Inaudible Melodies

Kabanata 17

Much more, I forsook his presence and proceed with my pace inside. Moreover, we found two seats that suit both of us.

I put my small bag in the chair before heading to the counter. Kacy was just behind me, following in the queue.

"One pasta and coke." I handed over the payment. She smiled at me so I did the same.

Ako lang ba 'yong tuwing may ngingiti sa 'kin ay awtomatikong napapangiti na rin? Stranger or not, I just smiled genuinely.

A single smile is not expensive to be denied, yes? Wala naman itong presyo para ipagbili.

Furthermore, I leave the line when I'm done and I strode a few meters from Kacy's spot to wait for her while occupying my attention by playing with my phone. Soon, she also finished ordering so we walk together towards our chair.

I laid my order on the table. My forehead knotted when I saw a letter beside my bag. I took it and check it up.

It didn't get away from Kacy's notice. She gives me a questioning eye after glancing at the letter.

"New admirer again?" I shrugged. I don't even know.

"Probably? I don't have any idea."

She shook her head out of disbelief.

I let the letter off from my scrutiny and lodged the letter next to my plate. Why am I bothered by this letter anyway?

I shouldn't be surprised about this 'cause I always received such abundant stuff like this. But still, this letter is something else. It made me curious who owns it.

Yet, I keep my cool and didn't mind that. I yanked those thoughts out of my mind and emptied my irrational thinking.

After Kacy and I ate, we decided to hang out in the cafeteria to kill some time. And for me, I should give myself a clap for not entertaining Lucian through my eyes. I didn't spare him a stare. Fortunately, I was able to.

"Why don't you read that letter?" maya-maya pa ay tanong niya.

My eyes darted to that piece of paper. When my palms touched the letter... I can feel that someone is staring at me intently from behind. I have this weird feeling about that and have goosebumps all over my body.

"Read it, Kacy." I give her the letter and she excitedly took it and flip the page.

It was just three words yet incited a huge impact that almost suffocate and drown me for no apparent cause. I can even hear the loud thud inside my chest because of this.

What the...

"Innocent blue eyes?" she lifted her head and gazed at me with vivid confusion in her eyes.

"Is there anything else written there?" she shook her head with a muddled face.

"This letter is weird, Lea. But it really looks like it was solely made for you. Innocent blue eyes? You have a pair of orbs like a deep ocean." her tonality held bewilderment and I could compromise with that. I'm also baffled just like how she feels.

"How weird..." I mumbled.

Ibinalik niya sa 'kin ang sulat. I'm hesitating to open it, but in the end, I did and read it twice and blink, blinded by the strangeness for a while.

Innocent blue eyes.

Three words but it send thousand of chills over my body. It also made my stomach twitch and there's this feeling again that oddly made me sick.

Something deep within urge me to look around and so, I did. There... Lucian's eyes locked with mine.

His stares are making me feel uneasy on my stool, but I couldn't seem to seek a way to avoid my eyes off him. His eyes look like devouring my strength. Ostensibly, I can't find the courage to stave off my gaze.

Until his eyes bored down to the letter I'm keeping up within my hands. The way his lips sluggishly spanned for a smirk, some line instantly pulled taut on my forehead.

Para saan ang ngising 'yon?

I was the first one to thwart my watch. I saw how Kacy's eyes shot me a meaningful glance. I just hoisted a brow at her.

"Your cousin lined up earlier. He was behind me." she suddenly brought up.

My heart beats faster with a rapid speed, distorted shape, and modified sense.

"But why didn't I see him?" the grazed of tense creep me out. I hope Kacy wouldn't notice the hasty changes in my mood.

"Kasunod mo ako, 'di ba?" I simply nodded, but I can feel my palms moistened.

"He's not the one who's behind me, Lea. It was a woman, but I was shocked to see him already behind me. Perhaps, after you were gone, he also left kaya hindi mo siya nakita."

I can't believe this! There was a growing suspicion in my mind but I ousted it. Why would I suspect my cousin about this letter?

As far as I know, we didn't interact that much, and it didn't appear in my mind to picture out that the two of us can get along together. Thus, I don't have any proof to accuse him of such a nonsense crime!

That's ridiculous!

Bakit sa kanya ako nanghihinala? Lucian probably has no reason to do this and he's my cousin for Pete's sake! He couldn't get any profit for pranking me.

I couldn't find an excuse for his intention if he's the one behind this mischief or whatever.

Nah, it's not Lucian. I'm sure of that. Pero bakit may kakaiba akong kutob dahil dito?

Sucks. Probably, it's just one of my admirers? I shouldn't think this way 'cause surely, it will haul me to the hole of confusion. After all, it's not good to charge him with this misdeed, it will just bother me.

I look paranoid. I badly need to put an end to this curiosity of mine.

"Throw this, Kacy." I paved down the letter on the table before pushing it over her side.

"Huh? Why me? Bakit 'di na lang ikaw?" pagtatakang sagot niya.

"Just throw it away." her eyes were squinting as she stared at me.

"You always kept those letters from your admirers! What's wrong with this one, Lea? This is probably the simplest. Wait a minute- are you affected by this?"

"Yes and no. Yes, it's the most simple letter with three words written on it, but it's giving me creeps! And no, I won't keep that. Hence, just throw it out of my sight."

She eyed me, surprised by my words. "Woi, Lea! It hurts when you cast away something that someone has worked so hard for!" Pinanlakihan niya ako ng mga mata while arguing with her opinion.

"Hindi naman 'yan pinaghirapan, Kacy! It was printed, not hand-written. Honestly, I was wired because of that."

Sumusuko siyang napatingin sa 'kin. "It would be a waste of this person's effort if you'll neglect this."

Kacy seems to have a guilty conscience. And me? I'm not that heartless to get rid of that. It's just that... it turns me into an edgy state.

I'm not like this. I always keep those letters given to me, but this one... it's entirely different. There's something strange about this letter that forged an unfamiliar sensation that burns me whole.

I want Kacy to do the favor for me 'cause there were eyes following our every move, or better to say, my conduct over this particular way regarding this entire scene.

Those pair of hazel orbs pinned me down by a mere gaze.

Lucian...

Why are you looking at us while clenching your jaw? He should be pouring his attention to his girlfriend and not on us, no?

"Basta. Dispose of it for me." the side of my lips lifted for a smile while blurting out my verdict.

However, the way his eyes turned darker like a solemn night, giving me a fervent intensity. Those orbs are the madness told. Like a storm that wanted to have a rampant and wipe out everything I have.

I drew into a deep breath.

His stares had no sign of light. It was narrowed, rigid, cold, and hard. Only the polar extremely existed.

Did I strike out some invisible line? Offended his sensibilities, perhaps.

It feels like my blood had drained and my heart hammered erratically at that thought.

Why are you mad at me, Lucian?

Did I do something horrible that upset you?