Book Of Unknown

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Bellia’s Point Of View

Quarter to 6 o’clock when I wanted Logan and me to go home, I wouldn’t have sent him because it was late at night, but he still insisted because that’s what he wanted to do earlier. I didn’t refuse because I could do nothing if he wanted to take me to my dorm.

We didn’t use the elevator because we were afraid of losing electricity and getting stuck there, so we climbed a long staircase to get to the fourth floor. We also had a long conversation because we took a slow step on each step.

He giggled as he held onto the wall, “You’re hilarious, Lia. I hope our closeness won’t fade. I like the way you think of jokes.” He adduced and then stopped walking.

I smiled at his superficial pleasure, “Your pleasure is superficial, Logan. My jokes are so corny, admit it.” I said and then pointed at him.

He shook his head and then took another step. “Yeah, maybe, my happiness is shallow. The tears are also shallow, to be sure. Those jokes aren’t corny, though; you’re just really good at making people laugh because of your facial expression and the way you voice them out.”

I pressed my upper and lower lip, “Well, my dad is a bit of a joker when he’s in the mood; maybe I inherited from him my being a joker when I’m in the mood, too.” I ejaculated as I proceeded to take a step.

Sumunod naman siya sa akin. “Okay, since you mentioned your dad, can you tell me about your parents? And if you have any siblings, do me a favor to tell me about them.”

“Of course, no problem.” ani ko, “So, my dad was a former manager of the huge network company, and now, he is working in California with my mum. I don’t have any siblings, and they are both strict. They said they could not hold two or three children. So, in other words, just one is enough, and I’m thankful that they gave me birth.”

He nodded as he sat on the floor. “Ah. They are my mum and dad, too. But, my mum wanted to have two children, but my dad was against her. So, dad left the house only temporarily because they both had a fight, maybe because mum still wanted to get pregnant. I can’t accept the fact that it was the last time I heard dad’s voice.”

I grabbed the back of my skirt and then sat down next to her, “Car accident, my mum said to me. I can’t accept the fact that dad just lost his life; it’s not fair, is it?” He asked and then looked at me.

He turned himself in his hand again. “Hmm, until now. I can’t accept that he’s gone, forever. I was six years old when it happened, too young to lose a father.”

Suddenly I remembered Gabriel, and he was seven years old when his father left him. So, what happened to Logan at the age of 6 was even worse when his father died.

I smiled at him as I caressed his back. “Ya’ know, I can’t say that that’s okay. But, it would be best if you accepted the fact that your father will no longer be in your sight, but he will always be on your side; he will always be, Logan. I’m sure that he is so, so proud of you, even though he didn’t agree with your mum’s dream to give you a sibling, because I know that he has a plan for you, only you.”

Tiningnan niya ako at saka unti-unting ngumiti. “Thank you.”

Binigyan ko siya ng kindat habang hinahaplos ang kanyang likod, “No worries. Happy to help, Logan.” ani ko at saka ngumiti.

As we stared, I saw something translucent standing in front of us.

“Woah.”

I looked at who it was and saw Gabriel standing while holding two different colored plastic in his left hand. "I'm sorry," he said and then passed between us.

He looked at Gabriel and then turned his gaze to me, “He is your close friend, right?” he suddenly asked.

I nodded and followed Gabriel’s gaze up, and he went straight to the fourth-floor corridor. I’m sure he’ll go to the front of my dorm and wait for me to show up.

He stood up and then shook his buttocks. “Can you introduce me to him?”

I nodded slowly. He smiled again and preceded me in stepping to the fourth floor. I followed in his footsteps and until we were bent over to the fourth floor. I was right in my suspicion, and there I saw Gabriel leaning against the door of my dorm while facing his cellphone.

"Hey, bro!" he shouted while still not getting close to Gabriel's direction.

Gabriel looked in our direction and lost his attention on his cellphone, “Hey, Logan. What’s up? ” He greeted him and then put his cellphone in his pocket.

He glanced at me and then faced Gabriel again, “Just nothing, hinahatid ko lang si Lia, and you knew me?” tanong niya sa kanya.

Gabriel nodded as he looked at me. “Yeah. Of course, who wouldn’t be? Kalat ka sa University.”

