Chapter 2

His fingers clutched on the strings of his white eye patch, bringing it fit on his left eye. He looked upon the slightly opened window blinds, counting every vehicle passing by the road.

"Asan na kayo, bro? Kanina pa ako nakaabang dito..." Tinapat niya ang speaker ng cellular phone sa tainga.

"We're close, we just stopped by the gas station, uhm, you know," said the man at the other line. That's Matt, the oldest.

"Teka, sandali, maghintay ka lang. Nagpapafull tank lang kami." and that's Marco, Matt's younger brother.

"Ha? Aish..." Ginulo niya ang buhok. He messed his hair out of frustration, looking at his wristwatch.

"Pero malapit na kami. Abang ka lang, kulay dilaw yung sasakyan, check mo kami!" Pasigaw na sabi ng kaibigan sa kabilang linya.

The noise faded as he slid his phone back in his pocket. Julian sat down by the window seat, remembering the smallest details of the room; from the unfurnished wooden floor, the rugged carpet, the dusty windowsill.

He came from the small town, Hazelwood, while the Lancaster siblings are all the way from the New Lake. They are about to fetch him to travel back into the city to finally live his life. The suitcases are waiting just beside of the bed, in his dark, chilly room. His friends, the Lancaster brothers, insisted him to live with them. It won't cost a fortune to adopt a poor, lonely boy, they say.

Hindi alam kung nasaang lupalop ang tunay na magulang ng binata. Mula kasi ng magkaisip ay pasalin-salin na lamang si Julian ng magulang at matitirhan. Noong una ay maayos ang pakikitungo sa kaniya ng tita nito, hindi nagtagal ay pinagdamutan na rin. He had lost his vision on his left eye due to severe mental disorder, and since then, everything was not the same anymore.

The Lancasters decided to have Julian as part of the family. Parang magkakapatid na rin ang turing nila sa isa't-isa at mas pabor dito ang dalawa dahil mas mababantayan nila ang kaibigan.

He heard a honking outside and immediately stepped out of the room. Marco is sticking out his head of the window at the passenger seat, while Matt, is on the driver's seat, calling Julian in.

"Hop in, I'll take your things," said the older, with a smug look on his face.

"You're finally leaving this shithole town, dude. Sa amin ka na titira, sarap buhay lang tayo doon." Marco greeted him as he opened the door for Julian.

The mother of the Lancasters passed away two years ago after conceiving the baby girl. While, Mr. Lancaster, their father, is a middle-aged man, who is always seen wearing a faded coat and a pair of brown leather shoes. Once they are all settled, the oldest accompanies Julian to get in the vehicle.

"Don't. I can manage." the youngest blurted out. He never liked feeling he is helpless.

"So, how's life, Jules?" Marco asked. He never really shuts up.

"Never better." he plastered a genuine smile on his face.

___

Mabilis ang takbo ng kanilang sasakyan sa kahabaan ng matarik at malawak na kalsada.

"Pagkadating na pagkadating natin sa Seoul, um-order tayo ng pizza't coke, tamang tama wala si tatay." Anunsyo ni Marco.

"Ayan ka na namang bata ka ha! Puro ka gastos, isusumbong kita kay tatay." Pagsalungat naman ng panganay.

"Hindi naman magagalit si tatay, kuya. Hayaan mo na! Ngayon lang naman."

Nasa kalagitnaan ng pagmamaneho si Matt nang may pumukaw sa atensyon niya sa gilid ng kalsada. Binagalan niya ang takbo hanggang sa itinabi niya ang sasakyan.

"Woah, why are we stopping?" asked Marco.

"There's a girl..."

Ang babaeng nakaputi at mahabang bestida ang tinutukoy niya. Nakataas ang dalawang kamay nito at binabandera ang karton na sinulatan lamang ng

New Lake. Sinasampal siya ng makapal at nangungulot niyang buhok dahil sa lakas ng hangin.

Nagningning ang mata ng dalaga nang tumigil ang kulay dilaw na sasakyan. Kanina pa kasi siya nakatayo dito at bukod tangi itong nagbigay pansin sa kaniya.

"Miss, you need help?" Matt wandered his eyes on her. He couldn't believe there is still a girl like this. She has a different style and an intimidating facade. And of course, ragged and weird looking.

"I need... please help me! Would you let me ride along the central city?" Pinagdikit pa ng dalaga ang magkabilang palad at iniharap sa lalaki ang hawak-hawak niyang karton.

She can't help peeking inside the van. The windows are heavily tinted and she couldn't imagine the faces of the people inside. She is curious. Trudy stood straight and fixed her hair.

Humans... Boys... Her palpitations are getting wild. Hindi siya makapaniwalang dinungaw siya ng mga kalalakihang ito.

Wow... humans are kind. And handsome! Trudy thought.

The older assisted her inside the van. Matt held her arms like she was fragile. Walang bakas ng pandidiri sa madusing niyang itsura.

"Careful, watch your head." Matt said.

Okay... what did he just say? Nangunot ang noo ng dalaga sa kakahula. She couldn't understand their language.

Strangely and somehow, she feels comfortable around these people. As if she's right below the orbit as the sun warms over her. It's warm... becoming warmer. She felt a sting on her skin, a burning sensation, like a fire melting on the layers of her sensitive skin.

Someone's close...

"Shit!" She accidentally stepped on his foot and Julian seems irritated

"S-sorry! I am sorry..." Napatingin ang dalaga sa lalaki at aligagang napaupo para matingnan ang napuruhan niya sa paa nito. May kabigatan pa man din ang suot niyang sapatos at sigurado siyang masakit iyon.

Nakayuko ang binata ngunit hindi nakaligtas sa pandinig ng dalaga ang inis sa singhap nito.

"Sorry..." Pag-uulit niya dala ng kahihiyan.

Napaamang siya ng umangat ito ng tingin sa kaniya. He has his left eye patched. His hair's down and his eyes are barely seen behind those bangs.

She wants to see him closer, but it's Julian who looked away first, not wanting to have an eye contact with the new, strange girl.