Get Through the Night (ACATN Book 2)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3
"Balance"

Swallowing the invisible lump in my throat, I tried to adjust with my wildly beating heart. Buhay na buhay ito. Hindi ko pinalagpas na mapagmasdan siya. I am truly happy to see him again.

"Bagay sa'yo," I truthfully said. Biting my lip, I looked up a little to find his gaze again. I released my lip saka kalmadong huminga.

"Bagay na bagay."

Umigting ang panga niya. His chilling gaze bore to me, it seeps through my bones.

Gusto kong matuwa na kahit gaano siya ka-intimidating, nasasalubong ko pa rin ang mga mata niya. For a long time, I thought I'd break down if I see him again. Akala ko hindi ko kakayanin. Akala ko manghihina ako ng lubusan.

Pero ito, I can manage a smile. I can manage myself ng maayos unlike before. I feel comfortable seeing him doing well.

"Um, ang tagal na pala. Ang bilis ng panahon, 'no? Engineer ka na talaga. Mas maaga mo palang natapos ang course mo?... Tapos nag-top ka pa at maraming recognitions. It's no surprise naman."

"How about you?"

"Ako?" Mahina akong natawa. "Ga-graduate pa lang ng Senior High... sa susunod na linggo."

"That's good. What do you plan to do next?"

My heart leaps a bit at his small response. Ang akala ko ay hinding hindi niya na ako kakausapin. Ang akala ko, gaya noon, I'll be a stranger to him. Hindi niya kilala at wala siyang pakialam.

"Hindi na siguro muna ako mag-co-college. May aasikasuhin muna ako."

"Like what? Any health concerns?" His brows furrow, saglit lang naman.

"Huh?" I lightly shook my head. I am ruminating if I should tell him about the things I do. Interesado ba siya? Or maybe he is just being nice.

"You're still under therapy."

"Hindi na. Huminto na ako. O-Okay naman."

Sa riin ng titig niya pakiramdam ko basa niya na ang tumatakbo sa isip ko. Nababasa niya rin ba ang konting kaba ko? Ang konting takot? Ang pagdadalawang isip?

"What do you mean?"

"Nakakapagod na kasi. But I am really doing fine. And thankfully, my recent checkups are good."

Sa klase ng titig niya parang hindi siya naniniwala. But what do I really know what's running inside his head? At isa pa, I don't think iisipin niya pa ang kalagayan ko.

"If you're not pushing through college and not focusing on your therapy, what are you gonna do then?"

Tumitig ako sa kanya pabalik, nag-iisip ulit. Binalik niya ang tanong, so he is really listening at siguro gusto niya ring malaman.

"I'm still trying and learning how to efficiently run this small foundation that I started, kaya iyon na muna. I'm also opening my cafe soon, uhm, so magiging abala ako no'n."

I don't see any reaction from him. Nasurpresa man lang ba siya? Is he doubting? Kung magagawa ko ba ang mga 'yon? Pero dati... I remember... he has been so supportive... pero dati naman iyon. Iba na ngayon. And maybe, possibly, he thought of my previous health condition kaya baka nga nagdadalawang isip siya.

"If by chance, maybe you want to visit? My treat, puwede ka magsama ng... ng..." My fingers fidgeted while I struggle to continue my sentence. "Kahit sino. Pero hindi ka na siguro makakauwi ng Bukidnon? I think you're busy, eh. Tama ako?"

Wala siyang naging tugon. Ikiniling ko naman ang ulo ko, naghihintay pa rin. My shoulder sagged when he did not say a thing.

"S'yempre, abala ka. And I am sure you have big projects that you handle kaya rito ka lang."