Embrace Of Night

CHAPTER 10

IT was already dark when we managed to leave the gymnasium. We had a hard time squeezing through the crowd due to the large number of students who watched the game.

The atmosphere was still buzzing with the excitement of the match, and the echoes of the cheers could still be heard as we made our way out.

Chineck ko ang aking phone nang mag-vibrate ito at nakita ang text message ni Eros.

'Where are you na?'

Agad ko naman itong nireplyan na pauwi na ako. Nauna ng umalis sina Eya at Mila dahil sinundo sila ng kuya nila. Kasama ko ngayon si Lesley at naisipan niyang bumili ng street foods.

“Uy, gabi na, wala na atang bus.”

Napaisip tuloy ako dahil sa sinabi niya, posible kasing wala na ngang bus na dadaan. Paano ako nito makakauwi? Shit.

“Siguro, mayroon pa naman,” kumbinsi ko rito pero sa isip ko'y wala na talaga.

Tumuhog ulit siya ng fishball at sinawsaw sa sauce, ganoon din ang ginawa ko. Ang sarap talaga ng street foods lalo na 'pag libre.

“Marky!” Biglang sigaw ni Les.

Sinundan ko ang direksyon kung saan siya nakatingin at laking gulat ko nang mula sa kalayuan ay naglalakad papalapit sa amin ang varsity boys.

But there are only four of them. Where is the other one? Where is Jaxon? Maybe he went home earlier.

Mabibilis ang mga hakbang nila kasing bilis ng tibok ng aking puso! Bakit ba ganito ang nararamdaman ko.

Nangungunang maglakad si Kyler habang nasa hulihan naman si Santiago na sa una'y hindi ko makilala dahil sa kanyang suot at sombrero.

Lesley held my right hand. “Alam ko na!”

I looked at her, startled by the sudden increase in her voice.

“Sumabay ka na lang sa amin ni Marky.” Aniya.

I raised an eyebrow at what she said. Should I join them? That's embarrassing! I might end up being the talk of social media tomorrow.

Maglalakad na lang ako hanggang bahay kaysa maging pulutan ng chismis. Ayoko ng dumagdag pa mga problema ko. Hays.

Marky raised an eyebrow inquisitively as he confidently approached us, Lesley and me. It was the first time I had the chance to observe him up close, and I couldn't help but be captivated by his striking features.

There was an indescribable charm about him that seemed to come effortlessly. From his perfectly shaped, thick eyebrows that framed his piercing eyes, to his lips that had a natural, alluring shade of red, every detail seemed to enhance his overall appeal.

“Ah—she's my friend,” Lesley explained.

“She's pretty,” Charles commended.

My ears seemed to perk up at the sound of his words, and my eyes instinctively turned towards him. He had a smile on his face. Should I thank him for the compliment, or was it even meant as a compliment? I couldn't help but wonder, unsure of how to respond.

Parang wala naman pakialam sa nangyayare si Grey dahil busy ito sa kanyang phone.

I glanced at the tall guy standing behind Charles. His eyebrows were furrowed, giving off a confrontational vibe. What could be his problem with me now? I couldn't help but wonder, feeling a mix of curiosity and annoyance.

“Tinext ako ng kapatid mo na sumabay ka na lang sa akin pag-uwi kasi gabi na.”

"Thanks, tapusin ko lang ito," Lesley pointed to her food.

Feeling out of place, I wished I could just disappear from the situation. I lowered my head, hoping to blend into the background and escape the uncomfortable atmosphere.

“Nga pala, sabay na rin natin itong kaibigan ko, wala na kasing masasakyan 'to pauwi eh.”

I looked up in surprise at what Lesley had just said. She really said it! It was embarrassing. I wished the ground would just swallow me whole.

“Eh kasi—”

“I'll drive her home.”

We all turned to look at the person who spoke. His expression was serious, devoid of any visible emotion. I blinked, wondering if it was really Santiago standing before me.

It was really him.

I took a deep breath before speaking. “May bus pa 'yan,” sabi ko.

Santiago quickly responded, “No, I'll drive you home.”

“May bus—”

I paused mid-sentence, realizing that the attention was now focused on the two of us. Lesley had a bewildered expression on her face, while Kyler and Charles were laughing uncontrollably.

Nakakahiya. I was so caught up in the moment that I completely forgot there were people around us.

Wala na akong nagawa nang umalis na sila at naiwan kaming dalawa ni Santiago. Binilin pa ako ni Lesley rito na ihatid daw at mag-iingat. What the heck, it's as if she's really close to this guy, siguro, dahil din kasi kay Mark Kyler na pinsan niya.

But what I remembered more was what Charles told Santiago.

'Bro, drive this princess safely home.'

That damn womanizer. We were now walking towards the parking lot, presumably where his motorcycle was parked.

"Saan ka ba nakatira?" He asked.

He seemed more formal today, and I couldn't help but wonder why. He didn't seem like the usual carefree Santiago I knew.

“San Vicente.” Tipid kong sagot.

Lumapit siya sa akin at maingat na isinuot ang helmet. My heart started racing again, as if it was about to explode, every time he got close to me.

“Okay, sakay na.”

I got on the motorcycle. It was my first time riding or being a passenger on one, so I felt nervous. From now on, I promised myself that I wouldn't let it get late when going home.

Umandar na ang motor.

“Hold me tight.”

“What?!”

“Sabi ko... humawak ka sa'kin nang mahigpit baka mahulog ka.”

My hands were trembling as I placed them on his waist. My heart felt like it was about to burst because of everything that was happening. I just wanted to get home.

Because of the wind, I could smell his cologne so clearly. He really smelled good. It made me curious about what perfume he was using.

He seemed focused on driving, his hands firmly gripping the handlebars. Meanwhile, my hands held onto his waist tightly, seeking a sense of security amidst the exhilarating ride.

“I can't breath.”

I quickly loosened my grip on his waist. Shit, nakakahiya. Was this all just a dream? I couldn't believe that this was actually happening.

“You know... You were the first person I've ever ridden with this.”