes started becoming heavy and my gaze getting hazy.

“Just want to check you from yesterday…” he answered making me wonder what he meant.

“Yesterday’s what?” I asked.

“I saw you yesterday…”

I didn’t get to hear his words as I completely dozes off concealing my gaze from the sight of his handsome blushing face into pure darkness…