Chapter 68

Hillary's POV

We're back to school and I've seen new faces, but still, mas marami ang kilala ko na. I and Sky are classmates in two subjects only. I don't know if I should be happy or sad about it. Minsan ko na lang din siya makita at makausap. Maybe he's doing it for our betterment. Okay na rin ako ro'n. Besides, he got some friends. I placed in an easement because I know he's not alone.

"Oh, sh*—" I stopped myself from cussing. I didn't know it's Professor Lance who'd suddenly grabbed me. Tsk!

"I'm sorry," he apologized too soon.

"Hmm, Sir, could you please take off your hand? I don't want to cause misconception," like hello, it's launch time, there are other students around us at baka 'pag nakita nila kaming gan'to ay mag-isip sila ng masama.

"I'm sorry again," he replied. "But, I just want to invite you. "

"Ha?"

Invite? We're not that close tapos sasabihin niya 'yan sa'kin? Then, I'm not wrong? He—never mind.

"Today's my birthday and I am inviting you to come to my house after school."

My brows knitted more. I shouldn't be nervous, but damn, my heart beats so fast! Kinakabahan ako nang sobra-sobra! Bakit niya ako iniimbita? Nakakatakot naman 'to!

"Don't worry marami rin naman akong inimbita. I just want you to be there," he uttered again.

"But, Sir, isn't it strange? We're just having this student-teacher relationship, we're not even friends, so why on earth you're inviting me on such special day of yours?" I asked, so damn confused!

"Because I have something to show you. I am not forcing you to come, Hillary, but I just want you to know that it's very important."

"A-Ano ho 'yon?"

"If you're curious, then be there later. I'll just message you the address. I am expecting you to come, Hillary, but if you can't, then I'll try my best to persuade you next time," he then suddenly walked away, he didn't even say his goodbye. Tsk, he just leaves me like that!

Pero, I can't lie, I am wondering what's with that important something he wants me to see. Tsk!!

***

My class is done. I am now at the bleachers, alone. Andrei and Driana are off for their date, Clarkson went home immediately for their family dinner, and here I am, watching the athletes having their training. I didn't tell them about Sir Lance's invitation.

And, speaking of him, I am still stuck between going to his birthday celebration or not. Tsk!

I suddenly saw Sky, walking through here. I wanted to leave, but I end up staying. "Ba't andito ka pa?" he asked.

"Hmm. My mind is a mess," I replied and I know he didn't get me. "Sir Lance is inviting me to come on his birthday celebration," I added.

"Birthday celebration? Why he's inviting you?" see? I'm not the only person who's curious about it.

"He got something to show for me."

"Show you, what?"

"I don't have any idea at all. I am also wondering kung ano 'yon."

"Why don't you go?"

"Ayoko."

Natatakot nga ako! Baka mamaya aamin pala siya sa'kin tapos-tapos hindi ko na alam kung ano 'yong susunod na mangyayari. Basta, natatakot talaga ako, period.

"I'll come with you," Sky uttered again. "Kahit hindi ako invited."

"Tss, curious ka lang sa ipapakita niya, eh."

"Yeah. So, let's go?"

Pupunta o hindi? Pupunta o hindi? Pupun-

Hinila na niya ako kaya wala na akong nagawa pa. Sir Lance sent me his address already kaya pinuntahan agad namin 'yon ni Sky.

But, sh*t! Why we're together, all of a sudden? Hindi ko na alam kung kailan kami huling nagkausap, pero nang nag-usap kami kanina ni Sky parang wala lang! Tsk! Kaya hindi ako makapag move on kasi bigla-biglang nagiging gan'to kami, eh. Parang wala lang. Tsk, kainis!!

***

"W-What the heck, Sky. Are we in the right place?" confusion can really be seen on my face. Kasi naman andito na kami sa lugar na sinabi ni Sir Lance, pero ang weird, walang ka tao-tao, walang maingay, as in wala! Parang walang birthday celebration. Sh*t, jinojoke time niya ba ako?!

"Let's prove it," he then went to the gate and hit the doorbell button.

Minutes after, Sir Lance went out. So, we are in the right place? How come it looks like he doesn't have visitors?

"I'm glad you came," his smile is really genuine. He looks at Sky and he just smiled at him! Mas lalo lang akong naguluhan. Hindi siya galit upon knowing that Sky came with me, ibig sabihin mali ang hinala ko. "Pumasok kayo," he uttered again.

As we went inside, no one's really here and no signs that he's having a birthday celebration. He sat at the couch and took a deep breath, "Hillary," he's very serious, no doubt. Kaya gustuhin ko mang magtanong, eh nanahimik na lang ako. "Please come with me," he uttered after a second. He went upstairs and so we followed him immediately.

"This is so weird," Sky whispered. Tsk, indeed! Kinakabahan tuloy ako ulit.

Huminto kami sa isang kwarto at binuksan agad ni Sir Lance ang pinto. Nagtaka ako nang makarinig ng ingay mula sa isang monitor. Nang tuluyan kaming makapasok may isang lalaking sobrang payat ang nakaratay sa kama.

"Hillary, it's not really my birthday," Sir Lance uttered. "It's his birthday," he looked at the guy who really looks so awful. He's so thin, he got so many wires attached in his body, and he looks so miserable.

"B-bat niyo ho siya ipinakita sa'min?" I asked.

"Siya 'yong sinasabi ko sa'yo na gusto kong makita mo," he replied. "He's my younger brother, Lenard Chua."

My jaw dropped! Lenard Chua, he's that man who's been chasing me when I was still studying at MU! Sh*t! Anong nangyari? Ba't siya nagkaganito?