He frowned and laughed at what he heard, “Huh? I didn’t know that. By the way, you’re Lia’s close friend, right? I’m Logan Tuan, son of Mrs. Isabelle Tuan.” aniya at saka inilahad ang kamay sa harapan ni Gabriel.

Gabriel looked at me first before accepting the hand in front of him, “Gabriel Escobar.” sagot nito.

Ngumiti siya at saka tumingin sa akin, “So, I’m gonna leave, Lia, Gab. Baka hinahanap na ako ni mum,” aniya. “See you both tomorrow, have a great night ahead, Lia.”

I nodded as I fixed myself. “Yeah, same as you as well, take care.”

I followed his gaze as he walked away from us. As he stepped down the stairs, I turned to Gabriel in front of me, “What?” tanong ko.

He just stared at me while still leaning against the door. “Uh. You’re still mad.”

I smirked at what he said, “How dare you say that word, huh? Still? Who wouldn’t be? Gabriel.” I ejaculated and then inserted my hand on his back, leaning against the door. I tried to grasp the door-knob, but he deliberately stressed his leaning against it.

He crossed his arms as he heard me whispering a lousy word. “Are you tickling me? You seem to be making way for us to get along, eh?”

I glared at him while my hand was still behind his back, “Fix yourself.” I told him emphatically.

He even managed to face me without leaving his inclination, “You really can’t understand it, huh? Why? Because of Mrs. Tuan’s son? Is he your new friend, Bellia Laurent?” He said as his eyes searched for me.

Ang kapal, grabe.

I sneered at him and then straightened up. “So, what? What about you if we are friends? We were bonding earlier with De Vio. And, oh, he also treated me to an ice cream pala kanina. You saw that we were together earlier on the stairs, didn't you?” I boast in front of him.

He just stared at me with both of my eyes as his jaw tightened once. “What? Are you now jealous? Because someone just caught my attention? Don’t be, Gabriel. Normalize having a few friends while you are my best friend—? Best, huh. I don’t think so.”

He said nothing but just stared at me. “Don’t just stare at me, coward. I’m not an irritable person, but you just let me be. Thank you for letting me experience the feeling of being mad with someone who can’t protect you.”

I bit my lower lip to stop my tears to drop in front of him. “Ano pang ginagawa mo rito? Ang kapal pa talaga ng mukha mo, ‘no? After what happened,” ipinakita ko ang kamay kong may bandage sa kanya. “Nagkaroon ka pa ng lakas ng loob na ipakita ‘yang pagmumukha mo sa akin?”

“I want you,” aniya.

Biglang nawala ang galit sa aking dalawang mata sa kanyang sinabi. My goodness, Bellia. Stop fooling around! Don’t be so fragile this time, please. Tinitigan ko siya habang naririnig pa rin ang sinabi niya sa akin kanina.

“I want you to forgive me.”

I heard the door open next to my dorm and looked at who had come out.

I saw Matthew come out, and there was another woman next. The two are still wearing uniforms, and it looks like they are going somewhere important.

He left his back and removed my pinched arm behind his back, “Hey, Matt. What’s up? Where are you going?” he asked while Matthew and his female companion had not yet left us.

The woman looked at Matthew, then Matthew looked at the woman. Matthew held his female companion’s hand, “We're dating, don’t you know that Gab?” he said and then looked at the woman.

We frowned and looked at their sudden holding hands. “Oh. Sorry for disturbing you. I mean, I didn’t know that. Because I know that you don’t have an interest in that such thing, you know.”

Umiling si Matthew habang ang babae naman ay nakangiti sa aming dalawa, “I’ll explain this next time to you, Gab. We’re in a hurry,” anito at saka itinakbo na ang babae sa amin.

Sinundan ko ng tingin ang dalawa habang ang katabi ko ay lumayo na sa pintuan ng aking dorm. “I’m expecting that everything between us will be alright tomorrow, or as soon as possible.”

He never let me speak because he left me where I was. He didn’t even give me one last glance as he walked down the stairs. I could do nothing but enter my room.

As I entered, I stepped on some plastic on the floor; I picked them up and remembered that he was carrying them earlier when Logan and I were sitting on the stairs. It’s blue and red-colored.

“Para saan ‘to?” tanong ko sa sarili ko.

I looked at the back of the blue plastic because I could feel a piece of paper there. I closed the door on what I read.

Please, forgive me.