Until I Found Her

Kabanata 5

Asher and I fucked each other for the rest of the semester and then it was the start of vacation.

"What time ang flight mo bukas?" He asked as we were eating burger sa loob ng car niya.

"Hm, 7AM. So I have to be at the airport around 5:30 just to be sure. Nakapagcheck-in na ako online."

"Okay. I'll be here before 5."

"Huh? Bakit? Maggagrab nalang ako."

"No way. I'll drop you off." He shook his head and took the last bite on his burger.

"Okay, fine."

"When are you coming back?"

"Sa November 3 pa."

"Tagal."

Tumawa ako. "Why don't you sleep at my condo tonight? Umuwi na ng Baguio si Lottie."

He grinned. "Okay."

"Ang daling kausap."

We drove to my condo building and doon na siya pinapapark ng guard sa level 1. Kilala niya na ata si Manong at binigyan na siya ng sticker sa parking.

Nakapack na ang gamit ko sa isang carry-on and nakalagay na ito malapit sa pinto ng kuwarto ko.

I started doing my skincare routine habang si Asher naman ay nakahilata sa kama at nagcecellphone.

After ng skincare ko ay naupo na ako sa kama and was wearing my nightie.

"Why do you always look so hot?" He suddenly asked.

"Because I am hot."

"Anong gagawin mo sa two weeks sa Bacolod?"

"I don't know? Eat out, see friends, hike? Ah, Masskara pala, so will definitely party."

"Masskara?" He asked.

"Yes. There's like a dance parade and they will usually close the street on weekends and there will be bands, food at the streets. That's also a time when most high school friends see each other and drink."

"Sounds fun. When is it?"

"Let me see." I opened my phone and checked the calendar. "24th is the highlight."

"Nice." He smiled. "Well, I hope you enjoy your time there. Don't miss me too much."

"I won't." I stuck out my tongue and he scowled. "Baka ikaw ma-miss mo ako."

"Followed you on IG."

"Luh, why?"

"Why not?"

"I mean, we don't follow each other on socmed, so why now?"

"I want to see your stories when you're home. You know, how nice Bacolod looks like. Accept mo."

"Fine." I confirmed his follow and I followed him back.

I saw he posted a photo on his story and it was me tying my hair up while turning my back on him. Hindi naman kita ang mukha at katawan. Parang nahagip lang ang photo.

"Why did you post this?!"

He just laughed. "Idedelete ko ba?"

"Bahala ka. IG mo naman iyan."

I turned off the lamp on my bedside table.

"Niana.." He whispered in the dark. "How about a parting gift? It will be two long weeks before we see each other again."

True.

So I turned to face him and was taken aback when I saw him staring at me. His eyes dark and grim.